Pretty much all tournaments on the ITF, WTA and ATP tennis tours have a qualifying competition which is played a few days before the main event and from which a limited number of players ‘earn their place’ in the main draw. The Grand Slams are no different and in fact, in the case of these events, there is frequently a pre-qualifying event too – to afford players from the host country an opportunity to play for a place in the qualifying competition – see blog 92 – ‘Wimbledon Wild Card Play-Offs’
https://realitytennis.wordpress.com/2024/06/25/92-wimbledon-wild-card-plays-offs/
The Wimbledon Qualifying event takes place at the former Bank of England Sports Ground in Roehampton, during the week before the Championships – typically the last week in June. As you would expect with all things ‘Wimbledon’, the event is first class. The facilities, the hospitality, the ambience, is all incredible and for those players taking part, it is the start of what could be a very special few days. But, on the flip side, it is also a place where many tears are shed, and dreams and hopes are dashed for another year.
The Wimbledon qualifying competition (singles only), comprises a draw of 128 players – for each of the men and the ladies. The ‘cut’ for these draws is high – by ‘cut’ I mean the ranking level the players must achieve to be included. This year (2024) it was around the 235 mark for both the men and the ladies, so all the players (with the exception of Wild Cards) were ranked c.235 or above – so a very high level and one which should not be underestimated. All too often I hear people dismiss the qualifying event, almost intimating that if your player is in that (as opposed to the main draw), then they have ‘failed’. How further from the truth could this be? To have made it to c.235 in the world is a huge achievement, and the majority of the players involved are on the rise and have not yet reached their full potential.
The qualifying draw has three rounds and the players need to win three matches to earn their place in the main draw. So each draw of 128 is slowly whittled down to 64, then 32 and finally 16, and it is these 16 players who get to play singles at the All England Club the following week. The odds are high and not only is a place in the main draw at stake, so are valuable ranking points and also a significant pay cheque!
Each match in the qualifying event of any tournament is a battle and the Wimbledon qualifying event is no different from the rest. The players leave it all out there on the court. They play with huge passion and drive. The winners are elated, almost euphoric, but for the players that fall at the first, second or third hurdle, the pain is indescribable. The players, their coaches, their support, all feel it and it is like no other. Months of hard work come to an abrupt end. Dreams are shattered and the tears flow. It is heartbreaking to see and even more so if the player in question is yours. So whilst it is joyous to witness the happiness on the faces of those players who win their matches, and they deserve their moment for sure, spare a thought for those on the other side of the net who must ‘down tools’ and start over once again.
The same can be said of course for the players who work hard all year to get their ranking to the level required for a Grand Slam (main draw and qualifying) and then, a few weeks or days before, they get injured or sick. My heart goes out to them. The pain of being ‘so close but yet so far’ is unbearable. Some decide to go away and distance themselves from the event they thought they were going to be a part of, whilst others stick it out and just try to be positive and work on coming back stronger and fitter next time.
The reality is that the tennis tour brings with it incredible highs but also the lowest of lows and what makes the tennis tour unique is that this happens week in week out all over the world. Whether your player is taking part in a $15k event in Tunisia or a Grand Slam in London the emotions are the same. There is only one winner and for the rest there is heart break. The pain of losing in your home ‘Slam’ event is probably the most severe and during all the years I have been around the tour I have seen many players reduced to tears when their dreams have been shattered. But time is a healer and like in life, the players have to pick themselves up; be proud of their achievements; and find the strength and positivity to carry on and try again next week, next month, next year……
#realitytennis
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