Oli Golding

Floody78 · Junior player

Oli Golding

indiana · Tennis legend

Hmm, not sure what to really make of it.

Maybe is worth taking a break if it really helps him refocus, consider how things have been going and what he needs to change.

I have consistently put it out there that I saw Oli as a potential top 100 player ( much more so than say Liam or Luke ). But I recognised that he certainly had a lot of maturing to do, particularly with some of his attitudes, and was likely to begin to really break through rather later than many.

I do hope that this is all to the good and he returns to tennis more ready to move forward.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

One of the things that I was talking to Beechy about was the 4 months Kyle had to take out at the end of last year. Whilst in this case it was enforced, the feeling was that in the longer term, the break may well have been a blessing in disguise.

With regard to Oli, I am not sure what to make of it either and I don't really want to jump to conclusions. The break could be a couple of weeks or a couple of months. Perhaps it is just mental fatigue, or perhaps it is a sense of "feeling lost and without direction" since his split from the LTA and he is finding it tough being out there "alone" so to speak.

Whatever the situation is, I hope Oli gets his Mojo back as I agree with Indiana in saying that he still potentially one of the best prospects we have.

All the best Oli.

indiana · Tennis legend

Oh, I didn't realise that Oli had split from the LTA.

I recall that Oli recently played the grass court season, apparently against the LTA's wishes and suggestions that they would need to look at things. On the forum that actually brought more criticism of the LTA for seemingly applying some "one size fits all" policy to some of our promising young players, with Liam and Luke apparently banished during the ( quite short, but can be motivational / inspiring, LTA ! ) grass court season.

I take it that the split is linked to the grass court happenings ?

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
Oh, I didn't realise that Oli had split from the LTA.

I recall that Oli recently played the grass court season, apparently against the LTA's wishes and suggestions that they would need to look at things. On the forum that actually brought more criticism of the LTA for seemingly applying some "one size fits all" policy to some of our promising young players, with Liam and Luke apparently banished during the ( quite short, but can be motivational / inspiring, LTA ! ) grass court season.

I take it that the split is linked to the grass court happenings ?

Perhaps I have got that wrong. My "assumption" that he has split from the LTA was only based on things I had read on here.

-- Edited by Bob in Spain on Wednesday 6th of August 2014 04:59:23 PM

korriban · Challenger level

Disappointed but not at all surprised. With his 2 main rivals in the 1993 year group whom Oli battled with week in week out in juniors both well inside the top 100, and indeed the top 50 in Thiem's case, it can't be easy looking on and thinking that life somehow isn't fair.

My assumption is that, injuries aside (and all 3 players have had big injuries), Oli appears to lack the dedication, application and attitude to life and tennis that the other 2 seem to possess. His former coach seemed to say this in not so many words, and certain on the court behaviours seemed to suggest (to me anyway) that Oli expected to turn up and play lights out every day. Repeating the word "grind" on twitter every time you win a tight match doesnt mean you do that every day, nor that grinding is part of your DNA.

I hope we see him again, but he'll need to swallow some pride and almost start again I suspect, which isn't easy for someone who likes to come across as uber confident. Deep down Oli comes across as a very nice guy who probably covers up his insecurities with lots of swagger. But he's an excellent tennis player and would be a big loss.

scottie1 · Futures level

Being a top Junior does not always translate into breaking into top 100 British Tennis is littered with promising juniors who failed to deliver ie Miles Kasiri and David Brewer. I have not seen Oli play live so cannot comment on his game but he has had loads of publicity after his junior career maybe it's too much for him to handle

paulisi · Tennis legend

I think it's a great decision. There is clearly an issue due to the way he lost his last few matches, whether that be physical/mental.

I hope he keeps himself fit, finds some funding and comes back in a couple of months hungry and better for it.

Kyle did it, Evo did it and both benefitted.

Jaffa · Challenger level

Wonder if A1 Pharmaceuticals might like to sponsor him?

In all seriousness, I do hope he is ok, he seems to have put a lot of pressure on himself in the last few months, clearly didn't enjoy going out to Asia on his own and the late withdrawals spelled the worst.

If its what he needs to do to be better, then I'm all for it!

wales1994 · County player

He popped up on my tinder the other day.... Found it quite funny!

Jaffa · Challenger level

But did you both swipe right?!

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

Disagree with Korri that Oli lacks dedication and application. I believe Oli is dedicated to his tennis and works very hard at it and I don't think Hofferlin suggested otherwise. I think it's more a question that, due to a little immaturity, the hard work and effort isn't necessarily always of the right sort. He's been working to be a tennis player since a very young age and is clearly impatient to make a big success of it and is not yet always able to handle his frustration when his best efforts don't bear fruit. If he is taking a little break, it may well do him good and clear his head. He has all the tools to be a very good player indeed, just needs to grow up a little bit. Rumour has it that Eden S on the women's side took a little break to decide if tennis was what she really wanted or whether it was just something she had done by default since she was a little girl and now feels positive and re-invigorated. If the rumour is true, it has done her the power of good, her recent results have been just great.

Re Oli's split with the LTA, IT was mentioned here and also in one of the national dailies during Wimbledon.

wales1994 · County player

Jaffa wrote:
But did you both swipe right?!

Unfortunately, I swiped left! Shame. Who knows what could've been!

Spectator · All-time great

Agree with The Optimist. And hope that he has a good time away, whether it's a short break or a more permanent one. Would be sorry to see him give it up entirely, since like several here I've always thought that he had the talent to do really well, and very few have that. But quite a wise move to give it a break and see what emerges.

-- Edited by Spectator on Thursday 7th of August 2014 05:58:49 AM

huntley93 · Strong Club Player

The Optimist wrote:
Disagree with Korri that Oli lacks dedication and application. I believe Oli is dedicated to his tennis and works very hard at it and I don't think Hofferlin suggested otherwise. I think it's more a question that, due to a little immaturity, the hard work and effort isn't necessarily always of the right sort. He's been working to be a tennis player since a very young age and is clearly impatient to make a big success of it and is not yet always able to handle his frustration when his best efforts don't bear fruit. If he is taking a little break, it may well do him good and clear his head. He has all the tools to be a very good player indeed, just needs to grow up a little bit. Rumour has it that Eden S on the women's side took a little break to decide if tennis was what she really wanted or whether it was just something she had done by default since she was a little girl and now feels positive and re-invigorated. If the rumour is true, it has done her the power of good, her recent results have been just great.
Re Oli's split with the LTA, IT was mentioned here and also in one of the national dailies during Wimbledon.

david ferrer also took a break i think did he not?