2017 Aussie Watch

[BobbyMorri]

I noticed on social media that Ajla is back with Nick, not sure what's going on there. Ah well. is she still injured?

they were talking about giving her a WC for the Aussie Open and that her ranking has improved with some recent good results.

http://www.tennisexplorer.com/player/tomljanovic/

rank 130. If she was "Aussie" no doubt she gets one. I still not sure where her citizenship is up to atm. Sometimes listed at a Croat, other times an Aussie.

 

[JackNah_8]

Hewitt's comeback....
He'll be playing doubles at the Australian open with Groth

 

[Redline]

I don't really see the point, play in the legends and other exhibitions.

I'll be really disappointed if Groth is given a main draw singles wildcard:
• He has been an okay player but not great. Highest singles ranking of 53. Highest doubles of 24. Only ever made a third round.

• He has been injured so out of condition and barely won a match even at Challenger level in 2017. Hard to see him lasting on court for long.

• His Davis Cup win/loss record is below 50 % for singles and 50% for doubles.


• There are other candiates more worthy. Grand Slam Wildcards are worth a lot and he has been given a number of wildcards for different tournaments over the years by Tennis Australia including a Main Draw Singles wildcard for last year

This year he should get a singles qualifying and a main draw doubles and mixed if he really needs a farewell.

 

[JackNah_8]

I bet Groth and Hewitt will end up playing on Centre Court, MCA or Hisense

 

[danstar]

I bet Groth and Hewitt will end up playing on Centre Court, MCA or Hisense

News report on 7 last night said hisense... cant really trust those reports but if it's slightly true that's pretty bad they deserve to be played out on court 19 or something.

 

[Bumpswithagrin]

I am kind of over both Hewitt and Groth. They are entitled to play of course but not sure I will bother watching. Hope this is not some hair brained scheme of Hewitt's to have them play doubles in the Davis Cup

 

[ozgamer]

Hewitt's comeback....
He'll be playing doubles at the Australian open with Groth

 

[pepsi]

I have no issue with groth and Hewitt being awarded a doubles wildcard. Their matches will attract lots of attention and anything that brings in fans to watch doubles is encouraged. I won't be seeking out their matches however. I'd rather they only award a doubles wc to groth and not a singles spot. He's not in the right shape to be playing best of 5.

 

[JackNah_8]

Ch7 commentators will be excited. I know I won't be making effort to watch their matches

 

[ozgamer]

Ch7 commentators will be excited. I know I won't be making effort to watch their matches

Yeah. Thank God for those streaming options.

 

[matt_897]

Hewitt would still be fine on the dubs tour. Don't understand the issue. Rafter did the same with lleyton a few years back

 

[Redline]

Bolt v De Minaur on Sunday in the Final. I think both deserve wildcard regardless of the result but Bolt probably needs the win more.

 

[danstar]

Ch7 commentators will be excited. I know I won't be making effort to watch their matches

Yeah I can see them showing the match live in full over showing one of the top 10 seeds in action in a tight 5 setter

 

[Bumpswithagrin]

I have no issue with groth and Hewitt being awarded a doubles wildcard. Their matches will attract lots of attention and anything that brings in fans to watch doubles is encouraged. I won't be seeking out their matches however. I'd rather they only award a doubles wc to groth and not a singles spot. He's not in the right shape to be playing best of 5.

I'm pretty sure Groth is not playing singles. I think the doubles with Hewitt will be an opportunity for him to 'say goodbye' as he can't do it via the singles draw.

 

[Redline]

Bolt v De Minaur on Sunday in the Final. I think both deserve wildcard regardless of the result but Bolt probably needs the win more.

 

[pepsi]

Destanee aiava has won the final of the ao play off and has certainly earned her way into the ao md after making the final of the u18 national tournament last week and backing it up here.

Bolt VS de minaur up soon. If you want to follow the action on the live stream, link is below.

 

[ozgamer]

they were talking about giving her a WC for the Aussie Open and that her ranking has improved with some recent good results.

http://www.tennisexplorer.com/player/tomljanovic/

rank 130. If she was "Aussie" no doubt she gets one. I still not sure where her citizenship is up to atm. Sometimes listed at a Croat, other times an Aussie.

Yep Alja is quite the dilemma. RU in Dubai yesterday retired hurt with a groin injury after losing the 1st set to Bencic and rises to #118 from #130. The final AO MDWC you would expect to be between her and Lizette Cabrera #153. I don't see Rodionova being in the running even though she competed in the AO WC Playoff.

The thing with Alja tho is while she is a permanent Oz resident awaiting citizenship it seems it will be for nought as she is in a similar situation to Aljaz Bedene. Bedene is a Slovene who has been trying to be eligible for GB in Davis Cup. Bedene has lived in the UK for 9 yrs and has been a British citizen since March 2015. However, he has represented Slovenia at Davis Cup just like Tomljanović has represented Croatia in Fed Cup and a rule was put in place in the beginning of 2015 (that works retroactive mind you) that you could not switch nationalities if you had already competed under one.

2017 Fed Cup Regulations [see p.15 Rule 30.2(a)]

2017 Davis Cup Regulations [see p.17 Rule 34.1(a)]

Source: http://www.espn.com.au/tennis/story/_/id/12425312/tennis-itf-nationality-rule-evoking-angst

Bedene has appealed his case, twice, with the LTA footing the bill and failed to get exemption on both occasions. The LTA has also provided Bedene with coaching and access to facilities. Bedene in recent days has given up on representing GB in Davis Cup and the Olympics and has reverted back to competing as a Slovenian as of Jan 1, 2018.

Bearing all that in mind, if Tomljanović is to never be able to represent Australia in Fed Cup and the Olympics, then we have ourselves boys and girls ........ an elephant in the room. Instead, we will continue to get updates on her relationship wiff our Nick and her pending Oz citizenship

 

[Redline]

A good win by De Minuar, I just worry his game won't ever be big enough for the men's tour. His movement is good and he is a real competitior. Anyone seen him play perhaps more than me that has a different opinion?

 

[ozgamer]

A good win by De Minuar, I just worry his game won't ever be big enough for the men's tour. His movement is good and he is a real competitior. Anyone seen him play perhaps more than me that has a different opinion?

You may be right. He may end up being just a grinder. At least there's no doubt on his fitness.

 

[JackNah_8]

He is pretty small compared to the other players but then look at Goffin, he is doing well without being a big server or hitter.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

As long as he's not like Gilles Simon, I can handle him.

I just reckon TA will churn out battler after battler like boxes off conveyor belts.

 

[ozgamer]

Bearing all that in mind, if Tomljanović is to never be able to represent Australia in Fed Cup and the Olympics, then we have ourselves boys and girls ........ an elephant in the room. Instead, we will continue to get updates on her relationship wiff our Nick and her pending Oz citizenship

And right on cue we've had the lovey-dovey pics with Nick and now this. Time to grab the popcorn.

 

[JackNah_8]

Honestly I didn't realise she was still playing, seems like she's always injured.

 

[Bumpswithagrin]

Groth was on SEN this morning and explained how it came about that he is playing doubles with Hewitt. Missed the beginning but I think he wanted to play in Melbourne if he could as a farewell but couldn't play singles and wanted to play dubs with another Aussie and most of the other guys already had partners so he asked Hewitt if he would do it. Hewitt had to run it by TA with him being Davis Cup captain and all but they got the go ahead so they are going to play. Sound like Groth will be doing a bit of work on SEN over the next week.

 

[The City Boyz]

Groth was on SEN this morning and explained how it came about that he is playing doubles with Hewitt. Missed the beginning but I think he wanted to play in Melbourne if he could as a farewell but couldn't play singles and wanted to play dubs with another Aussie and most of the other guys already had partners so he asked Hewitt if he would do it. Hewitt had to run it by TA with him being Davis Cup captain and all but they got the go ahead so they are going to play. Sound like Groth will be doing a bit of work on SEN over the next week.

Is he going to get a WC for the Qualies?