Coup Droit wrote:

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Great for Tara (although I don't think much of Asia's game). Nice to see her getting some results. Let's hope she's regained her fitness and this form carries over into the grasscourt swing.

Laura v Katy's close result confirms their rankings are spot on.

Gabi's shows that tennis is not a given and things ebb and flow, often for no real reason. She's only just turned 20, had a great start to the year, things are never linear. Lykina is yet another top junior who failed to really make a serious impression in adult tennis - was JWR 4 but only made 170 or so at WTA. But obviously has skill.

And Naomi ploughs her own furrow - as top seed, she'll want to do well here.

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Rather as happened with Katie B earlier this year, Gabi's progress has taken a slight hit post her rather wasted Fed Cup excursion. And yes, she is still lacking more frequent wins over those around her in the rankings, which is what will continue to propel her upwards. She is now heading off to the French open qualifiers in two weeks time, with no effective clay court preparation, so that might not help her much, and then like all the others she will have to hope to pick up again on grass. Her 50 pts coming off on 21/5 will drop her back to about 190 in the rankings, so still in the top 200, but it might mean that it could take her a little while to regain sufficient points to go back past her current CH. In the meantime, she is certainly likely to lose the GB #4 position to Katie B, who will then regain it, but even Harriet could get very near to Gabi now, particularly if she has a good week this in China. 

It's still healthy from all these players, and yes, the ebb and flow is part of the almost natural life of playing as a pro, key is to handle the ebb well so that it doesn't effect one's confidence and nerves (as it has Heather), so that one is indeed able to turn the tide again, once the opportunity arises, and go forward once more.  

Priesty wrote:

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When I see some of Laura's social media posts and photos these days, I see a young woman who is quite contented with life as it is, thank you very much. I don't really see someone for whom no longer being able to compete at the top level is a burning ache which is driving her on and making her desperate to get back to where she was. Of course I could be wrong but the results seem to say otherwise...

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But she is an interesting story to continue watch unfold isn't she. With her perceived fun/charming personality, her good looks and fairytale Wimbledon win and Olympic medal with Andy, she remains many of the British public's favourite female British tennis tennis player. It's why she's still with IMG to this day.   

So there are a fair few people that are in love with her and will jump in to protect her honour against any unflattering accustaion. We all understand this. In your impression of her socail media, it's the same impression many others in the past have gotten from it. Because it's the impresssion it gives off. It's been discussed and counter argued. We don't know if she is self-harming after every loss or mainly counting the hours until one of her rich It-girl friends is going to fly in so they spend half the day shopping, sight seeing and catch a music gig in the evening and catch up on all the gossip.

Overall I wish her well, wherever she is at, and whatever she is about. She seems a decent person, whatever her relationship in her life with tennis.

indiana wrote:

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I didn't read Priesty's post as at all accusatory. Just some thoughts ( and of course all we say on such things is to various extents speculative ). Hardly said that she should be at all ashamed, was throwing her career away by daring to seem to enjoy other things ( as some have suggested, arguably a bit OTT, in the past - with some the poor girl was hardly allowed a night out ) but I picked up that if that's where she is these days, fine, it's her life.

Maye be wide of the mark true, but to my mind no need for anyone to jump on the post.

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 But you know every time someone posts something like that it will be jumped on. Because it has been every time I've seen someone make such an observation re her social media.