Weeks 21 & 22 - French Open (Roland-Garros) - Paris, France (clay) - women's doubles

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

RE: Weeks 21 & 22 - French Open (Roland-Garros) - Paris, France (clay) - women's doubles

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

SuperT wrote:
Given her woeful record in singles matches this year I wonder if Heather might consider switching to doubles as her main focus for the next few years. She's a great doubles player and if she could find a suitable partner I think she could do really well on the tour and at the Slams.

In a word..no.

She loves competing too much to start thinking retiral. If she was slipping down to 200 plus in the rankings then a slight maybe, but a nonsense to suggest this path.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

JonH comes home wrote:
SuperT wrote:
Given her woeful record in singles matches this year I wonder if Heather might consider switching to doubles as her main focus for the next few years. She's a great doubles player and if she could find a suitable partner I think she could do really well on the tour and at the Slams.
I would also like to see Heather in mixed as she is one of the best women at that format. Another Finn, Harri Heliovara, would be good (if that isnt too close to home)

And she knows all about winning mixed doubles titles with Finns, she & Henri Kontinen having won the Wimbledon mixed title in 2016. wink

PaulM · Tennis legend

How is this return position allowed?! I can't believe the umpire is allowing it every single time. And why the Chinese don't just fire the ball at her...?

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

My understanding is that you have the right to stand and receive wherever you like. In singles and dubs. You're not allowed to volley the ball though, you must let it bounce.
The only issue is if the umpire thinks you're effectively doing it to distract the server.
But if not, you can stand there, no problem.

the addict · Tennis legend

I agree with you, but they should have tried to hit her, and then the point would be theirs. This is how I interpret the rules........

Rules of Tennis

"26. HINDRANCE

If a player is hindered in playing the point by a deliberate act of the opponent(s), the player shall win the point.
However, the point shall be replayed if a player is hindered in playing the point by either an unintentional act of the opponent(s), or something outside the players own control (not including a permanent fixture)."

"Case 5: In doubles, where are the servers partner and receivers partner allowed to stand?

Decision: The servers partner and the receivers partner may take any position on their own side of the net, inside or outside the court. However, if a player is creating a hindrance to the opponent(s), the hindrance rule should be used."

PaulM · Tennis legend

Yeah Emily kindly explained it to me, she can stand where she likes but must not move once the server starts the motion. The issue here was Cascino was standing in the box then clearly and noisily moving out of it during the motion. Their opponents made many doubles on this side, clearly distracted I think, but it was never pulled up by the umpire. Maybe she felt Cascino was moving as the ball was bit but I didn't think so.

I imaging standing in the middle of the box could constitute a hindrance but given you are just effectively making yourself target practice for an easy point not worth while!

-- Edited by PaulM on Wednesday 25th of May 2022 07:36:35 PM

sliced backhand · Lower Club Player

Jaggy1876 wrote:
SuperT wrote:
Given her woeful record in singles matches this year I wonder if Heather might consider switching to doubles as her main focus for the next few years. She's a great doubles player and if she could find a suitable partner I think she could do really well on the tour and at the Slams.
In a word..no.
She loves competing too much to start thinking retiral. If she was slipping down to 200 plus in the rankings then a slight maybe, but a nonsense to suggest this path.

It's an excellent idea. Dubs will prolong her career. It's much more fun to play and often to watch!

wolf · Tennis legend

Alicia & Olivia will be first alts now if they're kicking around and still 16 first round matches still to play (only takes 1 player out of 64 to pull out).

indiana · Tennis legend

I'll give Jaggy that he has much more of a case re Heather than he did with Sam a few months ago.

Ultimately though at this stage even with Heather it's really about wherever Heather wants to concentrate the rest of her tennis career ( singles and doubles )

I hope that she does prolong her singles for a fair while yet. But I certainly understand many players' decisions to concentrate on doubles.

Strongbow · All-time great

Nice result for Sam and Heather biggrin biggrin

dodrade · Futures qualifying

wolf wrote:
Alicia & Olivia will be first alts now if they're kicking around and still 16 first round matches still to play (only takes 1 player out of 64 to pull out).

I think they're already back home on the grass.

PaulM · Tennis legend

Interesting that Heather has withdrawn from Surbiton.

SuperT · Futures level

Jaggy1876 wrote:
SuperT wrote:
Given her woeful record in singles matches this year I wonder if Heather might consider switching to doubles as her main focus for the next few years. She's a great doubles player and if she could find a suitable partner I think she could do really well on the tour and at the Slams.
In a word..no.
She loves competing too much to start thinking retiral. If she was slipping down to 200 plus in the rankings then a slight maybe, but a nonsense to suggest this path.

I really hope you are right Jaggy. I completely agree she loves competing and wouldn't want to retire. I just worry how she'll pick up enough points to continue playing singles on the tour. I can't see her wanting to play ITFs on a regular basis.

DF · Tennis legend

Tara and Emina are a set up 7-5