2019 ATP General News

[Carol]

That photo must have been made around 10 years ago cos he doesn't even have that much hair now in 2019 and very much doubt he gains a ton more hair 19 years later

Nope, that picture is from de future and Rafa is wearing the Federer's toupee

 

[isabelle]

Gasquet pulled out of MC
Pioline's new Chardy's coach

 

[mrzz]

I liked Almagro. While his backhand is well known, he also has a fairly decent serve. I think he reached QF or better at RG more than once. Unfortunately, he gets eventually bulldozed by the bull.

I happened to watch Almagro on site once, and I confirmed what I suspected, actually his serve was his best weapon. It was huge.

The one handed bh was a beauty (well, most are, the only two almost ugly ones I can remember are Karlovic's and Lopez'). Aesthetically, in fact, Almagro's bh is almost unparalleled, but when I saw him play I started calling it a "liability in disguise". It lacked that tiny bit of power that was needed to make it unplayable or extremely difficult for the opponent. And it was so "rounded" that once a player got his rhythm, the end result was that the opponent would use its pace against him. I mean, Almagro could add more variety to it. He would throw some DTLners here and there, but in most cases the opponent knew were the ball would end, and he could hit it back at a comfortable height, because it had just the perfect top spin amount.

In short, it was a beautiful shot for sure, but also a perfect shot for a (very good player) take benefit from.

 

[Federberg]

yup.. that backhand of Almagro is beautiful to look at, but the take back is so long that clay seems like his only chance against the really top guys

 

[Fiero425]

Gasquet pulled out of MC
Pioline's new Chardy's coach

Pioline's another mid-level pro that never really upset too many top players! He's on par with Berdych, Ferrer, Philippoussis, Tsonga, and others who make a Major final or 3, maybe snag a Masters here and there, but for the most part are just fodder for the elites! They usually are unable to even take a set off the eventual Slam winner; on par with Anderson the last couple seasons! :whistle: :cuckoo:

 

[isabelle]

Adriano Fuorivia's new Shapo's coach, they'll start to work in MC

 

[mrzz]

Hey, @El Dude , @herios and all others who like to follow the young players. I was sure that by know you would be commenting on the Spanish kid Garfia, who is 15, and last week won a challenger level match, and now has won two more matches in Murcia.

 

[mrzz]

yup.. that backhand of Almagro is beautiful to look at, but the take back is so long that clay seems like his only chance against the really top guys

Honestly I don't buy that much in the long backswing argument. I have read people referring to it in relation to a a few different players, among them Thiem and Wawrinka. I don't think that the motion per se is the problem, but the lack of variation (and that was something that Almagro suffered). Wawrinka has a very long backwing, and that was never a problem for him, because he has a good ability to block shots in a much shorter movement. Thing is that every player needs to shorten his movement in given situations and the real problem is when the player is not able to do that with minimum efficiency. But the point is that basically it is a different shot for a different situation, and this is true even for two handers, even if in this case the difference is less evident.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

Anyone knows why the currently played ATP250 tourney Marrakech, Morocco has 32 main singles entries? Normally, at 250 level, there are 28 singles entries so that the 4 best players awarded bye, can lift the trophy with 4 consecutive wins. But in Marrakech, you have to record at least 5 consecutive wins to lift the trophy, as in level 500 tourney. Why?

 

[mrzz]

Anyone knows why the currently played ATP250 tourney Marrakech, Morocco has 32 main singles entries? Normally, at 250 level, there are 28 singles entries so that the 4 best players awarded bye, can lift the trophy with 4 consecutive wins. But in Marrakech, you have to record at least 5 consecutive wins to lift the trophy, as in level 500 tourney. Why?

I would say that the norm is no byes in ATP250 and ATP500. The ones the open the year do not have byes (Doha, Brisbane, Chenai), my "local" South American 250's do not have byes. Actually I cannot think of a 250 with byes... Stuttgart maybe? When Halle and Queens were 250, I don't recall byes either... anyway I guess is up to the organizers.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

I would say that the norm is no byes in ATP250 and ATP500. The ones the open the year do not have byes (Doha, Brisbane, Chenai), my "local" South American 250's do not have byes. Actually I cannot think of a 250 with byes... Stuttgart maybe? When Halle and Queens were 250, I don't recall byes either... anyway I guess is up to the organizers.

I opened the current ATP calendar to double check:
https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments
And found out only 2 more 250 tourneys (Doha & Delray Beach, FL) having SGL 32. All other ATP250 have SGL 28. All others having SGL 32 are ATP500.
U r incorrect about Brisbane and Chennai and your "local" swing. Chennai is Challenger level not even listed in the calendar above. Rio is ATP500. Sao Paulo has SGL 28.
When Halle was ATP250, it had SGL 28, last time in 2014:
https://www.atptour.com/en/scores/archive/halle/500/2014/draws?matchtype=singles
I haven't checked the history of Queens or others (too much poking).
So, after that check, my question becomes broader: what's so special about three ATP250 tourneys (Doha, Marrakech, Delray Beach), that they allow SGL 32 in main draw, as if they were ATP500? Cannot be just organiser's whim, I think. Or maybe they are "in-between" 250-500 because they do not meet all 500 level standards sanctioned by ATP, while just providing a playground for a full draw of 32 singles?

 

[mrzz]

I opened the current ATP calendar to double check:
https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments
And found out only 2 more 250 tourneys (Doha & Delray Beach, FL) having SGL 32. All other ATP250 have SGL 28. All others having SGL 32 are ATP500.
U r incorrect about Brisbane and Chennai and your "local" swing. Chennai is Challenger level not even listed in the calendar above. Rio is ATP500. Sao Paulo has SGL 28.
When Halle was ATP250, it had SGL 28, last time in 2014:
https://www.atptour.com/en/scores/archive/halle/500/2014/draws?matchtype=singles
I haven't checked the history of Queens or others (too much poking).
So, after that check, my question becomes broader: what's so special about three ATP250 tourneys (Doha, Marrakech, Delray Beach), that they allow SGL 32 in main draw, as if they were ATP500? Cannot be just organiser's whim, I think. Or maybe they are "in-between" 250-500 because they do not meet all 500 level standards sanctioned by ATP, while just providing a playground for a full draw of 32 singles?

Thanks for compiling the info. I really was under the wrong impression then.

BTW just remembered, that ATP in India at the beginning of the year used to be in Chennai, now it has changed to some new venue I forgot the name. São Paulo has a 28 seed draw? I would guess I have seen 32 in prior years, but would need to check. Anyway, I believe you that 28 is the norm.

I really think it is up the organizers. The byes at the same time control the size of the field, and can be used to attract top players.

 

[herios]

I am wondering why nobody bothered to open a thread for Marrakech or Houston. I was really busy this week, I assume that is the case across the board?

 

[britbox]

I am wondering why nobody bothered to open a thread for Marrakech or Houston. I was really busy this week, I assume that is the case across the board?

I guess so.

I see Munar took Sascha. Is Munar on your watchlist?

 

[Moxie]

Hey, @El Dude , @herios and all others who like to follow the young players. I was sure that by know you would be commenting on the Spanish kid Garfia, who is 15, and last week won a challenger level match, and now has won two more matches in Murcia.

You made me curious, so I looked him up. Carlos Alcaraz Garfia. (FYI, it's not usual to refer to him as "Garfia" in the Spanish naming way. Alcaraz would be his correct surname.) Perhaps I should take this to the Next Gen thread, but he actually won his first point on the ATP tour at an age younger than Rafa, and than FAA, so he is definitely one to look out for. Thanks for bringing him up, @mrzz.

 

[isabelle]

Munar has a WC in Madrid ( 2 others go to Ferru and FAA)

 

[Federberg]

I highly recommend this podcast episode...

https://play.acast.com/s/thetennisp...lnovakdjokovic-atppolitics-itfworldtennistour

 

[Federberg]

I highly recommend this podcast episode...

https://play.acast.com/s/thetennisp...lnovakdjokovic-atppolitics-itfworldtennistour

I have to say, Tipsarevic's point that players getting only 12% of the revenue at slams it's completely outrageous. I agree with him. He also says that it is negligent that we have stars like Serena, Roger, Novak and the Bryan brothers playing right now and tennis has not received the bump that other sports have experienced. His point is that Tiger's presence resulted in golfers as a whole getting more money, and MJ and Lebron's presence has resulted in basketball players getting more money. But somehow tennis players have not leveraged their bounty as well. He has some extremely good points

 

[DarthFed]

I have to say, Tipsarevic's point that players getting only 12% of the revenue at slams it's completely outrageous. I agree with him. He also says that it is negligent that we have stars like Serena, Roger, Novak and the Bryan brothers playing right now and tennis has not received the bump that other sports have experienced. His point is that Tiger's presence resulted in golfers as a whole getting more money, and MJ and Lebron's presence has resulted in basketball players getting more money. But somehow tennis players have not leveraged their bounty as well. He has some extremely good points

I think the top dogs are paid fairly though there is an even an argument there that they should get more. But clearly the lower ranked guys really struggle to make decent money when you factor in expenses and that's where I see greater differences with other sports. The 100th best golfer, basketball player, football player, etc. makes a hell of a lot more than #100 in tennis. It's not a total apples to apples comparison but tennis clearly can be doing a lot better for the players who are not top echelon.

 

[Federberg]

I think the top dogs are paid fairly though there is an even an argument there that they should get more. But clearly the lower ranked guys really struggle to make decent money when you factor in expenses and that's where I see greater differences with other sports. The 100th best golfer, basketball player, football player, etc. makes a hell of a lot more than #100 in tennis. It's not a total apples to apples comparison but tennis clearly can be doing a lot better for the players who are not top echelon.

well yes that's the point. I don't think I mentioned the top guys pay being an issue. I'm talking about the sport as a whole. Janko is right it's amazing that the presence of these players has not translated into better pay for the field. I think the top guys are paid properly. The issue is that tournaments are vastly underpaying tennis players as a whole. I was truly shocked that the players are only getting 12%!!!