Oli Golding

A1 tennis academy · Satellite level

RE: Oli Golding

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Great sentiment but OG by his deeds is making his own choices, contrasts greatly with some of Kyles tweets last year flying around Europe which was along the lines of "living the dream why would you do anything else? "

Ability is only a small part of what it takes to become a champion, if only Neville Neville had played tennis rather than cricket in the summer, does make you wonder what Phil Neville would have done with a racket. Very interesting hearing him speak about how playing cricket with men in the Lancashire league fostered that steely competitive edge that allowed him to be successful at the highest level. We are talking about a man that faced seriously quick West Indian professionals at 11 almost the same age as when OG was on the stage.

Tennis is such a technical sport that decent athletes can excel as juniors when well coached. Undoubtedly the top 50 in the world are very gifted athletically, physically or both. In addition they have an insatiable will to win. Increasingly now I feel that athleticism is none negotiable if the LTA get a junior who fits the bill throw money at them every sport is after them and Brits with that skill set play football. Ladies is different as it is one of the few sports where women can make any sort of living.

As a bad tennis player the best junior I encountered, and I haven't encountered many, used to win the local club championship from the age of 14 without trying and very little coaching, did a degree in SW London and had a summer job pulling on the covers when it rained at Wimbledon while playing semi pro football before his dad allowed him to start a successful career as a pro footballer. Most of that time he was also selling photo copiers. Absolutely no expectation of an easy life and totally dedicated to earning a living from sport. His success was based on attitude, ability, durability and phenomenal athleticism.

sherbert · Lower Club Player

Sorry to come a bit late to the conversation... From what I hear, it sounds like Oli possibly won't return to tennis now.

My point about money outside of tennis seemed to be taken the wrong way by a couple of people and I probaBly didn't word it very well. I was a student for 4 years - so I know exactly what being a student is like and having no money. But a student can still get on well without much money - i know I did! However, a tennis player HAS to have money, and a lot of it to keep playing tennis.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Sorry to hear that, from the sound of it, Oli is looking more like leaving tennis for good.

I think your points about tennis and funding were well said, Sherbert. You're right that the analogy with students is valid but not the same.

However, the problem is that there seems to be no shortage of players, from all countries, willing to give it a go, and practically all without extra funding.

And Oli's decision was/is obviously not funding related as he was receiving the full LTA package until only a couple of months before he quit/paused.

Jaffa · Challenger level

I saw that Evan tweeted Oli a week ish ago saying 'now that you've quit tennis...'.

Real shame but what can you do, hope he has a good career in whatever he chooses.

steven · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
Sorry to hear that, from the sound of it, Oli is looking more like leaving tennis for good.

I think your points about tennis and funding were well said, Sherbert. You're right that the analogy with students is valid but not the same.

However, the problem is that there seems to be no shortage of players, from all countries, willing to give it a go, and practically all without extra funding.

And Oli's decision was/is obviously not funding related as he was receiving the full LTA package until only a couple of months before he quit/paused.

I would have thought that makes it even more likely that it was funding-related - he must be aware how much it all costs, it wouldn't take him a few months not being funded to work that out.

philwrig · Hall of fame

I am very saddened to hear about that potential outcome regarding Oli. He genuinely had the ability to be a grand slam contender, and at the very least a professional career which would have repaid him financially very well. I will never forget the way he demolished a 10k field at Newcastle whilst he was still 18. Hopefully he will reconsider because his talent is a once in a generation type of talent, gutting to hear this news.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

steven wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
Sorry to hear that, from the sound of it, Oli is looking more like leaving tennis for good.

I think your points about tennis and funding were well said, Sherbert. You're right that the analogy with students is valid but not the same.

However, the problem is that there seems to be no shortage of players, from all countries, willing to give it a go, and practically all without extra funding.

And Oli's decision was/is obviously not funding related as he was receiving the full LTA package until only a couple of months before he quit/paused.
I would have thought that makes it even more likely that it was funding-related - he must be aware how much it all costs, it wouldn't take him a few months not being funded to work that out.

Possibly, but I don't see it that way (although I've never spoken to the bloke so I've really no idea).

To me, someone like George C is (almost certainly) quitting for financial reasons - he's 25, has tried for several years, with some but limited success, can't go on like that indefinitely etc. etc.

Oli is young, ranked in the 300s, great potential, could have the LTA funding if he wanted, no 'debts' from having to fund himself up to now - financially it makes no sense to quit now, quite the opposite.

steven · Tennis legend

We don't know whether he could still have LTA funding if he wanted it (do we?) - if so then yes, it doesn't make sense, especially when (as you and Phil say) he had the potential to be self-funding within a couple of years if things went well.

indiana · Tennis legend

If Oli has decided to quit, it strikes me as a bit kneejerk from a possibly still rather immature, impulsive guy.

By all means, take some time out to consider his options, especially in the light of recent events.

But he is a very talented tennis player, being held back a bit by certain faults which look clearly rectifiable, temperament clearly being one.

I have for some time seen him as top 100 potential even when he appeared to be flatlining. It is a possible big future, not I would have thought to be given up without thoroughly considering all the options.

I do hope that he has good people around him.

sherbert · Lower Club Player

I don't know Oli, so I can't say for sure why he is doing it. I know that Neil struggled with the transition from being LTA funded to having to fund himself - and I wonder if that might be the case with Oli. If I'm honest, there have been times when I've wished Neil would give up so we can have a 'normal' life. However, no matter what the situation - even when we have no idea how he's going to fund the next set of tournaments, I don't think Neil has ever even considered giving up.

Priesty · Challenger level

Jaffa wrote:
I saw that Evan tweeted Oli a week ish ago saying 'now that you've quit tennis...'.

Real shame but what can you do, hope he has a good career in whatever he chooses.

There was a tweet commenting on how much Oli's FIFA play has improved since he 'quit' tennis and then another one afterwards asking if he has just taken time out of tennis to try and work on his FIFA, personally I wouldn't read too much into it as it could all just be laddish banter between them.

I would hope however that people at the LTA are trying to think of a way that all this can be resolved and to persuade Oli to stay in the game otherwise I can envisage a situation after Murray retires where yet again there is no strength in depth in the British men's game and poor Davis Cup results and Wimbledon showings. We need as much genuine talent as we have to come through and a competitive environment between them.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Have to agree with Priesty on this one. I read those tweets as a "bit of banter" and perhaps even a bit of subtle reverse psychology from his mates. There is no doubt that GB tennis needs talented players like Oli. The question is, does Oli need GB tennis ? Only he knows the answer to that one. Which ever way he goes in the end, I wish him well.

BeefyDeedz · Pro player

If Oli doesn't have the passion for the grind then that's okay. Nobody has an obligation to be a tennis player, luckily!

indiana · Tennis legend

Ah, yes, that sounds very much like a bit of twitter banter, which in the context I wouldn't take as any sort of confirmation that Oli has decided to retire.

Very much hope so anyway. And as I have said before, I think very much like Priesty that the LTA should be trying to help resolve all this.