Doubles Doubles Doubles

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Doubles Doubles Doubles

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
I know we don't 'do' seniors tennis on this forum (and I don't follow it at all) but I think a little shout out is due to GB's Gordon Oates who has just become the world number 1, in over-85 doubles. Well done, that man !

www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-birmingham-47711520/meet-the-87-year-old-tennis-world-number-one

There's hope for me yet LOL.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Just to mention the mega-rich UTR doubles event that will take place in July:

"The brand new £35,000 Jamie Murray Doubles Series takes place directly after the Wimbledon fortnight. The Series; a collaboration between Jamie Murray and Barry Fulcher, is an exciting addition, and one which presents players with the opportunity to scoop over £10,000 in prize money for a single week in the tennis calendar - this is the first event of its kind in the World; a professional level Mens Doubles Series, and the start of something very exciting!"

"The Jamie Murray Doubles Series is the first of its kind in the World; an innovative, independent professional level Mens Doubles Prize Money Series. The tour is aimed at showcasing Britains national game, whilst giving British & International players genuine earning opportunities on home soil.

In 2020, the series will centre around a week-long series of seven back-to-back, one day events, beginning Sunday July 12th and culminating in a Masters Finals event on Sunday July 19th. This will provide opportunity for over 350 British and International aspiring and current professional players, as well as over £35,000 in prize money."

www.thejamiemurraydoublesseries.com/the-series

junior · Intermediate Club Player

Anyone who thinks that this is a large sum of money has no idea just how much goes into our sport, especially at professional level (you'd think that the Murray family would know; if you double that figure, thats about how much they would of been spending on Andy per year throughout his teens)

Same goes for anyone who thinks this is a unique and original idea, its pretty much a blown up exhibition timed matches style thing, but could be a good and fun idea, connect some people, even some pros or ex pros could make a little money from it so best of luck to it

Shhh · Challenger level

I dont think anyone on this site would disagree with you junior. They are promoting a new event and using the standard sort of language that is used for these sorts of things.

They cant really sell it to sponsor and the public by saying "its not really anything special" hmm

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

I think most do agree and most agree with the view that the top doubles players arent the specialists that sit at the top of the rankings but that the best singles players would also shine if they chose to play doubles.

We have a choice though. Decide that as the best dont play it , doubles is something to be derided and ignored and maybe even done away with as part of the pro tour .

Or, and my preference , is to say doubles is a valuable sport in it's own right, played well it is very entertaining and it has value on the pro tour. Shame the top guys dont play it and it would be great if ways to encourage them to play could be found, and initiatives like jamie Murray's may well be at the lower end of the spectrum but , I for one, applaud him trying to do something for a part of our sport I hold very dearly

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Shhh wrote:
I dont think anyone on this site would disagree with you junior. They are promoting a new event and using the standard sort of language that is used for these sorts of things.

They cant really sell it to sponsor and the public by saying "its not really anything special"

Yes. For an event outside of the official calendar, an 'add-on' event, so to speak, it's a decent pot.

And, obviously, no one's obliged to enter. If they think, like junior, it's a poxy amount of money and not worth their while turning up, they don't have to sign in.

My guess, however, is that quite a lot of players are going to be rather pleased.....

junior · Intermediate Club Player

Don't think its a poxy amount of money, I know just how far 3k could stretch on tour especially for the players who won't get the 26k wildcard into Wimbledon in summer,not to mention the potential 15k is about 15 times how much a singles player could make off winning a futures event, so naturally can see this as being advertising to many (would assume mostly brits or anyone who hangs around after wimby before going to the states). However naturally must note it is far from the amount of money to make this a "mega earner, win and you get magic beans tournament" they're advertising

Only issue is the week of the calendar it is, perhaps would be better as a wind down after the world tour finals? As a potential way of encouraging some of the big names to be present. Its the first of hopefully many years so sure they'll go figuring itout as they go along and the LTA will use it to glorify themselves further.