British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

"Sudden proliferation"? Remember smell-gate? Ms Dart has a habit of making her own PR issues, meaning she has quite a lot of work to do to overcome the poo-traps that she puts in her own way.

She has doubtless done a very good week's work, and I am sure that she doesn't care about the sentiment from this message board, but she does have a habit of tripping herself up (and being a tax exile is not an endearing position in the eyes of some: she is not the first, and definitely won't be the last, tax exile that comes in for opproprium). Of course she may choose to live elsewhere because of the weather, and the tax benefits may be a happy coincidence, but as they say on the TV "the optics aren't good".

The October PoM vote is up and running here:

britishtennis.activeboard.com/t73357315/british-tennis-forum-player-of-the-month-vote-october-2026/

Coup Droit wrote:

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christ wrote:

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"Sudden proliferation"? Remember smell-gate? Ms Dart has a habit of making her own PR issues, meaning she has quite a lot of work to do to overcome the poo-traps that she puts in her own way.

She has doubtless done a very good week's work, and I am sure that she doesn't care about the sentiment from this message board, but she does have a habit of tripping herself up (and being a tax exile is not an endearing position in the eyes of some: she is not the first, and definitely won't be the last, tax exile that comes in for opproprium). Of course she may choose to live elsewhere because of the weather, and the tax benefits may be a happy coincidence, but as they say on the TV "the optics aren't good".

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 Exactly.

It's not specifically anti-Harriet sentiment because I said the same about Evo and about kyle Edmund 

It's anti people who voluntarily choose to live in a country which has zero income tax BUT where 85-90% of its workforce are financially extremely vulnerable, effectively what the HRCC calls 'modern day slavery'

It's not a hanging offence, I know lots of people choose to do so, and I realise that paying zero income tax is attractive on a personal level. Other benefits no doubt also count (people rarely do things for one reason and one reason only).

I would also add that I was always particularly vocal about Jo konta saying it would never be something she'd consider and taxes are just part of a civilised society, a price you have to pay

Also, it's absolutely wonderful that Harriet won the title and is now, officially, WR 84    

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 I was actually quite surprised when I read that Harriet lives in Dubai as surely she hasnt won enough on tour to become a mega rich super star seeking to shelter earnings from tax? It made me think she probably has other reasons for living there but of course well never know. 

I 100% expect there were other reasons too - I said that first up - there are always several factors - and, yes, Dubai is a good place in terms of weather and security (although I find Marion's emphasis on security a touch strange)

But I'm also 100% sure that your 'I doubt very much....' part is wrong and that tax was not utterly irrelevant in her decision (everyone considers financial consquences of their actions - quite rightly)

Edmund was very upfront about it, highlighting the different factors including tax. As reported by his own management company and in nearly all the newspapers. And Andy was very upfront about not doing it, being unlike the others, and that tax was not high on the list for him.

"Lawrence Frankopan, chief Executive of Starwing Sports, Edmund's management Company, explained to The Times the reasons that brought Edmund to live in The Bahamas. 'He has moved out there for tennis off-season preparation mostly and because its so convenient as he plays so much in the US, so he has a home away from home, so to speak. Tax-wise it is, Im sure, also very beneficial.'"

Again, it's not a hanging offence, sportspeople have short careers, optimising earnings is not unreasonable, expecially for the ones in Harriet's bracket.

But it's not a nice country in terms of its labour practices, despite being a rich country. And I don't like a country that sells itself on zero income tax, while at the same time having a major poverty issue. Tax is a social duty.

Coup Droit wrote:

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I 100% expect there were other reasons too - I said that first up - there are always several factors - and, yes, Dubai is a good place in terms of weather and security (although I find Marion's emphasis on security a touch strange)

But I'm also 100% sure that your 'I doubt very much....' part is wrong and that tax was not utterly irrelevant in her decision (everyone considers financial consquences of their actions - quite rightly)

Edmund was very upfront about it, highlighting the different factors including tax. As reported by his own management company and in nearly all the newspapers. And Andy was very upfront about not doing it, being unlike the others, and that tax was not high on the list for him.

"Lawrence Frankopan, chief Executive of Starwing Sports, Edmund's management Company, explained to The Times the reasons that brought Edmund to live in The Bahamas. 'He has moved out there for tennis off-season preparation mostly and because its so convenient as he plays so much in the US, so he has a home away from home, so to speak. Tax-wise it is, Im sure, also very beneficial.'"

Again, it's not a hanging offence, sportspeople have short careers, optimising earnings is not unreasonable, expecially for the ones in Harriet's bracket.

But it's not a nice country in terms of its labour practices, despite being a rich country. And I don't like a country that sells itself on zero income tax, while at the same time having a major poverty issue. Tax is a social duty.

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 As always Coup, interesting and fair points but if tax is one of the main issues....it can jar a bit with the amount of help Harriet has received from her governing body over the years.  It sort of seems......unbalanced?

 

I dont know the facts, and she wouldn't care what I think anyway, but the optics never look good.  A great win last week but I have celebrated others more.