Week 45 - 2022 BJK Cup Finals - Glasgow, UK, Indoor Hard

indiana · Tennis legend

Week 45 - 2022 BJK Cup Finals - Glasgow, UK, Indoor Hard

indiana · Tennis legend

Siniakova beat Gauff so the Czechs play Switzerland in the 'other' SF.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
Siniakova beat Gauff so the Czechs play Switzerland in the 'other' SF.

As I said, dont follow any of my predictions or views on womens tennis - indeed, assume the opposite !

we of course Lost to the Czechs in the qualies - so it would be a nice irony to meet them in the final!

markymc1983 · Club Coach

Will our semi be the first one up tomorrow does anybody know? Can't find an order of play

the addict · Tennis legend

10am start, live on BBC2
So no adverts - yippee!

foobarbaz · Strong Club Player

I do think it's a bit unfair to criticise players who were in the running to be in the team [and who would have done absolutely everything possible to get themselves fit for the tie], for then not being there in person to cheer on the team in Glasgow. If those players were not fit enough to play then their main focus will be on recovery and maintaining fitness for the challenges ahead. They are probably busting a gut at the National Tennis Centre every day. It's just another example of knocking players when they are down, and I'm not saying it's intentional, things can be said when folks are euphoric about results, etc. that don't need to be said. If Raducanu (or Swan for that matter) were watching from the stands then it's obvious that adverse comments would be made, especially with the team performing admirably, that's just what the media and social media does. Then there's the hot topic of carbon footprint of the tour, and players taking an 800 mile round trip to just be a spectator (heaven forbid by private charter airplane). Comments about non-tennis stuff, like photo-shoots etc., well that to me seems a bit silly. The top players fit these engagements in, around their tennis regimen not instead of. It's not a case of "well tennis pays the bills", it's "tennis is what I want to excel at". The idea that Anne hasn't talked to Raducanu and others, and said "look just focus on getting fit", I think is wrong. Let's not try to sow division where there is none, rather let's enjoy the fact that we have a healthy number of very good players.

Madadman · Masters Series Champion

Coup Droit wrote:
wolf wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
markymc1983 wrote:
No sign of Emma. I did spot Sonay though.

Paula looked extremely down when she rejoined the group to watch the doubles, as did Nuria.
Well, I think it's disgusting that Emma didn't go. She's not in Asia, playing tournaments. She's the number one player. She's a crowd puller. Dreadful.
And well done to Sonay for showing up
I think its quite baffling that you think its disgusting, or even remotely a problem. Like the idiots on twitter who dont know what theyre talking about. Expect more thoughtful contribution from you.
It was a thoughtful contribution, as in it's what I think and had quite a lot of thought put into it.
In no particular order, I believe Emma should have gone:

to support her teammates and show solidarity
to support her captain and the LTA and show solidarity
to raise the profile of the event (especially for the more part-time tennis fans)
to experience a home tie
to learn for the future
to not be accused of being able to show up for sponsor events whenever she wants but not make the effort to go to Glasgow coz she's not getting paid
to simply enjoy the only bit of team tennis on offer
....
So, I don't find it baffling at all (naturally )

Obviously, if she is in the middle of wrist surgery or something equally important, that would be quite different
But, assuming that is not the case, I still find it dreadful that she didn't go.
(ADD: seemingly she was doing a Dior dress 'turn the Xmas lights on at Harrods' in London event ..... ..... yep, disgusting may seem a little strong but, frankly, I stick by it....)

And, yes, obviously, the winning team are far more important - which is why I didn't post this yesterday, or tomorrow - i.e. this is a Fed Cup tennis 'downday' and so the right moment to consider other aspects, before we move back to the tennis proper

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Friday 11th of November 2022 05:02:26 PM

Hope you had a pop at Andy for not travelling to Innsbruck last year as well.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

I have to say on this occasion I see no earthly reason why Emma should have travelled to Glasgow or how it would have helped. Team has done admirably without her!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

foobarbaz wrote:
I do think it's a bit unfair to criticise players who were in the running to be in the team [and who would have done absolutely everything possible to get themselves fit for the tie], for then not being there in person to cheer on the team in Glasgow. If those players were not fit enough to play then their main focus will be on recovery and maintaining fitness for the challenges ahead. They are probably busting a gut at the National Tennis Centre every day. It's just another example of knocking players when they are down, and I'm not saying it's intentional, things can be said when folks are euphoric about results, etc. that don't need to be said. If Raducanu (or Swan for that matter) were watching from the stands then it's obvious that adverse comments would be made, especially with the team performing admirably, that's just what the media and social media does. Then there's the hot topic of carbon footprint of the tour, and players taking an 800 mile round trip to just be a spectator (heaven forbid by private charter airplane). Comments about non-tennis stuff, like photo-shoots etc., well that to me seems a bit silly. The top players fit these engagements in, around their tennis regimen not instead of. It's not a case of "well tennis pays the bills", it's "tennis is what I want to excel at". The idea that Anne hasn't talked to Raducanu and others, and said "look just focus on getting fit", I think is wrong. Let's not try to sow division where there is none, rather let's enjoy the fact that we have a healthy number of very good players.

No, she wasn't 100% concentrating on getting fit, she was at Harrods doing a Dior shoot and Christmas lights illumination

Which is not a problem in itself - you can't be in rehab 24/7

But it's a problem - to me - when you've got other non-physical tennis commitments

Again, don't get me wrong, I'm one of Emma's biggest fans

But for all the reasons I gave above I think she was out of order for not going - and it's nothing to do with whether it would have helped the team or not - it's to do with her priorities

ADD: I am emboldening the particular aspect of the post that my first sentence replies to

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Saturday 12th of November 2022 08:59:07 AM

foobarbaz · Strong Club Player

Please don't embolden parts of my post CD, you change the meaning of what I wrote by doing that. If I'd wanted to embolden those words I would have done so. Please delete that post you just made, or edit it and remove the emphasis you applied to my text.

Jaffa · Challenger level

Sorry CD, i think youre wrong on this one.

wolf · Tennis legend

PaulM wrote:
Who do we think Anne goes with tomorrow? If she's fit, I think Katie matches up against Sanders better than Heather game wise, but it's a tough call.

I think its easy to say Katie as she has the more visually impressive game. I think Anne will choose Heather after her win. Who I would choose Im not sure.

Peter too · Tennis legend

Why change a winning team? Heather didn't just win she won easily and then gave highly animated support to the rest of the team. It inspired them to exceed everyone's expectations and achieve the seeming impossible task of winning 3-0.

-- Edited by Peter too on Saturday 12th of November 2022 01:11:41 AM

indiana · Tennis legend

Peter too wrote:
Why change a winning team? Heather didn't just win she won easily and then gave highly animated support to the rest of the team. It inspired them to exceed everyone's expectations and achieve the seeming impossible task of winning 3-0.

-- Edited by Peter too on Saturday 12th of November 2022 01:11:41 AM

You surely change a winning team if you think it will make the team more likely to win the next tie.

That should be the simple be all and end of all for such a match. Now Heather won very impressively and folk may genuinely feel that most likely winner is Heather, I think it's an interesting one if Katie is fit to go. Maybe indeed a difficult call.

I have no time with such a SF for anything like 'she gave highly animated support' - ie. part of the old 'deserves to play' irrelevant nonsense folk sometimes bring up. I.love Heather on the sidelines and the support she gives is no doubt helpful for these playing, certainly at least a valuable squad member. But you don't pick her to play in the tie for that. Again she siimply should if she has shown enough to convince the captain that she is the best choice to win. And the captain should have no other consideration but the win - eg. not what other folk might think.

I am now satisfied to my mind that Lissey and Liv are the best doubles choice to go again for the doubles win. So if Anne agrees with that it simplifies her choices for the singles.

indiana · Tennis legend

foobarbaz wrote:
Please don't embolden parts of my post CD, you change the meaning of what I wrote by doing that. If I'd wanted to embolden those words I would have done so. Please delete that post you just made, or edit it and remove the emphasis you applied to my text.

It's efficiently highlighting a part CD is commenting on as I am sure most folk would realise. Common and to my mind perfectly acceptable practice.