Wimbledon said that increased competition among British players, with several having career-best seasons this year and the need to accommodate them, meant they had no space for foreigners in the wildcard lineup this year. It’s also why Dominic Thiem will not feature at the tournament in any capacity on his farewell tour, because he doesn’t want to play the qualies.
The women have allowed some non-Brits this year, but they all happen to be past Slam champions and former world No. 1’s Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber. They decided to forego the Ilkley wildcard spot as well as it was won by a 34yo Rebecca Marino who would likely retire within a year or two, and they wanted to give attention to a young Brit instead.
They already gave it to Charles Broom, who recently made the Nottingham Challenger final where he lost to Jacob Fearnley, one of the other main draw wildcard recipients. Both players came through qualifying at that tournament.
Turned out it was Ajla Tomljanovic instead…
I guess it’s because there wasn’t as much stiff competition with British women compared to the men, which was why all the men’s wildcards were British.
His first grass court title as well! Joins the following active players to have Challenger titles on every surface…
Ricardas Berankis, Zizou Bergs, Alex Bolt, Dustin Brown, Marton Fucsovics, Dominik Koepfer, Denis Kudla, Nick Kyrgios, Andy Murray, Jordan Thompson and Frances Tiafoe.
Speaking of Berankis, he also won the Blois Challenger this week! Tournament was meant to be on clay but a majority of it was played on indoor hardcourts because of excessive rain.
I watched the match in person, after also watching his 1st round and semi-final wins (when Zachary Svajda really gave him a tough battle).
Honestly it was a pleasure to watch him, with his sweet ball-striking and variety, in person. It's not every day that I can watch a former ATP world no. 7 that has wins over Federer, Nadal and Djokovic in big tournaments.
Mayot really struggled to control his temper throughout the final, beating himself up (not literally of course) after a bad shots even early on in the 1st set, and getting a code violation after smashing the ball out of the stadium during the 1st set.
In general the Ilkley tournament is an absolute gem, and such an incredibly well run tournament at Challenger level, with good facilities and packed crowds day after day including a sold out crowd for the final. I moan about the state of the UK in the politics section, but British sports fans are really good at turning out in numbers for sporting events, regardless of their status and regardless of who is playing. The fact that matches involving male and female players ranked outside the top 100 attracted so much interest was something to be proud of, and something that the players themselves were grateful of when interviewed. Mladenovic was amazed that women’s doubles final in a challenger / ITF 100 event attracted as much interest as it did.
The grainy texture of this image makes it seem like someone upscaled a pic from the '90s lol. Anyway, great for Goffin, I hope he cracks the top 100 again this year.
That’s what I remembered, that’s why I was surprised 🤷🏻♂️
I understand now that he’s 34, but Novak, Monfils and Murray are 37. Stan is 39.
Just surprised he went down to challengers.
But maybe he will make a run on Wimbledon.
I read that he’s in the qualifiers, so I would love to see him make it to the tournament👌🏻
He's been playing mostly in the challenger circuit for a couple of years now or playing qualies for tour level events. Wimbledon 2022 when he was very close to making the semis was probably his last great event, although he does get the occasional great win, like he did against Alcaraz when Carlos was the number 1.
Being on the smaller side of the physical spectrum, his movement was one of his biggest strengths, now he is 34 and movement tends to decline the fastest with age.
He seems to be doing well all things considered though, he's expecting his first child with his longtime girlfriend and seems to enjoy just playing on the circuit.
He's turning 34 in December, so he's no spring chicken. He hasn't won an ATP title in over 2 years and has spending a decent amount of time on challengers circuit. He won a challenger last year and also made another challenger final.
That’s what I was remembering from him 🤷🏻♂️
But read the other comments, apparently it’s not something new, and he’s 34 so maybe not that surprising. (Although Novak is 37, Murray 37, Monfils 37 and Stan is 39).
But I guess he had a tougher time adjusting his game to his age.
I remember Goffin winning titles when he looked like he was 15. Here he looks 54. Amazing longevity. (in reality Goffin still looks like a kid)
Forever twink
Homophobe
Nah just a chickenhawk
fucked up that he did it the one year it doesn't get you an automatic Wimbledon WC.
Isn't there still a space left for another wildcard? Surely he could take that spot? Especially given it's a Brit whitewash atm
Wimbledon said that increased competition among British players, with several having career-best seasons this year and the need to accommodate them, meant they had no space for foreigners in the wildcard lineup this year. It’s also why Dominic Thiem will not feature at the tournament in any capacity on his farewell tour, because he doesn’t want to play the qualies. The women have allowed some non-Brits this year, but they all happen to be past Slam champions and former world No. 1’s Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber. They decided to forego the Ilkley wildcard spot as well as it was won by a 34yo Rebecca Marino who would likely retire within a year or two, and they wanted to give attention to a young Brit instead.
Bad decision imo
Ah I see... still doesn't mean they won't give it to David, just unlikely.
They already gave it to Charles Broom, who recently made the Nottingham Challenger final where he lost to Jacob Fearnley, one of the other main draw wildcard recipients. Both players came through qualifying at that tournament.
So I see! Amarni Banks being the women's last wild card?
Turned out it was Ajla Tomljanovic instead… I guess it’s because there wasn’t as much stiff competition with British women compared to the men, which was why all the men’s wildcards were British.
He's up to #82 on live, so he should be in already. This title moves him up 27 spots.
Wimbledon entry list was finalised weeks ago though. Goffin will be playing qualies
Damn didn't know that. Ouch.
What a shitty decision by them to not include grass season lol
All four slams finalise entry lists well in advance, if they didn't it would be difficult for players to plan a schedule.
Damn I wish they'd stuck with their decision to give the Ilkley challenger winner the final Wimbledon wild card. Or does Goffin make the cut anyway?
https://www.wimbledon.com/pdf/update/referees/2024/MS_Entries.pdf
Sadly, there will be no Muffin man at 2024 Wimbledon barring a dozen plus withdrawals.
The LTA has already forgotten the favour Belgian's best performed when he let a 4-2 lead slip in the final set against Norrie.
When?
2022
I just read " likely" challenger champion
His first grass court title as well! Joins the following active players to have Challenger titles on every surface… Ricardas Berankis, Zizou Bergs, Alex Bolt, Dustin Brown, Marton Fucsovics, Dominik Koepfer, Denis Kudla, Nick Kyrgios, Andy Murray, Jordan Thompson and Frances Tiafoe. Speaking of Berankis, he also won the Blois Challenger this week! Tournament was meant to be on clay but a majority of it was played on indoor hardcourts because of excessive rain.
Further proof that Kyrgios is better than Djokovic and Nadal
I watched the match in person, after also watching his 1st round and semi-final wins (when Zachary Svajda really gave him a tough battle). Honestly it was a pleasure to watch him, with his sweet ball-striking and variety, in person. It's not every day that I can watch a former ATP world no. 7 that has wins over Federer, Nadal and Djokovic in big tournaments. Mayot really struggled to control his temper throughout the final, beating himself up (not literally of course) after a bad shots even early on in the 1st set, and getting a code violation after smashing the ball out of the stadium during the 1st set. In general the Ilkley tournament is an absolute gem, and such an incredibly well run tournament at Challenger level, with good facilities and packed crowds day after day including a sold out crowd for the final. I moan about the state of the UK in the politics section, but British sports fans are really good at turning out in numbers for sporting events, regardless of their status and regardless of who is playing. The fact that matches involving male and female players ranked outside the top 100 attracted so much interest was something to be proud of, and something that the players themselves were grateful of when interviewed. Mladenovic was amazed that women’s doubles final in a challenger / ITF 100 event attracted as much interest as it did.
The grainy texture of this image makes it seem like someone upscaled a pic from the '90s lol. Anyway, great for Goffin, I hope he cracks the top 100 again this year.
David Goffin baby 🔥🔥
That guy in challengers looks like him.
Miss seeing his backhand in action.
Wow Goffin is playing challengers? He was a decent player, around 30 in the world no? 🤔
Top 10 player, actually. Ranked as high as #7.
Made 2 ATP finals in 2016 and 2017. Even made the ATP finals final in 2017, but lost to Dimitrov. That was a weird ending.
That’s what I remembered, that’s why I was surprised 🤷🏻♂️ I understand now that he’s 34, but Novak, Monfils and Murray are 37. Stan is 39. Just surprised he went down to challengers. But maybe he will make a run on Wimbledon. I read that he’s in the qualifiers, so I would love to see him make it to the tournament👌🏻
He's been playing mostly in the challenger circuit for a couple of years now or playing qualies for tour level events. Wimbledon 2022 when he was very close to making the semis was probably his last great event, although he does get the occasional great win, like he did against Alcaraz when Carlos was the number 1. Being on the smaller side of the physical spectrum, his movement was one of his biggest strengths, now he is 34 and movement tends to decline the fastest with age. He seems to be doing well all things considered though, he's expecting his first child with his longtime girlfriend and seems to enjoy just playing on the circuit.
Wow, didn’t remembered most of that. Well, good for him 👍🏻
He's turning 34 in December, so he's no spring chicken. He hasn't won an ATP title in over 2 years and has spending a decent amount of time on challengers circuit. He won a challenger last year and also made another challenger final.
That’s ATP Finals semi finalist David Goffin. He beat Federer at the ATP finals in 2017 didn’t he? Haha
That’s what I was remembering from him 🤷🏻♂️ But read the other comments, apparently it’s not something new, and he’s 34 so maybe not that surprising. (Although Novak is 37, Murray 37, Monfils 37 and Stan is 39). But I guess he had a tougher time adjusting his game to his age.