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We did it - Thanks to all of you!!!

1K views 37 replies 10 participants last post by  Shankitova 
#1 Β·
Dear players of FWTT,

an exciting but also exhausting season is shortly coming to an end, only the Fed Cup final to be played in the next 2-3 days. I would like to take this opportunity to say a big "Thank you" to all of you!!!

First of all, I would like to thank Josh for continuing the game after our break; it takes courage to admit that he made some harsh decisions which hurt players and the game. But in the end of day, he is the one who has been running this game for so many years, putting in a lot of work regarding results. :worship: On a personal note, thank you so much for partnering me in doubles, which made us such a successful doubles team.

I would also like to thank Ryan for his amazing work regarding the rankings and helping out several times with posting results, etc. As I said before, this game wouldn't work without regularly updated rankings and I can't think of anyone else who did such a great job with the rankings, updating them quickly to help posting draws in time, to publish entry lists, make calculations regarding the Olympics or the YEC, etc. :worship:

A big "Thank you" also goes to Yannik for running the junior tour with huge success for several years. I know that we had some arguments over the years and I'm sure this won't change ;) but he still did an amazing job and hopefully one day, the junior tour will be back. Oksana tried her best with getting the junior tour back going, but it wasn't meant to be - I was very sorry to see that! :hug:

There were also several changing members of the players council, e.g. Fleri, Vittoria and Miranda who took responsibility and came up with very good suggestions for the game. Thanks a lot!! :worship:

Last but not least, the players: we couldn't play this game without players, so this is also a huge "Thank you" to every player who played FWTT in 2016. I would like to mention several outstanding players, e.g. Guisa with some amazing work during the YEC regarding calculations and the player's interviews (and also getting the people back to the game considering to start FWTT again) Elise for some amazing articles; also to everyone who posted articles, interview, bitchy comments - you guys make this game feel alive :worship::worship:

There are also some points, we need to address in 2017. We lost several players, due to the boards password problems (and this was huge) and with several retirements during the season as well. This is a huge issue and we need to find solutions to attract more players to the game in 2017. To have a huge amount of players is a key factor of this game. Beside this, we have some other points to discuss and I would like to welcome everyone to come up with ideas for 2017, suggestions, critics, etc.

I still think we all did an amazing job to finish this season, especially with shortened tournaments and deadlines, etc. I'm still very satifised that we could finish the season in style with some great tournaments and I'm looking forward to 2017 already. Thank you everyone once again and enjoy a well-deserved break!!!:kiss:
 
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#2 Β·
There are a couple of points we would like to discuss before 2017:


  • Amount of players per person: I think we should stay with 1 player per person and as long as the junior tour won't be restarted, no juniors should play on the main tour.
  • Schedule 1#: I suggest to remove the 125k events and only bring them back if we get more players during the season.
  • Schedule 2#: As we have a smaller amount of players, we had some internationals tournaments with only 3-4 players. We should discuss if these tournaments should be played (minimum number of players) and how we should decide which tournament will be cancelled (and if we should cancel it at all).
  • Results 1#: Josh will not be able to do results in 2017 and we need to discuss if it would be a good idea to have someone both receiving points and doing results; it would also be great if we could go back to some small match reports (even if it is just a sentence) after each match to make the game more exciting. I know that this is a lot of work, but I think it's worth it
  • Results 2#: When should players send in new points (e.g. Grand Slams, Mandatory Events, etc.)?
  • Fed Cup: Should we try to structure the event differently, e.g. with several RR groups like in the ITF did it in 2001 and play the event over 7-10 days? I'm not sure if the system with world groups, etc. is helpful anymore and may create a lot more work.
  • Hopman Cup: should it be played, also in regard to fewer players?
 
#4 Β·
I will be happy to help out in 2017 :)
 
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#6 Β·
Thank you Steve for a nice season summary. It has been a pleasure to continue working with you both off the court and on the court. ;)

I've been doing the results since 2009, that is 7 years. While I have certainly enjoyed helping the game, that is longer than both Alx and Daniel both did the results. It's time for me to move on (while still playing FWTT) and give someone else a chance to run the game.

Thank you for allowing me to help out. :)
 
#8 Β·
Of course, you really deserve a break :kiss:

Regarding doing results, I'm very happy to take care of the entry lists, schedule, posting draws, but I don't have time to do the results. I think it would be a good idea if we have one person receiving points and doing results because if someone wnats their results re-checked, it is way easier (also regarding time difference, etc.).
 
#12 Β·
  • Amount of players per person: I think we should stay with 1 player per person and as long as the junior tour won't be restarted, no juniors should play on the main tour.

    I think we should ONLY allow 1 player/person


  • Schedule 1#: I suggest to remove the 125k events and only bring them back if we get more players during the season.

    Agreed


  • Schedule 2#: As we have a smaller amount of players, we had some internationals tournaments with only 3-4 players. We should discuss if these tournaments should be played (minimum number of players) and how we should decide which tournament will be cancelled (and if we should cancel it at all).

    Minimum of 6 players to proceed with any kind of tournaments


  • Results 1#: Josh will not be able to do results in 2017 and we need to discuss if it would be a good idea to have someone both receiving points and doing results; it would also be great if we could go back to some small match reports (even if it is just a sentence) after each match to make the game more exciting. I know that this is a lot of work, but I think it's worth it

    I prefer ONLY 1 person collecting the points and do the result.

  • Results 2#: When should players send in new points (e.g. Grand Slams, Mandatory Events, etc.)?

    Grand Slam, PM & P5 are mandatory requirement to send points

  • Fed Cup: Should we try to structure the event differently, e.g. with several RR groups like in the ITF did it in 2001 and play the event over 7-10 days? I'm not sure if the system with world groups, etc. is helpful anymore and may create a lot more work.

    I prefer to stay with the current system


  • Hopman Cup: should it be played, also in regard to fewer players?

I don't really care, this event is ONLY an exhibition anyway, I can assure you,most people prefer to play at Brisbane/Auckland to gain ranking pts
 
#16 Β·
Hey guys. I only just saw this. Joshua actually stepping down. I did not see that coming. Really not!
I am not a member of the committee anymore, so I won't interfere with the decisions.
I just know that I do not want this game to stop.
I am happy the way it is with me having very little to with running the game, more free time since I quit juniors, but if you don't find anyone really commited to run it, I will, if you trust me with it, that is.
I know the points system, I am really fast at doing results and stuff. I just cannot do rankings as well.
 
#17 Β·
Good post! I agree, and am excited we made it! Is anyone doing the Year-End awards? If not, I'll gladly help out with those.


As for answers to your suggestions---I am opinionated---imagine that. I will respond in the next couple days when I have a little more time to defend my opinions.

Thanks to everyone for reviving FWTT! Now let's rock those exhibitions and keep it rolling into 2017!
 
#22 Β·
Great to see the tour surviving this year, despite barely holding on to a thread. :worship:
Which wouldn't of course have happened if some of you really rallied the rest of us to keep going, so much respect and thanks to Steve, Giusa and all those who Steve mentioned in the original post. :yeah:

Also, can't believe you did the results for seven straight years Joshua :eek: Thank you for all the hard work and welcome back among our regular playing folk. ;)

I'm not going to volunteer to do results, because my tendency to disappear for weeks on end isn't exactly the best quality to have for such a job, but I'm willing to do a bigger part in the creative side of the game. Regular article series, interviews, or something different, perhaps it wouldn't be bad to collect some suggestions, on what people want... Of course, it's just a suggestion, if you'd rather have me sticking to Elise throwing shade, that's fine too. ;) Let me know!

On to another wonderful FWTT year!
 
#26 Β· (Edited)
When awarding a WC, I would like the committees considered the following options (in order):

1. Former Champion (previous year) on particular tournament, for example if player A won the 2016 title in Beijing Open, she should be awarded a MDWC for 2017 Beijing Open if her ranking isn't enough to get her a Direct Entry (she should have the right to defend her title)

2. Former Grand Slam Champion

3. Player who is origin from the host tournament.

4. Former #1 Rank player.

5. Former Champion (any other year rather than previous year) in particular tournament, for example Player A won 2013 Beijing Open, she should be awarded a MDWC if her ranking isn't enough to get her a Direct Entry.

And a maximum of two (2) WC per player per season.
 
#28 Β·
Is there a way that we could change the rankings to how the WTA does it where you use the points from a certain amount of tournaments
 
#29 Β·
Also, I am planning on creating a player thread for Oksana if other users want to make one for their own player
 
#34 Β·
There are a couple of points we would like to discuss before 2017:


  • Amount of players per person: I think we should stay with 1 player per person and as long as the junior tour won't be restarted, no juniors should play on the main tour.
  • Schedule 1#: I suggest to remove the 125k events and only bring them back if we get more players during the season.
  • Schedule 2#: As we have a smaller amount of players, we had some internationals tournaments with only 3-4 players. We should discuss if these tournaments should be played (minimum number of players) and how we should decide which tournament will be cancelled (and if we should cancel it at all).
  • Results 1#: Josh will not be able to do results in 2017 and we need to discuss if it would be a good idea to have someone both receiving points and doing results; it would also be great if we could go back to some small match reports (even if it is just a sentence) after each match to make the game more exciting. I know that this is a lot of work, but I think it's worth it
  • Results 2#: When should players send in new points (e.g. Grand Slams, Mandatory Events, etc.)?
  • Fed Cup: Should we try to structure the event differently, e.g. with several RR groups like in the ITF did it in 2001 and play the event over 7-10 days? I'm not sure if the system with world groups, etc. is helpful anymore and may create a lot more work.
  • Hopman Cup: should it be played, also in regard to fewer players?


Hey everyone, just to bring up the points above for discussion again :) looking forward to hear more opinions on them!!
 
#35 Β·
My 2 cents on the different points:

1) I agree, only 1 player per person and no junior players on the main tour. However we should debate on the possibilty of replacing your senior player with your retired junior player in the context of the age limit for the main tour.

2) Focus on the FWTT tournaments. These days even newbies can avoid qualification draws in most weeks.

3) Minimum of 6 players (which means a draw of 8 with 2 BYEs) and for doubles draw - 3 doubles teams.

4) I think someone doing both is less complicated but it really depends on the amount of freetime of the person collecting points and posting results.

5) Grand Slams and Premier Mandatory additional to surface change is enough.

This means points change in Calendar year 2017 for: Week 1, Week 3, Week 10, Week 12, Week 14, Week 19, Week 22, Week 24, Week 27, Week 29, Week 30/31, Week 35, Week 40.

6) The current FED Cup system is working well, no need to change it.

7) Hopman Cup is suffering from lack of interest.
 
#36 Β· (Edited)
Summary of the discussed issues


  • 1 player per person as long as the junior tour is done; I don't see a problem to reduce the age limit to 16 (Miranda); Junior players may play the Grand Slams (Oksana)
  • No 125k events included in the current 2017 schedule; they will only be back if we have only one big tournament in a certain week and more players
  • Minimum amount of players per tournament: 4 (Steve), 6 (Fleri, Miranda),all tournaments should be played (Oksana, Steve)
  • Receiving points, doing and posting results: Oksana/Matt
  • Players need to send in new points: Grand Slams, PM and P5 (Fleri), Grand Slams and PM (Miranda, Steve), every week (Oksana)
  • Fed Cup will stay as it is
  • Hopman Cup will be cancelled or should be played before the season starts (Oksana)
  • WC: I like all the points brought up by Fleri (these points were mostly considered already) expect the limitation of WC to 2# per players, because this would create extra work to keep track
 
#38 Β·
My Opinions

1) 1 player per person as long as the junior tour isn't running. Possibly juniors allowed at grand slams to increase the size of the draw as lack of players can be a problem.

2) No 125k tournaments, just the normal schedule apart from Indian Wells, Miami etc. if there is interest.

3) I think we should play all tournaments, and players can change to enter smaller draws if they want the ranking points. Some players have certain internationals that they enjoy to play so would be unfair to abandon them.

4) Someone should do both and post a short summary of each match, I will be willing to do this as you requested.

5) Personally, I'd prefer it if players had to send new points for each tournament or specify in the tournament thread or by a message if they would like previous points to be used.

6) I think the Fed Cup is fine how it is. We could possibly have another team competition in the off season with group stages (which I could run if we wanted it) for the next few years.

7) Hopman Cup should be cancelled or played week before season starts.

8) With regards to WCs, I think that we should consider home players, grand slam winners, lower ranked players who have had recent success etc. but I don't think that there should be a limit on the amount that a player can receive as long as it's fair.
 
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