Wimbledon 2021 WCs - women

PaulM · Tennis legend

Wimbledon 2021 WCs - women

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Yeah I mentioned Konjuh on another thread a week or so ago, she has had 11 WCs in about 8 different countries since the restart, and she has made the most of a lot of those opportunities, so if she is on other federations radar, then definitely a contender here given her grass pedigree, and the fact her ranking is improving all the time. Former Nott'm winner as well, so may be well be a *WC for that event as well.

*WC contender

-- Edited by Ace Ventura on Thursday 20th of May 2021 10:26:11 AM

Andy Parker · Club Coach

I am sure that Harriet, Katie B and Fran are shoo ins as far as the committee are concerned, but the lack of form of Katie S, Jodie and Naiktha, and the lack of playing from Emma have put their places in doubt. Unless something dramatic happens to any of those four before the wildcards are announced in three or four weeks time, it is going to be a very close call if any of those four get a wildcard. Emma may well be given a qualifying wildcard, as her lack of playing probably rules her out now.

Jodie and Katie S have had inconsistent form, but have at least had some runs and some wins, so I would probably give them wildcards still, but I don't think Naiktha's results suggest she deserves one, so if it was me selecting, I would give 5 Brits wildcards this year - but I won't be at all surprised if the committee decide on just three Brits this year.

LordBrownof · Futures level

Andy Parker wrote:
I am sure that Harriet, Katie B and Fran are shoo ins as far as the committee are concerned, but the lack of form of Katie S, Jodie and Naiktha, and the lack of playing from Emma have put their places in doubt. Unless something dramatic happens to any of those four before the wildcards are announced in three or four weeks time, it is going to be a very close call if any of those four get a wildcard. Emma may well be given a qualifying wildcard, as her lack of playing probably rules her out now.

Jodie and Katie S have had inconsistent form, but have at least had some runs and some wins, so I would probably give them wildcards still, but I don't think Naiktha's results suggest she deserves one, so if it was me selecting, I would give 5 Brits wildcards this year - but I won't be at all surprised if the committee decide on just three Brits this year.

I'm not sure how getting a thumping from a top 100 player would serve Jodie or Katie S right now but I see your logic. Personally, I'd give them a QWC but I'd hold out and see how they perform in any warm-up grass tournaments. If one of them does particularly well, reserve the right to upgrade it.

PaulM · Tennis legend

Just for interest, the advance British entries for Nottingham doubles (none anywhere near the cut) are:

Eden/Tara
Sam/Naiktha
Em/Beth

Whether or not these pairings hold for the whole grass stretch we'll see (and not sure how many playing opportunities there are really likely to be).

RedSquirrel · Satellite level

The doubles partnerships seem to be put together to meet the LTA WC policy. The Eden/Tara and Em/Beth partnerships should both fit into priority 3 criteria.

Priority 1: British #1 (Heather) with a British partner
Priority 2: Top 100 singles or doubles (Jo) with a British partner
Priority 3: Both players top 250 singles or doubles and committed to doubles (defined as played doubles in 40% of tournaments in which they have entered singles over the ranking period)

There is 1 WC in each of the 3 WTA tournaments + 1 WC in Nottingham and Birmingham if the top 20 WC is not taken. There are 3 WCs in Nottingham 100K.

the addict · Tennis legend

So probably just missing out on Priority 3 criteria for one reason or another are Naomi and Harriet, both inside the top 250. Sam hasn't played mutch, and Naiktha is just outside the top 250.

indiana · Tennis legend

Hmm, I am sure Tara say would prefer a WC or two with her normal partner. Tara and Emina have overall had a pretty good year together, with no ranking points due off before September.

PaulM · Tennis legend

Thanks Red, I didn't know the LTA had set specific criteria for the doubles this year. Are they published?

They haven't in the past which has always been problematic to me because it's been treated so arbitrarily (I heard one year they were saying you had to have a combined best of rank within 300 but then didn't actually apply that across the board). To me it's resulted in clear favouritsm towards girls who are 'in' when it comes to singles but play very little doubles and are already getting the big Wimbledon paycheck, then when it comes to Wimbledon allowing many slots to go unused to scratch pairs. And certainly Emily would have comfortably made these criteria from 2016-2019 had they applied (as would a couple of others like Sam during this period I think).

I think Naomi should just make it in priority 3 because of the doubles only WTA events she has been playing, albeit without success. This also explains why Harriet was suddenly appearing in doubles in the States (although the injury niggles meant it didn't quite work out - she is a good doubles player though, and wouldn't be surprised if Heather partners with her, if not Naomi).

Indy - Emina is down to play the two 25ks on hardcourt in the Dominican Republic that start next week (as is Shapatava). So I don't think she's intending to come over for the grass with Tara?

-- Edited by PaulM on Tuesday 25th of May 2021 07:17:18 PM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

RedSquirrel wrote:
The doubles partnerships seem to be put together to meet the LTA WC policy. The Eden/Tara and Em/Beth partnerships should both fit into priority 3 criteria.

Priority 1: British #1 (Heather) with a British partner
Priority 2: Top 100 singles or doubles (Jo) with a British partner
Priority 3: Both players top 250 singles or doubles and committed to doubles (defined as played doubles in 40% of tournaments in which they have entered singles over the ranking period)

There is 1 WC in each of the 3 WTA tournaments + 1 WC in Nottingham and Birmingham if the top 20 WC is not taken. There are 3 WCs in Nottingham 100K.

You are a font of knowledge, Red S. It's brilliant.

So, P1 means British #1 in doubles?

And P3 means you're counted as committed to dubs if you play doubles in 40% of events where you are ALSO playing singles? i.e. that would cover the majority of our ITF players (who won't necessarily be top 250, of course) as most enter doubles as well, even if they're obivously more committed to singles (but just want court time, a bit more money, a bit of fun).

And these rules are for WImbly or the WTAs or both?

Are they also for the men?

Many thanks !

PaulM · Tennis legend

On a related note, the bit of the LTA website for the wild card play offs is still just saying "information to follow". Have dates and so on been confirmed yet?

-- Edited by PaulM on Tuesday 25th of May 2021 08:22:08 PM

RedSquirrel · Satellite level

2021 WC policy for LTA events https://www.lta.org.uk/globalassets/play/professional-development/documents/lta-wild-card-policy-2021.pdf
Womens doubles selection criteria at the very end. In addition to LTA events, the policy will be used in the LTA's nominations to the AELTC.

-- Edited by RedSquirrel on Tuesday 25th of May 2021 08:22:40 PM

HarryGem · Club Coach

Andy Parker wrote:
I am sure that Harriet, Katie B and Fran are shoo ins as far as the committee are concerned, but the lack of form of Katie S, Jodie and Naiktha, and the lack of playing from Emma have put their places in doubt. Unless something dramatic happens to any of those four before the wildcards are announced in three or four weeks time, it is going to be a very close call if any of those four get a wildcard. Emma may well be given a qualifying wildcard, as her lack of playing probably rules her out now.

Jodie and Katie S have had inconsistent form, but have at least had some runs and some wins, so I would probably give them wildcards still, but I don't think Naiktha's results suggest she deserves one, so if it was me selecting, I would give 5 Brits wildcards this year - but I won't be at all surprised if the committee decide on just three Brits this year.

I agree totally with this. Personally I'm not in favour of handing out wild cards to tennis's premier tournament. I believe players should qualify by right for it unless there are special circumstances such as coming back from childbrith or serious long term illness or injury.

However, under the current rules etc I think your first three are likely to get main draw wildcards. I think Jodie is very much borderline. Some wins, some bad losses. I'd wait with her to see if she does anything at Nottingham,presuming she enters.

I'm afraid I don't think the other 3 are deserving of main draw wild cards but yes to qualification ones.

For non-Gb players I'd say Pironkova may get one, Konjuh and I'm not sure if she would need one but if she does then I'd consider Osorio Serrano.

PaulM · Tennis legend

FFT use all 14 doubles wildcards for all-French pairs. Just FYI AELTC/LTA

indiana · Tennis legend

PaulM wrote:
FFT use all 14 doubles wildcards for all-French pairs. Just FYI AELTC/LTA

Let's see how many Brits get a chance, although I wish the AELTC/LTA would be more open to decent 50% British regular pairings rather than some of the all British mix and match pairs they look for in the grass season.