I think injury has played a part. And just not wanting to do pro-tennis. I'm not too sure of the finer details.
Now I know you can't predict injury, but reaction to injury is also relevant. And someone made an extremely valid point about funding players (sorry, can't remember who, but re Sam Murray, I think) on another thread to the effect that many youngsters play tennis to please their parents, either consciously - pushy parents, they're 'made' to - or sub-consciously - just to please and because that's the milieu they're in.
So the authorities should be very aware of this. And also open to helping older players (directly or indirectly) precisely because this issue has been overcome.
My point was simply there's a lot of 'chosen' ones who fall by the wayside.
I hope Sasha gets her chance at uni/college. As per Gemma too. If the two of them want it.
Another problem that now exists is better knowledge of the US college system and what it can offer - particularly to the girls.
How many players are sticking with tennis with a view to getting a funded degree but have little intention of focusing on pro-tennis once signed?
Unless the LTA are prepared to try and 'bond' players into UK tennis in conjunction with their US college studies then the likelihood of drop out increases.
Currently they only seem to have their eyes on players that they feel can transition straight to the adult game in their late teens.
This means they're only looking at potentially overworked youngsters that will have an increased possibility of injury.
Too many players have peaked by 18 but you do get some that continue to progress upwards well beyond that point.
Injury can't be predicted but rocket science isn't needed to be able to make some good guesses along the way.
(WC) Sonay Kartal v Annerly Poulos (AUS) Ct 6 match 3 (WC) Emma Raducanu v (Q) Martyna Kubka (POL) (Q) Polina Kudermetova (RUS) v (WC) Amarni Banks Kristyna Lavickova (CZE) v (WC) Erin Richardson Ct 4 match 5 Mai Napatt Nirundorn (THA) v (WC) Holly Fischer Ct 6 match 1 Ane Mintegi Del Olmo (ESP) v (WC) Victoria Allen Ct 6 match 2 (7) Sada Nahimana (BDI) v (WC) Matilda Mutavdzic Linda Fruhvirtova (CZE) v (WC) Destinee Martins Ct 5 match 2
But you get the errors because of the big shots. (And possible lack of fitness)
She could cut out all the errors but then she'd have to hit less powerful shots.
Learning the balance isn't easy but the French coaches will always tell you to go for the shots, all out, attack - better fitness and experience will iron out the errors.
Been down all the time this first set and now up 5-4*.
Cheap errors i mean. When not going for a shot. I don't mind errors where you're going for a shot and miss, a lot of these have been mid pace, mid rally shots. She doesn't seem phased though.
Yes. But a lot of those cheap errors in my view, are because she's just slightly out of position. She needs to be a tad more dynamic, both macro and micro.
I've seen her live three times and, yes, always that cool - or even closed and reserved, if you will.
But big potential, thought so at age 12 and still do, assuming her body holds up
I've thought the same. Sometimes out of position but that will come.
Seen some amazing stuff from her. Has a good slice backhand and likes to come to the net but not quite sure what to do when she's there but also that will come.
The game is there, just needs to develop. Plenty of time on her side and as you say hopefully her body holds up.
^^ have only changed over at the start of the third and immediately saw what you were talking about - cool (almost Sloane Stephen's like) and some nice shots but yeah, that placement.
I don't expect 20/20 foresight but it's worth pointing out that over the past few years, the LTA have given main draw wildcards to:
Pippa Horn, Anastasia Mikheeva, Georgina Sellyn, Lana Rush, Isabelle Wallace, Anna Brogan ....
a lot of girls who - for one reason or another - are not at all involved in GB pro-tennis
I only know 2 of those names and it's because they are/were Scottish I think (Wallace and Brogan). Wallace is AUS now but what happened to the others?
Pippa Horn is/was at Bath Uni doing a MSC- was part of the Bitish Universities team that beat USA in Dec-17. with Emma Hurst not seen anything more recent
Georgina Sellyn is/was at Vanderbilt University in USA in 2017Lana Rush is I think at Texas Tech,
See also https://britishtennis.activeboard.com/t63476750/missing-players/