Nailed it Coup Droit. Many of the Futures events in GB seem to be held in indoor centres which are aimed just at tennis on a court for hire type basis. That idea of a club is so vital, it provides all the things you say and the chance to create that festival atmosphere.

Places like Ilkley, Frinton, Felixstowe , Cumberland, Sutton, Teddington, Didsbury, Jesmond etc - all large clubs that could stage these events as they have the courts but probably need the funding to make it happen.

Back in the 80's/90's I can recall going to three DC ties :

Britain played Zimbabwe in a tie at Crystal Palace. Indoor event, I watched doubles on the Saturday. I cant recall who played, may have been Colin Dowdeswell and someone like Petchey, v Byron and Wayne Black. Good match but apart from the match there was nothing. Finding the place was impossible and the match was all it was.

GB v France at Queens Club - again, saturday doubles Bates and Castle v Leconte and Forget. Big crowd, good atmosphere, more peripheral things like stalls etc.

And then GB v Finland at the club in Bristol- I went to Sunday singles, we had already won, it was again Bates and Finns like Rahnasto, but they put on a real event, lots going on with club members, raffles, coaching sessions, they put on an exhibition of Lendl v Petchey playing a pro set (it was just before Wimbledon) and the event had real buzz because the club went for it.

Of course DC has moved on and we need to host it in big halls to get the crowds in but the basic point is the same as for Futures and Challengers.

The summer grass Challengers seem to be getting there, with Surbiton, Manchester, Nottingham and Ilkley having the right feel. They used (5 or 6 years ago?) to have indoor Challengers at Bath at the indoor centre - my guess is that would have had a similarly annodyne feel to it as the current Futures events possibly do?

I have wondered how interested the LTA actually was in trying to hold more futures level events, partly wondering if limiting them was some ridiculous ongoing strand of 'tough love'. It seems from what Bob said, yes they are, but only on a significant shared funding basis and that's not working.

I take it that is all linked to the LTA putting so much more resources into trying to expand grass roots tennis, having been given a kicking from such as Sport England on that score.

Now hopefully that will bear fruits in greater grass roots participation but any linkage to more players coming through in time to give tennis a really serious go is surely likely as things stand going to be stymied by the lack of a way in for Joe or Emily Bloggs to get a foothold into the lower ranks. They and their parents may look at what there is available and while one can dream one has to look seriously at what is available for these that don't progress very quickly, what safety net, and in GB that is very little. Hence talented Joe and Emily are lost to other sports, not being from a well off family or one of the LTA's chosen ones.

I know there was a groundswell of love and support for Oli but I don't think the result is a surprise, given how well Tom was playing (from the videos) last week:

R2: Tom Farq. def. Oli G 6-4 6-2

Coup Droit wrote:

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I know there was a groundswell of love and support for Oli but I don't think the result is a surprise, given how well Tom was playing (from the videos) last week:

R2: Tom Farq. def. Oli G 6-4 6-2

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Indeed, Tom seems very much a form / rythym player who when he is good is very good. 

Still early days for Oli and whole no doubt of course wanting to win, nothing really to be discouraged about if Tom has indeed played very well again. Oli himself looks to have played a very good match yesterday.

Yes, nothing to suggest that Oli wasn't playing well.

(although, given the very markedly different score in yesterday's match, with the same one the week before, you have to wonder if Catarina had an issue - not saying he did, but that it's possible).

Shame we have no courtside roving reporters !

And Anton loses the first set 5-7.

Coup Droit wrote:

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And Anton loses the first set 5-7.

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Anton, age 16, is obviously the star of today so far.

Tad (born 2000) failed to take the tie-break.

And, having broken Guez, was then broken back so it's now on serve in the second.

But, even assuming Guez wins (which is hugely likely), he's also had a great tournament.

And yet another junior to rack up a successful run of matches, and very encouraging scores, against highly ranked players.

(Billy up one set on Rob Carter. Luke J a break up on Bothwell - allez Luke!).