IGNORE 

Here's my thoughtd after my trip to Surbiton this afternoon:

A very enjoyable afternoon of tennis. Got there just after Marcus had started his qr1 against Scott. Was a very tight first set with the serve dictating. After that I thought Marcus stepped it up a gear and Scott made a few more errors. Was one bizarre non let call on Marcus serve in I think in the third set everyone could hear it apart the umpire somehow. Marcus stopped play and lost the point I think that put it at deuce thankfully Marcus came through the game in the end with a couple of aces.
Dan smethurst was on the court next to Marcus's against Richard Gabb when ever I looked over I thought dan looked the more in control of the game.
I watched Dan Evans 2qr game and within the first few games Dan seemed to be stretching his leg out. Then later in the set Dan asked for the trainer on I think it might be to do with the back of his right knee couldn't work it out though. Although it didn't look like in general play it was effecting him.
After that i caught some of Luke Bambridge against James Marsalek only caught a bit of it but was impressed by Luke his serve looks a decent weapon. His general stroke play looked decent as well.
Last game I caught was Marcus while also catching some of Dan Smethurst again on the same adjoining court. Marcus played much better imo than his first game. Very few errors, serve was good and some of the shots were terrific, especially the deft drop shots. I left before Dan had finished but he looked in reasonable control of the game again.

Domara thanks for posting your insight is greatly apreciated and reflects the reality of the withdrawl of the bonus scheme. I agree totally that college is an excellent option for juniors who perhaps have a combined high of 20 or more, anyone between 20-100 would be greeted on the top college campuses as a superstar, and I accept completely that the removal of LTA support has whipped the carpet from beneath the feet of many of our young players.

Bobs comments are also well made and I fear we may have no players to support on the ITF and challenger tours under the age of 22, for a decade once Kyle falls out of that age bracket.

My point was not to criticize Cam or his decision indeed he is playing well both here and in college where I am following him (along with some other young British players, indeed I am in danger of becoming a Memphis fan as opposed to a British tennis fan, or is that one in the same thing). It comes from having spent a couple of years watching one of the best if not the best US college sports programme week in week out, in one of the strongest conferences, the standard of opposition is very variable. It does not come close to the consistency found in the main draw at ITF level and often the qualifying draw would be tougher, this is reflected in Cam being rated the 10th best freshman in the whole US on his arrival.

He is already an elite college player before he starts and although getting decent tests in regional and national tournaments these are going to get easier and he will be tested less often as he matures. My feeling is to optimise development of his skill set he needs constant practice against elite opposition, mature players both physically and tactically this is based on an interest in training through simulation, specifically with a view to achieving competences earlier and then becoming expert. One has to be realistic in who you select to train and what you train them to do, those are different questions.

I would argue a player with a Junior combined high of 10 should be supported and given a crack at such high intensity training, the LTA should deliver the currulum the ITF and challenger tours comprehensive and resilient assessment. One has to be pragmatic and if the deal isn't good enough and there is a better offer so be it. I think if your best players arent interested in what you have to offer the LTA are playing a dangerous game in that there maybe no one left to support. There have been examples of players progressing but please correct me if the US college system has ever produced an elite male British singles player, we have 100 young men in college at present, that is not how the NCAA market themselves, indeed their mantra is there are 30,000 student athletes who do something other than sport. Ie for the most parts student athletes go to get a degree.

I fear the debate will be is one Kyle Edmund better than no James Wards (not 20).

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Sunday 7th of June 2015 07:05:25 AM

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Sunday 7th of June 2015 07:10:01 AM