2018: 2 new UK Challenger Tounaments ibeing mooted.

[goldfish]

Now this sounds very interesting -

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-5455481/Andy-Murray-secret-talks-LTA-new-tournament.html

[lovetennis]

Now this sounds very interesting -

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-5455481/Andy-Murray-secret-talks-LTA-new-tournament.html

Oh yes please Andy. If it was in the 1st week of the French I could squeeze in a trip to Loughborough before I go on holiday

[themass15]

Sounds great. Wonder how many spectators it holds. When you see things like this it makes you realise how much we are all missing Andy!

[JAMES4578]

Think we will be lucky if a challenger is televised, however regardless would be great if the event goes ahead.

[Stell]

The challengers never seem to be shown on the TV.

[Silverdee]

Perhaps an exception this time?

[roytennisfan]

The challengers never seem to be shown on the TV.

Normally on ATP livestream though and often on bet365

[lovetennis]

Perhaps an exception this time?

Well I guess if Andy is playing they will be able to sell the rights

[JimmyG]

https://www.lta.org.uk/news/general-news/2018/march/atp-challenger-tour-new-glasgow-and-loughborough-events-added-to-uk-calendar

Two new $100,000 ATP Challenger Tour events at Glasgow and Loughborough are set to join the UK calendar for 2018, the Lawn Tennis Association has announced.

The tournaments will provide high-level competition on British soil ahead of the highly-anticipated grass court season, including The Queen’s Club Championships, Eastbourne International, and Wimbledon.

The first of these ATP Challenger events will be held in Glasgow from April 28-May 6 at the Scotstoun Tennis Centre, while the second will take place at the Dan Maskell Centre at Loughborough University from May 19-27.

Both tournaments will be staged on indoor hard courts, featuring a 32 singles main draw and 32 qualifying draws with 16 doubles teams. These events will provide valuable ATP ranking points and quality playing opportunities for British players.

Leon Smith, LTA Head of Men’s Tennis and Davis Cup Captain, said: “It’s great news that we’re creating more playing opportunities for British players in the UK.

“These Challenger events are invaluable in providing high-quality match experience as well as the opportunity to build up important ATP ranking points. Hopefully we can see some high-level performances from our Brits at these events.”

Oliver Scadgell, LTA Director of Major Events and Competitions said: “We are delighted to add to new playing opportunities at home for GB players, bringing high-level men’s tennis to Glasgow and Loughborough.

“These two new events enhance our domestic calendar of International Tournaments in 2018, which consists of 12 ITF Pro-Circuit tournaments (six men’s and six women’s) ranging in prize money from $15,000 to $25,000, in addition to the grass court Trophy Series which sees three events for men at Surbiton, Nottingham and Ilkley and four for women at Surbiton, Manchester, Ilkley and Southsea.”

[Stell]

I've sent an email to the BBC and asked them if they're interested in showing the Loughborough one.

[cazza99]

Challenger tournaments are shown for free on the ATP website.

[JAMES4578]

BBC Scottish News had short report claiming Andy's management stated it was too early to say if he would be part of Glasgow event, whilst possible Murray could play both think Loughborough more likely to be Andy's comeback event.

[Stell]

I really hope Andy will be playing at Loughborough, James4578.

[Stell]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/43382976

[jagmad]

Local paper piece.
https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/other-sport/loughborough-tournament-confirmed-aid-andy-1329751

[Stell]

I've received a reply from Eve Pritchett of the BBC Enquiries Team. She thanked me for contacting the BBC about the upcoming tournament in Loughborough. She admitted that she's also a tennis lover, but though the BBC haven't announced anything yet, they might announce something soon.

[roytennisfan]

Got a ticket for the Saturday in Glasgow :)

See there are no Brits in the main draw as announced at present, only 4 top250 players, Kyle + cam (q) playing Estoril not a surprise, Jay playing a lower ranked ch in Savannah and Liam and Alex not down for anything, both of them would have gone straight into MD, Liam as a seed, still time for wild cards Dan to Qualies????
22 of 32 slots taken guessing 8 from 32 in Qualies and 2 WC to MD?

Main Draw List
105 Bhambri, Yuki (IND)
107 Lacko, Lukas (SVK)
129 Granollers, Marcel (ESP)
197 Milojevic, Nikola (SRB)
252 Grigelis, Laurynas (LTU)
266 Viola, Matteo (ITA)
276 Zapata Miralles, Bernabe (ESP)
279 Guez, David (FRA)
297 Uchida, Kaichi (JPN)
300 Jaloviec, Marek (CZE)
304 Bellotti, Riccardo (ITA)
309 Moriya, Hiroki (JPN)
320 Ortega-Olmedo, Roberto (ESP)
321 De Loore, Joris (BEL)
324 Karlovskiy, Evgeny (RUS)
325 Vilella Martinez, Mario (ESP)
328 Miedler, Lucas (AUT)
332 Aragone, JC (USA)
335 Basso, Andrea (ITA)
336 Mertens, Yannick (BEL)
337 Vanni, Luca (ITA)
343 Jankovits, Yannick (FRA)

[Jan62]

See there are no Brits in the main draw as announced at present, only 4 top250 players, Kyle + cam (q) playing Estoril not a surprise, Jay playing a lower ranked ch in Savannah and Liam and Alex not down for anything, both of them would have gone straight into MD, Liam as a seed, still time for wild cards Dan to Qualies????
22 of 32 slots taken guessing 8 from 32 in Qualies and 2 WC to MD?

Main Draw List
105 Bhambri, Yuki (IND)
107 Lacko, Lukas (SVK)
129 Granollers, Marcel (ESP)
197 Milojevic, Nikola (SRB)
252 Grigelis, Laurynas (LTU)
266 Viola, Matteo (ITA)
276 Zapata Miralles, Bernabe (ESP)
279 Guez, David (FRA)
297 Uchida, Kaichi (JPN)
300 Jaloviec, Marek (CZE)
304 Bellotti, Riccardo (ITA)
309 Moriya, Hiroki (JPN)
320 Ortega-Olmedo, Roberto (ESP)
321 De Loore, Joris (BEL)
324 Karlovskiy, Evgeny (RUS)
325 Vilella Martinez, Mario (ESP)
328 Miedler, Lucas (AUT)
332 Aragone, JC (USA)
335 Basso, Andrea (ITA)
336 Mertens, Yannick (BEL)
337 Vanni, Luca (ITA)
343 Jankovits, Yannick (FRA)

According to LTA website, Lloyd Glasspool and James Ward are playing Glasgow, so assuming they're either in qualies or getting Wild cards. Wards deserves a w/c in Glasgow bearing in mind his heroics against Isner at D.C. there in 2015 (I must be spending too much time speaking to Glenys! 😂)

[roytennisfan]

Lloyd, James and Brydan all playing qualifiers in Guadalajara ch so could all look to be in Glasgow. James about to beat Brydan. Obviously qualifying and wildcard options, gather there may be 4 wc's

[Silverdee]

Does anyone know what day next week the draw takes place?

[Stell]

I've read Andy Murray will make a decision on Wednesday on whether he'll play in Glasgow or not.

[Stell]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/43853149

[themass15]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/43853149

Everything crossed Andy will play!!!

[goldfish]

Sounds promising. Thought we were supposed to get regular updates on Andy's progress but reports have been sparse.

[lovetennis]

Sounds promising. Thought we were supposed to get regular updates on Andy's progress but reports have been sparse.

Over on the Newspaper & Internet Reports thread there is a link to an article saying that Andy will be releasing film footage taken during his recovery very soon. Not sure where it will be released though.
Tickets were still available for both Glasgow and Loughborough on the LTA site yesterday

[themass15]

I'm still hoping he'll play in Loughborough, as I can't get to the Glasgow one.

Stu Fraser is saying on twitter (sorry cannot post). Andy will NOT make comeback in Glasgow next week. Still on list for French Open at present.

[angiebabez]

https://twitter.com/stu_fraser/status/988359724235190273?s=19

[Silverdee]

It’s official, Andy not playing Glasgow.

http://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Andy_Murray/54077/andy-murray-disappointed-his-fans-with-this-news/

[JAMES4578]

It’s official, Andy not playing Glasgow.

http://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Andy_Murray/54077/andy-murray-disappointed-his-fans-with-this-news/

They quote Stu Fraser's Tweet and don't really give much more detail, though I'm not doubting the accuracy of the original source. Always felt the Glasgow challenger was likely too early for Andy anyway.

[Silverdee]

Yes, I too thought it might be too soon but I’m hoping this means that it is more likely he will play Loughborough.

[themass15]

Yes, I too thought it might be too soon but I’m hoping this means that it is more likely he will play Loughborough.

You and me both!!!!

[Monica]

No surprise. I wonder if he will go and get some practice with the Brits that are there especially Aiden, Dan and James. Will be much more concerned if he withdraws from any of the ones he has entered at this stage.

[cazza99]

Have moved all the "ticket and who is going" posts to a new thread on Coaches Corner. Please post about tickets on there. Thanks.

http://www.andymurrayfanforum.com/forums/showthread.php?3316-New-tournaments-Glasgow-and-Loughborough-tickets-who-is-going-etc