Thread Tools

~SunFlower~ · Dec 3rd, 2001, 01:54 AM

Please vote, guys! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

**TheBoiledEgg** · Dec 3rd, 2001, 02:49 AM

Its gonna be either Miami which is owned by IMG or Sarasota/Bradenton which is basically Nick B's academy

Martian KC · Dec 3rd, 2001, 03:14 AM

I voted for Miami, but at 15 years might be too young for a Tier 1!

Dec 3rd, 2001, 03:27 AM

im feelin miami, what a great place for her to make her mark. a flashy and fashionable city/tournament, sunny florida weather, just general tournament tone fits her i believe

**TheBoiledEgg** · Dec 3rd, 2001, 03:48 AM

She will still be 14 in both events still.

She can accept 1 WC into maindraw before her 15th or a WC into qual draw.

the cat · Dec 3rd, 2001, 02:17 PM

Thanks for the info, Eggy. I hope she can get a maindraw wildcard in the Ericsson, and a qualifying wildcard into Sarsota. Or is only one wildcard available before she turns 15?

**TheBoiledEgg** · Dec 3rd, 2001, 02:35 PM

Players between the ages of 14 and 15 will be permitted a maximum of three WC's as follows:

1 WC into a Maindraw or Qualifying Draw of any Sanex WTA Tour Tier I-V event. and 2 WC into a Maindraw or Qualifying draw of any ITF Women's Circuit Tournament.

So she still has a WC available to her in a Tour Event. Plus hopefully we will see her receive a WC into another ITF event before too long (April)

the cat · Dec 3rd, 2001, 03:06 PM

Thank You, my good man! So, Maria can't accept a wildcard into both the Ericsson and Sarasota. Right? That's too bad.

auntie janie · Dec 8th, 2001, 09:22 PM

The level of tournament willing to offer her a wild card may depend on her junior results till then. At the very least she will play in Sarasota, I'd think.

the cat · Dec 9th, 2001, 12:11 AM

Janie, I have missed you! Maria is 19-2 in the 18's. Her record won't be a problem. Nice to have you back.

P.S. - What is it you like about the CNNSI messaage boards?

P.P.S. - Didn't you have a problem with what 14 year old Maria Sharapova was wearing a few months ago? I remember you complained about her outfit. Right? Well, at the recent Eddie Herr tournament, 13 year old Tatiana Golovin wore an outfit that should have gotten your attention. Perhaps it's a Bollettieri/IMG martketing strategy. Did you see it? If not, a photo of Tatiana in that outfit is available at <a href="http://www.*****************/Tournaments/International/EddieHerr2001.htm" target="_blank">www.*****************/Tournaments/International/EddieHerr2001.htm</a>

tenn_ace · Dec 9th, 2001, 06:23 AM

Amelia Island is my vote. Not the best field (like at Ericsson) and in Fla.

auntie janie · Dec 14th, 2001, 12:48 PM

cat : How kind of you to notice my absence! <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> I had a last-minute trip to London for a week! <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0"> (then took a week to recover from it!) <img src="redface.gif" border="0">

I found your link to the pic of Golovin's outfit elsewhere and have subsequently turned against her. <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

I like cnnsi because it was my first experience on a message board and I have made some friends there. Also because it is attached to teh cnnsi site itself, which I always read for NBA and tennis news!

Regarding this Topic, I don't think Maria's Orange Bowl results have helped her chances of getting a wild card into the main draw in Miami; it may be run by IMG, but it would be pretty hard for them to justify that choice.

I now see her being offered a wild card into the Qualifying there, or into the Qualifying OR main draw in Sarasota, which I think would be a better choice anyway because the competition will be a lot less stiff there. And Nick will definitely be wanting to showcase his latest protege.

the cat · Dec 14th, 2001, 03:47 PM

Janie, Maria Sharapova had a good Orange Bowl. She upset the highly ranked Barbora Strycova in the second round. Beating Strycova and then Marion Bartoli back to back is asking too much of Maria at this stage. Remember, 14 year old Maria only started playing the 18's in July. I'm not sure any junior girl can beat Strycova and Bartoli back to back. Also Janie, don't underestimate the power of IMG. They are a force in the tennis world. And if IMG wants Maria to play the 2002 Ericsson Open, they will find a way for her to be entered.

P.S. - Janie, you turned against Tatiana over an outfit? I am surprised at you! Why haven't you jumped on board of the Ashley Harkleroad bandwagon yet?

auntie janie · Dec 14th, 2001, 04:19 PM

Since I know next to nothing about EVERY Junior player, I can freely turn against them because of their tennis outfits <img src="tongue.gif" border="0"> , or, just as silly, turn in favor of them because i like the sound of their name <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> . That is part of the fun of being a Know-Nothing fan! <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0"> <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0"> <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">

I am not saying that Maria had a BAD Orange Bowl, just that her results show she is not ready for the big leagues quite yet. If competing with the best players in the 18s is so hard (I am referring to the lopsided score of her last match), Maria is clearly not quite ready yet to tangle with the pros. So IMG may give their wild card to another horse in their stable who is older and more ready for prime time.

the cat · Dec 14th, 2001, 07:14 PM

Janie, you are not a know nothing junior tennis fan. I always respect your thoughts. Whether I agree with them or not.

P.S. - Of course Maria Sharapova isn't ready for the big leagues yet. She just started playing the 18's this past July. But next year, she will be ready to play a few challengers, and perhaps a couple WTA tournaments. Don't forget that Maria upset Babora Strycova in 3 sets at the Orange Bowl. And Barbora is ready to play the WTA tour. That was a great win for Masha! And a hard fought one, too!