Week 10 - Challenger ($75,000+H) - Abierto de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico (hard)

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Week 10 - Challenger ($75,000+H) - Abierto de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico (hard)

goldenboy · Club Coach

bit surprised James isn't having a crack at Indian Wells qualies?

paulisi · Tennis legend

His ranking isn't good enough...

RJA · Hall of fame

paulisi wrote:
His ranking isn't good enough...

Actually he would have easily got in after withdrawals. The current cut is 318 and there are still over 24 hours before the qualifying draw.

A131 · Intermediate Club Player

Sometimes, I just get the feeling that he looks for softer position to try and boost his points and ranking or tries to avoid the stiffer competition. Maybe his ranking has got something to do with it and maybe I am doing him a disservice. Just a feeling I get but I suppose it is up to him to choose his schedule.

thejester · Satellite level

He probably/possibly/maybe felt that with a lot of the guys who may play at this sort of event being out in IW he has a better chance to get some points on the board here. On paper, at least, that's probably right

wolf · Tennis legend

Wardy on ATP live stream and won the first set 6-1.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

But loses the next one 3-6...

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Wardy serving for the match and looking good.

-- Edited by Julia Carrot on Tuesday 8th of March 2016 06:29:04 PM

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Stumbled a little but made it in the end 6 - 1 3-6 6-3

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Well, only saw the last two sets and thought that was pretty horrible, to be honest (James' serve was decent but not much else).

However, he got the job done....so onwards and upwards....

savva0122 · Intermediate Club Player

Wardy needs to string a few matches together hopefully can do this here; if not he should do what dan did and Liam's doing now and play some £25k's to string some wins together and rebuild form.

thejester · Satellite level

savva0122 wrote:
Wardy needs to string a few matches together hopefully can do this here; if not he should do what dan did and Liam's doing now and play some £25k's to string some wins together and rebuild form.

I think the key difference there is that Dan's ranking was only good enough to play futures, as Liam's is now really. James is still top 200 so still a DE for most challengers. I do hope he can as you say string a few wins together and at least stabilise his current position. It's a pivotal year for him I feel.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

I agree there is a big difference between Liam's and Jame's situation. This time last year James had the support he required to optimise his game I don't know the exact financial arrangements but he had invested in his game and had the best year of his career.

I am sure he has taken a big hit emotionally after the illness and passing of his coach. Naomi's success has also illustrated how key that support and relationship is to making the step into the top 100. Replacing what was a very positive influence on his career given his resources must be his major challenge

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

Think you've hit the nail on the head there Oakland. James mentioned once or twice in years past that the tour could be a bit of a lonely place, particularly as he couldn't afford a coach (and the LTA didn't think he was worth one). He seemed to get on so well with Tandy and the tragedy of his death must sit heavily on him every time he goes to a venue where they worked together.