Hi all,
Hope you've all seen the entry forms for the nationals.
I was rather surprised to see B1 and sighted doubles included in the list
of divisions: after it was dropped at Newcastle, I was expecting it to die
a quiet death when it came to major competitions.
Don't get me wrong: I think that format can be great for social tennis, as
it allows B1s to play alongside sighted players, which is rarely possible
otherwise - at least without the B1 player getting completely thrashed.
However, when it comes to major VI championships, my feeling is that we
shouldn't have fully sighted players competing. (That's not a negative
comment about our sighted volunteers, though: they're obviously very
important to us.)
On the other hand, just over a year ago (at the 2014 Cambridge tournament),
we trialed all B1 doubles: Emma and Peter took on Lara and I, and we played
a full set to 6, which went all the way to the tie-break. We all enjoyed
it a lot, and it was definitely a success - and, if memory serves, we have
Graeme Manwell to thank for that particular brainstorm!
So I'm wondering: how would you guys feel if we end up ditching the B1 and
sighted doubles, possibly in favour of B1 doubles?
As for myself, I've decided not to enter the B1 and sighted doubles, and to
ask that it be dropped.
So, what do you think?
Cheers,
Nikhil.
