3 Brits are seeded here, after Eliz Maloney cruised through qualifying (her acceptance ranking wasn't good enough for main draw entry, but winning the Moldova G2 has boosted her ranking hugely)
An interesting QF challenge up against Marlene in her final year of eligibility for juniors and on the way down from a CJH of 29, she has gone deep in lots of doubles tournaments but her singles record not as prolific, no grade 2 or above championships some SF losses. Should be a good match up.
Well done to both players, a big points hall for Anton that could have been larger had he not opted to take his first steps in futures qualifying. That experience I am sure puts the whole junior ITF tour in perspective re the ultimate aim of transition to senior tennis. A very productive couple of weeks in all respects.
Not really, I think if he is looking to make a good living out of tennis, he and Jack Draper are both about on track. It depends a bit on which route they take.
Obviously very early days but really if that is the ultimate goal and via route 1 (i.e. The route Kyle took) they both should be playing a significant amount of futures tennis as opposed to juniors as 17 year olds, which gives them 18 months give or take of ITF junior tennis. First thoughts are that they would be a shoe in for LTA support for route 1.
Alternatively they could continue with higher education full time and go route 2 (Similar to Cam) and consider an elite American College Tennis Programme.
It will be very interesting and perhaps a sign of the times to see the routes they choose to try and get to the top. My limited understanding is that Antons father was involved in pro Basketball and so would understand how the college system works for that sport where you essentially have to go out of your way to avoid at least a short stay in college. Similar parental understanding of pro sport will have a big impact for Jack but perhaps Ben's experience at Cal a class academic and athletic programme in an amazing setting (responsible for splitting the atom and Aaron Rodgers!) may impact the choices Jack makes.
Regardless very early days for both, I just hope they stay fit and get the opportunities to develop their talent and the opportunities that brings.
-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Monday 27th of February 2017 10:34:35 AM
