GB 2016 Calendar

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

RE: GB 2016 Calendar

paulisi · Tennis legend

I think the women's 25K's will come back on the menu next year and replace the 10K's due to the number of players potentially capable

The men may also get a challenger back if we can get a few more into that bracket - Alex W, Lloyd. Milts and keep the likes of James, Liam Brydan and Dan E in that range and any other that could progress - Bambo, Evan, Neil P etc

RJA · Hall of fame

Bob in Spain wrote:
I note that the Aussie's have a 25k this week with only 4 Non-Aussie's in the MD, all of whom got knocked out in the 1st round, so the Aussies will have a clean sweep of all the points. What's more, the last DE into the main draw has a WR of 1314 and his CH is not much higher. There were only 2 Non-Aussies in the 64 man qualies (which was full with no byes) and neither made it through to the MD.

Not sure it boosts the players performance as much playing in tougher draws overseas, but it gives them a chance to win some money and boost their rankings. LTA please take note.

Be careful Bob. You are in danger of suggesting a sensible mix of tournaments.

-- Edited by RJA on Wednesday 16th of March 2016 03:34:44 PM

Strongbow · All-time great

RJA wrote:
Bob in Spain wrote:
I note that the Aussie's have a 25k this week with only 4 Non-Aussie's in the MD, all of whom got knocked out in the 1st round, so the Aussies will have a clean sweep of all the points. What's more, the last DE into the main draw has a WR of 1314 and his CH is not much higher. There were only 2 Non-Aussies in the 64 man qualies (which was full with no byes) and neither made it through to the MD.

Not sure it boosts the players performance as much playing in tougher draws overseas, but it gives them a chance to win some money and boost their rankings. LTA please take note.
Be careful Bob. You are in danger of suggesting a sensible mix of tournaments.
You'd be in danger of impinging their budget for new furniture

-- Edited by RJA on Wednesday 16th of March 2016 03:34:44 PM

Etienne · Club Coach

But an equivalent 25k in GB would be filled with overseas players, for geographical reasons.

Miriambee · Futures level

Etienne wrote:
But an equivalent 25k in GB would be filled with overseas players, for geographical reasons.

So we make sure ours clashes with 25Ks that are held in France and Germany!

RJA · Hall of fame

I am just bumping this to note one very sad consequence of the LTA's decision not to hold any futures events over the summer. As most will know 10K events must be held for 3 weeks in a row and 25K events must be held two weeks in a row. The Irish managed to get round this by holding their sole futures tournament the week after the GB grass court futures and the ITF accepted that Dublin was geographically close enough for this to be okay. Unfortunately with the GB summer futures gone so is the Irish futures event.

And so the The Irish Open, the second oldest tournament in the history of tennis (first played in 1879) and whose former champions include Rod Laver is no more. Obviously that isn't the LTA's responsibility but it is sad none the less.

Michael D · All-time great

RJA wrote:
I am just bumping this to note one very sad consequence of the LTA's decision not to hold any futures events over the summer. As most will know 10K events must be held for 3 weeks in a row and 25K events must be held two weeks in a row. The Irish managed to get round this by holding their sole futures tournament the week after the GB grass court futures and the ITF accepted that Dublin was geographically close enough for this to be okay. Unfortunately with the GB summer futures gone so is the Irish futures event.

And so the The Irish Open, the second oldest tournament in the history of tennis (first played in 1879) and whose former champions include Rod Laver is no more. Obviously that isn't the LTA's responsibility but it is sad none the less.

Well, it is a consequence of the LTA's strange decision making, even if they don't have direct responsibility. Let's hope then that the Irish Open is able to resume again in the near future. It seems really ironic to me, especially in the women's game, that just as there is a good crop of new, young players who would really benefit from more of the 10k/ 25k tournaments, they are virtually no more in the UK.

indiana · Tennis legend

Have the LTA at any time given reason for this lack of summer futures and ongoing huge drop in 10Ks / 25Ks for both sexes generally through the year ?

They are more and more holding a 6 week long grass court summer festival of higher grade tournaments and opting out of the rest of the year to the detriment of so many of our players.

You grow up thinking that the time around Wimbledon is all tennis is about, learn over time it is about so so much more and then find the LTA seemingly trying to tie British pro tennis into line with your childhood memories.

Otto · Social player

Well, this is the most important point of the last 30 years. The LTA are not answerable to their members or member clubs. They don't feel the need to explain or justify their policies, and would not dream of holding a public forum (they tried it once. It didn't go well). All this is a consequence of internal Politics and self interest. It doesn't help that the All England Club, publicly, don't want a connection with the running of British tennis in fear of tarnishing their billion dollar international brand.