I dont normally get particularly riled up about these things, but this is an absolutely ridiculous decision from the AELTC. Its a damn disgrace and frankly is likely to simply rob others off a chance to come through pre-qualifying. Dan is the only man showing form on grass, and narrowly lost on grass to a top 30 player with pedigree on the surface yesterday. To make this decision on the grounds of some ludicrous principle for a player returning from a non-doping offence is absurd and once again shows how detached the elite who run the sport in this country truly are from those who follow it and fill their coffers year on year. Its s bloody joke.
There is also a likely scenario here where we may end up with near to zero wins from Qualies and Main Draw. All the QWC players could easily lose first round and Jay and Liam will struggle and will need a very good draw. Andy might not play and if does may also have a kind draw and Kyle and Cam arent the best on grass as well.
We could have a situation where Dan wins the most matches at Wimbledon overall and next to nothing from the rest. In some respects I would love this to happen and make a mockery of the whole system.
Does anyone know how many convicted drugs cheats and technicality cases as opposed to what Dan was caught doing are playing this years tournaments? And the match fixing cases. There must be a few in there.
I agree with thejester. A qWC would have been a perfectly fair compromise if they wanted to register their disapproval. This just screws over half the draw in the qualifiers simply because the AELTC is worried it might get a nasty article in the Daily Mail.
I agree with thejester. A qWC would have been a perfectly fair compromise if they wanted to register their disapproval. This just screws over half the draw in the qualifiers simply because the AELTC is worried it might get a nasty article in the Daily Mail.
Exactly! And the reality is that whilst most reports are making mention of Evo returning from his ban, Ive really seen absolutely no negative press about his return in general. Or his wildcard into Queens...
I agree with thejester. A qWC would have been a perfectly fair compromise if they wanted to register their disapproval. This just screws over half the draw in the qualifiers simply because the AELTC is worried it might get a nasty article in the Daily Mail.
I agree too and even the nasty DM article scenario (irrelevant as it should have been in any case) doesn't make sense - Mike Dickson also seems surprised that Dan didn't get at least a QWC and highlighted his own Twitter straw poll yesterday that suggested significantly more people in favour of Dan getting some kind of WC than against.
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The only thing Id say about Dan in prequals is that here wont really be anybody in there that he is hindering. All the top juniors already have been fortunate with the QWCs given out so wont be there. Only really Ed Corrie and Marcus in there that would have a chance in making it. The rest of the prequals will be made up of ITF players. But thats the only alternate positive thing I can think of.
I notice that Jay is with Cam and judging by Marcus Willis current form this is no surprise, a really good move for Jay, gives him a chance. Talking of the clown prince of british tennis, where is he? I guess he's in WC play offs tomorrow?