2020 ATP General News

[Carol]

In the ATP rule book it states that players have an obligation 'to refrain from engaging in conduct contrary to the integrity of the game of tennis.
Some tennis journalists have stated "Maybe the tour should put inplace a set of polices covering abuse cases.
Nikoloz Basilashvili was charged and released on bail in a domestic-violence case involving his ex-wife,he returned to the tour in New York,after the lockdowns,and before his October court date (Basilashvili has denied the accusations).
In this case she has not press charges of violence to the police,(maybe she should),so these allegations are still subjective.

We'l see how all of this is going to finish and which one is saying the true but anyway it looks very ugly

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

We'l see how all of this is going to finish and which one is saying the true but anyway it looks very ugly

Maybe we will never know,I always go with the saying' innocent until proven guilty'.

 

[Kieran]

Hmmm though he never could win Roland Garos as I keep reminding my husband? who replies....It was a conspiracy Sampras never won Roland Garos

Totally different game then...

 

[tennisville]

Also, I believe career grand slam was never a big deal during the Sampras era, if it was he would have gone for more at Roland Garros. He instead used to sacrifice his clay events just to peak at Wimbledon. I think career grand sam only gained because Agassi did and he used to mention that winning each of the 4 is more important than winning 1 major "x" amount of times

That's why I always maintain that its impossible to compare eras

 

[Jelenafan]

Also, I believe career grand slam was never a big deal during the Sampras era, if it was he would have gone for more at Roland Garros. He instead used to sacrifice his clay events just to peak at Wimbledon. I think career grand sam only gained because Agassi did and he used to mention that winning each of the 4 is more important than winning 1 major "x" amount of times

That's why I always maintain that its impossible to compare eras

Add that Sampras had a significant H2H advantage over Agassi, and that Agassi won *only^ 3 USO/W titles compared to Pete’s 12. Agassi’s lone FO and Wimbledon didn't genuinely threatened Pete’s top dog status.

It was a different era and other than Agassi and Jim Courier, the top claycourters ( ie FO chanps) of Pete’s day never won a Major outside of the red clay, much less threatened Pete’s dominance on grass/hc.

There were legit reasons why many annointed Pete the GOAT.

 

[Kieran]

Also, I believe career grand slam was never a big deal during the Sampras era, if it was he would have gone for more at Roland Garros. He instead used to sacrifice his clay events just to peak at Wimbledon. I think career grand sam only gained because Agassi did and he used to mention that winning each of the 4 is more important than winning 1 major "x" amount of times

That's why I always maintain that its impossible to compare eras

It's one reason among far too many reasons for us to come up with an objective study of this mythical goat. Pete actually switched from a 2 hander to a single hander so he could focus on the preferred tourney, which was Wimbledon, at the expense of the FO. At that time, winning both in one season was just too difficult, and he was alpha enough to want to win as much as he could. Strangely enough though, Agassi's game was more an indicator of where tennis was headed, not Pete's, but Pete was the greatest player of that era...

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Goffin and coach Thomas Johansson announced they have ended their two year partnership.It was the second time they had worked together.Goffin has yet to announce a new coach.

 

[tented]

Goffin and coach Thomas Johansson announced they have ended their two year partnership.It was the second time they had worked together.Goffin has yet to announce a new coach.

Thomas Johansson.

 

[Kieran]

Thomas Johansson.

Yeah, it's like he narrows it down to one every time he fires Johannson...

 

[Fiero425]

Yeah, it's like he narrows it down to one every time he fires Johannson...

They mirror each other in so many ways, including stature! Thomas is the ultimate overachiever winning a major in this new Millennium before the Big 3 took over tennis! Safin was no slouch to overcome in the final as he won the AO himself 3 yrs later defeating Fed in the SF IIRC!

 

[Kieran]

They mirror each other in so many ways, including stature! Thomas is the ultimate overachiever winning a major in this new Millennium before the Big 3 took over tennis! Safin was no slouch to overcome in the final as he won the AO himself 3 yrs later defeating Fed in the SF IIRC!

Safin turning up with two Russian dollybirds on his team might make me wonder did he start to celebrate before the final? Beating Pete in a torrid encounter in round 4 was the final for him, really. There was bad blood between them - but in retirement they're pals, apparently...

 

[Fiero425]

Safin turning up with two Russian Dolly Birds on his team might make me wonder did he start to celebrate before the final? Beating Pete in a torrid encounter in round 4 was the final for him, really. There was bad blood between them - but in retirement they're pals, apparently...

I guess the same thing happened with Fed the year before at Wimbledon! His 5 setter against Pete took all he had to complete that deal only to drop his next match! It's what's been happening since the advent of the upset; "completing the deal!" So many don't! Fed preceded to lose his 1st Rd. the following year to Ancic in straights! Past records back then meant nothing; esp. before the grass became homogenized with the rest of the court surfaces!

 

[Moxie]

Yeah, it's like he narrows it down to one every time he fires Johannson...

Goffin seems to me to be one who is past his sell-by date. He filled a slot for a while, and sadly lost some time to injury and bad luck. There's less room now for the small-but-tricky guy, and Schwartzman has moved into that one. And Gilles Simon is still around. Goffin's window is closing quickly.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Some great news for our Australian posters.The French Tennis Federation has signed a partnership with Channel Nine to broadcast Roland Garos tournament from 2021.Extensive coverage on its free channels (Channel Nine,9GO and 9GEM) as well on its on-demand streaming service,9NOW and on its OTT platform Stan.Channel Nine has recently signed a broadcasting agreement with Wimbledon.Channel Nine is also the official broadcaster of the Australian Open.

 

[Fiero425]

Some great news for our Australian posters. The French Tennis Federation has signed a partnership with Channel Nine to broadcast Roland Garros tournament from 2021.Extensive coverage on its free channels (Channel Nine, 9GO and 9GEM) as well on its on-demand streaming service,9NOW and on its OTT platform Stan. Channel Nine has recently signed a broadcasting agreement with Wimbledon Channel Nine is also the official broadcaster of the Australian Open.

It's been hard to forget since I started watching AO in '83 on ESPN! They always had to make comment of using the local Aussie feed; "Channel 9!" In Chicago, it's our local Super-Station, "WGN!"

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Some breaking news from Tennis Australia,
All pre Australian Open tournaments 2021 will be moved to Victoria.Tennis Australia said the decision was a result of the inconsistent COVID-19 quarantine arrangement between the states.(I will post further details when it comes to hand from Tennis Australia).

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

All players coming to pre Australian tournaments will complete a 14 day mandatory quarantine in Melbourne.The players would be allowed to play and train during the quarantine period,but they won't be allowed to go anywhere other than the hotels and tennis courts.

 

[Kieran]

All players coming to pre Australian tournaments will complete a 14 day mandatory quarantine in Melbourne.The players would be allowed to play and train during the quarantine period,but they won't be allowed to go anywhere other than the hotels and tennis courts.

Christmas is cancelled for the players, basically. No long sessions into the night, no visits to the pub on Saint Stephen's Day for a liquid brunch, and the football. It'll be a fascinating thing, to be quarantined and still play matches. I don't know how they'll manage it, but I suspect that most of them will be in Australia before the bells ring in the new year...

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

From the Age newspaper,

The Australian Open could be delayed as organisers come to grips with the impact of the Victorian's government decision to accept return travellers to recommence hotel quarantine in Melbourne next month.
Tennis Australia had been hoping to welcome international tennis stars to Melbourne from December 8th but they were thrown a curve ball when it was revealed the government would prevent players arriving in Melbourne and beginning a mandatory two week period of quarantine-until the start of January.
The Australian Open is a permanent fixture during the school holidays,scheduled to start on January 18th,that would leave players only a few days to prepare after leaving quarantine.
Tournament planning is in chaos but meetings between organisers and the state government in the next 72 hours aim to finalise the timing.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sunday 22nd November,

Statement from Craig Tiley,Australian Open Tournament Director,

" Tennis Australia is doing everything we can to finalize the summer of tennis as soon as possible.Our intention is to deliver a summer in conditions that allow players to prepare and perform at their best and the fans to enjoy their efforts-all in an environment that is safe for all concerned."
"We are working closely with the Victorian Government on a plan that takes into account the needs of the players,fans,our partners and staff,and is of major benefit to the Victorian and Australian economy.We are continuing our urgent talks with local health authorities regarding quarantining and bio-security requirements and are confident we will have decisions soon."
"Tennis Australia is acutely aware of the need for certainty,but also conscious of reaching a solution with the State Government that ensures the safety of the entire community".
"We look forward to announcing our ticket on-sale date as soon as all arrangements with the relevant authorities are finalised and we have more information on crowd sizes.We anticipate this on-sale-date will be within the next two weeks".
"We can't wait for the summer and look forward to bringing you more detail as soon as we possibly can".