Oakland2002 wrote:

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A bit of a Brit fest with Naomi also in the same team.

That little corner of the world is sporting Nirvana. I can see the attraction, being paid to prepare to play with excellent local facilities.

Lots of money locally, good coaches, great weather produce lots of depth locally probably comparable with the output of British tennis. There is a link. If anyone ever goes that way the municipal tennis set up in Bilbao Park were the likes of Agassi beat Sampras as a kid and Taylor Fritz played a lot of junior tennis is impressive. 28 courts with one set aside for 24/7 competitive tennis, a winner stays on court! The coaches running for the last three decades are brothers (one played on tour in the 80's) and the sons of a British ex pat about 90 who himself was an excellent tennis player and played football for Cheltenham town.

The High Schools also churn out an inordinate number of baseball players and footballers.

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Reminds me of the time I turned up at Golden Gate Park once in San Francisco with no racquet or kit to speak of. They fixed me up in next to no time. The courts and changing facilities were free. I soon had someone to play with and ended up going there several times during my stay. All very welcoming and easy. I cannot think it was just my English accent.