2018 ATP General News

[Moxie]

Come on, he takes an hour before serving when he needs to save a BP. When rushed, he is going to cough up a break. A break in time will totally change the dynamics of the match. I am just surprised that you were asking the question so innocently.

He's been speeding up, because it isn't lost on him that this is coming. And he can be quite sanguine when called out...I don't think it's going to change his results.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

He's been speeding up, because it isn't lost on him that this is coming. And he can be quite sanguine when called out...I don't think it's going to change his results.

Yes, Nad has shown he can play even FAST4. He can adjust shouldn't be a big problem, which is a good news for you.
However I think GSM has a good point: adjustments like that may have statistical impact on Nad's overall performance at least as he's adjusting in the first tourney with new rules.
I personality welcome the decision because I hate when current "at the umpire discretion" rule plays differently to different players. Some umpires do give slowly concentrating players like Rafa/Novak a favour because they (unconsciously) don't dare to interfere badly with a time viol call in most critical moments. It's humane to give the leeway. So it's interesting what they are going to do after long, e.g. 50+ shot rallies when players are panting and virtually incapable to resume on time. Perhaps there will be some provision to give players extra few seconds depending on the previous rally length. Otherwise we can be guaranteed the next point will be a crap or even a tank if someone finds such a strategy optimal to beat the "violation clock".

 

[DarthFed]

That change is a long time coming and I do think it will have a negative impact on Nadal though not as extreme as GSM is implying. Nadal takes forever to serve in large part because his ugly game takes an incredible amount of energy to play. Taking forever between points helps him recover.

 

[monfed]

That change is a long time coming and I do think it will have a negative impact on Nadal though not as extreme as GSM is implying. Nadal takes forever to serve in large part because his ugly game takes an incredible amount of energy to play. Taking forever between points helps him recover.

The bigger reason for dull to waste time between points is to rob his opponent of momentum. What can I say the guy is a dirty cheat.

Ferrer also expends a ton of energy but plays well within the allotted time limit. There is zero excuse for Nadal to waste time specially when the time limit was actually 20 seconds before and they increased it so that this moonballer can get on with it.

 

[monfed]

He's been speeding up, because it isn't lost on him that this is coming. And he can be quite sanguine when called out...I don't think it's going to change his results.

No he has not and he will not because he's not good enough to win fair and square with his inefficient game.

Dull was not only going above time limit he was literally taking 45-50 seconds between points repeatedly in the French open final.

Look your guy is a brazen cheater and should be banned from tennis.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Yes, Nad has shown he can play even FAST4. He can adjust shouldn't be a big problem, which is a good news for you.
However I think GSM has a good point: adjustments like that may have statistical impact on Nad's overall performance at least as he's adjusting in the first tourney with new rules.
I personality welcome the decision because I hate when current "at the umpire discretion" rule plays differently to different players. Some umpires do give slowly concentrating players like Rafa/Novak a favour because they (unconsciously) don't dare to interfere badly with a time viol call in most critical moments. It's humane to give the leeway. So it's interesting what they are going to do after long, e.g. 50+ shot rallies when players are panting and virtually incapable to resume on time. Perhaps there will be some provision to give players extra few seconds depending on the previous rally length. Otherwise we can be guaranteed the next point will be a crap or even a tank if someone finds such a strategy optimal to beat the "violation clock".

The umpire still plays a role. He decides when to start the stop clock. But, once he starts the clock, it is no longer his discretion is gone.
After a long rally, the umpire can give the players some time to recover before starting the shot clock.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Andy Murray has been given a wild card in Toronto. Assuming that Fed plays there, after more than an year, this will be the first tournament in which all members of Big Four participate. JMDP and Cilic also will be there. However, it is not clear as to whether Stan can get in there.

 

[isabelle]

Muller"ll call a career at the end of 2018's season

 

[herios]

Muller"ll call a career at the end of 2018's season

Not surprised. He did his best 1-2 years ago, this year not so much. He turned 35 so why continue playing to find himself struggling ?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

US open entry list got decided based on Monday's ranking. British #23 and word # 839 got in through protected rankings. However, Stan who is at #199 does not seem to have PR status. So, if the USO decides not to give him a WC, he needs to play the quals. I think he deserves a WC being a former champ and also because the slip in rankings is due to injury and not so much due to bad play.

Also, it appears that Berdych will not be able to play at USO either. His spot went to an alternator.

 

[isabelle]

Berdych's still back injured, sad for him

 

[Mastoor]

That change is a long time coming and I do think it will have a negative impact on Nadal though not as extreme as GSM is implying. Nadal takes forever to serve in large part because his ugly game takes an incredible amount of energy to play. Taking forever between points helps him recover.

Well, I am sure the most time this is not the case. He takes over 30 seconds between points regardless of the length of the previous points. That means most times he takes too much time just out of habit. Uncle Toni once said something to the effect of why wouldn't he do that if they don't punish him.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Well, I am sure the most time this is not the case. He takes over 30 seconds between points regardless of the length of the previous points. That means most times he takes too much time just out of habit. Uncle Toni once said something to the effect of why wouldn't he do that if they don't punish him.

The amount of time Rafa takes is not so much dependent on the length of the rally in the previous point. It really depends on the importance of the current point. If it is a BP that needs to be saved he takes 40 seconds. If it is an SP, may be 50 seconds and so on.

 

[Moxie]

The amount of time Rafa takes is not so much dependent on the length of the rally in the previous point. It really depends on the importance of the current point. If it is a BP that needs to be saved he takes 40 seconds. If it is an SP, may be 50 seconds and so on.

And how have you gathered that intel?

 

[Chris Koziarz]

Old good Fed starts making good scheduling decisions, while still recovering from his wimby campaign fiasco:
https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/federer-toronto-2018-withdrawal
Fed fans who chastised him for playing "too much" in this grass season, should be happy. And Fed finally shows he knows what he's doing. Obviously he does not really feel "sorry" for disappointing his fans in Canada. His obligatory "apology" is just a PR stunt.

 

[isabelle]

Lendl's currently working with Sasha in Tampa, will he be his next coach ? wait and see

 

[GameSetAndMath]

And how have you gathered that intel?

By years of watching his matches.

 

[britbox]

Tsonga ties the knot.

 

[Moxie]

That's a good looking couple. Though the 70s prom kings are calling Jo-Will and asking for their tux back.

 

[Front242]

^ She purdy but where is da boobage ?