Wrexham Women's 25k 07/2012

Today I went to see the Wrexham women's 25k tournament.

I arrived in time to see the end of Lisa's (Whybourne) match, she was playing Pilpuetch who although ranked 200 places lower than her was more consistent and seemed to run down the balls on the bigger points, whilst still looking as if she really couldn't be bothered most of the time. Must have been really offputting for Lisa. Who ended up losing.
I also saw Lisa's doubles later which was three setter which they won 10-4 in the championship TB. Nice show of volleying and scooping up some almost dead balls. Nice groundies, couldn't tell what their movement was like, but seemed OK.
Lisa really didn't look like a top 200 player today, not sure what was up with her as I can't recall seeing her play before. I'm hoping to watch her more in her dubs, or failing that she's in the 10k at Wrexham next week.


Mel (South) was on the next court and was most of the way through her game by the time I'd finished watching Lisa. She's put on a lot of weight recently and this might have accounted for her poor footwiork. She had great groundies, much better than her opponenent IF she got the ball played to her. Her moevement frankly wasn't great compared to most of the girls I saw. I spoke to Jade's mum later and apparently Mel hadn't been looking too happy before the match. No clue what was up with her though.
I remember a commentator saying that a few years back when she was doing well in the dubs at Wimby. So apparently movement has always been an issue. :(

I missed Jade's singles, but she must have played a blinder as she won 6-0, 6-0. I saw her in her doubles though and she had pretty good consistent groundies, and seemed to having a good time with her partner Ann Fistpatrick. However, she was playing a junior wildcard entry from the local academy, who just didn't have the guns or experience to match them.

Jade's mum said that she'd been out with an injury recently for six months. I guess that would scupper you from going higher. I happened to be sitting at a table having my lunch when someone (later I found out it was Ann Fitz) asked me if she could move my bag. Her and Jade were chatting, and just seemed normal early twenties girls with healthy views on life. Wish them all the best.

Chatted later to the parents of the local girls they beat, and some of the tennis parents around them. It was interesting, even with no world ranking, the young players still have to have their parents ferry them to tournaments, and stay in hotels. Something that had passed me by was the medical treatment e.g. massages, physio. Tennis really does seem to me to be an elitist sport in the UK as I can't imagine not earning a professional wage being able to give their child that financial support, plus of course the lessons and equipment.