No place for Bogdanovic on ‘Team AEGON’

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:57

Fourteen of the country’s top juniors have been added to the list, but there is no place for British number two Alex Bogdanovic, who is among 11 players who have not been retained from last year’s list.

Colin Fleming and Ken Skupski, who have climbed into the top 60 in the doubles world rankings after winning two ATP World Tour events this year, have also made the list.

The ‘Team AEGON’ players receive full training support at the National Tennis Centre (NTC), Roehampton or at a performance venue of their choice as well as substantial travel assistance and a range of sport science support.

Bogdanovic’s omission is the latest in a series of setbacks for the 25-year-old. The LTA revealed in the summer they would no longer be recommending him for a Wimbledon wild card, regardless of his ranking, after an eighth consecutive first-round loss, while he has lost seven of his eight Davis Cup rubbers and has not been a part of the team for more than a year.

Bogdanovic, though, remains nearly 100 places above British number three Dan Evans, who has been retained, in the rankings.

James Ward, who is training with Rafael Nadal in Majorca as he battles back from illness, and Jamie Baker also make the list – but Josh Goodall, Alex Slabinsky and Chris Eaton all miss out.

Those players not retained are still supported by the LTA through access to a reduced level of travel funding as well as limited access to NTC services.

In contrast to the men – Andy Murray aside – it has been a successful year for the women.

Elena Baltacha, Katie O’Brien and Anne Keothavong all finished the season inside the top 100, while Heather Watson won the US Open junior title and Laura Robson continued her progress. Those five make the list but there is no place for British number seven Naomi Broady, 19, who finished the year by winning three straight ITF titles and rising to a career-high ranking of 309.

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