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Post by Shireblogger on Jun 17, 2023 7:50:08 GMT 1
16 days until Wimbledon starts.
I've been lucky enough to get tickets for Wimbledon three times. I've also been to the tournaments at Queen's and Birmingham, and often go to the Nottingham Open. Since 1999 I've taken a camera.
In anticipation of Wimbledon 2023, I thought I'd do a British 16 player countdown - much like an advent calendar. It will culminate with my favourite. The list is limited to those I have actually seen live, and the photos are my own.
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Post by Shireblogger on Jun 17, 2023 7:58:10 GMT 1
16= RYAN PENISTON 16= JODIE BURRAGE I thought I'd start by breaking my 16 player limit, and present my two favourite current British players who haven't yet cracked the world Top 100. Ryan Peniston is an exciting talent from Essex, with a highest-ever ranking of #123. He is also a cancer survivor. Jodie Burrage, from Kingston upin Thames, is on an excellent run this week at the Nottingham Open - she plays in her first ever WTA semi-final today. So she might crack the world Top 100 when the next rankings are announced. I've seen her a few times, and she is a feisty competitor, with a winning smile. Just 24, she is a potential future British #1.
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Post by Shireblogger on Jun 18, 2023 7:11:09 GMT 1
15= KATIE BOULTER 15= JAMES WARD The new British number one, Katie Boulter, who could win her first WTA Title this afternoon. To be honest, I don't find her an especially exciting player to watch, and I'm rooting for Jodie Burrage. But you can't knock Katie for becoming the best of British. James Ward gets the nod in my Top 16 (18) for his contribution to the 2015 Davis Cup win. His career-high world ranking was #89.
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Post by greendemon on Jun 18, 2023 9:45:08 GMT 1
Nice idea for a thread!
I haven't been keeping up with tennis these past couple of years so I'll be following this in the hopes of catching up a bit before Wimbledon.
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Post by Shireblogger on Jun 19, 2023 7:38:12 GMT 1
14. KEN SKUPSKI I love doubles tennis. The reflexes, rallies and drop shots can be exquisite. I've never seen Jamie Murray play, but he isn't the only British man to prosper in this format. Ken Skupski reached three Grand Slam quarter finals, claimed a silver and bronze at the Commonwealth Games, and won seven tournaments during his career. His younger brother Neal, who is still playing and is current world #1, has done even better, with a Wimbledon victory amongst his 16 titles. But Neal is another British star I've yet to see in the flesh. Ken Skupski's partner in the photo above is Jonny O'Mara, with whom he won the Sofia Open in 2021.
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Pablo
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Post by Pablo on Jun 19, 2023 23:44:19 GMT 1
I've been lucky enough to go to one of the last Nitto ATP finals at the O2 before it moved to Turin. Just wish it was still held there, as it was a great experience. Also I've been to Birmingham and a small grass tournament in Liverpool.
I am hoping to go to more tennis tournaments in the near future, particularly some during the US tournaments. The grass tournaments in the UK do attract a certain crowd I'm not too keen on mixing with.
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Post by Shireblogger on Jun 20, 2023 6:22:33 GMT 1
The grass tournaments in the UK do attract a certain crowd I'm not too keen on mixing with. I'm intrigued by what you mean, and wonder whether I'm one of them. I didn't like the experience at Queen's much, because it seemed to be dominated by wealthy Londoners, most of whom were there to be seen, rather than watch the tennis. But Wimbledon, Birmingham and Nottingham attract a wide selection of tennis fans for are there primarily for the on-court action. |
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Post by Shireblogger on Jun 20, 2023 6:30:42 GMT 1
13. HARRIET DART Another player who I really enjoy watching. She has a lot of strokes, but needs a little more consistency. She climbed into the world Top 100 last year, and also reached the mixed doubles final at Wimbledon.
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Pablo
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Post by Pablo on Jun 20, 2023 21:35:46 GMT 1
The grass tournaments in the UK do attract a certain crowd I'm not too keen on mixing with. I'm intrigued by what you mean, and wonder whether I'm one of them. I didn't like the experience at Queen's much, because it seemed to be dominated by wealthy Londoners, most of whom were there to be seen, rather than watch the tennis. But Wimbledon, Birmingham and Nottingham attract a wide selection of tennis fans for are there primarily for the on-court action. You've sort of hit the nail on the head with your Queen's experience. I'm referring to mainly the know-it-all, snobby types who are there to have a picnic and a natter and you overhear comments such as: -
- "Who is he/she?"
- "...oh they're not good, I hope this match finishes quickly..."
- "This is boring, I hope the Player X vs. Player Y match will be better"
Maybe it's the days I went (midweek mainly) but I didn't see too many "working class" people there watching until the middle or final match. Mainly it was the older generation.
In complete contrast to the ATP finals and the Canadian Masters in Toronto, where yiu have an appreciative and supportive crowd watching the tennis.
Maybe I need to go to more tournaments in general. Just a pity most are in locations that requires me to stay overnight. Wimbledon is on the bucket list for sure.
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Robbie
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Post by Robbie on Jun 20, 2023 21:36:29 GMT 1
A very interesting idea for a thread and great photos! Like greendemon, I've sort of lost touch with who is who in tennis so this is a good way of getting to know some faces I don't recognise.
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Post by Shireblogger on Jun 21, 2023 6:55:01 GMT 1
12. DAN EVANS Dan Evans is a talented tennis player - there's little doubt about that. But he's now 33 years old, and has been in the world Top 30 for several years, which mean his total of just one tournament victory seems a little thin. I don't care about the supposed bad boy image, its more the fact that the 3rd round of Grand Slams often seems to be his objective, rather than progress deep into the second week.
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Post by Shireblogger on Jun 22, 2023 8:05:36 GMT 1
11. KYLE EDMUND I have to confess to not paying much attention to tennis, aside from the six weeks in the run-up to Wimbledon and the tournament itself. Which means I'm not particularly familiar with Kyle Edmund. But I do know that he was the British number one for 18 months of 2018/19, he climbed into the world top 15 in 2018, he made the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2018, and he was an integral member of GB's Davis Cup winning team of 2015. Perhaps his low profile indicates he has dedicated his career to his sport, and shunned other publicity opportunities.
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Post by Shireblogger on Jun 23, 2023 7:39:58 GMT 1
10. JOHANNA KONTA I might have been too harsh by only placing Johanna Konta at #10. I always enjoyed watching her play - she had a great range of shots, was fast across the court, and seemed to enjoy her sport. She was the first British woman to reach the world Top 10 for more than 30 years, ultimately climbing to #4. And she did very well at the Grand Slams, including a Wimbledon semi-final in 2017. But, having represented Australia until she was 21, I could never quite get over the feeling that she was an imported star.
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Pablo
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Post by Pablo on Jun 24, 2023 2:10:22 GMT 1
12. DAN EVANSDan Evans is a talented tennis player - there's little doubt about that. But he's now 33 years old, and has been in the world Top 30 for several years, which mean his total of just one tournament victory seems a little thin. I don't care about the supposed bad boy image, its more the fact that the 3rd round of Grand Slams often seems to be his objective, rather than progress deep into the second week. It's a shame it took him a while to get going and realising that talent. Sometimes just being at the lowest point in your career and a kick up the backside can really do wonders mentally. Sometimes I think if it wasn't for Andy Murray and his initial struggles (before winning Olympic Gold in 2012 and subsequent the US Open later in the year), whether the media would have gone on his back more.
His attitude on court, particularly when he's losing, is questionable at times (2021 Wimbledon match against Seb Korda comes to mind). He's had a quiet, steady couple of years and I do think this could be his last year to achieve new peaks.
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Pablo
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Post by Pablo on Jun 24, 2023 3:00:22 GMT 1
11. KYLE EDMUNDI have to confess to not paying much attention to tennis, aside from the six weeks in the run-up to Wimbledon and the tournament itself. Which means I'm not particularly familiar with Kyle Edmund. But I do know that he was the British number one for 18 months of 2018/19, he climbed into the world top 15 in 2018, he made the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2018, and he was an integral member of GB's Davis Cup winning team of 2015. Perhaps his low profile indicates he has dedicated his career to his sport, and shunned other publicity opportunities. Yeah I think Kyle's playing style is more suited to the hard courts, especially with his powerful cross court forehand.
His breakthrough year was 2018 and I don't think his low profile is intentional. Since 2018, he has struggled with injuries. He basically wrote off the 2021 season to sort out his knee problem and it's only recently he's started to play again in higher profile tournaments using his protective ranking.
He is 28 now and I hope he can regain the fitness and form, as he's a good player and hasn't fulfilled his potential.
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Post by Shireblogger on Jun 24, 2023 7:18:30 GMT 1
9. GREG RUSEDSKI Another British number one, another world #4, and another who never quite won over me, given his 22 years as a Canadian. I never doubted his commitment to the British cause, but Rusedski was always a runner-up to Tim Henman in my popularity stakes. Incidentally, and I didn't realise this until checking the stats this morning, Rusedski actually had a more successful career than Henman by some measures. Rusedski made the US Open Final in 1997 (whereas Henman never reached a Grand Slam final) and he won 15 singles and 3 doubles titles (Henman: 11 + 4). However, Henman made 10 Grand Slam quarter finals to Rusedski's two, Heman's Davis Cup record was much better, Henman's career earnings were $11.6m (to Rusedski's $8.9m) and in head-to-heads, Henman won 8-2.
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Post by Shireblogger on Jun 25, 2023 11:43:27 GMT 1
8. JOE SALISBURY Joe Salisbury is a superb doubles player, and brilliant to watch. His highest ever singles ranking is #559, but he is current world number one in doubles. In fact, he's only the third world number one Britain has ever had - after Andy Murray and Jamie Murray. I don't remember the media making much of a fuss - they seem far more interested in tracking Emma Radacanu's difficulties. He's won 15 titles, and Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam he hasn't won. In 2021 he won the US Open Men's Doubles and Mixed Doubles. But it barely got a mention in the press, given he was just the warm-up act for Emma Radacanu.
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Pablo
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Post by Pablo on Jun 25, 2023 17:38:24 GMT 1
8. JOE SALISBURYJoe Salisbury is a superb doubles player, and brilliant to watch. His highest ever singles ranking is #559, but he is current world number one in doubles. In fact, he's only the third world number one Britain has ever had - after Andy Murray and Jamie Murray. I don't remember the media making much of a fuss - they seem far more interested in tracking Emma Radacanu's difficulties. He's won 15 titles, and Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam he hasn't won. In 2021 he won the US Open Men's Doubles and Mixed Doubles. But it barely got a mention in the press, given he was just the warm-up act for Emma Radacanu. He was the world doubles #1. I think he lost it not long after the US Open and after a few early exits back end of last year. Both himself and doubles partner Rajeev Ram have not had the best of seasons this year.
Agree that Joe is a good player to watch - such a dynamic, physical doubles player and very entertaining to watch. It's a little sad he didn't pursue a career in singles, in part due to a knee injury sustained before he turned professional, as I think he has the physique and game to challenge the top 100.
The media tend to focus on singles player and report on doubles success in the slams. Even when Jonathan Marray won the men's doubles or Heather Watson winning the mixed doubles at Wimbledon, it barely gets a mention. I never even heard of Joe until I went to the 2019 ATP finals at the O2 but he was a late bloomer after working to complete his degree in the US before playing professionally.
Saying that, he was a tad unlucky not to get more focus from the media becoming the first British man to win the USO men's and mixed doubles in the same year as, rightly so, Emma Raducanu did something more unique in 2021 and with it being a British success - couldn't shut up about it.
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Post by Shireblogger on Jun 26, 2023 7:38:57 GMT 1
7. LAURA ROBSON  A before and after shot of Laura. At the top a photo from Wimbledon very early in her career, not long after she had won the junior tournament aged 14. And beneath that a picture from much later in her career, as she was gamely coming back from yet another injury, showing off her destructive double-left-handed backhand. It is too easy to dismiss Laura as a player who never quite lived up to her promise. But that is to overlook that glorious Olympic silver medal with Andy Murray and the fact that she became the first British woman to make a WTA final in over 20 years. A player I loved to watch and I hugely admired. And last week I was delighted to see that she was Tournament Director at Nottingham. Hopefully, a successfully and enlightened second career as a tennis administrator has just begun.
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Post by Shireblogger on Jun 27, 2023 8:31:40 GMT 1
6= GORDON REID & PETER NORFOLK  There were many highlights of the 2012 Paralympics. The wheelchair tennis was unquestionably one of them. Tennis is a tricky enough sport at the top level, without adding in the need to accelerate, stop and turn a wheelchair while playing. Back in 2012 Gordon Reid was a 20 year-old hot prospect. He's since won Wimbledon and the Australian Open as a singles player, and won 25 Grand Slams in doubles. He and Alfie Hewett have lost just one match at Wimbledon since 2015. Peter Norfolk was at the other end of his career at London 2012, being 51 years old. He was the UK team's flagbearer at the opening ceremony. He won 5 Olympic medals, including two golds, plus eight Grand Slams, and was ranked #1 in the world.
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