Im finding the potential Wimby wildcards an interesting selection this year with the amount of former Slam winners knocking around.
If healthy, Id assume Jodie and Emma will be definites - but how many other Brits will make it with the potential for WozniackI, Osaka, Halep (!) and even Venus having a go? Plus any good form grass players.
I dont expect Halep to get anything but no doubt shell ask.
How many WC's are available for Brits depends how obliged the AELTC feel towards big names and former champions, the French ignored them all in favour of local players. Would Halep be snubbed because of her ban? Is it right to keep giving one to semi-retired players like Venus?
I presume there's an outside chance Emma and Jodie could make the MD without one, but if not then they'll probably be joined by Heather and Lily, with QWC's for Sonay, Fran, Marni, Hannah and Mika.
Im finding the potential Wimby wildcards an interesting selection this year with the amount of former Slam winners knocking around.
If healthy, Id assume Jodie and Emma will be definites - but how many other Brits will make it with the potential for WozniackI, Osaka, Halep (!) and even Venus having a go? Plus any good form grass players.
I dont expect Halep to get anything but no doubt shell ask.
Im finding the potential Wimby wildcards an interesting selection this year with the amount of former Slam winners knocking around.
If healthy, Id assume Jodie and Emma will be definites - but how many other Brits will make it with the potential for WozniackI, Osaka, Halep (!) and even Venus having a go? Plus any good form grass players.
I dont expect Halep to get anything but no doubt shell ask.
How many WC's are available for Brits depends how obliged the AELTC feel towards big names and former champions, the French ignored them all in favour of local players. Would Halep be snubbed because of her ban? Is it right to keep giving one to semi-retired players like Venus?
I presume there's an outside chance Emma and Jodie could make the MD without one, but if not then they'll probably be joined by Heather and Lily, with QWC's for Sonay, Fran, Marni, Hannah and Mika.
This sounds about right to me. Also Mimi will have a Wc to qualifying as she won the national champs.
Well as I have said elsewhere I wouldn't give one to Venus or Kerber as they're hardly playing and not up to the standard (largely not winning matches) or Halep - Dan Evans didn't get one the year after his drug ban and that was for a non-performance enhancing drug -; Wosniacki and Osaka are a different conversation and I would be okay with them having one but I would also be more than happy with the French approach! It would be so nice to see Sonay and Fran having one as they've been pretty unlucky with injuries and it would mean the world to them I'm sure to have the chance.
WCs by their nature could be argued as unfair really so I feel more than happy to prioritise Brits!
-- Edited by Nix on Tuesday 21st of May 2024 06:08:27 AM
How many WC's are available for Brits depends how obliged the AELTC feel towards big names and former champions, the French ignored them all in favour of local players. Would Halep be snubbed because of her ban? Is it right to keep giving one to semi-retired players like Venus?
I presume there's an outside chance Emma and Jodie could make the MD without one, but if not then they'll probably be joined by Heather and Lily, with QWC's for Sonay, Fran, Marni, Hannah and Mika.
I think Wimbledon takes the higher ground regarding attitude to awarding their wild cards. They do not seem to like reciprocal arrangements with other Slam Nations believing that is to take advantage of what is already a big advantage and remember, if they do not think enough are worthy, they release them to the next available in the draw. The winners of the ITF lead up events are entitled to one too of course.
I fully expect a few to foreign players and not as many as we would like to Brits.
Liam, Jan, Billy, Ryan and young Arthur Fery are all ranked in the top 250. I would expect/hope for them, they may not be any more though?
I think that Jodie, Miyazaki and Emma and the only sure things from the ladies, hopefully at least one or two more will come from Heather, Sonay, Armani and Fran
-- Edited by Shhh on Tuesday 21st of May 2024 11:28:13 AM
I cant recall exactly, but when Wimbledon have given past stars wild cards it tends to be those who have done well at Wimbledon and been big at this event, not in general. Added to that the additional caveat of will they actually be competitive and deserving from that perspective. I am not sure Id expect any of those listed above to get wildcards, the first 3 for the reasons Nix gives, the latter two - wozniacki has never been past the 4th round at W, Osaka never past the third round.
Id not give any of them wildcards and dont think Wimbledon will, nor do they deserve it.
Emma will get one as the great British hope, of course.
I mean there is a good argument Heather shouldn't get one this year. But im certain she will. I think it'll be 4 to Brits and 4 to non-GB girls this year.
I would give Kerber one as a past champion. She is also not long back from maternity leave (Jan). She's played as much as Emma has, as a reference.
Wouldn't touch Halep with a bargepole.
Well as I have said elsewhere I wouldn't give one to Venus or Kerber as they're hardly playing and not up to the standard (largely not winning matches) or Halep - Dan Evans didn't get one the year after his drug ban and that was for a non-performance enhancing drug -; Wosniacki and Osaka are a different conversation and I would be okay with them having one but I would also be more than happy with the French approach! It would be so nice to see Sonay and Fran having one as they've been pretty unlucky with injuries and it would mean the world to them I'm sure to have the chance.
WCs by their nature could be argued as unfair really so I feel more than happy to prioritise Brits!
-- Edited by Nix on Tuesday 21st of May 2024 06:08:27 AM
I was just thinking exactly the same Nix - play the French strategy on WCs. Also a good smattering for the juniors at the other grass court tournaments into the main draw not the qualies!
Hopefully all these players with possible wildcards are serious about their tennis and would give qualies a go as and when they are snubbed (as the daily mail might say)! Qualies should be a bumper event this year!
I would give Kerber one as a past champion. She is also not long back from maternity leave (Jan). She's played as much as Emma has, as a reference. Wouldn't touch Halep with a bargepole.
Kerber has at least won 3 matches in a row at Miami and Rome. Halep hasn't won any in her comeback.