British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

Lambda wrote:

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It is entirely the LTA's fault. They are the ones that decided there were different rules for Mika and Hannah that they didnt have to play the Junior Nationals for grass season WCs that applied to every other U18.

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 But there's always been a Wimbledon Qualifiers wildcard for the 18U national winner

If the LTA awards extra ones, that's a different issue 

They've never given one to Mika / Hannah and NOT given one to the 18U winner 

Lambda wrote:

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Coup Droit wrote:

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Lambda wrote:

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It is entirely the LTA's fault. They are the ones that decided there were different rules for Mika and Hannah that they didnt have to play the Junior Nationals for grass season WCs that applied to every other U18.

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 But there's always been a Wimbledon Qualifiers wildcard for the 18U national winner

If the LTA awards extra ones, that's a different issue 

They've never given one to Mika / Hannah and NOT given one to the 18U winner 

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The point is that the 18U prize wild cards would almost certainly have been won by Mika or Hannah if they hadn't be treated differently by giving them an exemption from the rules that applied to their peers and not by a 15 year old who had never played an adult match.

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 But maybe it made the nationals far better for the other players

Not saying I necessarily agree with it, but there is an argument that if you have a player who is miles ahead in terms of ranking (let's say Mika, for instance) then it is a waste of her time, and a complete discouragement to the others, to make her play an event that is so clearly not her level - better to let the others have a proper match, a proper tournament

And Mika is getting a MD wildcard (IMO) for certain, so the quali wildcard that she might have won as 18U champion is irrelevant 

I have no problem with Dani playing Wimbledon qualis 

We had a pretty similar thing with Gabi Taylor one year, I remember 

And there's room for a little fairy story

But it's a real shame that she - and others - can't practice against people somewhat more their level, in preparation, because there's nothing on offer

Lambda wrote:

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Coup Droit wrote:

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Lambda wrote:

---

It is entirely the LTA's fault. They are the ones that decided there were different rules for Mika and Hannah that they didnt have to play the Junior Nationals for grass season WCs that applied to every other U18.

---

 But there's always been a Wimbledon Qualifiers wildcard for the 18U national winner

If the LTA awards extra ones, that's a different issue 

They've never given one to Mika / Hannah and NOT given one to the 18U winner 

---

The point is that the 18U prize wild cards would almost certainly have been won by Mika or Hannah if they hadn't be treated differently by giving them an exemption from the rules that applied to their peers and not by a 15 year old who had never played an adult match.

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This is my feeling too. The wildcard should be awarded to the best 18U player. Nationals are devalued in my opinion if the top players dont have to take part. If the wildcard isnt needed by the winner then offer it to the runner up. If not needed by them then dont give it.  

At least the likes of Dani would have had the opportunity to see how they compete against the top 18U girl (or boy) rather than go straight in against a top 100 player.