British Tour 2016

Born2WinTennis · Club Coach

RE: British Tour 2016

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Yes, I'd been looking at this.

As you say, it seems a very good idea to me too.

Interesting, too, that it specifically prioritises over-19s.

Of course, there's zero prize money. I do hope that the organisers fork out to provide a 'little something', even if it's a voucher, or a batch of free strings or something - you can;t have a competition that give absolutely nothing to the winner.

Born2WinTennis · Club Coach

I would like to know, as I always do, the economics of it. Do Aegon/LTA provide any money to venues. If not I could easily see the £320 (16 draw x £20 entry) dissapear with court fees, referees, balls etc...meaning there would be little in the way of prize money. I guess the big draw is the ranking points available, to allow players to build up enough points to enter the odd week long tournament when they do have a chance. I feel this will only add to the strength of the British Tours, because previously these part-time players would never have enough ranking points to get accepted. Since this is adding a tier, rather than modifying an existing one, I don't have any problem with the adults over juniors priority, there are still just as many opportunities for them.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I don't believe that any money is provided to venues. (Wouldn't swear to it, but I think not).

They don't have chair umpires, just one referee so it's not that huge a deal for one day.

And they certainly get a large increase in sales in the clubs' cafés/restaurants etc.

Yes, there's a huge lack in Britain of events to play and score ranking points so anything that increases that has got to be a good move.

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

As it's an adult competition, entry is based on rating rather than ranking. Generally speaking, adults compete less regularly than juniors and so ranking is seen as a bit irrelevant when it comes to differentiating their standard.

Personally I wish they hadn't lumped this new circuit in with the British Tour. Domestically, the BT is seen as quite a high level event, one of the few events where matches are played as 3 full sets as on the tour, and doing well in it carries a fair bit of prestige. We certainly need more adult competition which is not aimed at the elite and this new set of tournaments should help, but a format so far from the BT concept should be marketed as a separate circuit IMO. Format: 2 x sets to 4, 5 point TB at 3 all, deciding 10pt MTB.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Rating and ranking does my head in. I still don't see why there's a need for both. No other country I know has it.

And it's a fair point that it would have given it more 'character' to be be a separate event, not just an add-on.

But why shouldn't tennis players play three sets?

That's what tennis players do.

I don't quite understand why non-elite tennis has to be dumbed down. It seems to me part of the problem here that tennis is a leisure activity and not a sport. I guess, if that;s what it is and that's what people want, then fine. But the sooner more 'average' people play tennis as a sport, the better it will be.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

The Clarkes (who are relatively local) are playing at Loughborough this week, entering as wildcards.

Both through to the quarters, Jay without breaking a sweat.

George Davies, Samuel Ferguson and Luke Oakley, the other ATP ranked players, are also through to the QFs, as are Ryan Lambert, Jamie Prad. and Peter Ashley.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

In the quarters, the ranked players tumble.....

Congrats to qualifier, Ryan Lambert (qui?), who defeated George Davies ATP WR 1623. (Mind you, I was seriously unimpressed by George's game last week....)

Luke Oakley WR 1689 also lost, to Jamie Prad. (Enjoyed watching Luke play - hard-working player).

Curtis Clarke WR came a cropper too, this time to Peter Ashley.

Leaving only Jay Clarke to uphold ATP honour, beating Sam Ferguson.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

In the semis, Jay def. Ryan L very easily, and Pete Ashley def. Jamie P pretty much equally easily....

So Jay v Pete tomorrow in the final.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Jay Clarke def. Pete Ashley 7-5 6-2

BradMarx90 · County player

There was an event this weekend in the new Fast4 format. No real big names in the draw but nice to see some new names, I guess.

Piers Farhang was the top seed but withdrew in the second round.

Milo Bargeon [4] bt. Francesco Paschetto [3] in the final 4-3(2) 4-3(4). Tiebreaks are first to 5.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

It's a Tier 1 event this week at Edgbaston.

A nice quali draw, lots of local players, and a few youngsters.

Well done to 15 year-old local, Ying Hou, who made the MD.

And more well-known 15 year-old local lad, Jake Hersey, who also came through very easily.

Also, 16 year-old Joseph Ellis.

And Nathan Rooney - isn't he the head coach over at Soto ? Hailing originally from Birmingham.

In the Main draw, ranked players are Curtis and Jay Clarke, Jamie Whiteford, Sam Ferguson, Mason recci, and Adam Tb. Josh Sapwell is also playing.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

The Clarkes won today.
Jake Heresy defeated ATP ranked Sam Ferguson.
Soto's Nathan Rooney gave Adam TB a real run for his money but Adam came through in three.
Other winners were Jamie W, Joe Ellis, Elliott Farmer, Nick Turnbull, Josh Golding, Sean Hodkin, Millen Hurrion, Cheraag Bajwa, Mason Recci, Josh Sapwell, Harvey Shackleton and Matt Bailey

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Wins for the Clarkes again (all three).

Josh Sapwell won, pleased to see.

Young Jake also won easily. As did other local player, Mason Recci.

Wins too for Jamie W, Adam TB and Sean Hodkin

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Thursday 17th of March 2016 05:07:38 PM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

A lot of ATP ranked players falling today....

QFs:

Jay Clarke (WR 2154) def. Jamie W (WR 913) 7-5 6-3

Sean Hodkin def. Curtis Clarke (WR 1569) 6-4 6-2

Mason Recci (WR 1721) def. Jake Hersey 5-7 6-3 6-3

Josh Sapwell def. Adam TB (WR 1473) 6-3 2-6 6-4