QR2:

Billy HARRIS (GBR) [10] 6-1 6-4 Alejandro ARTUNEDO (ESP) UNR (CH 1644)

I think he has his FQR coming up later

Billy won 4-6 6-2 6-1

That sort of variety in terms of experience and raw talent is the beauty of the futures tour in terms of breadth of opportunity for development of young players. Billy has made a phenomenal investment in his own tennis education, there must be a place for some innovative form of coaching support for this group of young players who have invested so much of their childhood in the tennis industry and are now totally immersed in giving it a go. With every other industry looking for hidden value in their investments, lean ways of working, innovation and transformation in what they do this cohort, who represent the antithesis of Oli Golding in terms of motivation and attitude warrant investment.

A golfing pro can walk into any golf club in the UK within reason and will get a sympathetic response in terms of a request to play, please correct me if I am wrong. A scheme that co-ordinates this cohort of ranked players under 24 and facilitates access to resources ie courts, hitters perhaps at a stretch strategic group coaching in close proximity to a run of futures tournaments or virtual analysis of performance where courts are streamed or the recording of competition/performance for review and setting targets for further development. You do not need lots of coaches on big salaries to do this, indeed it may already be happening ummmmm.

UK University tennis is what it is but such insights as Johnny Omara's understanding of what he needs to facilitate further development that appeared on the Porto futures thread need listening to. At the very least there has to be a virtual academy to capture, direct and inform this commitment and enthusiasm for professional tennis, formally identify and collect information around alternative funding schemes and insure they are accessible etc.. Commit to analysis and understanding development through 18-24 and look to share it in away that grows the cohort of ranked British professional tennis players and the game.

Alex lost 6-3 6-1

Billy currently at 3-3*. He had gone a break up but the Spaniard broke straight back

Billy lost the 1st set and at 0-1 in the 2nd was forced to retire. What a shame. I hope that's not his shoulder again. This was a real chance to pick up another point at least.

Edit

Basically what CD said. 

-- Edited by Bob in Spain on Wednesday 2nd of March 2016 11:44:07 AM