Not entirely since I rather think the Skupskis would have rather preferred one for Queen's though with their challenger title run last week 'just' a Q WC would have been no good.

Failing that though I would have assumed they would get a MD WC here if necessary.

I think it's fine as it is, doubles generally integrated into the threads but occasional separate threads for say like this a bigger home tournament. So it's more tournament related than more generally separating singles and doubles. Indeed for many ( probably most ) of the smaller tournaments with just two or three players and maybe a couple playing doubles I most certainly think it's best as it is rather than say have two threads in two separate sections. It's great that some people make the effort to set up threads for all these tournaments, but to be setting up two seems a bit much.

And if you're not going to have all doubles in this hypothetical doubles section then it would likely get rather confusing.

I hear what you say Jaggy but I find it difficult to believe that for these much less interested in doubles coming across doubles posts is really such a hardship. And let's see if any particular doubles followers see any benefit, assuming you get these general double threads in place.

Think I mentioned this in another thread, but seeing the sight of Joe Salisbury having to play with Brydan (and I don't mean anything against Brydan personally by that remark) is a farce. As you all know, I have been down in Palma del Rio for a Spanish futures event over the weekend and was highly surprised to see Joe's regular doubles partner, David O'Hare, turn up to play there. Meantime, Joe is having to play with Brydan, who may well be a very good doubles player and like the grass, but I am sure his main focus is still on carving out a singles career for himself.

I understand that the "powers that be" want to use the WCs in GB based events to help GB players. But in Joe, you have a player who seems determined to make doubles the focus of his career with a regular playing partner. Together they have made great strides over the last couple of years, AS A TEAM. So how does it help Joe to give him a WC, but then to force him into playing with a different playing partner. That is simply ludicrous.

OK. Now for the name drop moment. So I was chatting with the legend that is Freddie Nielsen yesterday and he was expressing the very same opinion. He described it as "disrespectful to doubles as a sport", or words to that effect. I have to agree with him - and not just because he is Freddie Nielsen.

So while Joe is battling it out in Ilkley, the Spanish Futures in Palma del Rio will have the spectacle of

Freddie Nielsen (GS Champ) & David O'Hare (WR 141) v Kids.

Why do they bother ? Well, "we have a title to defend" says Freddie. 

indiana wrote:

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Well said Bob and Freddie. And I take it that's it basically confirmed that Joe & David as a WC pair in these home tournaments was not an option for the fools that be ( previously just really speculated about ).

---

It was inferred rather than said directly, but that was the feeling I got.

On the 'threads' front, I generally prefer following both together. For a few home tournaments, such as this or Wimbledon, I can see separating them out, as there are so many results coming in and generally quite a few reports as well. But for most other tournaments, it's easier for those of us who follow both singles and doubles not to have to click on two threads for each tournament.

BiS, you are extraordinary. Have you considered giving up your Brazilian job and becoming instead a roving reporter? You'd give the journalistic fraternity a run for its money!

It's rather dreadful to have at least implied confirmation of the enforced split between David O'Hare and Joe Salisbury - the worse because, as I recall it, O'Hare waited out Salisbury's illness. You would hope that his loyalty might earn some kind of expression of support from the LTA. I'm glad he's found a reasonably decent partner for the time being.

For that matter, the fact that you're there and sending in reports should give them encouragement. The last two 'ringers' that you reported on from Spain aren't doing too badly for themselves.

L16:  (WC) Jay Clarke & Marcus Willis CR 1089 (1079+810) defeated (3) Jonathan Erlich & Philipp Oswald (ISR/AUT) CR 145 (75+70) by 4 & 5 

And the Ratis exacted revenge:

L16:  Sanchai Ratiwatana & Sonchat Ratiwatana (THA/THA) CR 192 (99+93) defeated (WC) Ken Skupski & Neal Skupski CR 185 (89+96) by 6-5(5) 6-3 [10-4] 

*****

QF:  (WC) Jay Clarke & Marcus Willis CR 1889 (1079+810) vs John Millman & Luke Saville (AUS/AUS) CR 1147 (1027+120)

That ain't gonna be easy. 

-- Edited by Stircrazy on Monday 19th of June 2017 09:44:49 PM

Fair enough seems consensus is it's fine as it is. I just thought maybe it would help discussion as sometimes results are lost in the singles. I ll stay out of such threads like this, I don't find it a hardship it was more an idea.

Agree about the Joe and Dave thing but should we really be surprised at the way the powers at be in British Tennis.