Mimi (Mingge) Xu

christ · Futures level

RE: Mimi (Mingge) Xu

steven · Tennis legend

I would agree that it is one of the hardest A levels in the sense that you can't bluff your way through but the reason why quite a lot of people who are reasonably good at maths take the A level a year or more early (and if you don't have a mental block about maths, it really is relatively straightforward) is that there is a Further Maths A level that they can then go on to do and that is probably one of the harder A levels to do well at.

I think the idea is that A level Maths is meant to be fairly accessible for those who want to go on to degrees or careers that require some basic mathematical ability above GCSE level, whereas A level Further Maths aims to be a bridge between school and university level maths for those who intend to study highly mathematical subjects like maths itself, physics, etc.

I think having two A level stages for maths is a good idea, even though Further Maths still didn't give me the slightest inkling of how tough a maths degree was going to be at the university I went to.

According to my wife, maths in British schools is all completely trivial and easy compared to maths in Chinese schools, so make of that what you will. wink

In any case, doing Maths A level two years early is unusual and hence quite impressive, and doing it while also becoming one of the best junior tennis players in the country and (I think I've read this, but apologies if I'm wrong) an accomplished musician makes it even more so, so very well done to Mimi!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

christ wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
twentytoone wrote:
christ wrote:
Nix wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
By the way, the commentator said yesterday that Mimi sat her A level maths this year - two years early
That's impressive. Maths is one of the hardest A levels! Two years early, gosh.
Rubbish. It is almost certainly one of the easiest.
... as long as you know the answers. It is one of the very few subjects with objectively right answers. It is without doubt one of the hardest of A levels to waffle and bluff, but that is as it should be.
This has to be the worst comment I have ever read
I think this is quite an interesting question (and don't agree really with Blue Belle that it's only teenagers' or Mimi's view that counts)
Like you, twentytoone, christ's post rankled slightly
It can't be right that Maths A level is the 'easiest' because maths has 'right' answers - otherwise a Maths degree has to be easier than other degrees, for the same reason. And a Maths Masters is easy too. (And a Maths PhD is a doddle)
But it is certainly true that more students take Maths A level early than other A levels - there are figures for that. And there are more maths young prodigies than, say, political science young prodigies. Which obviously has something to do (or all to do) with the nature/clarity of the subject (after all, even our politicians haven't sorted out political science). But this doesn't mean maths is 'easier'.
I respectfully disagree - post A Levels Maths gets quite hard quite quickly, but up until A Levels it is about gathering and applying tools.
Possibly I should have been more nuanced in my response - I probably should have said "due to the nature/clarity of the subject, more students take Maths A level early than other A levels" rather than the (shorter) "one of the easiest".
... but I find it interesting that my response drew ire where the original "Maths is one of the hardest A levels" was awarded a pass.

Ahhh, that's just because, in general, we're not allowed to say anything that could be construed as 'putting down' our players, in any shape or form. Whereas we're allowed to be nice out about them to the hilt smile

Mervatron2 · Futures level

Having done Maths A level myself I can ell you its incredibly hard. Some bits I fond fine (stats) but mechanics was horrendous.

Amazing achievement from Mimi.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

18/08/24

W35 Aldershot

Mimi Xu won the title, both in the singles and the doubles (with Naiktha)

A super week

Oscariyan · Intermediate Club Player

Nice one Mimi, well deserved after all the hard work and now you have got an ITF title! Here's to more! :)

-- Edited by Oscariyan on Sunday 18th of August 2024 09:53:41 PM

DF · Tennis legend

Rankings 25/08/2024

Mimi breaks into the top 500.
GB 13 495. (+101) Mimi Xu (age 16) (CH) 107 points (+35 points)

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

I notice that Mimi's next tournament is in China - can someone point me towards any bios etc that will give me more of her background. e.g. does she speak Chinese?

Var · Pro player

Helen40 wrote:
I notice that Mimi's next tournament is in China - can someone point me towards any bios etc that will give me more of her background. e.g. does she speak Chinese?

I definitely read somewhere that the family were firmly based in Wales and that there didnt seem to be the strong family links with China that Emma R promotes.However as Mimi is relatively new to the global scene, I expect we shall get more details in time. Bit old but this gives you some background. Mimi has played in China in the past in junior tournaments. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-10934761/Wimbledon-Mimi-Xu-rising-star-British-tennis-trained-Emma-Raducanu.html

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Var wrote:
Helen40 wrote:
I notice that Mimi's next tournament is in China - can someone point me towards any bios etc that will give me more of her background. e.g. does she speak Chinese?
I definitely read somewhere that the family were firmly based in Wales and that there didnt seem to be the strong family links with China that Emma R promotes.However as Mimi is relatively new to the global scene, I expect we shall get more details in time. Bit old but this gives you some background. Mimi has played in China in the past in junior tournaments. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-10934761/Wimbledon-Mimi-Xu-rising-star-British-tennis-trained-Emma-Raducanu.html

Thanks Var, it gives me more of a context to know that both her parents are Chinese. It seemed to be a long way to go for just a tennis tournament.

DF · Tennis legend

Her next tournament is the Junior US Open in New York.

Lambda · Challenger level

Helen40 wrote:
Var wrote:
Helen40 wrote:
I notice that Mimi's next tournament is in China - can someone point me towards any bios etc that will give me more of her background. e.g. does she speak Chinese?
I definitely read somewhere that the family were firmly based in Wales and that there didnt seem to be the strong family links with China that Emma R promotes.However as Mimi is relatively new to the global scene, I expect we shall get more details in time. Bit old but this gives you some background. Mimi has played in China in the past in junior tournaments. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-10934761/Wimbledon-Mimi-Xu-rising-star-British-tennis-trained-Emma-Raducanu.html
Thanks Var, it gives me more of a context to know that both her parents are Chinese. It seemed to be a long way to go for just a tennis tournament.

There's a couple of big junior tournaments over in Japan and China which she's defending a lot of points from would be the reason she would be going to Asia, if that's what she decides to do. Those 2 tournaments alone account for 1/3rd of her junior points. She's not yet committed for any event after the US Open, but I don't think it will be China. She's in the main draw for her first 2 choices in Japan and Monastir. She might get into qualifying for China but its only her 3rd choice at the moment. If she does choose an Asian event then it will likely be used as prep for the junior events.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Lambda wrote:
Helen40 wrote:

Var wrote:
Helen40 wrote:
I notice that Mimi's next tournament is in China - can someone point me towards any bios etc that will give me more of her background. e.g. does she speak Chinese?
I definitely read somewhere that the family were firmly based in Wales and that there didnt seem to be the strong family links with China that Emma R promotes.However as Mimi is relatively new to the global scene, I expect we shall get more details in time. Bit old but this gives you some background. Mimi has played in China in the past in junior tournaments. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-10934761/Wimbledon-Mimi-Xu-rising-star-British-tennis-trained-Emma-Raducanu.html
Thanks Var, it gives me more of a context to know that both her parents are Chinese. It seemed to be a long way to go for just a tennis tournament.

There's a couple of big junior tournaments over in Japan and China which she's defending a lot of points from would be the reason she would be going to Asia, if that's what she decides to do. Those 2 tournaments alone account for 1/3rd of her junior points. She's not yet committed for any event after the US Open, but I don't think it will be China. She's in the main draw for her first 2 choices in Japan and Monastir. She might get into qualifying for China but its only her 3rd choice at the moment. If she does choose an Asian event then it will likely be used as prep for the junior events.

Thanks. I guess that I'm surprised that she's still prioritising juniors, although I guess that winning the better junior events gives her WCs into senior ones.

Var · Pro player

Helen40 wrote:
Lambda wrote:
Helen40 wrote:

Var wrote:
Helen40 wrote:
I notice that Mimi's next tournament is in China - can someone point me towards any bios etc that will give me more of her background. e.g. does she speak Chinese?
I definitely read somewhere that the family were firmly based in Wales and that there didnt seem to be the strong family links with China that Emma R promotes.However as Mimi is relatively new to the global scene, I expect we shall get more details in time. Bit old but this gives you some background. Mimi has played in China in the past in junior tournaments. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-10934761/Wimbledon-Mimi-Xu-rising-star-British-tennis-trained-Emma-Raducanu.html
Thanks Var, it gives me more of a context to know that both her parents are Chinese. It seemed to be a long way to go for just a tennis tournament.

There's a couple of big junior tournaments over in Japan and China which she's defending a lot of points from would be the reason she would be going to Asia, if that's what she decides to do. Those 2 tournaments alone account for 1/3rd of her junior points. She's not yet committed for any event after the US Open, but I don't think it will be China. She's in the main draw for her first 2 choices in Japan and Monastir. She might get into qualifying for China but its only her 3rd choice at the moment. If she does choose an Asian event then it will likely be used as prep for the junior events.
Thanks. I guess that I'm surprised that she's still prioritising juniors, although I guess that winning the better junior events gives her WCs into senior ones.

No not necessarily - its a very complex journey as I have learnt from many on here, Lambda is one of those who has a lot of knowledge about our juniors development. They do get WCs into slams for National junior competitions.Hiever that are limited as to how many senior events they can enter dependent on age and ranking. David C provides a lot of info on here covering their progress. Exciting times for us though with Mimi, Hannah and Mika, Oli,Mark Ceban, I could go on and on! A lot driven by which scheme they are on. Happy days!

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Oh, yes, I remember that with Laura. I guess that seeing the likes of Gauff go through the system, I forget that she's the exception rather than the rule!