Quite a Start for Prodigy: San Diego Union-Tribune
I took notice of Coco Vandeweghe (and at 6 feet, she wasn't hard to spot) at this year's Easter Bowl, when she won the 16s back draw, unseeded, after losing in the first round. That's ten wins in seven days. A wild card into a WTA Tier 1 event is quite a step up from that however. Jerry Magee has the details here.
In other news, Holden Seguso has withdrawn from Kalamazoo; Steve Forman has verbally committed to Wake Forest, with The Tennis Recruiting Network getting the particulars here. Reka Zsilinszka's early choice is promised for Wednesday.
Lots of interesting comments on seeding and wild cards in the past two posts. An unseeded player winning a major national tournament should not happen with any regularity. It's a sign that the system doesn't work. I encourage you to complain not just here on zootennis, but directly to Bill Ozaki and Lew Brewer at the USTA. If they hear only from those who complain when the USTA ranking list isn't followed to the letter, they will think everyone prefers that ranking and seeding system. Their email addresses are available on this page.
8 comments:
I sent an email to the USTA folks you named 3-4 days ago with an unemotional, professionally written letter providing comments and asking a couple questions......no response to date.....feel like they are taking the "turtle in the shell" approach to the issue....very frustrating.
Why did Seguso withdraw, didn't like his draw?
He has a knee injury.
I made a comment below about Drew Daniel being seeded 6th. How did that happen? I just checked out his results and they aren't amazing. Not to mention he won a total of 3 games in his last match against Robert Hall who isn't even seeded at the Zoo in the 16's. I actually thought he was still in the 14's, but I see he's almost 17.
Following is a portion of a letter back from the USTA that I received after asking a straightforward question about why blue chip players weren't seeded in hard courts. I asked the question before the draws had even been posted - and before Collette mentioned contacting the USTA to voice concerns.
"It may not be common knowledge that Collette Lewis has posted the USTA web site address on her blog encouraging players to complain about the seeds."
Not only is that a mis-statement, but it is definitely taken out of context.
The individual went on, essentially ridiculing me for bringing up the issue. I personally will never bring up a seeding issue to the USTA officials again.....they don't want to hear it and take it out on the person asking the question.
Drew Daniel has a 175 ITF ranking and probably deserves his seeding at the Zoo. I saw that match againt Hall you are referring to at the Boys 16 National Open in KY and Daniel tanked. He had flown back from Africa to win that tournament and lost to am extremely talented 14 year-old Harry Fowler in a tough 3 setter. After that Daniel could have cared if he won or lost. His overall record is good, including wins against USTA hot shot Rhyne Williams.
Yet another photo of a female player looking as uncomplimentary as possible- The players themselves are not getting a clue, (or amazingly) simply don't care that they look as unathletic and flat out scary as they appear. I don't see any male photos in your column as bad as these- is this because there are no players who look like they are sponsored by IHOP or you are you just more selective? Could you please take it upon yourself to be just a little more judicious in your photo selections, for your readers? thanks
Let me see if I can follow all the "Drew Daniel" story through the posts straight- There was a question about his seed, and in this column we have an appologist for one of his previous performances as "he had just flow back from Africa". Then in another column we get D.Daniel himself defending his seed.
I have a small suggestion to regain some slight perspective; The next time Mr. Daniel is wisked away to the African continent to play a couple games, perhaps he could roll down his bullet proof and shaded limosine window and look around.
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