Women's Tournaments 2017

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

Women's Tournaments 2017

paulisi · Tennis legend

That is fairly standard.

It will be an issue later on the grass when the 50ks are upgraded and our better girls will even struggle to get into qualifying.

paulisi · Tennis legend

I have to ask the question as to whom these women's 15k are really going to aim at - GB wise

Lisa and Sam will need it initially, but surely they will be stepping up to 25k sooner rather than later.

So really you are looking at the better juniors, those returning from US College and the likes of Maia, Manisha, Eden, Beth, Emily A and the likes of Eleanor Dean, who would be competitive at this level.

Everyone else either is too good for this level, not good enough or unlikely to play in the UK bar 1 or 2 exceptions.

Really the LTA should be putting on series of 25 & 50ks for the ladies.

the addict · Tennis legend

I believe there is still a need for the 15k's. Outside our top 25 there are (or will be in a week or so) 9 who will be ranked, and a further 9 with two counters. The LTA really needs to find a way to put on tournaments to help these players, not all of whom can afford to travel to the extremes of Europe or further to try and pick up the odd point here and there.

paulisi · Tennis legend

Sorry, but have to ask the question. If the players are only good enough to play 10k/15k level then they will never make a living out of tennis and most will end up in debt.
There are only 4-5 GB girls on that list that need the domestic tournaments as a stepping stone to better things.

Until there are a whole raft of players who need it, then the LTA are better putting their resources to promote your next level players (25k)of which there are around 8-10 who require the help to push on. They shouldn't have to spend most of their time in N America or Australia.

-- Edited by paulisi on Friday 4th of November 2016 07:39:37 PM

indiana · Tennis legend

I think the current 10K tournaments for instance, are much appreciated, there should be a few more.

Young players in particular I am sure benefit from some home 10Ks ( next year 15Ks ) and even others who aren't maybe going to reach any great heights - should they be forgotten about by the LTA as basically we're not catering for you, you're not good enough, find something else to do ?!

It's about finding a consistent balance over a range of levels of tournaments as best can be done ( while the few grass weeks leading up Wimbledon does create a certain high side lopsidedness ). And while being aware of the current range of levels of players don't try and over create a schedule for that range, it will change between planning schedules and the actual time and you can end up chasing your tail.

As Naomi Cavaday has said, there is far too much chop and change. A consistent balanced home schedule catering for a full range of players is the way to go.

-- Edited by indiana on Friday 4th of November 2016 10:24:41 PM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I'm hugely in favour of the 10ks (or 15ks if that's what they've become).

I don't think it's all about who you're specifically helping today but who you are creating for tomorrow.

With only a smattering of British Tour events and no other money tournaments, there has to be an arena for young and/or promising players (as well as coaches, young siblings, sponsors, etc. etc.) to experience the starting rung of professional tennis.

indiana · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
I'm hugely in favour of the 10ks (or 15ks if that's what they've become).

I don't think it's all about who you're specifically helping today but who you are creating for tomorrow.

With only a smattering of British Tour events and no other money tournaments, there has to be an arena for young and/or promising players (as well as coaches, young siblings, sponsors, etc. etc.) to experience the starting rung of professional tennis.

Yes, I was actually further thinking about how little other structure there is for young / promising players in the UK.

You'll have much more understanding of how stark the difference is from France in particular. A much needed "starting rung" as you say.

Arguably, if there has to be a choice, at least as important as 25Ks, where players with more help and resource can to an extent set up base for a while in North America, if not ideal. And as I said, I wouldn't get too focussed on the rankings distribution at any particular time. Certainly that start will always be needed, more particularly in the UK than some other countries

I do suspect though that the resource could be found to cover both rather better than is being done.

Peter too · Tennis legend

You only have to look at the entries for $10K events in the UK in the last year to realise there is a huge demand for tournaments at this level in the UK. Home tournaments are not just about creating the next set of top 100 players they are also about promoting the sport at all levels. Some of the players who only manage to get lower level ranking will develop into sports managers, coaches, trainers, teachers etc. All are needed to help promote tennis to future generations.

paulisi · Tennis legend

Peter too wrote:
You only have to look at the entries for $10K events in the UK in the last year to realise there is a huge demand for tournaments at this level in the UK. Home tournaments are not just about creating the next set of top 100 players they are also about promoting the sport at all levels. Some of the players who only manage to get lower level ranking will develop into sports managers, coaches, trainers, teachers etc. All are needed to help promote tennis to future generations.

Shrewsbury qualifying??????

the addict · Tennis legend

I think Shrewsbury Q's is an exception - previous weeks have had a decent entry list. Loughborough had a full draw, Sheffield had 25 - must be the end of season

Peter too · Tennis legend

I see the ITF's pay rises are coming through from 9th January 2017. There are no $10K tournaments scheduled but plenty of $15K ones. From the events in the next few months the new tournament regime seems to be $15K, $25K, $60K and $100K replacing the old system of $10K, $25K, $50K, $75K and $100K. So we seem to have one level less, unless some of the tournaments after March have a different payout.

-- Edited by Peter too on Thursday 1st of December 2016 03:02:01 AM

WD40 · Club Coach

Peter too wrote:
I see the ITF's pay rises are coming through from 9th January 2017. There are no $10K tournaments scheduled but plenty of $15K ones. From the events in the next few months the new tournament regime seems to be $15K, $25K, $60K and $100K replacing the old system of $10K, $25K, $50K, $75K and $100K. So we seem to have one level less, unless some of the tournaments after March have a different payout.

-- Edited by Peter too on Thursday 1st of December 2016 03:02:01 AM

The new scale is $15K, $25K, $60K , $90K and $125K. Any $100K that you see are misprints as this level no longer exists.

Peter too · Tennis legend

There is a tournament on the 30th January at Midland listed as $100K+H, it will be interesting to see if it gets changed. Is the WTA going to change their prize money e.g. upgrade their $125K ones so they stay above the ITF ones?

paulisi · Tennis legend

The GB grass court events are all $125k