brittak wrote:

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Bob in Spain wrote:

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brittak wrote:

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Is that Liam serving?

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Yes.  I spent a few days down in La Manga with the guys watching them train about 5 or 6 years back.  From memory, the 8 players were Liam, JWH, Alex W, Milts, Luke Bambridge, Toby Martin, Oli Golding and Evan Hoyt. There were three coaches on duty.  Leon, James Trotman and Hilts - which is why I am sure there is a pic of Hilts in there somewhere.  I will track it down in the end.

Having said that, I have been down there to several training camps to watch so I may be mixing and matching a bit here.

-- Edited by Bob in Spain on Saturday 2nd of May 2020 10:07:41 PM

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 Wow that sounds like fun and explains how you have got to know them a bit better over the years.

my experiences have been limited to the bigger events and watching from the stands so dont have some of your in depth knowledge. Im very jealous!

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I have been lucky in many ways, being based over here. La Manga was a regular training base for so many of the GB players and when I have been down there, they have all been very approachable.

The following year, Louis Cayer was down there for 4 days with Colin/Ross, Ken/Neal Skupski, Jonny Marray, Jamie Murray and Big Dom.  Had a great time watching them.

I have also found over the years that if you can get to the smaller tournaments, even Futures level, the atmosphere is very relaxed and all the players are happy to chat. 

brittak wrote:

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I did actually have a holiday at La Manga about 15 years ago when my kids were very little. I did get to play tennis every day whilst I was there so I remember the set-up.
I also remember the coach that I had for the week was a real taskmaster and worked me so hard but I dont recall who it might have been now.

As you say happy memories flowing out of this exercise!

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15 years ago may be a bit too far back but the head coach there for many years was James Rose.  He was the link with the LTA and hence all the training camps.  He has moved on now about 2 years back and has been replaced by Nicolas Almagro !!

brittak wrote:

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Not a bad option!
Btw - I am no great shakes as a player myself - a low to middling club player at best! - so I dont think I would have had the head coach!!

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Well I am utterly useless but James ran "adult academies" for all levels of players, not just the good ones.  I did that about 4 times and there were often as many as 40 players in any one week with a host of coaches and he would move round from group to group. He was a top guy as well as a great coach.  I think he moved on to Majorca.