Nottingham Open - An Alternative Review

So that is it. The 2015 UK Racketlon Tour has officially come to an end. And what a year it has been!

Sixteen events on the calender, an excellent international tournament in Malta and a fresh new, regular face in the organising team have helped make this a great year for Racketlon around the UK.

The sixteenth and final event on this year's jam-packed calender saw the Tour head to Nottingham - (or no-man's land as far as the potential Racketlon Ryder Cup is concerned).

The tournament certainly had a little bit of everything.

Outrageous backhands, bizarre quiz questions, queues, unreliable lighting, queues, expletive-laden rants, some more queues, multiple gumi arm finals, and (eventually) a Racketlon TV appearance cover just a few of the memories to take away from the David Lloyd in West Bridgeford.

pic.twitter.com/hjaB6hHluK

— Racketlon News (@keithracketlon) November 14, 2015

Okay, so the tournament certainly had some teething issues. Everyone loves a bit of recovery time after a badminton match but that might have been taken to the extreme this weekend.

But it's all a learning process and hopefully there won't be a repeat of these mistakes when we return to the venue early in 2016.

So rather than focus on the negative, let's enjoy some of the more memorable moments from the weekend.

Best Match

I feel slightly under qualified for this one having not seen a single match being played but then what is Tournament Software good for if not eagerly scanning results for several days after. The Men's C quarter-final encounter between Stuart Stanyan and Lee Gregson looked tasty, with Stuart holding off Lee's booming serves to win by four.

You also won't find a closer contest than the Women's B Singles match between Cambridge's Ruby Marsden and Jessica Pham which ended 23-21 17-21 17-21 21-17 to give Ruby a victory of just +2. If that isn't getting your money's worth then I don't know what is.

But I am going to highlight the Men's C and D Singles finals which remarkably both finished on gumi arms. Of those two, I am going to pick the C final as my best match, as Geoff Woods did incredibly well to, not only keep George Hargreaves below the 10 that he needed, but also saved a number of match points to force the gummi arm. Top work from the Notts pair.

Highlight of the Tournament

Highlight of the tournament? This might be highlight of the year! During the wonderful new one point extravaganza, a round two clash between Johnny Bispham and Will Gregson is where we head.

Picture the scene. Bispham, full of confidence, steps up to serve. Moments later the ball flies straight back past him. Will Gregon, 13 years old I might add, hit the most audacious backhand return off the Bispham serve, straight back past him. Outrageous. One that will be remembered for a long time, and young Master Gregson has certainly earned himself some admirers!

@keithracketlon good day of dubs at notts,thanks for playing BC and MH. But today will be remembered as the day Will G became my idol. Wow!

— Dan Busby (@DanBusby1) November 15, 2015

For Johnny it was to cap off a miserable weekend after his shocking inability to answer a quiz question about his idol and dream date Jesper Ratzer in Saturday's quiz.

Local Hero

Take your pick. It was a massively successful tournament for the Nottingham contingent who took home six trophies between them. Nottingham players reached the finals of five of the six doubles tournaments entered with a special mention for Jonny Wan who won the lottery doubles (partner Will Coley) and the Men's B Doubles (partner Jon Spinks).

WILL COLEY HAS DONE IT!!!! A grade champion on home soil, defeating Ray Jordan in the final!

— Nottingham Racketlon (@NottsRacketlon) November 14, 2015

But it was Wanny's lottery doubles partner, Will, who takes home the Local Hero award after claiming his first ever A Grade singles title - all the more special for earning it on home soil. Will is arguably well on the way to cementing himself among some of Nottingham's other sporting heroes such as boxer Carl Froch and archery enthusiast, Robin Hood. 2016 is going to be a huge year for our curly-haired friend. Watch this space.

Dream Team

You would forgive George Roberts for feeling slightly unloved after both myself and Ramon Miles ditched him as doubles partner over the past few weeks - (both because of injuries - certainly not because we feared he'd be too hungover to turn up....).

@keithracketlon @d_bennett999 @jobennett26 fantastic time playing doubles with David. Loved it. And we won! pic.twitter.com/mhBhUIpAlz

— George Roberts (@GeorgeRacketDon) November 15, 2015

Step up rising star David Bennett. The common expression in life is third time lucky and it certainly seemed that way with George's choice in partner as David carried George (not literally) to a Doubles C title - comfortably dispatching the Gregsons and the Tetleys en route.

Most Outrageous Moment - (Unofficially) Sponsored by Cisk

Straight out of the 'Sam Barker School of Stupid Tennis Decisions That Somehow Pay Off', comes the conclusion to the first (of many... maybe) one point extravaganza competition. James Pope vs Dan Busby. Pope has put his first serve in the net to effectively leave a gummi situation.

Now it's a well known fact that, unless you're Dustin Brown, a serve-and-volley on a second serve is effectively tennis court suicide. That would never stop The Butler though, who served up a successful moment of madness when he intercepted Busby's passing shot to volley home the winner. An A+ for sheer boldness/stupidity from me. #WWSBD

@JamesPope10 is the first ever winner of the one point challenge. @NottsRacketlon unbelievable scenes! pic.twitter.com/ekd8pNUINv

— Racketlon News (@keithracketlon) November 15, 2015

Shortest Debutant

Spare a thought for Adarsh Shah who might have broken a record for the shortest time participating in a debut Racketlon tournament.

The only good thing that can be said is that he just about completed the table-tennis. However, during badminton a knee injury has left the poor debutant on crutches.

Shortest Racketlon career ever @keithracketlon pic.twitter.com/khUHtzM5Ez

— James Watkins (@James_Watkins90) November 14, 2015

We wish you well and hopefully will see you back fighting fit again in the future... maybe even on a squash court!

We are Family

One thing that can certainly be said for the Nottingham Open is that it was very much a family affair. As well as some of our regular family units - the Russell sisters and parent/child pairings of the Gregsons and the Shelleys - a number of new and returning families descended on Nottingham.

The Tetleys, Bens and the Wans made a welcome return to the tour as a group after one or two previous solo tournaments, whilst there were debuts for certain members of the Gillot and Hopwood clan.

Perhaps the stand-out family though were the Woodliffes, especially dad Mark, who blew away the field to win the Over 45s and then backed that up with a devastating doubles performance alongside son, Ben.

Obviously there has to be a special mention for the Whitemans, turning out in force - (with honorary members Mark Harris and I) - for Saturday evening's quiz. We'll ignore the fact that we came third, only beating (unsurpsingly) the Trent table.

Good luck to those playing in Prague and to everyone else, check out the 2016 Tour as it develops!

Not sure what Racketlon is? Find out more information here.

Bernard Tomic - Quiet Progress in a Turbulent Year

Australia has dominated the tennis headlines this year. Mostly for the wrong reasons.

Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic have found themselves in trouble with just about everyone in 2015 and even managed to drag unwitting pal Thanasi Kokkinakis into it earlier in the year.

Whilst their off-court antics have been eagerly documented, their on-court actions have sometimes been overlooked - especially in the case of Bernard Tomic.

Despite his run-in with the law in Miami earlier this year and his explosive rant at Tennis Australia during Wimbledon, Tomic has had a year of steady, progressive improvement.

An impressive run of ten quarter-finals across...

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Things Learnt From the China Open

As the covers are pulled over the China Open for another year, we ar eleft with just enough time to reflect on another intriguing tournament as the tennis world heads towards the end of year Finals.

Beijing really is Novak Djokovic's home from home... or is it Shanghai?

There is just something about the hard courts of Beijing that Novak Djokovic has warned to. Twenty-nine matches, six titles, not a single defeat. That is a pretty sensational record, but perhaps more worringly for his opposition is that nobody even came close to him this week...

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Can Johanna Konta Spark Heather Watson Back Into Life

Another first round, another defeat for Heather Watson as she bowed out of the Korea Open last week against Elizaveta Kulichkova, and again on Monday against Jelena Jankovic. She has five first round defeats in her last six tournaments.

Since coming within two points of defeating Serena Williams on the grass of Wimbledon, the Guernsey-born Brit has failed to build any momentum, taking just three wins in Toronto back in August.

More worringly for Watson will be that lady-luck does seem to have been shining on her. In all five tournaments Watson has drawn players of a lower ranking and...

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Is Eugenie Bouchard Ending Her Terrible Run of Form

Eugenie Bouchard has finally showed glimpses of the form that carried her to last year's Wimbledon final after a turgid 2015 season which has seen her lose 14 of her last 17 matches.

After reaching the Australian Open and French Open semi-finals alongside her Wimbledon final in 2014, the young Canadian scooped up the WTA's Most Improved Player award, just a year after collecting the Best Newcomer Award. Her hugely succesful breakout year also saw her collect one title in Germany on the way to a career high #5, earning herself a qualification spot for the end of year tour...

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5 Players Who Could Prevent Serena Williams from Reaching the US Open Final

In case by some miracle you have managed to miss it, Serena Williams might be about to create history. Her Wimbledon crown saw her pocket her second so-called 'Serena Slam' but now her attention is fully focused on becoming just the fourth female players to complete the calender Grand Slam.

The younger Williams sister is just six victories away from her 22nd Grand Slam title which will put her level with Steffi Graf and just two behind Margaret Court who has won the most Grand Slam titles of all time.

A number of shocks on the opening day...

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Marin Cilic's US Open Preparations Falter

Marin Cilic's preparations for the defence of his US Open crown suffered a setback as he crashed out of the Rogers Cup in the Second Round.

The Croatian suffered a 6-3 6-4 defeat to outspoken Aussie, Bernard Tomic, in his opening match. before comfortably taking the first set.

It was a similar story in the second, with Tomic breaking early before consolidating his lead with an excellent serving display, winning 80 per cent of points on his first serve. Cilic failed to earn himself a single break point in the...

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Jamie V Andy: Murray Brothers Set for First Tour Clash

Less than a month ago Jamie and Andy Murray teamed up to win the doubles rubber of their Davis Cup quarterfinal clash against France, eventually sending Great Britain into the semi-finals for the first time in 34 years. Wednesday, though, they are divided, as the Murray brothers are pitted against each other for the first time on tour in the second round of the Rogers Cup.

Older brother Jamie, 29, is currently in the form of his life alongside Australian partner John Peers after reaching the Wimbledon final and backing that up with his second title of the year at...

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Lucas Pouille continues his gradual rise

As the so-called 'big four era' moves towards its natural conclusion, the eyes of the tennis world are turning towards the youngsters stepping across the threshold to eventually create their own era.

The age of significant progress now seems to be the early twenties with Kei Nishikori, Milos Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov leading the pack. Lower down the age bracket, the audacious Nick Kyrgios and the wildly confident teenager Borna Coric are both fully embracing their 'wonderkid' labels. Yet there is another youngster, quieter and more subdued, ready to burst onto the scene.

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Daniel Evans: British 'Bad Boy' On Road To Recovery

Twelve months ago, Daniel Evans was hot property in the tennis world. On the cusp of conquering the top 100 ranking barrier and with a run to the third round of the US Open in his back pocket, Evans' reputation was on the rise. British fans were particularly excited by a player arguably boasting the most natural ability since a certain Andrew Murray burst onto the scene.

Fast forward eleven months to the start of this year's Wimbledon and you would have found the Birmingham-born Brit languishing at #752 in the World having played the main draw of just four....

Find the rest of the article at http://lastwordonsports.com/2015/07/29/daniel-evans-british-bad-boy-on-road-to-recovery/.

7 Things We Learnt From the First Week of Wimbledon

As we take a well-earned breather after an eventful opening week of Wimbledon there is just enough time to reflect on the goings-on at SW19.

Men's tennis has it's entertainers.

With big servers prominent at the top of the game, it was great to see the showmen take centre stage in the opening week. There was constant one-upmanship between Nick Kyrgios, Gael Monfils and Dustin Brown as the three sought to produce shots of increasingly unique flair and originality.

Whilst only Kyrgios remains in the draw, both Monfils and Brown created first week fireworks before their departure. Brown made himself a household name with a sensational four set victory over Rafael Nadal as well as claiming the unofficial title of best locks in tennis. Similarly Gael Monfils' athletic shot selection reduced his opponent and friend Gilles Simon to laughter with a ridiculous forehand [below] in their third round encounter.

There are Brits other than Murray.

Okay, so as is usual, Andy Murray is the only Brit to make it to the second week in the singles draw. But for the first time in recent memory there were signs that he may not be alone for much longer. Both Heather Watson and James Ward came within a matter of points of making it through to the fourth round, the former almost defeating world number one Serena Williams after a hugely valiant effort. Local lad, Ward, also came close in the third round, eventually falling to Canadian Vasek Pospisil in five sets.

They were not the only success stories though, as Liam Broady kick-started the week with an epic five set victory over Marinko Matosevic before recently converted Brit, Aliaz Bedene, followed suit into the second round where both their journey's ended. It was the most successful Wimbledon in years for British wildcards and gives hope that it is not long until Murray has a friend in the top 30.

Wimbledon's All-White Policy has gone mad.

Kyrgios sporting his controversial headband.

There is tradition, and then there is madness. One of the more controversial talking points from the opening week is the extreme nature of the All England Club's all-white dress code. Both Eugenie Bouchard and Nick Kyrgios found themselves with rapped knuckles after falling foul of the extensive rules.

Bouchard found herself in trouble after a black bra strap emerged during her first round defeat whilst, more bizarrely, Kyrgios was told to turn the official Wimbledon headband, inside out for violating colour rules. So just to emphasise, Kyrgios was not allowed to wear the official Wimbledon headband during an official Wimbledon match. Brilliant.

Anyone is beatable in the WTA... Except Serena.

The first week saw the disappearance of a number of the biggest names in women's tennis as the grass claimed its early victims. One of the biggest shocks was Simona Halep's first round loss to Jana Cepelova. This year's form player, Carla Suarez Navarro swiftly followed whilst she was joined by Ana Ivanovic and Ekaterina Makarova who both exited in round two.

The third round saw the most notable upset as defending champion Petra Kvitova, so comfortable in her opening two rounds, left the court in tears after a tough three-set defeat to Jelena Jankovic.

Serena though. Well, she keeps just being Serena. Not only did she have to battle an inspired Heather Watson but she had to battle a packed-out Centre Court crowd in her gritty third round victory over the British number one. Can anyone actually stop her collecting her third grand slam of the year? I don't think so.

Nick Kyrgios is the Real Deal.

Since exploding onto the tennis scene in last year's Wimbledon through his defeat of Rafa, few have questioned the talents of the tenacious Aussie. One of the pitfalls though, of having a grand slam run as a teenager, is backing it up and injuries during the year have seen question marks as to whether he can last at the top level.

Not only is Kyrgios backing it up, but he is bringing character and interest to a sport with too many robotic personalities. His on-court personal rows and inventive style have made him a fan favourite, but more importantly, a real danger to the big guns in this draw. He has already dismantled big serving Milos Raonic and Richard Gasquet is next in his line of fire. John Newcombe may be right about not writing Kyrgios off too early.

Bouchard isn't having a blip, she's having a crisis.

Bouchard suffered her 12th defeat in 14 matches.

In contrast to Kyrgios' success, Eugenie Bouchard has had a year to completely forget exacerbated by her terrible first round loss to unknown 117th ranked Duan Ying-Ying. Bouchard has been desperately seeking a tournament to turn around a turgid year but the grass of SW19, where she reached the final last year, has not been it.

Bouchard has now lost 12 of her past 14 matches and seems to be suffering from what is commonly referred to in football as a case of second-season-syndrome after her outstanding breakthrough year in 2014. The Canadian looks a shadow of the player she was 12 months ago and some serious self-evaluation needs to occur before the return to the hard court.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Why, oh why did the BBC opt to revamp their highlights coverage into the terrible 'Wimbledon 2day'? When I came in from work on Monday I wanted to sit down and enjoy the highlights of the day. Instead I was treated to amateurish conversation between the out-of-her-depth Clare Balding and an awkward member of an awkward crowd among a couple of legends and a smattering of actual tennis.

The BBC have done their best to evolve the show as the week has gone on but the lack of actual tennis on show is the particular disappointment for what was formerly an excellent highlights show. I believe Balding is an excellent presenter but I am not sure she is the right person for this job and wonder whether, much like Leyton Hewitt, she won't be back at Wimbledon next year.