2015 ATP General Tennis News

[Fiero425]

Also, as I posted in Fed's schedule thread, Fed is seriously thinking about skipping Rome
and would do so with high probability especially if he goes deep in Madrid. That would again
help Rafa to be seeded in top four at Rome as well.

So, Rafa gets a top four seeding in both Madrid and Rome, despite being ranked #5.
It remains to be seen whether he can possibly earn a legitimate top #4 seed (as there
is no other way to get #4 seed in RG with tournament organizers declining to mess
with seedings and with no one ranked higher likely to drop out.

But, it won't be easy for Rafa as he is defending 1600 pts in these two.

We discussed this yesterday! I'm sure he won't be able to defend those points; must win one and make final of the other! I can't see it with how ineffectual Rafa's game looked in MC! Kei and others have a real chance to overtake him at #4, being just 110 points ahead of #5! :angel: :dodgy:

 

[Denis]

They're all Masters Series 1000s, with equal points allocated for the same rounds. Different people may prefer some over the others, but clearly the idea is they're all equal. Beyond that, it's purely subjective -- bordering on arguing which is the best color.

Tented, you cannot be serious. The fact that the ATP gave some tourney's the same status does not make them equal. ATP point allocation is just as subjective (read: money).

 

[Fiero425]

They're all Masters Series 1000s, with equal points allocated for the same rounds. Different people may prefer some over the others, but clearly the idea is they're all equal. Beyond that, it's purely subjective -- bordering on arguing which is the best color.

Tented, you cannot be serious. The fact that the ATP gave some tourney's the same status does not make them equal. ATP point allocation is just as subjective (read: money).

I looked that up a while ago and found status is everything! MC and Rome don't come close to the amount of prize money offered in Shanghai; obviously luring stars to that event so far away and late in the season! :dodgy:

 

[Denis]

They're all Masters Series 1000s, with equal points allocated for the same rounds. Different people may prefer some over the others, but clearly the idea is they're all equal. Beyond that, it's purely subjective -- bordering on arguing which is the best color.

Tented, you cannot be serious. The fact that the ATP gave some tourney's the same status does not make them equal. ATP point allocation is just as subjective (read: money).

I looked that up a while ago and found status is everything! MC and Rome don't come close to the amount of prize money offered in Shanghai; obviously luring stars to that event so far away and late in the season! :dodgy:

Well good on the ATP to take that into account.

Just to be clear, I am not saying these tourney's should not be masters events, only that they are not equal in terms of prestige.

 

[nehmeth]

Tented, you cannot be serious. The fact that the ATP gave some tourney's the same status does not make them equal. ATP point allocation is just as subjective (read: money).

I looked that up a while ago and found status is everything! MC and Rome don't come close to the amount of prize money offered in Shanghai; obviously luring stars to that event so far away and late in the season! :dodgy:

Well good on the ATP to take that into account.

Just to be clear, I am not saying these tourney's should not be masters events, only that they are not equal in terms of prestige.

The Rome Masters used to be the Italian Open and the second biggest clay tournament after the French. The Rogers Cup used to be the Canadian Open. Monte Carlo has always been a destination for the best players. While the newer Masters have the same number of points, they have neither the storied history nor the prestige that accompanies it,

 

[isabelle]

Nole out of Madrid, Federer out of Roma...then Nadal could win one of those 2 MS uh ??? The Fog is there but maybe will he let Manacor's bull in peace this time ???

 

[Riotbeard]

I think that Nole has played a lot this year so the break will do him good, but it's a double edged sword. If he's to go to Paris as favourite, I would have preferred him to get into Rafa's head, kinda like 2011. Avoiding Madrid could give Rafa breathing space to grind out an MS title. This happened last season, and when they met in Rome it didn't really bother Rafa when it came to Paris.

If Nole went to Madrid and took it, then took Rome, he'd be heavily favoured in Paris, especially if he beat Rafa both times. It could be that Rafa gets beaten by FFFS again in Madrid anyway, in which case, enjoy your gluten-free sangria, Nole. But it could backfire on Novak in the long run...

I agree with this. It is a double edged sword, but rafa confident or not, Novak has to be physically capable in a month of winning a GS, so I think it's the best of a tough choice.

That being said Nole wasn't in Barcelona, but 3F was...

 

[Denis]

I think that Nole has played a lot this year so the break will do him good, but it's a double edged sword. If he's to go to Paris as favourite, I would have preferred him to get into Rafa's head, kinda like 2011. Avoiding Madrid could give Rafa breathing space to grind out an MS title. This happened last season, and when they met in Rome it didn't really bother Rafa when it came to Paris.

If Nole went to Madrid and took it, then took Rome, he'd be heavily favoured in Paris, especially if he beat Rafa both times. It could be that Rafa gets beaten by FFFS again in Madrid anyway, in which case, enjoy your gluten-free sangria, Nole. But it could backfire on Novak in the long run...

I agree with this. It is a double edged sword, but rafa confident or not, Novak has to be physically capable in a month of winning a GS, so I think it's the best of a tough choice.

That being said Nole wasn't in Barcelona, but 3F was...

There really is no point on focussing on others when you are trying to win an event.

Novak needs to win 7 matches this year at RG. Maybe he will face Rafa maybe not. He needs to be ready physically and mentally. If skipping Madrid helps with that, then it's a good decision. Considering his match time already this year I was certainly hoping he would skip Madrid.

 

[Riotbeard]

I think that Nole has played a lot this year so the break will do him good, but it's a double edged sword. If he's to go to Paris as favourite, I would have preferred him to get into Rafa's head, kinda like 2011. Avoiding Madrid could give Rafa breathing space to grind out an MS title. This happened last season, and when they met in Rome it didn't really bother Rafa when it came to Paris.

If Nole went to Madrid and took it, then took Rome, he'd be heavily favoured in Paris, especially if he beat Rafa both times. It could be that Rafa gets beaten by FFFS again in Madrid anyway, in which case, enjoy your gluten-free sangria, Nole. But it could backfire on Novak in the long run...

I agree with this. It is a double edged sword, but rafa confident or not, Novak has to be physically capable in a month of winning a GS, so I think it's the best of a tough choice.

That being said Nole wasn't in Barcelona, but 3F was...

There really is no point on focussing on others when you are trying to win an event.

Novak needs to win 7 matches this year at RG. Maybe he will face Rafa maybe not. He needs to be ready physically and mentally. If skipping Madrid helps with that, then it's a good decision. Considering his match time already this year I was certainly hoping he would skip Madrid.

Then I guess we agree.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Denis]

I agree with this. It is a double edged sword, but rafa confident or not, Novak has to be physically capable in a month of winning a GS, so I think it's the best of a tough choice.

That being said Nole wasn't in Barcelona, but 3F was...

There really is no point on focussing on others when you are trying to win an event.

Novak needs to win 7 matches this year at RG. Maybe he will face Rafa maybe not. He needs to be ready physically and mentally. If skipping Madrid helps with that, then it's a good decision. Considering his match time already this year I was certainly hoping he would skip Madrid.

Then I guess we agree.

Other than I don't think it was a tough choice because of Rafa.

Any news on Del Potro? Will he play Madrid?

 

[Riotbeard]

There really is no point on focussing on others when you are trying to win an event.

Novak needs to win 7 matches this year at RG. Maybe he will face Rafa maybe not. He needs to be ready physically and mentally. If skipping Madrid helps with that, then it's a good decision. Considering his match time already this year I was certainly hoping he would skip Madrid.

Then I guess we agree.

Other than I don't think it was a tough choice because of Rafa.

Any news on Del Potro? Will he play Madrid?

Maybe it's not that tough of a choice. He needs to do what his body allows, but don't tell me you wouldn't love to see Novak crush Rafa in Madrid and Rome. Also, while Novak's health is most important, a confident Rafa would not help his chances. It would be ridiculous to dismiss that considering Rafa has beaten him the last the three years at Roland Garros, so Rafa's form and mentality will play at least some role (even if that role is getting knocked out early).

 

[Denis]

Then I guess we agree.

Other than I don't think it was a tough choice because of Rafa.

Any news on Del Potro? Will he play Madrid?

Maybe it's not that tough of a choice. He needs to do what his body allows, but don't tell me you wouldn't love to see Novak crush Rafa in Madrid and Rome. Also, while Novak's health is most important, a confident Rafa would not help his chances. It would be ridiculous to dismiss that considering Rafa has beaten him the last the three years at Roland Garros, so Rafa's form and mentality will play at least some role (even if that role is getting knocked out early).

Novak will play Rome, and I really hope he gets to play Nadal there.

Nadal's confidence at this point is no longer dependent on losing to Novak in Madrid. He'll probably already take confidence from reaching the semis and losing to Ferrer or something.

 

[Kieran]

Then I guess we agree.

Other than I don't think it was a tough choice because of Rafa.

Any news on Del Potro? Will he play Madrid?

Maybe it's not that tough of a choice. He needs to do what his body allows, but don't tell me you wouldn't love to see Novak crush Rafa in Madrid and Rome. Also, while Novak's health is most important, a confident Rafa would not help his chances. It would be ridiculous to dismiss that considering Rafa has beaten him the last the three years at Roland Garros, so Rafa's form and mentality will play at least some role (even if that role is getting knocked out early).

...or not getting knocked out early.

But more or less, this...^^

 

[Denis]

In other news:

Nalby has attempted to artistically depict his tennis career with a rally car:

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2015/04/david-nalbandian-runs-road-car-racing-event/54746/#.VT-ehtKqpBc

 

[tented]

I looked that up a while ago and found status is everything! MC and Rome don't come close to the amount of prize money offered in Shanghai; obviously luring stars to that event so far away and late in the season! :dodgy:

Well good on the ATP to take that into account.

Just to be clear, I am not saying these tourney's should not be masters events, only that they are not equal in terms of prestige.

The Rome Masters used to be the Italian Open and the second biggest clay tournament after the French. The Rogers Cup used to be the Canadian Open. Monte Carlo has always been a destination for the best players. While the newer Masters have the same number of points, they have neither the storied history nor the prestige that accompanies it,

Person A: "Rome -- née Italian Open -- is the best."

Person B: "The Rogers Cup, one of the oldest tournaments in the history of tennis, trumps all."

Person C: "Shanghai awards more (the most?) money than others, so it's the one everyone wants to win."

Person D: "My name is Larry Ellison. Indian Wells is the best. Obviously."

Person E: "Monte Carlo is the most beautiful, the one everyone wants to go to, so it's the best."

Person F: "Paris is the greatest city on the planet, so Paris/Bercy wins."

Person G: "You want history? Cincinnati started on September 18, 1899 and is the oldest tennis tournament in the United States played in its original city."

Etc.

Geography, nationality, culture, history, player success -- they all merge in various patterns. Ultimately, there's no way this isn't subjective.

 

[Denis]

Well good on the ATP to take that into account.

Just to be clear, I am not saying these tourney's should not be masters events, only that they are not equal in terms of prestige.

The Rome Masters used to be the Italian Open and the second biggest clay tournament after the French. The Rogers Cup used to be the Canadian Open. Monte Carlo has always been a destination for the best players. While the newer Masters have the same number of points, they have neither the storied history nor the prestige that accompanies it,

Person A: "Rome -- née Italian Open -- is the best."

Person B: "The Rogers Cup, one of the oldest tournaments in the history of tennis, trumps all."

Person C: "Shanghai awards more (the most?) money than others, so it's the one everyone wants to win."

Person D: "My name is Larry Ellison. Indian Wells is the best. Obviously."

Person E: "Monte Carlo is the most beautiful, the one everyone wants to go to, so it's the best."

Person F: "Paris is the greatest city on the planet, so Paris/Bercy wins."

Person G: "You want history? Cincinnati started on September 18, 1899 and is the oldest tennis tournament in the United States played in its original city."

Etc.

Geography, nationality, culture, history, player success -- they all merge in various patterns. Ultimately, there's no way this isn't subjective.

and therefore they are equally as prestigious?

uzzled

 

[tented]

^ I never used the words "prestige" or "prestigious".

 

[Denis]

^ I never used the words "prestige" or "prestigious".

So what are you arguing and against whom and what?

 

[Fiero425]

^ I never used the words "prestige" or "prestigious".

Me neither! I usually go with "classic" or "historic" in some form! When it comes to tennis, I find "prestigious" a bit "over the top!" Growing up, that's all I really did outside of school! :blush: :angel: :cover

 

[herios]

OK, you guys abused enough this thread with the debate about which master event is more prestigious than the other

Time to get back on track, so here is a real news:
Tommy Haas will return only after RG, for the grass season:
http://www.si.com/tennis/2015/04/27/novak-djokovic-withdraws-madrid-open-2015-atp-masters