March 2023 Player of the Month Nominations

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

March 2023 Player of the Month Nominations

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

All right, I'm not actually nominating these players (might change in the next week and Ben Jones was mighty close, as is Sofia) but I'd like to just highlight them in 'They Also Serve....' category (which acutally is rather a good name for a thread in a tennis forum

)

So kudos to the 'they also serve' more lowly ranked players who haven't quite broken through or done anything quite noteworthy enough for nomination (for me) BUT who deserve a bit of recognition.

I mean players such as:

Ben Jones - age 24 - outside the top-1000 always - suddenly made the final of the 25k in Montreal and smashed his CH, now 898

Mike Shaw - who's been battling away since a teenager, playing a lot, not really getting anywhere, tbh, very much a 1500 sort of player, and suddenly has beaten a top-500 player and a couple of top-1000 players

Abigail Amos - age 26 - outside the top-1000 - but has now beaten WTA 773 player, has made a QF, will have a new CH

(James Davis, Adam Jones, Maddie Brooks have also posted a few good results, and youngsters like Sofia Johnson with her 25k doubles runners-up place too, age only 18)

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
All right, I'm not actually nominating these players (might change in the next week and Ben Jones was mighty close, as is Sofia) but I'd like to just highlight them in 'They Also Serve....' category (which acutally is rather a good name for a thread in a tennis forum )

So kudos to the 'they also serve' more lowly ranked players who haven't quite broken through or done anything quite noteworthy enough for nomination (for me) BUT who deserve a bit of recognition.

I mean players such as:

Ben Jones - age 24 - outside the top-1000 always - suddenly made the final of the 25k in Montreal and smashed his CH, now 898

Mike Shaw - who's been battling away since a teenager, playing a lot, not really getting anywhere, tbh, very much a 1500 sort of player, and suddenly has beaten a top-500 player and a couple of top-1000 players

Abigail Amos - age 26 - outside the top-1000 - but has now beaten WTA 773 player, has made a QF, will have a new CH

(James Davis, Adam Jones, Maddie Brooks have also posted a few good results, and youngsters like Sofia Johnson with her 25k doubles runners-up place too, age only 18)

Thanks CD - lets keep them all on the radar as they may do something next week that tips them over to the nominations list - although no idea which are playing next week!

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Overall the list this month isnt a bad size, it just feels like its missing a stand out factor that we usually get with 2 or 3 players each month. But that might not be a bad thing , makes it wide open. Although maybe Billy or Liam will change that this week, or someone next week.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
OK. I'm going for it. With two of them at least.

1. Georgina Hays - aged 16 - for beating WTA 537 Xinxin Yao in ITF France 25k, QR1

2. Annabel Hristova - aged 14 - she won the singles AND the doubles in the J60 in Norway. Her first event at this level. Only her 7th ITF tournament ever.

3. Tamara Kuti - aged 15 - winning the doubles in Senegal J60.

4. Jack Draper - returned from injury to reach the last 16 and beat Dan Evans and then Andy Murray in the process, both in straight sets. A new kid on the block?

5. Emma Raducanu - beat Linette and Haddad Maia, two circa top 20 players, in a run to the last 16, winning 3 matches in one event of this level for only the first time since her US Open triumph in 21.

6. Oliver Bonding - reached the final of the J300 Indian Wells, seeded 5th, and will enter the JR Top 50 as a 2007 born player

7. Gordon Reid - after a season dogged by injury, Gordon reached the semis of the Super Series Cajun Classic, beating two seeded players in doing so. He re-enters the singles top 10 at WR9; also won the Cajun Classic and Georgia Open doubles in partnership with Alfie Hewett and goes back to WR 2 in doubles after falling to 6

8. Billy Harris - For reaching his first ever Challenger SF (and still going).

9. Liam Broady - For his ongoing consistently high level and reaching another Challenger SF (and still going)

You need to update the narrative Bob!

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Your wish is my command Jon.

1. Georgina Hays - aged 16 - for beating WTA 537 Xinxin Yao in ITF France 25k, QR1

2. Annabel Hristova - aged 14 - she won the singles AND the doubles in the J60 in Norway. Her first event at this level. Only her 7th ITF tournament ever.

3. Tamara Kuti - aged 15 - winning the doubles in Senegal J60.

4. Jack Draper - returned from injury to reach the last 16 and beat Dan Evans and then Andy Murray in the process, both in straight sets. A new kid on the block?

5. Emma Raducanu - beat Linette and Haddad Maia, two circa top 20 players, in a run to the last 16, winning 3 matches in one event of this level for only the first time since her US Open triumph in 21.

6. Oliver Bonding - reached the final of the J300 Indian Wells, seeded 5th, and will enter the JR Top 50 as a 2007 born player

7. Gordon Reid - after a season dogged by injury, Gordon reached the semis of the Super Series Cajun Classic, beating two seeded players in doing so. He re-enters the singles top 10 at WR9; also won the Cajun Classic and Georgia Open doubles in partnership with Alfie Hewett and goes back to WR 2 in doubles after falling to 6

8. Billy Harris - For reaching his first ever Challenger Final (and still going) and if I'm not mistaken his first ever win against a Top 100 player.

9. Liam Broady - For his ongoing consistently high level and reaching another Challenger Final (and still going)

Edit: Updated Liam's narrative as well now.

-- Edited by Bob in Spain on Saturday 25th of March 2023 03:43:32 PM

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

JonH comes home wrote:

wink

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
JonH comes home wrote:

Id meant to write a smiley face as well but for some reason it didnt take! Hope there are two

more updates tomorrow , Bob.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

JonH comes home wrote:
Bob in Spain wrote:
JonH comes home wrote:

Id meant to write a smiley face as well but for some reason it didnt take! Hope there are two
more updates tomorrow , Bob.

Might be three if 'the other one' wins his final.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
Your wish is my command Jon.

1. Georgina Hays - aged 16 - for beating WTA 537 Xinxin Yao in ITF France 25k, QR1

2. Annabel Hristova - aged 14 - she won the singles AND the doubles in the J60 in Norway. Her first event at this level. Only her 7th ITF tournament ever.

3. Tamara Kuti - aged 15 - winning the doubles in Senegal J60.

4. Jack Draper - returned from injury to reach the last 16 and beat Dan Evans and then Andy Murray in the process, both in straight sets. A new kid on the block?

5. Emma Raducanu - beat Linette and Haddad Maia, two circa top 20 players, in a run to the last 16, winning 3 matches in one event of this level for only the first time since her US Open triumph in 21.

6. Oliver Bonding - reached the final of the J300 Indian Wells, seeded 5th, and will enter the JR Top 50 as a 2007 born player

7. Gordon Reid - after a season dogged by injury, Gordon reached the semis of the Super Series Cajun Classic, beating two seeded players in doing so. He re-enters the singles top 10 at WR9; also won the Cajun Classic and Georgia Open doubles in partnership with Alfie Hewett and goes back to WR 2 in doubles after falling to 6

8. Billy Harris - For reaching his first ever Challenger Final (and still going) and if I'm not mistaken his first ever win against a Top 100 player.

9. Liam Broady - For his ongoing consistently high level and reaching another Challenger Final (and still going)

Edit: Updated Liam's narrative as well now.

-- Edited by Bob in Spain on Saturday 25th of March 2023 03:43:32 PM

Sadly billy and Liam are no longer still going- nonetheless good weeks and right in the mix for Pom Id say.

one week left now for nominations, close next Sunday April 2.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

1. Georgina Hays - aged 16 - for beating WTA 537 Xinxin Yao in ITF France 25k, QR1

2. Annabel Hristova - aged 14 - she won the singles AND the doubles in the J60 in Norway. Her first event at this level. Only her 7th ITF tournament ever.

3. Tamara Kuti - aged 15 - winning the doubles in Senegal J60.

4. Jack Draper - returned from injury to reach the last 16 at Indian Wells and beat Dan Evans and then Andy Murray in the process, both in straight sets.

5. Emma Raducanu - beat Linette and Haddad Maia, two circa top 20 players, in a run to the last 16, winning 3 matches in one event of this level for only the first time since her US Open triumph in 21.

6. Oliver Bonding - reached the final of the J300 Indian Wells, seeded 5th, and entered the JR Top 50 as a 2007 born player

7. Gordon Reid - after a season dogged by injury, Gordon reached the semis of the Super Series Cajun Classic, beating two seeded players in doing so. He re-enters the singles top 10 at WR9; also won the Cajun Classic and Georgia Open doubles in partnership with Alfie Hewett and goes back to WR 2 in doubles after falling to 6

8. Billy Harris - For reaching his first ever Challenger Final and his first ever win against a Top 100 player.

9. Liam Broady - For his ongoing consistently high level and reaching another Challenger Final

-- Edited by JonH comes home on Sunday 26th of March 2023 08:26:02 PM

BradMarx90 · County player

1. Georgina Hays - aged 16 - for beating WTA 537 Xinxin Yao in ITF France 25k, QR1

2. Annabel Hristova - aged 14 - she won the singles AND the doubles in the J60 in Norway. Her first event at this level. Only her 7th ITF tournament ever.

3. Tamara Kuti - aged 15 - winning the doubles in Senegal J60.

4. Jack Draper - returned from injury to reach the last 16 at Indian Wells and beat Dan Evans and then Andy Murray in the process, both in straight sets.

5. Emma Raducanu - beat Linette and Haddad Maia, two circa top 20 players, in a run to the last 16, winning 3 matches in one event of this level for only the first time since her US Open triumph in 21.

6. Oliver Bonding - reached the final of the J300 Indian Wells, seeded 5th, and entered the JR Top 50 as a 2007 born player

7. Gordon Reid - after a season dogged by injury, Gordon reached the semis of the Super Series Cajun Classic, beating two seeded players in doing so. He re-enters the singles top 10 at WR9; also won the Cajun Classic and Georgia Open doubles in partnership with Alfie Hewett and goes back to WR 2 in doubles after falling to 6

8. Billy Harris - For reaching his first ever Challenger Final and his first ever win against a Top 100 player.

9. Liam Broady - For his ongoing consistently high level and reaching another Challenger Final

10. Charlie Robertson for reaching two consecutive J200 finals in the Dominican Republic and winning the second.

11. Benjamin Gusic Wan for winning two consecutive J100 titles on home soil in Loughborough.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Thanks Mark, good additions. List growing and a lot of juniors up for consideration this month!!

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

BradMarx90 wrote:
1. Georgina Hays - aged 16 - for beating WTA 537 Xinxin Yao in ITF France 25k, QR1

2. Annabel Hristova - aged 14 - she won the singles AND the doubles in the J60 in Norway. Her first event at this level. Only her 7th ITF tournament ever.

3. Tamara Kuti - aged 15 - winning the doubles in Senegal J60.

4. Jack Draper - returned from injury to reach the last 16 at Indian Wells and beat Dan Evans and then Andy Murray in the process, both in straight sets.

5. Emma Raducanu - beat Linette and Haddad Maia, two circa top 20 players, in a run to the last 16, winning 3 matches in one event of this level for only the first time since her US Open triumph in 21.

6. Oliver Bonding - reached the final of the J300 Indian Wells, seeded 5th, and entered the JR Top 50 as a 2007 born player

7. Gordon Reid - after a season dogged by injury, Gordon reached the semis of the Super Series Cajun Classic, beating two seeded players in doing so. He re-enters the singles top 10 at WR9; also won the Cajun Classic and Georgia Open doubles in partnership with Alfie Hewett and goes back to WR 2 in doubles after falling to 6

8. Billy Harris - For reaching his first ever Challenger Final and his first ever win against a Top 100 player.

9. Liam Broady - For his ongoing consistently high level and reaching another Challenger Final

10. Charlie Robertson for reaching two consecutive J200 finals in the Dominican Republic and winning the second.

11. Benjamin Gusic Wan for winning two consecutive J100 titles on home soil in Loughborough.

5 days left in this period - if anyone notices that any of these narratives need an update for the month , since they were written, please feel free to cut, edit and paste the list.

or add to it if anyone strikes you as deserving and isnt on the list - close is Sunday once play has finished!