James Ward

indiana · Tennis legend

RE: James Ward

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Oh, yes, me too. There's quite a few who haven't played many matches this year (obviously) and he's had enough experience of the 'benefits' of qualifying. How nice, finally, simply to know you managed to get in as of right !

LouieG · County player

Well done James! Now go & win a round or 2!

Spectator · All-time great

I'd had similar thoughts, RJA. But I think there must be some sort of boost to the confidence (which does seem to matter) about getting in as of right. And of course, while the points/drive for the top 100 would suffer if (which we hope is not the case!) he were to lose in the first round, there would still be considerable financial rewards, which don't hurt the long-term planning.

-- Edited by Spectator on Saturday 10th of January 2015 09:52:29 PM

EddietheEagle · County player

Agreed. The main thing is to get in. Qualifying is risky and it's not as if he doesn't drop matches he ought to win; witness his loss to Huta Galung despite a big ranking gap and after all that training with Andy.

DF · Tennis legend

Good news. This should boost his confidence. Fingers crossed for a 'good' draw

AO second round here we come!

goldenboy · Club Coach

Would also be a great way to break the top 100 by winning a round or 3 at the Aussie open!

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Great news. Hope he gets a good draw to win a round o two or even more

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

I guess it's abit too late for him to get a WC into Auckland or Sydney qualies. Shame, as the match practice would be good. I hope he gets the chance to train a little with Andy next week.

freerider · Futures level

Morning all. Can anybody tell me please when the main draw is being made?

freerider · Futures level

freerider wrote:
Morning all. Can anybody tell me please when the main draw is being made?

... answered my own question. The answer is friday! So hoping ward can win a round here

indiana · Tennis legend

James could always have entered Auckland or Sydney.

Particularly with there always being a decent chance that he would get into the main draw of the Aussie Open, I was slightly surprised that he didn't. And anyway playing ATP qualifying and moving on later in the week to Grand Slam qualifying ( which officially counts as the following week ) is not at all unusual.

So seems simply his choice ...

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

As said before, I've always been impressed with James' savviness in event picking. He pops up, often unexpectedly, at very clever choices - weak fields, extra prize money etc. etc.

I'm not at all surprised that he's made the Main draw - I reckon he knew exactly what was needed and so, very sanguinely, didn't play that last tournament last year to get another few points and make sure.

Of course, he still sometimes seems to go AWOL and play like a complete klutz but that's partly what's so loveable about him (and he's doing it a lot less than he used to . . .)

indiana · Tennis legend

Mystic Ward :)

He could have let us here know that he had done enough !

emma · Strong Club Player

congratulations to James on getting into the main draw. He only just slipped in, being the last man in but well deserved.