I still managed a couple of "scoops" today despite the weather.

I had a long chat with Milts and we won't be seeing much of him from here on, unless things change. As he said to me, never say never, but after a relatively good start to the year, reaching a Challenger QF, he suffered a wrist injury. When he tried to come back in April, he admitted that his heart wasn't in it having not been able to train and and right now, has has no real desire to continue travelling the world. He may show up at the odd tournament during the year, but there will be no regular appearances. But he did say, that he may get the bug again 12 months down the road, so who knows.

The other chat I had today was the most important lady in men's tennis right now. I chatted with the delightful Jenny, just after she had done "yet another interview", this one being for the Wimbledon website. The conversation started like this.

Hi Jenny.
Oh. Hi Bob. Finally I get the chance to talk to someone I've met before

I asked how she was coping with the all media attention. She was perfectly happy with everything on site, but was a bit annoyed that papers were contacting her mother and even trying to speak to her children. She showed me a string of "No Caller ID" calls from journalists on her telephone. She also told me that with everything that was going on, she was struggling to concentrate yesterday while doing root canal work on a patient

I asked if Marcus as considering bringing forwards his plans to rejoin the tour rather than waiting until January as had previously been the plan. I suggested that now might be the moment to ride the media wave and look for new sponsors. Apparently there have been plenty of offers and we may be seeing Marcus again soooner than expected, although nothing is definite. She also told me that the LTA were all over Marcus again with offers of help. I thought that this was just a bit opportunistic by the LTA, but she was very happy that they had taken the burden of organising media committments from her, and was very grateful for their help.

Apparently he is playing Warwick Boat Club's next match tomorrow (or today) which is at Coventry & North Warwickshire Sports Club - http://www.mydivision.com/racketindex.php?l=157&d=176&s=11&dt=4&t=

-- Edited by wolf on Thursday 30th of June 2016 12:08:21 AM

-- Edited by wolf on Thursday 30th of June 2016 12:15:46 AM

indiana wrote:

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Bob in Spain wrote:

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OK. So while we are talking about Marcus and potential new sponsorship, I just want to give a quick shout out to Gary and A1. Marcus has been on a tough road for the last 3 years since he started his comeback. Things haven't always gone smoothly. There have been a few highs, but a mixture of self doubt and injury for Marcus have also made for some lows as well. But if Gary hadn't kicked started this whole process 3 years ago, I doubt very much Marcus would have done what he has over the last 2 weeks.

So if you are still reading here Gary, a big thanks from me for the faith and committment you showed to Marcus at that time. I really hope you got a lot pleasure out of seeing Marcus achieve what he has this week and from knowing that you had a part to play in creating one of the biggest stories in GB tennis for quite a while.

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 Well said.

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 Hear hear. I was not sure whether to laugh or cry for him yesterday, I was so happy and I really hope he carries on where he left off here. Such a refreshing change to see a player enjoying the moment -  that match will live long in the memory for all the right reasons. He has too many shots in his locker not to be much higher in the rankings and, at 25, the World's still his lobster

-- Edited by Gary Denton on Thursday 30th of June 2016 05:49:19 AM

Regarding Marcus' plans to bring forward his plans to get back on tour full time. Although it might mean breaking promises, as in coaching. He'd be foolish not to, when your in the form of your life you need to ride that and see how far it can take you. I see that the LTA are all over helping Marcus now, shame they couldn't have some futures tournaments on grass for him to play on and boost his ranking. Will be interesting to see if Marcus plays a few futures or goes straight for challenger Qualies.
Unless someone is nice out there and gives him a WC or two.

Marcus should definately we scouting for some wild cards right now and avoid the Futures circuit. If he's got an agent or getting one soon then that's got to be the priority. What about New Haven, wouldn't they like to have Marcus there, bit of buzz for them.

I wonder if it's been a big boon to Evo that Marcus has been SO in the limelight.

If Marcus had lost, there'd been a LOT of attention on Dan, his win, the chance of another one, the 'bad boy' stuff pulled out of the archives, etc. etc.

As it is, he's hardly got a whisper.

And maybe that's all to the good. He's been allowed to just get on with it, without all the extra Wimbly baggage.

Can't believe I have just had to turn down a last minute invite to the Wimbledon Ball on Saturday, because I am flying home to Spain later today. Gutted doesn't even begin to express how I feel.