16 November 2005 16:20 – Israel Futures

HI

Just a quick hello, I am in Israel at the moment, I arrived out here yesterday and will be playing in two futures tournaments here in and around Tel Aviv. I may play another tournament here after these two, but it depends on how things are going. I will update you on how I am doing,

Thanks a lot

Chris

24 December 2005 10:47 – Christmas Update

Hi,

I have just finished for Christmas, and would like to update you on my progress.

During end of November and beginning of December I was in Israel playing in three futures tournaments. It was my first experience playing on the men’s tour, and the tournaments where tough and a little different to the futures in England. Normally in England I have to win 2 matches to qualify, but in Israel it was a 128 qualifying draw, so I had to win 4 matches to get into the main draw.

In the first two tournaments I lost in the qualifying, but in the last week I was playing really well and qualified, however in the main draw I lost in the first round. It was a great experience for me to go and play in such a strange place and I think it will really help me in the future when I have to travel again!

For the last week I haven’t played because I have torn a muscle in my stomach, but I think this is the best time to do it, as I don’t have another tournament until the new year.

I hope you all have a great Christmas and a happy new year

Thanks for all your support

Chris

23 September 2005 11:56 – Training

Hi,

Just thought I would let you know that this week I have been training for the past 3 weeks and this week has been really good as I got to train with Henman for the first part of this week which was an awesome experience…I’ve also had the chance to play with Arvind Palmer and Jamie Delgado. It has been a great for me and I feel that I am playing really good tennis and cant wait to play my first tournament back in Bolton for a men’s futures event to try to pick up some more ranking points.

Thanks a lot for all your support

Chris

07 August 2005 15:05 – UK Satellite

Hi

I am in the middle of a satellite at the moment. This is set of three tournaments with a masters event I the fourth week which you have to do well in the first three weeks to qualify for. I have done the first two weeks, firstly in Ilkley on grass where I won my 1st round against David Brewer which was a good win for me as I train with him fairly often. In the second round I lost to Colin Flemming who went  on to make the final of that tournament and the next tournament.

Last week I was in Wrexham on outdoor hard courts where again I won my 1st round in 3 sets against an Australian. ( inspiring the English cricketers!) In the second round I lost to Josh Goodall, he is inside 350 and played main draw men’s Wimbledon this year so it was a really good match for me to play and I learnt a lot from him. In the last two weeks I have guaranteed myself into the masters event in Nottingham in 2 weeks, and also have a definite 2 ATP points already from the satellite.

Next week I am in Cumberland for the third week and have set myself up well to get more points in this satellite with a good start.

I will email you again to let you know how it all goes after the satellite has finished.

Thanks a lot for all your help,

Chris

18 May 2005 21:05 – 1st ATP ranking point

Hi,

I have just finished a satellite mens ranking event. This is a series of 3 tournaments and then a masters event to finish with. It took place all over England – Starting in Bournemouth and finishing in Solihull, Birmingham. I did very well in this satellite and enjoyed the clay courts as most of the other British players did not. During this event, I managed to get my first senior ranking point in singles and doubles, this was my goal at the beginning of the satellite and I am very happy to now have 2 singles points and 18 doubles points. This will put me on the ATP rankings list and I will have a 3 figure ranking in doubles. My singles ranking will be around 1350 but I am on the list and will hope to make strides up into the rankings with the grass court season coming up.

I would also like to inform you that I have been told by my coach that I am, 99% guaranteed a wild-card into the main draw at junior Wimbledon this year which is so exciting and such a great opportunity for me.
I have also signed a clothing contract with Fila and renewed my racket contract with Babolat. I am very happy with the progress I am making in the mens game and hope to keep informing you with good news!

Thank you very much for helping me

Chris

06 March 2005 19:39 – Beginning of the year!

hi,

I am writing to inform you of my progress so far this year. At the beginning of the year I did one and a half months of adult tournaments trying to get an ATP point. This took a little set-back as I sprained my ankle doing fitness and was out for the first two weeks. But I played in a satellite which is a set of four tournaments, this was very tough as the standard of mens tennis in this country is very high! However this was great experience for me and I have improved so much as I have been forced to. I now feel much more at home at these tournaments and level of opponent.

However this weekend I played in the under 18 Grand Prix masters, which is the winter nationals for under 18s. I had a really good weekend losing in the final to Faris Khatib who is my best friend and I train with him.

During the tournament I beat a player I had lost to the previous two times so I am very pleased with that!
I am going to Asia on Tuesday this week so I am also very excited about that. This is for three ITF junior tournaments, it will help me to get a lot of match practice! I am playing in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, this will be a great experience 4 me!

Thank you again for all your support

Chris