Week 18 - ITF W25 - Nottingham, GB Hard

RJH1962 · Intermediate Club Player

RE: Week 18 - ITF W25 - Nottingham, GB Hard

DF · Tennis legend

Lois has made a brilliant start. 2-0 up

DF · Tennis legend

as has Eliz against Eden 2-0

Nix · Futures level

And Maia against Wong. 4-1 up which is great given she hasn't played for so long.

DF · Tennis legend

Lois takes the first set 6-2

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

There was an MTO in Eden v Eliz (with Eliz leading 4-1)

Lambda · Challenger level

RJH1962 wrote:

Has Maia played much since her issues with long Covid?

Since her first match back in December she's played 8 singles and 4 doubles matches.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

DF wrote:
Lois takes the first set 6-2

Yeah - watched a bit at the end - Mimi seemed to be making quite a lot of errors.

Slightly strange she's playing here, to be honest.

Especially after last week too.

The points are irrelevant for her.

THe argument of 'you're in form, now's the time to capitalise' really doesn't apply

Most coaches I know would say the opposite - you need to stretch out the 'feel-good' confident period - ride the back of the Nationals in training, really enjoy the glow and use that positive energy in practice.

As soon as you play another tournament and lose, you risk bursting the bubble - which is fine for adults - they have less choice and they're more used to it.

But it seems a real shame for a 14 year-old, when there's precious little to be gained

(Of course, she could turn this around and win it, and then have a great run. But the point about the decision-making still holds)

paulisi · Tennis legend

Lambda wrote:
RJH1962 wrote:

Has Maia played much since her issues with long Covid?

Since her first match back in December she's played 8 singles and 4 doubles matches.

Didn't she win the pro-series (?) a couple of weeks ago

Tennisdad_101 · Lower Club Player

Coup Droit wrote:
DF wrote:
Lois takes the first set 6-2
Yeah - watched a bit at the end - Mimi seemed to be making quite a lot of errors.
Slightly strange she's playing here, to be honest.
Especially after last week too.
The points are irrelevant for her.
THe argument of 'you're in form, now's the time to capitalise' really doesn't apply
Most coaches I know would say the opposite - you need to stretch out the 'feel-good' confident period - ride the back of the Nationals in training, really enjoy the glow and use that positive energy in practice.
As soon as you play another tournament and lose, you risk bursting the bubble - which is fine for adults - they have less choice and they're more used to it.
But it seems a real shame for a 14 year-old, when there's precious little to be gained
(Of course, she could turn this around and win it, and then have a great run. But the point about the decision-making still holds)

Im sure Mimi will turn this around, but you are right about not needing to do this event. Shes just competed in 3 back to back events playing 22 matches in the 3 weeks. For a 14 year old thats a lot and very questionable, the national academy must have their reasons but they are risking burn out and injuries. Especially when this event is not really necessary for her at this stage.

-- Edited by Tennisdad_101 on Tuesday 3rd of May 2022 10:21:41 AM

paulisi · Tennis legend

The only positive for Mimi would be to get a ranking, which would allow her to play further GB tournaments(via qualitying) with no wildcards left.

Tennisdad_101 · Lower Club Player

Tennisdad_101 wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
DF wrote:
Lois takes the first set 6-2
Yeah - watched a bit at the end - Mimi seemed to be making quite a lot of errors.
Slightly strange she's playing here, to be honest.
Especially after last week too.
The points are irrelevant for her.
THe argument of 'you're in form, now's the time to capitalise' really doesn't apply
Most coaches I know would say the opposite - you need to stretch out the 'feel-good' confident period - ride the back of the Nationals in training, really enjoy the glow and use that positive energy in practice.
As soon as you play another tournament and lose, you risk bursting the bubble - which is fine for adults - they have less choice and they're more used to it.
But it seems a real shame for a 14 year-old, when there's precious little to be gained
(Of course, she could turn this around and win it, and then have a great run. But the point about the decision-making still holds)
Im sure Mimi will turn this around, but you are right about not needing to do this event. Shes just competed in 3 back to back events playing 22 matches in the 3 weeks. For a 14 year old thats a lot and very questionable, the national academy must have their reasons but they are risking burn out and injuries. Especially when this event is not really necessary for her at this stage.

-- Edited by Tennisdad_101 on Tuesday 3rd of May 2022 10:21:41 AM

Lois also must be tired competing straight after winning the J5 in Estonia all 5 matches in 3 sets. They are so young, you could be right - capitalise - but for me this event this week at this age is not necessary, why the rush? . May be just as well the draw was kind for them today.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

No, I'm with you - I was saying DON'T capitalise !

The capitalise argument works for adults - they need the points, there's less time, they have a better understanding of their bodies, their mental state etc.

I see no reason a 14 year-old needs to play as much competitive tennis as Mimi has played this month - as said, that energy should be put on the training ground.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

paulisi wrote:
The only positive for Mimi would be to get a ranking, which would allow her to play further GB tournaments(via qualitying) with no wildcards left.

Way too young to even care about that, IMO. It shouldn't be part of her year goals.

Tennisdad_101 · Lower Club Player

Coup Droit wrote:
No, I'm with you - I was saying DON'T capitalise !

The capitalise argument works for adults - they need the points, there's less time, they have a better understanding of their bodies, their mental state etc.

I see no reason a 14 year-old needs to play as much competitive tennis as Mimi has played this month - as said, that energy should be put on the training ground.

My mistake I misinterpreted it, definitely a tournament too far. I see some more sensible decisions potentially with Isabelle, Talia and Hephzibah not taking part. I do like seeing the juniors having a go at the right time but as a tennis parent I do worry the amount of competitive matches some young girls - and boys - are playing For 14-15 year olds this is not necessary when they have still so much high level junior tennis to play.