Whatever the initial ins and outs of the fall out with the LTA, I can't help wondering where Naomi would be now if the Broadys hadn't picked up their ball and ran away.
Maybe compare her to those who were at the LTA when the falling out happened. Not sure who it would be - probably Tara, maybe Katie O'B, Mel S. Anyone got any other suggestionS? Compared with those 3 though, she hasn't done appreciably worse on her own, it's just been more expensive for her.
Granted, Naomi has done very well, especially all things considered. In many ways it's a relative triumph.
The big unknown remains how well would NAOMI have done still connected to the LTA. I reckon she would have quite a different technique anyway. People may point to other individuals, but that is what they are, OTHER individuals.
I'm in no way an apologist for the LTA as many of my fairly uninformed ramblings show.
Not sure how you define "appreciably worse" but two of the possible comparators can at least say they were top 100. Although Naomi would, I expect have been getting as good training at Mourataglou as she would have done anywhere else. So I agree she's probably no worse off other than financially.
I think the natural flaws in her game have never been given sufficient treatment, why I dont know, maybe it was easier to try and make her strengths stronger. If she'd sorted some of the bigger technical hitches (particularly on her backhand) years ago she'd be a bigger achiever I think. Still time, but more likely I think to only make the best of what she has got now, which I would question whether is top 100 material.
-- Edited by PaulM on Tuesday 11th of November 2014 06:55:08 PM