I'm with Naomi on her stance, good to stick to your principles, the LTA and others were a disgrace in their attitudes. Until we kill this class divide and British Tennis being run by people so out of touch with the population then we will struggle to see any players making the breakthrough.

Andy Murray developed in Spain, Jo Konta the same. Kyle in America and Spain was it. Naomi and Dan Evans off their own back.

Interesting that all our successes have almost entirely been independent or supported from other sources.

Are you listening cucumber sandwich Queens club freeloaders?

Jaggy1876 wrote:

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I'm with Naomi on her stance [...]

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Well, I appreciate that this is a particular theme for you of many years standing, and I certainly am not without sympathy for it, generally.

Which is why I gave the reference to Venus and Serena at Indian Wells. No matter the righteousness and gravity of Naomi's history with the LTA, the Williams sisters overcame greater differences and forgave. If they can do it, one hopes that Naomi can too.

I don't think the point about the old boys network at the LTA, and it's dissociation from the tennis playing public, or it's (in)ability to produce regular world class performers, despite it's merits in context, is really pertinent to this particular issue, as it's not what (I understand) Naomi's objection is about; it's about her personal treatment by the LTA, and a matter of perceived proportion, irrespective of the funding or support networks of the LTA; she feels aggrieved and humiliated by unjust treatment on non-tennis matters when young.

Again, if the Williams sisters can forgive a greater wrong, one hopes, that for herself as much as anything, Naomi can find a way to at least represent the country as her performances have deserved, and I think there might be plenty of us ho would all love the chance to cheer her on in a GB strip, as we do each week as an individual. She deserves the recognition especially because of the way she has achieved it.

Ah, so frustrating re Laura. If her game never had got back to a decent level it would be one thing but it has if far too rarely. She is not really as said solid 200 to 250 level but has shown so so much better on occasion but also worse too often. Get that mental coach, Laura.

Re Naomi and Fed Cup, I'd love to see it but very much doubt that we ever will. She's for so long cut off her nose to spite her face that I just don't see a change on this matter. Hope I'm sometime proved wrong. Do it, Naomi.

Mandy recovered the break as the Russian served for the set (well, now 3 breaks each), and kept the set alive. *5-5
Edit: as wolf said ^

-- Edited by AliBlahBlah on Thursday 2nd of February 2017 03:21:07 PM

Topsy turvy set.

Amanda trailed by 2 breaks 0-3, saved a set point at 5-4 down, missed 3 at 6-5 up, and won on points 45-43.

This is the first time I can remember seeing her trail an opponent in 1st serve percentage - she's getting about 60% first serves in, down from a typical 85% last year, but this may be a (good) sign that she's trying to get a lot more on it.

And Amanda continues the comeback, storming through the second set, and ensuring two inevitable things:
1: we will have a decider
2: there is a toilet break

6-7(4) 6-1