foobarbaz wrote:

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I didn't watch this match, but in last week's 1st Rnd defeat on the same courts, Katie was trying to put much more slice on her serve, and that caused her to serve quite a few doubles in that match also. I think it's good that our players are trying to improve their clay game. The match results might be disappointing, but that's only part of the story.  

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 Not at a W60 though.  This was a good opportunity to gain some points and give herself an opportunity to start next season within slam qualifying region, instead she has walked away with a big fat zero points.  Enter a 25k where she can get away with trying out new things.

emmsie69 wrote:

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foobarbaz wrote:

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I didn't watch this match, but in last week's 1st Rnd defeat on the same courts, Katie was trying to put much more slice on her serve, and that caused her to serve quite a few doubles in that match also. I think it's good that our players are trying to improve their clay game. The match results might be disappointing, but that's only part of the story.  

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 Not at a W60 though.  This was a good opportunity to gain some points and give herself an opportunity to start next season within slam qualifying region, instead she has walked away with a big fat zero points.  Enter a 25k where she can get away with trying out new things.

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 I could easily be wrong, but I'm quessing this is a 2-3 week training block for Katie, Naiktha, Freya, Amanda, etc. with an emphasis on developing their clay game. Part of that would be a schedule thing, booking the facilities (in these Covid times), etc. Getting to practise, and also compete with better players at the W60 level, would also be a benefit, would it not? Chasing points, isn't the only game in town, is my view.

emmsie69 wrote:

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Ordinarily yes but Katie just missed the cut off on 3 slams this year, the AO by 1 place, she may not get into anything higher than a W25 again this year.

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 It is a bit frustrating, I agree, but then again what she did in Wimbledon Qualifying, defeating Cabrera, McNally, and Rodionova, by playing great tennis on a fast surface, without having played many matches in the run-up, is a great calling-card to have. Keep the faith, emmsie69, fingers crossed the stars will align for all our promising youngsters.