Girls: Junior International Roehampton, grass - Grade 1 (Week 27)

sharonmc · Social player

Girls: Junior International Roehampton, grass - Grade 1 (Week 27)

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Interestingly (!?!?), the LTA don't think we've got enough girls who warrant wildcard places in the WImbledon juniors so they've only awarded 4 out of the 8 and the other 4 go to NDAs.

The four who have them are:

Victoria, Emma, Fran and Destinee.

Seems like Holly F is not fully fit, which would tie in with earlier comments (or maybe just doesn't fancy it).

Seems a 'shame' (disgrace?) for Gemma - she's better ranked than Victoria and Destinee - the same age - and did better in the warm-up event - what else is needed?

Strongbow · All-time great

Coup Droit wrote:
Interestingly (!?!?), the LTA don't think we've got enough girls who warrant wildcard places in the WImbledon juniors so they've only awarded 4 out of the 8 and the other 4 go to NDAs.

The four who have them are:

Victoria, Emma, Fran and Destinee.

Seems like Holly F is not fully fit, which would tie in with earlier comments (or maybe just doesn't fancy it).

Seems a 'shame' (disgrace?) for Gemma - she's better ranked than Victoria and Destinee - the same age - and did better in the warm-up event - what else is needed?

A comittee is an animal with four hind legs,

sharonmc · Social player

It Is a disgrace what they are doing to Gemma! Just beat US Hewitt in 2 sets ranked 32 in the world! Done better than ALL their wild cards (Barr Nell) We are sickened by the treatment she has received. Anyone would think she had 'taken drugs' or 'got drunk' NO all she did was walked away from couple of top tournaments last year because of exhaustion and stress (that they put in her) No help or support or care. Diabolical way to treat a young British player who has always played for her Country! Sorry guys but I needed to have my say.

indiana · Tennis legend

Thanks Sharon. On the face of it the non WC for Gemma seemed extremely unfair unless I was missing some important factors.

Looks like there are none, except in the eyes of the folk who unfortunately matter in these things.

Very sorry, and all the best to Gemma.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Three out of four of the semi-finalists are American, as Cori, Whitney and Caty all book their slots, along with Liang

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

sharonmc wrote:
It Is a disgrace what they are doing to Gemma! Just beat US Hewitt in 2 sets ranked 32 in the world! Done better than ALL their wild cards (Barr Nell) We are sickened by the treatment she has received. Anyone would think she had 'taken drugs' or 'got drunk' NO all she did was walked away from couple of top tournaments last year because of exhaustion and stress (that they put in her) No help or support or care. Diabolical way to treat a young British player who has always played for her Country! Sorry guys but I needed to have my say.

Very sorry to hear your frustration and disappointment. And, yes, rant ! furious

But could Gemma mend fences and talk to the LTA? If not, I know it doesn't really help but the only hope is to not dwell on it too much and do what's right for Gemma and her tennis outside of the LTA, if you are now forced to.

The injustice is (seemingly) obvious. But I do hope Gemma can get her head round it. Is she thinking of US college? Does a bit of academics interest her? And going that far away? Because it would probably be the ideal move if so.

I was speaking to the mother of a man, now aged 23 or 24 who was full, but FULL, of bitterness about the unfair treatment her son received. I don't know if she is right or wrong but, even assuming she's right, the problem is that it wasn't doing any good whatsoever.

Jay got precious little help, as do many kids in countries without much in the way of a federation. The LTA should be ashamed of themselves for so many things but you can't let them drag you down. Tell Gemma she has plenty of support here !!!!

sharonmc · Social player

Thank you so much. They have never been her biggest fan. Was told last week to 'prove herself' again! We thought she did! They are not interested. Just wanted a chance in main draw, which we feel she is worthy of.. Anyhow like you say, many youngsters get ignored and unsupported. Time to move on to pastures new and to 'let it go' and your right, they should be ashamed of themselves!
Thank you for the support and advice. Very much appreciated :))

sharonmc · Social player

indiana wrote:
Thanks Sharon. On the face of it the non WC for Gemma seemed extremely unfair unless I was missing some important factors.

Looks like there are none, except in the eyes of the folk who unfortunately matter in these things.

Very sorry, and all the best to Gemma.

Thank You

SuperT · Futures level

I think Gemma's treatment by the LTA is a disgrace but sad to say she's just the latest in a very long line of players to suffer in this way. For example Judy Murray revealed that when Andy went to Barcelona she asked for help with the costs but was refused point blank and had to fund it herself. And then more recently Dan Evans was also denied a Wimby wild card despite complying with everything that had been asked of him. Just how the LTA continues to get away with squandering the Wimbledon proceeds whilst ignoring the needs of young players simply beggars belief. They paid themselves huge bonuses when we won the Davies cup even though the success most definitely wasn't down to them. We can only hope that in years to come after Andy has retired, he can somehow get involved and change the culture from within. Meanwhile we all wish Gemma the best of luck and hope she can at least find a way to enjoy her tennis.

sharonmc · Social player

SuperT wrote:
I think Gemma's treatment by the LTA is a disgrace but sad to say she's just the latest in a very long line of players to suffer in this way. For example Judy Murray revealed that when Andy went to Barcelona she asked for help with the costs but was refused point blank and had to fund it herself. And then more recently Dan Evans was also denied a Wimby wild card despite complying with everything that had been asked of him. Just how the LTA continues to get away with squandering the Wimbledon proceeds whilst ignoring the needs of young players simply beggars belief. They paid themselves huge bonuses when we won the Davies cup even though the success most definitely wasn't down to them. We can only hope that in years to come after Andy has retired, he can somehow get involved and change the culture from within. Meanwhile we all wish Gemma the best of luck and hope she can at least find a way to enjoy her tennis.

Thank You.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I liked Sam Smith on TV saying something very much along the lines of:

'Great to see such a nice cohort of young female players coming through in Britain. You might think this meant there was a specific policy that was now paying off but, no, it's just a coincidence that there is suddenly a batch'.

And Jay Clarke's interview saying he got nothing until he turned 18 (which I remember too, as a junior, the annoyance on this forum that he and Ryan S were basically not 'good enough').

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I think that young Cori Gauff made her ITF debut here only 12 months ago.

She's only just 14, born 2004.

And only played about 10 events in total.

But she waltzed this event - winning the final in style and only dropping one set all week.

She is an amazingly slim, strong, athletic girl, and, as reported, playing in real style, far better than Whitney O, this week.

Congrats to her.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

sharonmc wrote:
It Is a disgrace what they are doing to Gemma! Just beat US Hewitt in 2 sets ranked 32 in the world! Done better than ALL their wild cards (Barr Nell) We are sickened by the treatment she has received. Anyone would think she had 'taken drugs' or 'got drunk' NO all she did was walked away from couple of top tournaments last year because of exhaustion and stress (that they put in her) No help or support or care. Diabolical way to treat a young British player who has always played for her Country! Sorry guys but I needed to have my say.

I have only seen Gemma play a couple of times but she is in a fabulous place to play very high level college tennis (power conference) and realistically use it as a way to continue to develop, some of the programmes are very supportive, as is the concept of team and it is interesting you mention Nell as I am sure you are aware she is off to an excellent programme who in the past actively tried to recruit Harriet.

Good luck, I think all on here who follow the juniors scores see how much work and commitment from the youngsters and their families goes into their development. I really hope Gemma finds a way to realise her ambitions.

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Saturday 7th of July 2018 05:49:20 AM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Yes. I made a similar comment before. But, again, college isn't just about tennis. The child has to be at least reasonably into academics. And happy to go that far away. (Although there are UK programmes too???). It's not necessarily for everyone.
As you say, it's a question of finding the right way. To be honest, LTA support is no good either really - it's only temporary, and guarantees nothing.