Jay Clarke

Ratty · County player

RE: Jay Clarke

TheTraveller2 · Lower Club Player

Yes. If the orange bowl was such an important event for him, perhaps missing a trip or two amongst Austria, Croatia, Colombia, Japan, Mexico, Hong Kong, Spain, Hungary, Bulgaria, Egypt, Costa Rica and Switzerland might have allowed him to fund going to the USA. Now I accept that some trawling of grade 2's around the world was necessary to get him points to get him inside the cut off for the Orange Bowl, but better planning may have allowed better use of funds rather than expecting it to fall in his lap.

Prometheus · Social player

Whilst I am more of a reader than a poster, I feel I must post of Jay's behalf. I think the comments 'disingenuous and expecting funds to fall in his lap' are an attempt to belittle Jay's recent success and reeks of LTA sentiment. Looking back Kyle Edmund also played 24 tournaments in his 2nd to last year of juniors, all of which were covered by the LTA and had him travelling with an LTA coach, namely Greg Rusedski to the more prestigious tournaments. Jay on the other hand has funded his entire programme, with no support offered 'in kind'. So to say that he expects funds to fall in his lap is both unfair and unjust. Lets be honest, why would the LTA not want to support this boy? He would of been seeded in the OB and Eddie Herr and it wouldn't of been too difficult considering the LTA are already out there with the former chief executives son...
On another comparable the British number 1 girl, 8 months Jay's junior is afforded the head of women's tennis or Julian Picquot, all her training/ tournaments paid for and yet she doesn't even live in the UK.. In fact Emily Arbuthnott, a year older than Jay, lower ranked and heading off to Stanford, (very well deserved), was substantially funded by the LTA in the summer.. There is clearly is something a miss here, Jay has shown initiative by supporting his own programme and has had fantastic results. I hear the press won't be letting this go as quickly as the LTA would hope, as there is evidence that lower ranked player receive substantial support and looking at Yasmin's twitter, Sky Sports, the BBC, New York Journal and ITV are all interested in the story. I wish Jay every success in trying to get to Australia as clearly they have no intention of helping him!

TheTraveller2 · Lower Club Player

Prometheus wrote:
Whilst I am more of a reader than a poster, I feel I must post of Jay's behalf. I think the comments 'disingenuous and expecting funds to fall in his lap' are an attempt to belittle Jay's recent success and reeks of LTA sentiment. Looking back Kyle Edmund also played 24 tournaments in his 2nd to last year of juniors, all of which were covered by the LTA and had him travelling with an LTA coach, namely Greg Rusedski to the more prestigious tournaments. Jay on the other hand has funded his entire programme, with no support offered 'in kind'. So to say that he expects funds to fall in his lap is both unfair and unjust. Lets be honest, why would the LTA not want to support this boy? He would of been seeded in the OB and Eddie Herr and it wouldn't of been too difficult considering the LTA are already out there with the former chief executives son...
On another comparable the British number 1 girl, 8 months Jay's junior is afforded the head of women's tennis or Julian Picquot, all her training/ tournaments paid for and yet she doesn't even live in the UK.. In fact Emily Arbuthnott, a year older than Jay, lower ranked and heading off to Stanford, (very well deserved), was substantially funded by the LTA in the summer.. There is clearly is something a miss here, Jay has shown initiative by supporting his own programme and has had fantastic results. I hear the press won't be letting this go as quickly as the LTA would hope, as there is evidence that lower ranked player receive substantial support and looking at Yasmin's twitter, Sky Sports, the BBC, New York Journal and ITV are all interested in the story. I wish Jay every success in trying to get to Australia as clearly they have no intention of helping him!

Interesting insights Prometheus. It sounds as though you have heard that these other players are receiving cash from the LTA but Jay has received nothing from the LTA - cash or support in kind?

Miriambee · Futures level

TheTraveller2 wrote:
Prometheus wrote:
Whilst I am more of a reader than a poster, I feel I must post of Jay's behalf. I think the comments 'disingenuous and expecting funds to fall in his lap' are an attempt to belittle Jay's recent success and reeks of LTA sentiment. Looking back Kyle Edmund also played 24 tournaments in his 2nd to last year of juniors, all of which were covered by the LTA and had him travelling with an LTA coach, namely Greg Rusedski to the more prestigious tournaments. Jay on the other hand has funded his entire programme, with no support offered 'in kind'. So to say that he expects funds to fall in his lap is both unfair and unjust. Lets be honest, why would the LTA not want to support this boy? He would of been seeded in the OB and Eddie Herr and it wouldn't of been too difficult considering the LTA are already out there with the former chief executives son...
On another comparable the British number 1 girl, 8 months Jay's junior is afforded the head of women's tennis or Julian Picquot, all her training/ tournaments paid for and yet she doesn't even live in the UK.. In fact Emily Arbuthnott, a year older than Jay, lower ranked and heading off to Stanford, (very well deserved), was substantially funded by the LTA in the summer.. There is clearly is something a miss here, Jay has shown initiative by supporting his own programme and has had fantastic results. I hear the press won't be letting this go as quickly as the LTA would hope, as there is evidence that lower ranked player receive substantial support and looking at Yasmin's twitter, Sky Sports, the BBC, New York Journal and ITV are all interested in the story. I wish Jay every success in trying to get to Australia as clearly they have no intention of helping him!
Interesting insights Prometheus. It sounds as though you have heard that these other players are receiving cash from the LTA but Jay has received nothing from the LTA - cash or support in kind?

And now one of the difficulties we have here is arguing when the facts appear to differ. Prometheus saying Jay has received no LTA support, not even in kind, (whatever that means) and The LTA statement saying he has received support. However the LTA it seems to me do not play fair, so good luck to Jay in his current campaigning, and may it end up with support that the boys no 1 deserves, and more openness and fairness in the LTA's dealings.

TheTraveller2 · Lower Club Player

Agreed. Whatever the facts one would hope the LTA would ensure Jay is able to get to Australia and represent the UK in the main draw singles as a seed.

Ratty · County player

I rather object to being told that I reek of LTA sentiment and am belittling Jay. And I know that I am a privileged white male, but I think that the UK is one of the least racist countries in the world, and I get kind of p*ssed off when racist motives are inferred in this sort of situation. People are mostly rational, and it would be completely irrational for the LTA decision-makers to discriminate against non-whites - quite apart from general principles of decency and respect for one's fellow-humans.

And as regards the funding issue, I have to say that it would be nothing short of insane for the LTA to risk telling outright and easily disprovable lies on such a highly-charged subject. So I doubt that they have.

tourist101 · Improver

Just had a look on Yazmin's twitter and on there and she actually put ' LTA statement inaccurate.. Jay has not received any coaching or tournaments in the last 2 years!! #nosupport' . Would be very interesting if there is evidence to prove other juniors receive funding, especially since Jay is head and shoulders above the rest. Will have to watch this space!!
Leading on from what Prometheus said, I see Katie Swan is also in the US, LTA should of managed a trip for all those deserving, not just the chosen few like Draper's son and especially because it is at the same venue. Very poor planning!

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

Maybe the trip is a reward for those who managed to qualify for the Sports Aid grant !!!!!

Oakland2002 · All-time great

I honestly wish Jay all the best and would be absolutely delighted to see him suceed. I don't see the orange bowl or Eddie herr being particularly relevant to his long term goals and would be absolutely delighted to see him proverbially stick one up the LTA.

Although generally given the examples quoted I think their judgement (the LTA)sound. Kyle and Katie well worth supporting, great test of temperament traveling the world with Greg! Emily's achievement is multifaceted ie simulataneously accessing Ivy League standard academia at the most competitive ladies tennis college programme (no coaster on either front) with the capacity to contribute massively to British tennis in many ways in the future should she choose to. I just hope she enjoys playing pitch and put behind Condoleeza Rice.

Back to Jay I suppose it keeps the LTA on their toes but the sun article I do feel was disingenuous in many ways spitting vitriol and grasping every angle possible to discredit the LTA and all who sail on her.

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Tuesday 8th of December 2015 04:51:31 PM

indiana · Tennis legend

Well as said we seem to have quite a number of contradictory statements regarding Jay's assistance from the LTA, the usual much mystery re these things but more folk asking questions.

So one would expect something to come out in the wash in the fairly near future. As said some of it must be fairly easily proved / disproved.

I guess watch this space ...

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Firstly, the comments re funding seem to me quite easily reconciled without having to prove the LTA have told 'blatant' lies (which Ratty would not believe, bless....)

It's all a question of timing.

The LTA says Jay has received help 'in kind'. But it does not say when. Only that he has received it as Britain's number one. Which, as Jay pointed out, he was when he was 14.

So he could have received it then and, subsequently, as Yasmin says, have received nothing for the past 2 years.

Secondly, the argument made previously that it'll make no difference to his adult career whether he goes to Australia, or not, may well - big picture - be right.

But that arguments also applies to all the other players. So the European and American top junior players might as well all not go to the US Open; and the Americans and Asians not come to Wimbledon or the French.

But they do, and the federations (by and large) pay for them to do so. SO they must think it is worthwhile.

Hence, it is not an argument the LTA can use to justify the decision (not that they have but others here have...)

The distinction between direct and indirect funding is just semantics. If player X has 17 hours of coaching per week, (as one of our youngster does), and she doesn't pay for it (as was implied but I'm not A1 sure) then that's about £340 a week that they are receiving in 'payment in kind'. It's financially no different from getting it in your pocket - it's simply less flexible if it's in kind, as you can't choose your own coach but have to have an 'approved' one.

My main bone of contention (apart from the secrecy) is the lack of economies of scale that this exclusive policy entails.

If Prometheus is correct, and Ben Draper is at the Eddie Herr under the auspices of the LTA, then there's just him and Katie. Plus two coaches, and whoever else, - the whole shebang.

I know that in previous similar events the other British players were ignored. Of course, not everyone is on 'the list', that's normal. But if you have staff there - and very under-used staff too - why would they not provide the same help service to Alexis and Ryan and even Donia ? Why shouldn't people share hotel rooms? And get coaching/physio etc.? (Even if they pay their own flights?).

Most federations take a bunch of players, or none at all. It just doesn't make financial sense otherwise.

Ernie · Junior player

Yazmins statement that Jay has received nothing financial or in kind is inaccurate, for all of us that attended the G1 at Bank of England & Wimbledon would have seen Jay along with the other top juniors receiving pre tournament court time, accommodation and coaching from the National and Davis cup coaches. Jay has in the past 2 years been taken on funded LTA trips and invited to National camps, I can't say for sure how many he's attending but he is a regular visitor to the NTC making use of the facilities available to him.

tourist101 · Improver

Hi Shernie! ;-p

-- Edited by tourist101 on Tuesday 8th of December 2015 07:55:14 PM

Ernie · Junior player

Hi Tourist,

Shernie.....What does that mean?