Neil Pauffley

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Neil Pauffley

Spectator · All-time great

That is a nice article - and it was helpful to have Ms Herbert's comments earlier on another thread. Like you, I hope they both have a good 2015!

Perhaps Downe House can spark a bidding war for some of the other key players? Getting in early means that that Downe House has three very good people - but I wouldn't be surprised if, for example, Mr Corrie had the potential to be a very good coach in the interstices of his competition year. They may not get a Mr Goodall, who's prepared to give the coaching significant time, but are there any other well-endowed schools that want a professional to come in and give the odd clinic?

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Good point !

I was looking at Talbot Heath's fees yesterday (where a lot of our best girls go) and, for the money they charge, they should certainly provide a few expert clinics !

Actually, I've always thought Dan Cox would be very good at that. Not only a pure coaching clinic, but giving a speech/presentation or whatever to school kids. He speaks very well, was a very good junior, and is quite inspirational in a way - sort of David v Goliath, 'little guy battles through' sort of story.

Ed would be good too. I also think, though, that he'd make an excellent hitting partner later on if he wanted some extra cash - hits a good clean, consistent ball, solid off both wings, 'normal' player (Dan Cox is too short to be ideal as a hitting partner), and a very likeable guy who's not all ego.

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

The girls at Talbot Heath do all their tennis at the West Hants HPC

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

The Optimist wrote:
The girls at Talbot Heath do all their tennis at the West Hants HPC

Yes. And the fees are listed separately. I just wondered how much of it (in total) was funded by the LTA and how much by parents. It's a huge amount of money. And given that Maloney and Baptiste and others are there, it's obviously one of the best 'academies' (given, unlike other countries, the LTA doesn't seem to run academies).

sherbert · Lower Club Player

Thanks for your well wishes! Haven't been on here over Christmas so only just seen it. Downehouse is doing Neil a huge favour - next years plan is to work there to earn money and then travel to some weaker tournaments and hopefully pick up some points. Fingers crossed for an injury free 2015...first stop... British Tour in Sheffield. Hope you all had great Christmases.

Topemp · Strong Club Player

For those who hadn't seen, two articles about Neil's win last week:

http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2015/11/09/ace-neil-pauffley-powers-to-tipton-victory/

http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Tennis-Derby-s-Neil-Pauffley-lands-biggest-career/story-28137584-detail/story.html

Neil has been ill this week, hence his under-par singles performance yesterday and withdrawal from the doubles.

But he will be on BBC Radio Derby this evening around 6.35 if anyone would like to listen. I will come back and post a link if I can find it after, but if you want to listen live, you can hear it here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radioderby

indiana · Tennis legend

Just caught the last couple of minutes of Neil's interview.

Interesting that he's intending to play in an upcoming Italian Challenger.

Quite amusing by the way that after they had clearly been discussing finances Neil described it as a 45,000 Euro Challenger and the interviewer was like "Well, that would certainly help out !" Neil was too kind to correct his obvious misunderstanding and, unlike my thoughts on some tennis commentators' and journalists' nonsence, I wouldn't hold it against the guy at all.

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 11th of November 2015 08:39:26 PM

Topemp · Strong Club Player

Fo anyone that would like to catch the interview with Neil, it is available on this link for the next couple of weeks or so, the interview starts at 39.55.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p036g1zz

Topemp · Strong Club Player

indiana wrote:
Just caught the last couple of minutes of Neil's interview.

Interesting that he's intending to play in an upcoming Italian Challenger.

Quite amusing by the way that after they had clearly been discussing finances Neil described it as a 45,000 Euro Challenger and the interviewer was like "Well, that would certainly help out !" Neil was too kind to correct his obvious misunderstanding and, unlike my thoughts on some tennis commentators' and journalists' nonsence, I wouldn't hold it against the guy at all.

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 11th of November 2015 08:39:26 PM

Ha ha, yes I noticed that too, glad that he's planning on going to try qualies in Andria, think Sherbert deserves some credit for that!

Also got impression that the interviewer was pretty enthusiastic about his local sport, even though he might not be a tennis fan particularly, but was pretty good, and Neil came over well. Many of the themes featured are well known to us on this site, but good to get them to a wider (albeit local) audience.

bigboyjumbo · Lower Club Player

i could have sworn neil was from Berkshire?

paulisi · Tennis legend

bigboyjumbo wrote:
i could have sworn neil was from Berkshire?

He represents them at county level, but I believe he is based in the Derby area now.

philwrig · Hall of fame

paulisi wrote:
bigboyjumbo wrote:
i could have sworn neil was from Berkshire?
He represents them at county level, but I believe he is based in the Derby area now.

A certain forum contributor may well be the reason for that ;)

sherbert · Lower Club Player

philwrig wrote:
paulisi wrote:
bigboyjumbo wrote:
i could have sworn neil was from Berkshire?
He represents them at county level, but I believe he is based in the Derby area now.
A certain forum contributor may well be the reason for that ;)

Haha that's right - I've stolen him from Berkshire! He is staying true to his roots though and will only play for Berkshire. Also guilty about the challenger in Italy. I just feel that Neil plays better against higher ranked opponents, so really hoping he can qualify there and start to agree that attempting challengers mixed in with futures is the way forward.

Lots of people have no idea about prize money - a lot of people wonder why I work because they think Neil is 'rich'. Very surprised when I tell them there's been times I've had to support him. There was an article in the maideneeds advertiser yesterday - (isn't online for some reason) they think Neil won £10k last week.

EddietheEagle · County player

He comes across well in his interview. Apropos finances, if this is a continuing concern, could he not find himself a nice spot with a Bundesliga club? They tend to pay well. While you hold ambitions as a player, being paid to compete is surely a better option than being paid to coach.