Brendan F wrote:

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wales1994 wrote:

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I thought once you win a GS you're automatically always 'entitled' to a WC if you request one? Maybe Kenin wanted more match play?

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 That was why I asked specifically about the French Open where only French players seem to get them

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 In 2020, they gave Andy Murray a wildcard

And also one to Genie Bouchard, and one to Pironkova 

An Aussie also gets one under the reciprocal agreement 

JonH comes home wrote:

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As I understand in both mens and womens, since 2002, grand slam winners get unlimited wildcards - hence Andy getting so many. BUT it doesnt mean they automatically get into the event of their choosing. So France and other events dont have to select a past GS winner as a WC if they dont want to.


Again, it will come down to fan appeal in the home country. At Wimbledon, certain players have history and appeal that may differ to France, putting aside domestic wild cards. We dont have the reciprocal ones with other slam countries of course, but we reserve 3 in men, 2 in women (if needed) for the grass court trophy winners - plus anyone else who does will in the grass season may get one and , of course, any old favourites kicking around who they feel the fans at home and on the grounds may be attracted to.

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Lambda wrote:

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JonH comes home wrote:

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As I understand in both mens and womens, since 2002, grand slam winners get unlimited wildcards - hence Andy getting so many. BUT it doesnt mean they automatically get into the event of their choosing. So France and other events dont have to select a past GS winner as a WC if they dont want to.


Again, it will come down to fan appeal in the home country. At Wimbledon, certain players have history and appeal that may differ to France, putting aside domestic wild cards. We dont have the reciprocal ones with other slam countries of course, but we reserve 3 in men, 2 in women (if needed) for the grass court trophy winners - plus anyone else who does will in the grass season may get one and , of course, any old favourites kicking around who they feel the fans at home and on the grounds may be attracted to.

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Women have unlimited WCs if they've won a GS. Men GS winners only get the privilege from the year in which they turn 35. But unlike women, men have unlimited WCs to tournaments where their ranking doesn't get them into directly. Their ATP WC limits only apply to tournaments they could have got in directly if they had entered.

Nobody is entitled to WC, except women eligible for a top 20 WC must receive one in a WTA250 if they request one and there are not more requests than top 20 WCs available (which is why Stosur got so many).

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 Quite right

Otherwise you'd get Sue Barker (and everyone else) turning up, asking for a wildcard, so they could all pocket £50k 

(sorry, this was for RG as I thought this was about Kenin - just seen the title is Wimbly - so you can take whatever Wimbly winner you want) 

wales1994 wrote:

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I know Kenin might not have some huge fan base, but a former slam champion who also made the French Open final.... seems a tad harsh!

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 Especially as she is just outside the top 100. And is struggling against a french wildcard

emmsie69 wrote:

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This feels harsh but I'm not sure Heather Watson should get one if it means a younger player misses out. I'd put her in the 'subject to improved grass court results' personally. I definitely do not want to see Venus there again. Watched her 2 years ago and her movement wasn't great then so it would be a waste of a WC and IMO deflect from her legacy.

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 I know what you mean, but she reached the 4th round last year and has proven grass court capability, same with Katie B in the 3rd round. I feel those two are definites purely as they lost out on a chunk of points in 2022.

Id give one to Fran usually, but it would have to be at someones expense this year and I cant see who that would be. Agreed hopefully Venus doesnt ask for one (but Im sure she will!) 

Coup Droit wrote:

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emmsie69 wrote:

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This feels harsh but I'm not sure Heather Watson should get one if it means a younger player misses out. I'd put her in the 'subject to improved grass court results' personally. I definitely do not want to see Venus there again. Watched her 2 years ago and her movement wasn't great then so it would be a waste of a WC and IMO deflect from her legacy.

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 I think the crowd would like Hev though

And I don't think wildcards should only go to youngsters

I think the federation should support older players too - in fact, I think that's important for the youngsters, it shows that they won't be turned over in a couple of years time for the next batch of youngsters. 

I like having a full representation of deserving cases

It annoyed the h*** out of me that Emily WS didn't get one in doubles several times

Not because I particularly like Em's doubles play (I don't) but simply because it acknowledges that the tennis industry has many different facets and the bods should be aware and supportive of all of them 

The 'let's just give it to the yougnsters' is very much a pressure thing, I believe, from the LTA coaches who are far more focused on juniors. I remember a particularly galling statement by Jeremy Bates - who else - re qualis as he said to his mate (approximately) that of course Sam Murray shouldn't get one, who was she, I mean, Lord, she's 30 years-old. This was when 'his' Katie Boulter got one rather controversially. (NB she wasn't 30 but ....). 

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Tuesday 23rd of May 2023 09:04:25 AM

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  I agree with this up to 35 but after that if they are barely playing tournament tennis, like Venus, I think it's silly to give them a wild card. I'd give one to Hev though because she's still fairly young, is playing regularly, gets some good results and she deserves it for all she's given to UK a tennis. 

Oh and I have a similar view of Jeremy Bates. I wish he wasn't so involved as I don't think he's an overall good influence on UK tennis.