April 2024 Player of the Month Nominations Thread

Var · Club Coach

April 2024 Player of the Month Nominations Thread

indiana · Tennis legend

Och, I suppose it is worth giving Mika a wee mention.

Going to a very interesting vote with some contrasting strong entries.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

1. Amelia Rajecki - for achieving 100 [college] career singles wins. Only the 4th player in NC State history to do so. And in the week ending April 23rd rosé 3 places to #2 in national D1 college rankings

2. Hollie Smart (born 2009) - for becoming U16 British National Girls Champion (despite being year one)

3. Mark Ceban (born 2009) - for becoming U16 British National Boys Champion (despite being year one)

4. Henry Patten - for winning his first ATP250 title (with Harri Heliövaara) in only his second ATP250 final. Followed up with the Madrid Challenger 100 title, and then another ATP 250 final in Bucharest, moving to 11-1 for the month

5. Johannus Monday - for achieving 100 (college) career singles wins. Holds an impressive .806 winning percentage at Tennessee & a 42-6 career mark at no.1 spot in the line-up. Named SEC Player of the Year 2024. He's the fourth player in conference history to receive player of the year accolades in back-to-back seasons. He is the highest-ranked SEC player, standing second nationally in the latest ITA rankings with an impressive 22-2 record atop UT's singles lineup, including a perfect 10-0 mark in conference action. He notched a stellar 17-1 record vs. ranked opponents in 2023-24.

6. Mimi Xu (2007) - for becoming U18 British National Girls Champion (for the second time, and still only year one) along with U18 national Doubles title with Mika. As though one title wasnt enough Mimi also takes the doubles title in the J500, cementing here doubles and singles potential.

7. Oliver Bonding (2007) - for becoming U18 British National Boys Champion (also year one)

8. Emma Raducanu - for winning both her matches after such a long time out injured and helping GB through to the Billie Jean King cup final, beating 2 top 50 players Garcia and Parry on clay in France against a hostile French crowd, fighting through 3 sets against both. The way she played the clinching final set tie break was very impressive.Had she lost that a deciding doubles against Garcia / Mldanovic would have been tough to say the least. She then followed that by beating Kerber and Noskova to reach the Stuttgart quarter finals keeping the world no 1 out there for more than 2 hours before going down 7-6, 6-3 . A great week for Emma who played more like a top 10 player than player ranked 300 .

9. Rhys Lawlor - both U16 and U18 British National Boys Doubles Champion.

10. Oliver Crawford - for winning the doubles title (with Tristan Boyer) at the ATP Challenger 75 in Sarasota. This is his first title since switching to playing for GB and his best title to date, having only won titles at M15/M25 level previously.

11. BJK Cup team - for their brilliant win against France, now finalists on merit. Bringing it home girls! Outstanding performances from Emma and Katie on the second day, so well supported by Harriet, Hev and Fran and all the support team. Shout out for Anne K as well - you got it right!

12. Henry Searle - for taking out the Top Seed JJ Wolf (ranked 102) on clay in the 1st round of the Tallahassee Challenger with what I presume is a Career High ranking scalp.

13. Conor Brady (born 2007) - for winning the singles title AND the doubles title at the J100 in Latvia (his first ever singles title, I believe, and smashing his previous best wins by a country margin)

14. Emily Appleton - for defending her doubles title in Chiasso, Switzerland (with a different partner this year) and immediately travelling and winning again in Charlottesville, USA - her second and third W75 titles of the year and taking her close to her career high from February.

15. Emily Webley-Smith - age 39 (!) - re-enters the singles rankings - WTA 1204 - joint 3rd oldest ranked player - an inspiration.

16. Sophie Drakeford-Lewis - for making it through qualifying and winning her 1st MD match at 25 years old at the W35 in Nottingham.

17. Mika Stojsavljevic - Wonderful Mika secures her first senior title, taking the W35 Nottingham. Now ranked just behind Hannah K (58 to 60 points) in the world rankings and only a couple of months older, she moves up to 675 WR (unconfirmed). Way to go Mika! Also won under 18 national doubles title with Mimi.

Hope you dont mind a subtle edit - not sure I can leave wonderful Mika has her entry name! Also added her under 18 doubles title

-- Edited by JonH comes home on Sunday 28th of April 2024 12:18:15 PM

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Looking at it , theres a real danger of Mimi and Mika taking votes off each other, ditto for Emma and BJK team - and indeed for all 4 of them - and letting someone else steal it.

Its going to need people voting to sell their vote strongly Id say, and deals behind the scenes!

Var · Club Coach

JonH comes home wrote:
1. Amelia Rajecki - for achieving 100 [college] career singles wins. Only the 4th player in NC State history to do so. And in the week ending April 23rd rosé 3 places to #2 in national D1 college rankings
2. Hollie Smart (born 2009) - for becoming U16 British National Girls Champion (despite being year one)

3. Mark Ceban (born 2009) - for becoming U16 British National Boys Champion (despite being year one)

4. Henry Patten - for winning his first ATP250 title (with Harri Heliövaara) in only his second ATP250 final. Followed up with the Madrid Challenger 100 title, and then another ATP 250 final in Bucharest, moving to 11-1 for the month

5. Johannus Monday - for achieving 100 (college) career singles wins. Holds an impressive .806 winning percentage at Tennessee & a 42-6 career mark at no.1 spot in the line-up. Named SEC Player of the Year 2024. He's the fourth player in conference history to receive player of the year accolades in back-to-back seasons. He is the highest-ranked SEC player, standing second nationally in the latest ITA rankings with an impressive 22-2 record atop UT's singles lineup, including a perfect 10-0 mark in conference action. He notched a stellar 17-1 record vs. ranked opponents in 2023-24.

6. Mimi Xu (2007) - for becoming U18 British National Girls Champion (for the second time, and still only year one) along with U18 national Doubles title with Mika. As though one title wasnt enough Mimi also takes the doubles title in the J500, cementing her doubles and singles potential.

7. Oliver Bonding (2007) - for becoming U18 British National Boys Champion (also year one)

8. Emma Raducanu - for winning both her matches after such a long time out injured and helping GB through to the Billie Jean King cup final, beating 2 top 50 players Garcia and Parry on clay in France against a hostile French crowd, fighting through 3 sets against both. The way she played the clinching final set tie break was very impressive.Had she lost that a deciding doubles against Garcia / Mldanovic would have been tough to say the least. She then followed that by beating Kerber and Noskova to reach the Stuttgart quarter finals keeping the world no 1 out there for more than 2 hours before going down 7-6, 6-3 . A great week for Emma who played more like a top 10 player than player ranked 300 .

9. Rhys Lawlor - both U16 and U18 British National Boys Doubles Champion.

10. Oliver Crawford - for winning the doubles title (with Tristan Boyer) at the ATP Challenger 75 in Sarasota. This is his first title since switching to playing for GB and his best title to date, having only won titles at M15/M25 level previously.

11. BJK Cup team - for their brilliant win against France, now finalists on merit. Bringing it home girls! Outstanding performances from Emma and Katie on the second day, so well supported by Harriet, Hev and Fran and all the support team. Shout out for Anne K as well - you got it right!

12. Henry Searle - for taking out the Top Seed JJ Wolf (ranked 102) on clay in the 1st round of the Tallahassee Challenger with what I presume is a Career High ranking scalp.

13. Conor Brady (born 2007) - for winning the singles title AND the doubles title at the J100 in Latvia (his first ever singles title, I believe, and smashing his previous best wins by a country margin)

14. Emily Appleton - for defending her doubles title in Chiasso, Switzerland (with a different partner this year) and immediately travelling and winning again in Charlottesville, USA - her second and third W75 titles of the year and taking her close to her career high from February.

15. Emily Webley-Smith - age 39 (!) - re-enters the singles rankings - WTA 1204 - joint 3rd oldest ranked player - an inspiration.

16. Sophie Drakeford-Lewis - for making it through qualifying and winning her 1st MD match at 25 years old at the W35 in Nottingham.
17. Mika Stojsavljevic - Wonderful Mika secures her first senior title, taking the W35 Nottingham. Now ranked just behind Hannah K (58 to 60 points) in the world rankings and only a couple of months older, she moves up to 675 WR (unconfirmed). Way to go Mika! Also won under 18 national doubles title with Mimi.

Hope you dont mind a subtle edit - not sure I can leave wonderful Mika has her entry name! Also added her under 18 doubles title

Thanks Jon!
-- Edited by JonH comes home on Sunday 28th of April 2024 12:18:15 PM

Tanaqui · Intermediate Club Player

1. Amelia Rajecki - for achieving 100 [college] career singles wins. Only the 4th player in NC State history to do so. And in the week ending April 23rd rosé 3 places to #2 in national D1 college rankings

2. Hollie Smart (born 2009) - for becoming U16 British National Girls Champion (despite being year one)

3. Mark Ceban (born 2009) - for becoming U16 British National Boys Champion (despite being year one)

4. Henry Patten - for winning his first ATP250 title (with Harri Heliövaara) in only his second ATP250 final. Followed up with the Madrid Challenger 100 title, and then another ATP 250 final in Bucharest, moving to 11-1 for the month

5. Johannus Monday - for achieving 100 (college) career singles wins. Holds an impressive .806 winning percentage at Tennessee & a 42-6 career mark at no.1 spot in the line-up. Named SEC Player of the Year 2024. He's the fourth player in conference history to receive player of the year accolades in back-to-back seasons. He is the highest-ranked SEC player, standing second nationally in the latest ITA rankings with an impressive 22-2 record atop UT's singles lineup, including a perfect 10-0 mark in conference action. He notched a stellar 17-1 record vs. ranked opponents in 2023-24.

6. Mimi Xu (2007) - for becoming U18 British National Girls Champion (for the second time, and still only year one) along with U18 national Doubles title with Mika. As though one title wasnt enough Mimi also takes the doubles title in the J500, cementing her doubles and singles potential.

7. Oliver Bonding (2007) - for becoming U18 British National Boys Champion (also year one)

8. Emma Raducanu - for winning both her matches after such a long time out injured and helping GB through to the Billie Jean King cup final, beating 2 top 50 players Garcia and Parry on clay in France against a hostile French crowd, fighting through 3 sets against both. The way she played the clinching final set tie break was very impressive.Had she lost that a deciding doubles against Garcia / Mldanovic would have been tough to say the least. She then followed that by beating Kerber and Noskova to reach the Stuttgart quarter finals keeping the world no 1 out there for more than 2 hours before going down 7-6, 6-3 . A great week for Emma who played more like a top 10 player than player ranked 300 .

9. Rhys Lawlor - both U16 and U18 British National Boys Doubles Champion.

10. Oliver Crawford - for winning the doubles title (with Tristan Boyer) at the ATP Challenger 75 in Sarasota. This is his first title since switching to playing for GB and his best title to date, having only won titles at M15/M25 level previously.

11. BJK Cup team - for their brilliant win against France, now finalists on merit. Bringing it home girls! Outstanding performances from Emma and Katie on the second day, so well supported by Harriet, Hev and Fran and all the support team. Shout out for Anne K as well - you got it right!

12. Henry Searle - for taking out the Top Seed JJ Wolf (ranked 102) on clay in the 1st round of the Tallahassee Challenger with what I presume is a Career High ranking scalp.

13. Conor Brady (born 2007) - for winning the singles title AND the doubles title at the J100 in Latvia (his first ever singles title, I believe, and smashing his previous best wins by a country margin)

14. Emily Appleton - for defending her doubles title in Chiasso, Switzerland (with a different partner this year) and immediately travelling and winning again in Charlottesville, USA - her second and third W75 titles of the year and taking her close to her career high from February.

15. Emily Webley-Smith - age 39 (!) - re-enters the singles rankings - WTA 1204 - joint 3rd oldest ranked player - an inspiration.

16. Sophie Drakeford-Lewis - for making it through qualifying and winning her 1st MD match at 25 years old at the W35 in Nottingham.

17. Mika Stojsavljevic - Wonderful Mika secures her first senior title, taking the W35 Nottingham. Now ranked just behind Hannah K (58 to 60 points) in the world rankings and only a couple of months older, she moves up to 675 WR (unconfirmed). Way to go Mika! Also won under 18 national doubles title with Mimi.

18. Luke Johnson - having spent the first three weeks of April reaching the semi-finals of an M125 and an M75, followed by the final of an M125, Luke (with Skander Mansouri) capped off the month by winning the title at the M75 Roma Garden Open. This will move Luke up to a new CH of around 77, having started the year with a ranking of 117.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Thanks all - Ill give it a few hours, as stated, but reckon itll be one single vote.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Id have possibly considered Charles for a nomination if hed won today, but dont think he or Paul have quite done enough; Giles was also close but not quite in my mind.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

So the list is closed, 18 players/nominations for the vote - will be coming up sometime this evening