Week 11 - ITF ($10k) Jiangmen, China (Hard)

steven · Tennis legend

RE: Week 11 - ITF ($10k) Jiangmen, China (Hard)

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Ah well. Onto the next tournament

indiana · Tennis legend

Pity the final didn't go to plan, but a good week for Harriet.

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

Yep very good week :)

emma · Strong Club Player

Congratulations to Harriet on reaching the final this week :)

philwrig · Hall of fame

Harriet is a tough player to evaluate, didn't have any stellar results as a junior, but plays to a much higher standard in seniors if not providing evidence of a knockout blow which would make a strong case that you should ignore her performances as a junior.

I sort of feel her ceiling will be somewhere inside the top 200, but I'd love to be wrong. I've said this in the past but her oncourt persona is top notch, and I do firmly believe that she will max out her potential which is all you can ask for.

I agree about Freya, surprised her match with Harriet wasn't closer, but maybe's its the matchup. In someways Freya has more potential, but it might take her a bit longer to fulfil that.

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

If I recall correctly, Harriet was building up a respectable adult ranking (800 ish) age 16/17 but then went to train at the NTC. Her schedule immediately changed from adult events back to high level junior events at which she did not particularly shine. Since the demise of NTC training (or possibly a bit before) and having lost her adult ranking, she moved to Northwood with Katie D and began playing exclusively adult events again with steadily improving results. Sometimes kids have games that are just more suited to adult tennis than juniors (maybe more offensive/less worried about just being error free and keeping the ball in play) - guess Harriet is one of these.

steven · Tennis legend

The Optimist wrote:
If I recall correctly, Harriet was building up a respectable adult ranking (800 ish) age 16/17 but then went to train at the NTC. Her schedule immediately changed from adult events back to high level junior events at which she did not particularly shine. Since the demise of NTC training (or possibly a bit before) and having lost her adult ranking, she moved to Northwood with Katie D and began playing exclusively adult events again with steadily improving results. Sometimes kids have games that are just more suited to adult tennis than juniors (maybe more offensive/less worried about just being error free and keeping the ball in play) - guess Harriet is one of these.

That, it was definitely Harriet who was doing well in seniors early on then inexplicably (or so it seemed to me at the time - now I know why!) switched back to juniors where she didn't seem to do nearly as well. I've been impressed with her the couple of times I've seen her play.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

The Optimist wrote:
If I recall correctly, Harriet was building up a respectable adult ranking (800 ish) age 16/17 but then went to train at the NTC. Her schedule immediately changed from adult events back to high level junior events at which she did not particularly shine. Since the demise of NTC training (or possibly a bit before) and having lost her adult ranking, she moved to Northwood with Katie D and began playing exclusively adult events again with steadily improving results. Sometimes kids have games that are just more suited to adult tennis than juniors (maybe more offensive/less worried about just being error free and keeping the ball in play) - guess Harriet is one of these.

Another rather sad NTC story cry Although not with long-term ramifications really so no real long-term harm done.

And I agree completely about the statement that some kids' games suit adult tennis better. And, yes, junior tennis generally rewards fitness and error-free play more than attack and power.

It's not just their games, either, but the whole set-up. For instance, most junior matches are not umpired and some kids are bad at line-calling, or get stressed by it, or get completely fazed when the opponent cheats/mis-calls a line.

And parents can be difficult to deal with, especially as there's no umpire. (I always remember the story I was told of my son, tender age 13 or so, turning round on court to the father of one player and saying, "excuse me but I don't remember you ever being appointed umpire of this match". But he always was a lippy sort, others find it more tricky).

So, great to hear that those who know her really rate Harriet.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Certainly agree that some players games are more suited to playing seniors, but for some reason Harriet never even had one eye catching result in juniors, so a bit of a mystery, will be interesting to see how she develops, certainly she is a very interesting talent and one that is very difficult to judge.

TennisLover · Strong Club Player

The Optimist wrote:
If I recall correctly, Harriet was building up a respectable adult ranking (800 ish) age 16/17 but then went to train at the NTC. Her schedule immediately changed from adult events back to high level junior events at which she did not particularly shine. Since the demise of NTC training (or possibly a bit before) and having lost her adult ranking, she moved to Northwood with Katie D and began playing exclusively adult events again with steadily improving results. Sometimes kids have games that are just more suited to adult tennis than juniors (maybe more offensive/less worried about just being error free and keeping the ball in play) - guess Harriet is one of these.

Some players are lucky that they don't have to worry about funding (either parents have the means or they have sponsors who believe in them regardless of "results"). Others have to juggle and make decisions not on long term development but more on short term results so as to attract sponsorship. You then find junior players with a game better suited to seniors who still try to do juniors just to have results and ranking that will enable potential sponsors to notice them. Its not easy for the majority I am afraid, especially those who have real talent but just dont have the means.