Oh ! I don't think this Japanese tour has worked out (apart from some doubles successes). I'm not sure though what the alternative is, when clay does not bring better surfaces for some players.
Travelling halfway around the world just to avoid the clay and then have disappointing results isn't ideal.
Still stick with my theory that the younger players should be playing on clay, even if they don't like the surface.
I agree Phil it's almost pointless Naomi playing French Open qualies I assume the money will come in handy but I can't see her winning anything there. Think it's worth about 2-3k euro for playing anyone know the breakdown?
Last year, an RG QR1 loser got about $3,500; Naomi's prize money total for 2015 so far is $15,925, a good proportion of which will have come from OzOpen qualies. So it's not insignificant.
I agree Phil it's almost pointless Naomi playing French Open qualies I assume the money will come in handy but I can't see her winning anything there. Think it's worth about 2-3k euro for playing anyone know the breakdown?
It's a no brainer for Naomi to play French Open qualifying - the money is a big factor and a chance to pick up a win(even if she hasn't played on clay this year) and pick up some decent points. The other option is to play a 25K where the money would not be as good and the points harder to come by.
Naomi will definitely play at RG, the prize money and potential ranking points are too good to turn down. Same reason why clay court specialists won't turn up at any pre Wimby grass court event, but will play Wimby.
To touch on that point, surely if you are trying to become really good at the sport, you don't run away from one of the surfaces? If Andy Murray is an inspiration to our young players, then think what would he do in the same circumstances.