Zainab Williams is top seed in the women - nice to see her still in tennis
And Zeniece Hall is second seed - a new name to me - apparently a London player who went the US college route
Just by the by, there was an article I came across from a year ago, about Zainab, and her sister, and another man, under the title of GB black players in tennis. T0 be honest, I think the reporter knows nothing really about tennis and is a fashion writer but the fashion photos are good
Stefan Cooper (age 26) def. Ben Gusic Wan (2007) 6-3 6-4
Not seen Stefan play since pre covid times. Another ex college tennis player, attended Weber State University, then Leeds Beckett University (Masters) profile says currently playing tennis professionally whilst pursuing a PhD which centres around player pathways to professional tennis
I saw Stefan play up at Gosling (not against Ben in the final)
It was quite curious - as you walked in, there were lots of youngsters, some studenty looking ones, and he jumped out at me as the 'pro' lookin guy (not necessarily the best player but the 'pro')
He looked so like all the low-pro French players - the tan, mid 20s, the leg muscle from gym and lots of court training - and the constant running commentary, including some colourful language
He played well - volleyed well, fit, tough competitor - he should have lost, to be honest, in an earlier match, but he really toughed out the second set, and the MTB - got in the other (younger) guy's face, really - it was experience
I saw Stefan play up at Gosling (not against Ben in the final)
It was quite curious - as you walked in, there were lots of youngsters, some studenty looking ones, and he jumped out at me as the 'pro' lookin guy (not necessarily the best player but the 'pro')
He looked so like all the low-pro French players - the tan, mid 20s, the leg muscle from gym and lots of court training - and the constant running commentary, including some colourful language
He played well - volleyed well, fit, tough competitor - he should have lost, to be honest, in an earlier match, but he really toughed out the second set, and the MTB - got in the other (younger) guy's face, really - it was experience
Swearing and a lot of verbalising were my over whelming recollections of his game, along with tenacity and the ability to grind it out on the clay. Would be interested to read his thesis