Gabriella Taylor

wimdledont · Challenger level

Gabriella Taylor

indiana · Tennis legend

Thanks CD for that. The scepticism I have on this being criminal just went up a few notches.

One thing as the doc said the effects certainly do appear unpredictable. Gabi had caught this before her L16 match against the #2 seed ( and seemingly who knows how much before ). As the Wimbledon thread says she reported that she had been "sick and up from 5 am with food poisoning". She won that match 6-1 6-1 and it is the next day feeling terrible she retired from her QF ( 4-6 1-1 RET ).

If there were any conspirator(s) involved they would clearly seem to be rather stupid with I can quite imagine as the doc said there being a lot of far more effective and certain methods ways of achieving some sort of result.

I wonder how much the police really do think there is anything awry here. They appear to be looking into it on request but the headlines and quite a lot of quotes may be running rather ahead, indeed getting a bit carried away amidst what appears much uncertainty.

-- Edited by indiana on Thursday 11th of August 2016 01:04:03 PM

indiana · Tennis legend

wimdledont wrote:
Looks like a job for Interpol. They need to look for a competitor at the 25k in Kazakstan who had a post-graduate qualification in micro-biology, a good method of smuggling an infected rodent through Kazakh customs, was also entered for the Wimbledon Juniors, and knew their draw in advance.

That should narrow the field of suspects down to...

nobody.

Best wishes to Gabi for a speedy and complete recovery.

Certainly a fellow sceptic, though the Kazakhstan references confuse me.

Although Gabi herself seemingly thought she maybe had picked up a virus abroad the subsequent poisoning thoughts seem based on happening much closer to her Wimbledon illness. And anyway she had competed in May in Uzbekistan, but not Kazakhstan.

Whatever, that's by the by, let's be frank here, it does seem like a load of balderdash probably not aided by Gabi's mum's amateur detective work and quotes.

The best news, of course, is Gabi is tentatively back in training. All the very best to her. Difficult period, but certainly seems something that she can physically move on from relatively quickly rather than as career catastrophic as previous family quotes had had it ( Yes, some of that was said when she lay in intensive care, but even though very much sympathizing at such a difficult family time, I did think at the time whatever it was re virus etc it looked much more likely something to conquer in the short term rather than necessarily have major long term effects ).

-- Edited by indiana on Thursday 11th of August 2016 01:34:46 PM

philwrig · Hall of fame

Except there's very little betting on junior tennis, so I don't see that one at all, must be one of her competitors then ;) Have to say I'm majorly sceptical.

RBBOT · Futures qualifying

To quote the BBC article:

'Prof Elizabeth Wellington, an environmental microbiologist at the University of Warwick, said it would require a high level of expertise to intentionally grow the bacteria.
She said claims it could be used to deliberately poison someone were "a bit laughable".

"If she has the disease then it's a case of bad luck, she has most likely become infected by water," Prof Wellington added.'

If there is an up-to 30 day incubation period, there would be a wide variety of possible sources.

indiana · Tennis legend

Good grief, I hadn't realised this was the Telegraph's front page headline article, at least in the edition I bought.

Big bold type : "Rising British tennis star in Wimbledon 'poisoning plot' " with big picture of Gabi lying in hospital looking out of it ( probably was very unwell at that stage, may also more be just asleep ) with monitor and drip attachments ( think a pic that came out publicly early doors with the possible career ending comments )

Much smaller type sub headline : "Exclusive : Scotland Yard opens investigation after complaint from player's parents" - more the nub perhaps.

No effort in the main article to seek expert opinion on the ease of transmission or other explanations, although there is a separate boxed factual summary of Leptospirosis and some of the many ways it can be caught, which might make folk wonder.

Basically as per the addict's original link.

-- Edited by indiana on Thursday 11th of August 2016 08:17:53 PM

PaulM · Tennis legend

What a load of nonsense. Feel awful for Gabi to go through that but the idea she was poisoned in ithis way is bonkers and was comprehensively debunked within hours.

You can catch this bacteria (if you are incredibly unlucky) by drinking out a can or glass bottle thats been badly stored.

All focus should be on her getting better and getting that special talent to where it should be not 1star detective movie conspiracy theories.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

I agree, Gabi has been very unlucky to get it and then get so sick, however on the positive side it's not a wrist injury and let's hope she gets back to full fitness and find form quickly.

the addict · Tennis legend

Some good news

Gabi is entered for the $10k in Heraklion, and in the main draw, currently no 10.

Priesty · Challenger level

Would be great to see her back but we probably shouldn't get too excited, she was entered in Nigeria as well but ended up having to pull out.

-- Edited by Priesty on Thursday 6th of October 2016 08:02:42 PM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Gabi posted her first blog which is quite short and well worth a read (on her twitter feed, twitter.com/gabitaylorr)

Didn't realise that her mum is Bulgarian.

Or that she did half of the Aussie/Far East trip early this year without a coach and essentially on her own.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

She did well in Oz and seems to be enjoying being a fulltime pro. A bit unlucky with how things turned out at junior Wimbledon last year but who knows it may all work in her favour ultimately. Her success up to the point she became unwell must have given her some confidence going into the pro tour yet the fact that she was unable to compete in the final rounds means there is no expectation. More power to her elbow! And keyboard

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Tuesday 20th of June 2017 09:53:20 PM

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

Interesting read but maybe one of the mods can move this to the Individual Player section so we can find it again in future...

Michael D · All-time great

It is an interesting read; I don't have a twitter account but think I've managed to put most of the blog together, though if anyone could post a link to the blog itself that would be helpful, unless it is just in the pictures of the text.

Gabi is an interesting person, and certainly one of the most talented, of our younger players, and I hope in the coming year she can make strides into the top 200 of the rankings, despite the lack of real scheduling support the LTA provides. She is definitely starting to be able to compete with higher ranked players though, so wish her an injury free year, particularly this grass season, including from food poisoning, and hope to see her continue to make upwards progress.

indiana · Tennis legend

All rather quiet with Gabi. Not been seen since exiting in R1 in the Woking 25K at the start of August.

With nothing to defend from Wimbledon through to November due to last year's unfortunate events this period looked a chance for some good rankings headway.

Anyone know anything? Hope to see her competing again soon.