British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

jb288 wrote:

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I thought the AELTC picked the WCs, not the LTA?

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 Yes

But they basically follow the recommendations of the LTA unless they have a reason to feel very strongly about it 

i.e. the LTA gives them a list. If that list didn't have Heather in it, I bet the AELTC would overturn it. I also bet the AELTC didn't give two hoots about Lois Boisson because they just look at their one grass tournament, and any antsiness between the two federations, say, because Lois didn't get one isn't their issue

But for all the other ones, they basically follow the list

PaulM wrote:

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I'm amazed anyone can be surprised at a reigning Junior Grand Slam champion and nationals winner being high on the pecking order for a wild card just because their pro ranking isn't brilliant....

The whole reason we have this pre-qualies is for our lower ranked established pros to earn their spot. It's an event that's entirely aimed at players like Alice, Esther, Katy, your returning college girls and your second string juniors. The encouragement is in the opportunity to make it there and prove you deserve it.

Naiktha and Tara as a pair don't meet the LTAs clear criteria for doubles wildcards. No complaints there.

Maddie I think is a shame but she probably blew it losing first round in the two grass 125s to be honest. If her and Hule had got deep they might have had a chance. Eden and Lissey made the maths work for them to get a combined ranking inside what the LTA require.

We always used to complain there was no clarity on how wildcards were awarded. Past few years we've had it spelt out through a published policy. It's SO much better and something I will do some rare LTA praising about. All the players now know where they stand and what they need to do (for the most part, the direct qualies ones are sometimes less obvious on who and why).

 

The LTAs "preoccupation" this year with giving main draw wildcards to our best juniors is a HUGE shift in approach and one that is welcome and long overdue in my view. The other Slams would have had these girls in the main draw before now (USTA 18s winner always gets maindraw, we only guarantee qualies for example - they don't baulk at the risk of a beating or wring their hands, they say, on you go kid, show us what you got you've earnt it).

 

-- Edited by PaulM on Thursday 19th of June 2025 10:04:44 PM

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 Hi PauM - not challenging as such, but...lThe LTA policy, though, doesnt set a threshold at all - it has several quite wordy and vague criteria but not sure these can be described as clear? Lots of interpretation in all of these I would say?! What they do make clear is that there is no rankings threshold - so what is the level Eden and Lissey got within?

https://www.lta.org.uk/49a242/siteassets/pro-players/wimbledon-wc-recommendations-policy-2024.pdf 

PaulM wrote:

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www.lta.org.uk/493c10/globalassets/wild-card-policy-lta-major-events-and-champs-2025-final.pdf

Doubles - the teams Combined Ranking needs to be 250 or better to fall in the second category for consideration.

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 Ok, cool - thank you - I hadnt found a 2025 version, but they have made it clearer this year than in the 2024 version

Morning, shockedpikachu

And welcome

And I agree - although I wouldn't go with the 'frankly ridiculous' - I think I'd temper that

I think some people (quite a lot, in fact) would not have wildcards in the first place - their whole premise is 'unfairness'

Now, I'm a big fan - indeed, this is the first time in ten years (looking back) where I feel that the AELTC/LTA have been really brave and pro-active (in both women's and men's, both singles and doubles)

Every other year, it's basically been obvious who would get the core number and hardly any surprises - and a lot of gaps, next direct acceptance etc etc

This year there's the three girls, Loffers, Jack PJ, JoMo, Oliver Crawford, Oliver Tarvet .....

it's the first time ever, for me, that it's really interesting

BUT I do understand how the discretionary nature of wildcards is controversial

Shockedpikachu wrote:

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Agree CD and yes, Ive edited - that was a bit OTT sorry lack of sleep!

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it's so hot, no one's sleeping well, it's like a furnace, completely understand  

Somewhat annoyingly they have decided early that the final two doubles wildcards will be unallocated.

So definitely no Emma/Katie (not a surprise I just thought they'd wait until closer to the draw).

paulisi wrote:

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No way Emma would play all three with back issues.
I expect her to withdraw from mixed..

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Yeah, there's no chance she'll play mixed doubles here. She's only entered the US one because of the format change and and it's a bit of a hit and giggle (and I'm not even convinced she won't withdraw a few days before it starts anyway).