2020 ATP General News

[MargaretMcAleer]

So he seems to be in the category of people that thinks there's not much to worry about. So he's only possibly skipping the USO because he can't bring his full team?

Also having to go into quarantine,restricted practice,not being able to leave hotel and walk around Manhatten.

 

[Moxie]

I hope they do decide to go forward with it, even if it's really proscribed. It can be done, and a lot of tennis players need to work, as does the whole tennis ecosystem. If it can be played carefully, they risk more to the immediate future of tennis than they do to health if they don't play it. If the top elite won't come because they're not comfortable with the circumstances or without a full team, screw them.

 

[Moxie]

Also having to go into quarantine,restricted practice,not being able to leave hotel and walk around Manhatten.

They're going to have to go into quarantine to play the FO, too. I think a lot of players would be willing to do this, if they can work and get paid. I've been on a big lock-down and I'm not getting paid for anything. I'd do it. Some players will choose not to, and I'm fine with that. Hey, we still have the most amazing food delivery in the world!

 

[Nadalfan2013]

I just heard they are going to decide on the USO in 3 days.

Let’s hope for Rafa that they don’t rob him from another slam. He’s the clear favorite for both the US open and the French Open so hopefully both tournaments will happen and we can finally see Rafa with the slam record.

 

[Moxie]

Let’s hope for Rafa that they don’t rob him from another slam. He’s the clear favorite for both the US open and the French Open so hopefully both tournaments will happen and we can finally see Rafa with the slam record.

He can only shoot himself in his own foot. Federer not playing, and probably Djokovic skipping? Practically on a plate.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

They're going to have to go into quarantine to play the FO, too. I think a lot of players would be willing to do this, if they can work and get paid. I've been on a big lock-down and I'm not getting paid for anything. I'd do it. Some players will choose not to, and I'm fine with that. Hey, we still have the most amazing food delivery in the world!

I have no problem with players going into to quarantine,for goodness sakes it is protect them first and foremost,we are still in a pandemic.There also has been grumbling from Theim and Zverev who think the protocols are too tough?

 

[Moxie]

I have no problem with players going into to quarantine,for goodness sakes it is protect them first and foremost,we are still in a pandemic.There also has been grumbling from Theim and Zverev who think the protocols are too tough?

Like I said...let the top players not come. If you don't want to participate, don't come.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

He can only shoot himself in his own foot. Federer not playing, and probably Djokovic skipping? Practically on a plate.

Federer hasn’t won either tournament in over 10 years so who cares if he is playing or not. And Nadal leads Novak in titles won 12-1 @ RG and 4-3 @ USO and in h2h matches 6-1 @ RG and 2-1 @ USO. So Rafa is the favourite regardless.

 

[Jelenafan]

The French Cut the Tennis Tournament Line. And They Are Not Sorry. (Published 2020)

With little consultation, the French Open moved to September from June, causing scheduling headaches it says it could not help.

www.nytimes.com

Excerpts:
"The French Open, one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, provides the French federation, which largely finances the game in France, with about 80 percent of its annual revenue."

"But the French government is supportive, and because the majority of men’s and women’s players are European, travel could be simplified. If the public health situation continues to stabilize, Forget and Giudicelli are optimistic their tournament will take place with some spectators, at least on the main show courts.
“It could be one every three seats,” Forget said. “Playing behind closed doors is really not something we would like to have.”

One issue is if the top players think there is not enough time to switch from HC to red clay. The US Open is scheduled for Aug 31-Sept 13 and the FO is schedule for Sept 27-Oct. 11.

I could see Rafa opting to skip the USO to be best prepared for the FO, still his best shot at a Major. However, for years players had to switch from red clay to grass in 2 weeks from the FO to Wimbledon.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Three weeks ego Florida and others States opened many business because the number of infection went more low, but apparently and due to the manifestations the number of contagios have risen alarmingly and such as the doctors predicted. I hope it won't happen in Serbia......

But Cali said that the Governor of Florida was so brave and smart to reopen unlike the left wing Democratic governors of the other states.

 

[Moxie]

The French Cut the Tennis Tournament Line. And They Are Not Sorry. (Published 2020)

With little consultation, the French Open moved to September from June, causing scheduling headaches it says it could not help.

www.nytimes.com

Excerpts:
"The French Open, one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, provides the French federation, which largely finances the game in France, with about 80 percent of its annual revenue."

"But the French government is supportive, and because the majority of men’s and women’s players are European, travel could be simplified. If the public health situation continues to stabilize, Forget and Giudicelli are optimistic their tournament will take place with some spectators, at least on the main show courts.
“It could be one every three seats,” Forget said. “Playing behind closed doors is really not something we would like to have.”

One issue is if the top players think there is not enough time to switch from HC to red clay. The US Open is scheduled for Aug 31-Sept 13 and the FO is schedule for Sept 27-Oct. 11.

I could see Rafa opting to skip the USO to be best prepared for the FO, still his best shot at a Major. However, for years players had to switch from red clay to grass in 2 weeks from the FO to Wimbledon.

I get the point that if European players prefer to make the effort for one or the other, they'll opt for RG. But why not try for both? This could be the one year "Atlantic Slam." Go for it, Rafa!

Partisanship aside, I also get why the French made the "land-grab" for that slot in the calendar, as Clarey says. If you only play two big tournaments this year, RG and the USO have the best chance of salvaging the year for players and their federations.

However, if they really wanted to cooperate, they should switch places. Better to play earlier in France, when the light is longer. Then push USO later in Sept., when the weather is nicer, we're out of the worst of the hurricane season, and probably farther into our opening up, post-COVID. Plus, then, if you're going to play anything else in the HC season, they're already playing HCs. But what do I know?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I get the point that if European players prefer to make the effort for one or the other, they'll opt for RG. But why not try for both? This could be the one year "Atlantic Slam." Go for it, Rafa!

Partisanship aside, I also get why the French made the "land-grab" for that slot in the calendar, as Clarey says. If you only play two big tournaments this year, RG and the USO have the best chance of salvaging the year for players and their federations.

However, if they really wanted to cooperate, they should switch places. Better to play earlier in France, when the light is longer. Then push USO later in Sept., when the weather is nicer, we're out of the worst of the hurricane season, and probably farther into our opening up, post-COVID. But what do I know?

I checked the weather in Paris when RG was originally scheduled it was Hot and Sunny Rafa would have been happy with the conditions.

 

[Moxie]

I checked the weather in Paris when RG was originally scheduled it was Hot and Sunny Rafa would have been happy with the conditions.

Did you just write that to make me sad? *sigh* (Just kidding. lol)

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Did you just write that to make me sad? *sigh* (Just kidding. lol)

I was going to post that fact last week,around Rafa's birthday,when another tennis journalist on Twitter brought up the weather in Paris,pity the tennis was not on,oh well Rafa has shown he can adapt in cooler conditions if the need be at RG.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I get the point that if European players prefer to make the effort for one or the other, they'll opt for RG. But why not try for both? This could be the one year "Atlantic Slam." Go for it, Rafa!

Partisanship aside, I also get why the French made the "land-grab" for that slot in the calendar, as Clarey says. If you only play two big tournaments this year, RG and the USO have the best chance of salvaging the year for players and their federations.

However, if they really wanted to cooperate, they should switch places. Better to play earlier in France, when the light is longer. Then push USO later in Sept., when the weather is nicer, we're out of the worst of the hurricane season, and probably farther into our opening up, post-COVID. Plus, then, if you're going to play anything else in the HC season, they're already playing HCs. But what do I know?

I read somewhere where Rafa is unsure about tennis for 2020..Has he changed his stance?

 

[the AntiPusher]

Apparently Serbia is pandemia free, lucky them!

I mean No one is wearing a mask..As much as I am concerned in regards to the spread of Coronavirus, it’s still encouraging to watch live tennis and that the spectators are socializing as if things are back to the Old Normal.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Djokovic defends packed stands at charity event.

Djokovic defended the lack of social distancing or masks saying 'we have different circumstances and measures,so it's very difficult to think of international standards",he said before the ceremonial opening of his Adria.
He said Serbia has 'better numbers' compared to other countries regarding coronavirus infections.
Serbia has registered more than 12,000 cases and 252 deaths,although the numbers have been rising again since the government lifted most of the lockdowns and restrictions.
"You can also criticize us and say this is maybe dangerous,but it's not up to me to make the calls about what is right or wrong for health," Djokovic said."We are doing what the Serbian government is telling us and hopefully we soon will get back on tour collectively."

The Adria Tour event in Montenegro scheduled for 27-28 June has been cancelled.Montenegro's government opened borders for citizens of coutries that meet the entry criteria set by Montenegro's health authorities.Serbia is not on the list.

 

[Carol]

I mean No one is wearing a mask..As much as I am concerned in regards to the spread of Coronavirus, it’s still encouraging to watch live tennis and that the spectators are socializing as if things are back to the Old Normal.

Yep, but the bad news for them is that Montenegro has cancelled el Adria Tour because has decided to open its borders to citizens of another countries which fulfill the standard established by the health authorities of Montenegro and Serbia is not in that list. What I don't understand is why they weren't advised when they planned that Tour ?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Yep, but the bad news for them is that Montenegro has cancelled el Adria Tour because has decided to open its borders to citizens of another countries which fulfill the standard established by the health authorities of Montenegro and Serbia is not in that list. What I don't understand is why they weren't advised when they planned that Tour ?

Apparently they are trying to find another city in 3 weeks to reschedule.

 

[Moxie]

I mean No one is wearing a mask..As much as I am concerned in regards to the spread of Coronavirus, it’s still encouraging to watch live tennis and that the spectators are socializing as if things are back to the Old Normal.

Yes, and the players are doing the handshake and cuddle at the net. I just saw Krajinovic beat Novak. The short format probably does increase the chances of upset. But he played some bold tennis.