British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

sammmm wrote:

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I don't enjoy saying this but Jodie definitely shouldn't be in the squad based on her play right now, Mika I can understand although I'd prefer Hannah (if we want one of our teenagers) on current form.

I'd have Maia in over Jodie and then tossup between Heather, Alicia (not played since August but entered for tournament beginning 21/9) and Sofia

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 What about Fran, the only person not in the team who beat a top 100 player at the US open?  She then put up a considerably better performance against strong opposition in the second round than either Katie B or Harriet.  She has also won 2 x WTA 125s in the last couple of months.  It looks as if she was ill rather than injured yesterday.

KK wrote:

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sammmm wrote:

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I don't enjoy saying this but Jodie definitely shouldn't be in the squad based on her play right now, Mika I can understand although I'd prefer Hannah (if we want one of our teenagers) on current form.

I'd have Maia in over Jodie and then tossup between Heather, Alicia (not played since August but entered for tournament beginning 21/9) and Sofia

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 What about Fran, the only person not in the team who beat a top 100 player at the US open?  She then put up a considerably better performance against strong opposition in the second round than either Katie B or Harriet.  She has also won 2 x WTA 125s in the last couple of months.  It looks as if she was ill rather than injured yesterday.

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 There has been some speculstion on the forum that there is some issue(s) in the relationship between Fran and the GB BJK Cup set-up. Sad if true, but otherwise it would make no sense for her not to be involved. Whether the speculated issue(s), whatever that might be, make any sense, I have no idea.

Fran uncharectistically simply said "next question" when an interviewer recently raised the BJK Cup.

seagull wrote:

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Interesting that Fran does not like being referred to as a clay courter when every chance she gets she plays on clay?

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She can certainly play on hardcourts but clay is easier on her body given her condition. Ironically though for a British player she does struggle on grass.

If Fran isn't an option then the question is whether its better to bring in Maia alongside Harriet for doubles or another singles player. I get the sense that Annie has turned away from doubles specialists given the wins against the Netherlands and Australia without them. Katie Swan or Hannah could perhaps get a call up or they might not bother with a fifth player given Harriet's better singles form of late. I'm doubtful if Heather will ever be picked again despite decent performances in Wimbledon/US Open qualifying. In truth even a full strength squad would be massive underdogs against the Czechs in any case.

Addendum: Had assumed it was too soon for Sonay's return but has pulled out of Portugal the week before so might possibly be heading to Shenzhen instead.

dodrade wrote:

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seagull wrote:

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Interesting that Fran does not like being referred to as a clay courter when every chance she gets she plays on clay?

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She can certainly play on hardcourts but clay is easier on her body given her condition. Ironically though for a British player she does struggle on grass.

If Fran isn't an option then the question is whether its better to bring in Maia alongside Harriet for doubles or another singles player. I get the sense that Annie has turned away from doubles specialists given the wins against the Netherlands and Australia without them. Katie Swan or Hannah could perhaps get a call up or they might not bother with a fifth player given Harriet's better singles form of late. I'm doubtful if Heather will ever be picked again despite decent performances in Wimbledon/US Open qualifying. In truth even a full strength squad would be massive underdogs against the Czechs in any case.

Addendum: Had assumed it was too soon for Sonay's return but has pulled out of Portugal the week before so might possibly be heading to Shenzhen instead.

-- Edited by dodrade on Friday 11th of September 2026 11:59:19 PM

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 I would guess Fran said 'next question' because she was surprised and hurt not to have been picked for the team, rather than there being an issue.  I don't think we should write off Fran as not being an option.  Surely, she is always an option.

Coup Droit wrote:

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KK wrote:

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dodrade wrote:

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seagull wrote:

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Interesting that Fran does not like being referred to as a clay courter when every chance she gets she plays on clay?

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She can certainly play on hardcourts but clay is easier on her body given her condition. Ironically though for a British player she does struggle on grass.

If Fran isn't an option then the question is whether its better to bring in Maia alongside Harriet for doubles or another singles player. I get the sense that Annie has turned away from doubles specialists given the wins against the Netherlands and Australia without them. Katie Swan or Hannah could perhaps get a call up or they might not bother with a fifth player given Harriet's better singles form of late. I'm doubtful if Heather will ever be picked again despite decent performances in Wimbledon/US Open qualifying. In truth even a full strength squad would be massive underdogs against the Czechs in any case.

Addendum: Had assumed it was too soon for Sonay's return but has pulled out of Portugal the week before so might possibly be heading to Shenzhen instead.

-- Edited by dodrade on Friday 11th of September 2026 11:59:19 PM

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 I would guess Fran said 'next question' because she was surprised and hurt not to have been picked for the team, rather than there being an issue.  I don't think we should write off Fran as not being an option.  Surely, she is always an option.

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 Surely her being surprised and hurt not to have been picked WOULD BE an issue, no? 

 

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 The point I was trying to make is that she should not be written off as not an option.    An issue, yes, but it was not necessarily the case that there had been a huge falling out sort of issue, such as she would never be picked so was not an option.

seagull wrote:

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Sonay added to the team.

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 Great player but what is her best result in the last 6 months?

seagull wrote:

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Thats like saying what is Jack or Emmas best result in last 6 months

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 I agree, but neither Jack nor Emma have been selected to play for their country this time around.