British Tour 2016

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

RE: British Tour 2016

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Congrats to Beth, who defeated Holly, 6-1 6-3

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Nipped down to Sutton a couple of times this week.

Just a few thoughts (on the positive side):

If the LTA aren't helping Serena Nash, in some way, they must be as blind as a bat.

It's not all in place yet, and she'll always make a lot of unforced errors, but the girl has great skills - power, timing (the noise the ball makes coming off her racquet is something to hear), strength....Even when she lost, she was leading most points, dictating play....

If she's off to the States, I wish her well. Probably a good choice too - it'll do her game good. But there's already a lot there to like, to be excited about and to work with.

I've never been a huge fan of Beth's game, and I still think she's slightly overranked, but her time in Soto (or just general hard work) is doing her good - she's playing better than she was this time last year. (Unlike some who have stagnated, in my viewy). And that's all you can hope.

Prettiest backhand award goes to Elise van H - a lovely single-hander that's rare with women.

And nice to see Helen Parish out there again - a real 'character'

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

The same array of normal suspects are playing Loughborough Tier 2 this week.

It costs £21 to enter. And you only get any money if you get as far as the semis, where it's £50. Then £100 (runner-up) and £200 (winner)

Makes sense for juniors, local players and those not of the level to play ITF.

But why on earth would Beth, who doesn't need match practice as she won last week, want to play here ? Travel (if not staying there) will leave her with nothing. (Accommodation obviously is a killer). Where does it go? Better to stay home and do a full week's proper training.

paulisi · Tennis legend

I'm sure she is probably staying at the Uni with a mate - her doubles partner is studying there.

Bethe doesn't travel much, so why not get some money saved up for later in the season. She will almost certainly pick up the big purse at the end of the season.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Yes, I'd imagine she's staying with someone too. But I meant that even the petrol/train ticket from Liverpool, and back, and a few non-home meals, will have taken most of the prize money. I doubt she'll be saving any. And if you're not saving any, don't need match practice, nor extending yourself by playing better people, why? What's the gameplan?

wimdledont · Challenger level

With £200 -£21 = £179 for the winner, all of the participants would be better off if they got a job waitressing or flipping burgers instead.

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

They weren't really designed for people to make enough to live on. They were designed as a sort of hybrid event to give good juniors decent match practice and a chance to play against our lower ranked professionals and to give the professionals some match practice and a bit of extra cash. The previous levels of prize money were enough to make it attractive to the professionals on a fairly regular basis and so I thought it used to work quite well. Now only the Premier events really attract the professionals and so as a series of tournaments they have really been downgraded which IMO is a shame.

There also used to be a Wimby QWC on offer for the player topping the leaderboard just before The Championships, and I assumed that was what Beth was going for but see this scheme has now been discontinued. Think the last person on the men's side to get it was Bloomers, either last year or the year before. Can't remember on the women's side. The best that can be had is a WC into the Wildcard Playoffs for winning the event in Felixstowe.

The prize pot for being at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the year has also been reduced to £500.

Talking of downgrading, a new tier of British Tour is shortly to be introduced. Sets to 4 games, tie break to 5 points at 3 all, no ad scoring, 10 point MTB instead of a third set. Events to be held over weekends, priority to be given to adult entrants and G3 points to be awarded. Hmm.....

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

However, I should add that winners of a G2 event get offered a QWC into a British 10K, winners of 3 x G2 events and winners of G1 events get a MD WC to a British 10K. Not sure either would be relevant to Beth but could be quite motivating for some of the others.

-- Edited by The Optimist on Tuesday 8th of March 2016 02:55:06 PM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Yes, no complaints about the prize money - as you say, Opti, they are not there to provide a living.

But, given the maths, you have to have a very good reason to play a Tier 2 if you're like Beth and not in the categories of players that you list.

Big shout today to Sarah Wray (player/coach, I believe, in Kent, age 19) who beat Savannah comprehensively, 6-2 6-1 - always nice to chalk up a win against a WTA WR player.

Great to see Laura Sainsbury back from injury - she gave Beth a good run for her money, pushing her to three sets.

Congrats too to young Anna Chesca who pushed Siska (another WTA WR player) all the way, losing 5-7 in the third.

Also in the QFs are Alice Gillan, Mollie, Louise Holtum, Serena and Holly Hutchinson

paulisi · Tennis legend

Sarah Wray played Wirral 10k and gave Maia a few scares.

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

Sarah Wray was a very good young junior. Only really played domestically but very strong with big flat groundies. I think she broke her foot (or something along those lines anyway) around 14/15 and stopped playing, although she still often turned up at tournaments to support her little sister Rachel. I haven't seen her name in draws since until the last few months. Whatever her aims and however she does, I am so delighted to hear she is back on a tennis court. Back in the day I really thought she was quite a talent.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Interesting to know, The O.

At 19, she's certainly got some time to try a bit of serious competitive tennis....

Sarah today was beaten in the QFs by Serena Nash (no disgrace at all there).

Holly Hutchinson easily beat Siska (WTA-ranked), Beth won 6-1 7-5 against Alice, and Mollie trounced Louise.

SFs later: Beth v Mollie, and Serena v Holly

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

As expected, Serena and Beth won the two respective finals (although Holly had to retire in the second set - hope she's OK).

Beth beat Serena last week in two sets but the first set was very close and even in the second Serena was dictating many of the points, although Beth won quite easily overall - will be interesting to see.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Beth def. Serena 6-2 3-6 6-1