tony_orient wrote:

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In future if there are several Wildcards not being used, maybe it would be better to upgrade the wildcard playoffs to include a final where the winner gets a place in the main draw.

It would give players outside the top 250 a chance of making the main draw, and it couldn't be criticised for being undeserved if the player has had to win a competition to get the WC.

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Oh yes it could - if the competition is just made up of British players rather than go through qualifying where they are likely to encounter players from all over the world and who are most likely to be of a slightly better standard than one low ranked British player beating another load of low ranked British players. 

There are also 11 US women in the qualifying draw, who are all potential beneficiaries of the wildcards given out at the 9 high-level WTA events in the US. And the 30 or 40 high-level ITF tournaments in the US.

9 Chinese women, all potential beneficiaries of the wildcards given out at 8 Chinese WTA tournaments.

Have you and indi ever considered joining a French tennis forum, and arguing over there that, as France organises about 40 ITF tournaments in a year, that's about 160 wildcards given out, it would be unfair if French players get wildcards to Roland Garros?

Also, RE Sharapova v Sam Murray... it takes 2 to tango. If it's entertaining sporting contests, that you're after, better avoid the showcourts for the first 4 days. The draw is rigged; guaranteeing that Sharapova doesn't play a competitive match until R3. Your best chance of seeing a close match on a show court in the first few days is if a British player, probably a wildcard, is scheduled. Last year, 4 of our 5 women players were involved in close 3-setters. Of the top 5 seeds, Halep dropped the only set they lost between them in the first couple of rounds, in R2 vs Tsurenko.

A131 wrote:

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TennisLover wrote:

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A131 wrote:

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tony_orient wrote:

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In future if there are several Wildcards not being used, maybe it would be better to upgrade the wildcard playoffs to include a final where the winner gets a place in the main draw.

It would give players outside the top 250 a chance of making the main draw, and it couldn't be criticised for being undeserved if the player has had to win a competition to get the WC.

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Oh yes it could - if the competition is just made up of British players rather than go through qualifying where they are likely to encounter players from all over the world and who are most likely to be of a slightly better standard than one low ranked British player beating another load of low ranked British players. 

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Surely, the winner would at least have earned the WC regardless of their standard vis-a-vis non-brits in the qualies. Bear in mind that there are several players who are in the main draw by right who would struggle to qualify if they had to go through the qualifying process.

 

 

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That may be true and even those who have been awarded a main draw wc you can not 100% guarantee that they would have come through qualifying  but we are talking about people who haven't even reached the qualifying draw on merit.

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You are right A131 but unfortunately that's the way it goes. Laura got a MDWC after getting hammered. If things were to be given on merit then it would be very difficult for us.

TennisLover wrote:

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A131 wrote:

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TennisLover wrote:

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A131 wrote:

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tony_orient wrote:

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In future if there are several Wildcards not being used, maybe it would be better to upgrade the wildcard playoffs to include a final where the winner gets a place in the main draw.

It would give players outside the top 250 a chance of making the main draw, and it couldn't be criticised for being undeserved if the player has had to win a competition to get the WC.

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Oh yes it could - if the competition is just made up of British players rather than go through qualifying where they are likely to encounter players from all over the world and who are most likely to be of a slightly better standard than one low ranked British player beating another load of low ranked British players. 

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Surely, the winner would at least have earned the WC regardless of their standard vis-a-vis non-brits in the qualies. Bear in mind that there are several players who are in the main draw by right who would struggle to qualify if they had to go through the qualifying process.

 

 

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That may be true and even those who have been awarded a main draw wc you can not 100% guarantee that they would have come through qualifying  but we are talking about people who haven't even reached the qualifying draw on merit.

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You are right A131 but unfortunately that's the way it goes. Laura got a MDWC after getting hammered. If things were to be given on merit then it would be very difficult for us.

 

 

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Well it should be difficult to get in the main draw of a slam. I know it sounds a bit harsh but if the players are simply not good enough, then I don't think we should act like its kindergarten just because they may never get a chance. As I have expressed many times on this board in an ideal world I would have no slam mdwc and I accept I am in the minority on that and of course people are free to agree or disagree but they are the top events in our sport and I just believe that you should get in on the strength of your ranking or get through qualifying. I realise it won't change anytime soon but hope in the future may be all the slams can agree to reduce the allocation to say 4 or meet halfway. Just my view.