The Eye is back!

As regular readers and followers would of noticed that it has been sometime between posts.Thank you for all those that have emailed to check if all was ok.I was hoping that a miracle may sweep the country and have tennis heading in the right direction.Alas it has not.Whilst not posting I have kept an "eye" on developments or lack there of.Yesterday reading the Marina Erakovic farce I again thought tennis in the news for the wrong reason. Erakovic is the only tennis player in New Zealand with any world profile of note.Reading some of her statements really hit home to many of the problems often brought to light on this blog. Marina gave strong advice to any junior contemplating  a tennis career. Erakovic said the only hope for young players from New Zealand is if they have a different passport, pointing to the recent defection of 18-year-old Cameron Norrie, New Zealand's leading junior, to the UK earlier this year. It follows Sacha Jones' switch to Australia in 2012."[Cameron] actually asked me should he do it or not, and I told him 'yes' without even a second thought. He's going to get a coach paid for, he's going to get access to facilities to train at - there's just no comparison," she said.
       I bet this sent crazy tennis parents in a spin and running to the birth certificates just to double check.I am amazed still how many parents gauge the success of their child by results achieved locally.Yes Crazy tennis parents are alive and well in New Zealand.Knowing a few (way too many) the real tennis equation is does the child really want to put in the sacrifices, dedication and hard work.Mostly these factors are parental driven and that is why many fail.Oh the other thing is the parents bank balance, sadly in this sport the money factor is important and for me ..too many spoilt kids are kept in the sport for the wrong reasons and too many "gutsy" juniors are lost to the sport because of the money factor.
     Marina cannot get any help from the governing bodies so how is the "average Joe blow" going to survive...they are not and end up lost to other sports. I did keep an eye on the Junior Fed and Davis Cup results and New Zealand fielded a team in the Fed Cup team At Worlds.I have to ask this question why on earth did the New Zealand Number 1 not go to this event electing to play low grade ITF'S, ...instead part time players with little match play were included.And if you want to check their playing records go to Configure rankings and see how many recent matches they had under the belt before being selected for this event.There has to be a good reason!Tennis New Zealand has publicly remained silent but there are rumours , one would expect any funding allocated to elite players would warrant availability to these events.I know there are always two sides to the story so lets hear it.
     Rubin Statham made a return to Davis Cup play,good to see him back in the fold and hopefully it was on his terms not TNZ that he played.I am always amazed at the continual overlooking of strong coaches and administrators for position of note and "yes" guys and girls getting positions that they are truly not worthy of. I have said it time and time again tennis in this country is being run by an elitist body with many of them having way too much time on their hands. We do not cater for the masses ...the time comes when juniors and parents say the cost and the elitism is way too much to continue in the sport.
   I was related a story from a coach why a junior was playing tennis.The father said they played golf and tennis because of the status of people playing and to enhance his future,whoops little did this parent know some people in the tennis circle you need to stay real clear of.Here is the link to the Marina story LINK

I could not finish this post without a Bernard Tomic story. This clown and his over sized head ceases to amaze me with his antics.Yes schoolies week on the Gold Coast and look who turned up to celebrate his fantastic 2013 season.NOT! Yes he is really preparing for the summer of tennis and no doubt a second round loss at the Aussie Open.The report said well he is just a 21 year old but I cant remember seeing Nadal, Federer etc at schoolies week or similar. Yes Bernie until you deflate that ego of yours then 2014 will be much the same as 2013 or worse!