2022 ATP General News

[the AntiPusher]

I appreciate you here, and I am not trying to pull an "I told you so," at all. You were being generous, and I was the one who was seeing the nefarious, in part because of what I do for a living, which is not that different from planning events like a tennis exhibition. Everyone, around the world, was trying to figure out how to get safely back to doing what we do, early in the pandemic, and to establish best practices, in the new situation. Novak did not just call a few friends and have them come to the Balkans for a hit around over a few weeks, and give the money to covid victims. There are contracts to be made; lawyers and agents and managers are involved. I will not be convinced that there were no "grown-ups" in the mix who didn't counsel more caution. If there was one person who had the power to override this, it was Novak, and I also believe he had motivation. They didn't just go to a disco at the end of the first week. They did no racquet tapping at the end of matches...it was all kiss and cuddle. There were no masks, including in the crowd, and the crowds were dense. The players didn't just play tennis, they played soccer and basketball for fun, inviting more close contact. Paul Annacone, who was calling the event for Tennis Channel certainly tried to hide his surprise, but he did say, "It looks like 2019." Then, by the end of the 2nd week, everyone had COVID. And all Novak had to say was that he was following the protocols of Serbia. Once again, no responsibility of his own. I'm sorry, but I don't believe a lot of the choices weren't very, very specific, generating from Novak, and designed to shove protocols up the US Open's nose. (Ahem.)

I like it better when the two of you are at odds... All this LOVE and good will is bah hum bug... good grief

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Yes, but look Novak's reaction watching his son cheering for Rafa

Is that really a photo of Stefan? I think not....too old for starters and Stefan has honey blonde hair like his Mum,Jelena

 

[Carol]

Is that really a photo of Stefan? I think not....too old for starters and Stefan has honey blonde hair like his Mum,Jelena

It's just a joke but I laughed when I saw it

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It's just a joke but I laughed when I saw it

Thanks for clearing that up lol!

 

[Fiero425]

Thanks for clearing that up lol!

I see people are ignoring Murray match and his demolish by RBA! He's normally lucky to get someone early he can upset! RBA was having none of it serving up that bagel & breadstick I appreciate so much seeing! So, if this happens a couple more times, maybe they'll stop gifting all these WC's to him!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I see people are ignoring Murray match and his demolish by RBA! He's normally lucky to get someone early he can upset! RBA was having none of it serving up that bagel & breadstick I appreciate so much seeing! So, if this happens a couple more times, maybe they'll stop gifting all these WC's to him!

I still think Murray will receive wild cards.....regardless of being routed by RBA today
Andy has received a wild card into Dubai btw

 

[Fiero425]

I still think Murray will receive wild cards.....regardless of being routed by RBA today
Andy has received a wild card into Dubai btw

If we're lucky, maybe he'll be in Novak's section! I have this feeling Djokovic is going to take out all his frustrations on the competition and try to annihilate anyone in his path! Not many spoke up for him as the #1 player in the world, past president of the ATP Assoc., & all-around good guy he's shown himself to be!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

If we're lucky, maybe he'll be in Novak's section! I have this feeling Djokovic is going to take out all his frustrations on the competition and try to annihilate anyone in his path! Not many spoke up for him as the #1 player in the world, past president of the ATP Assoc., & all-around good guy he's shown himself to be!

Well as a Novak fan I guess you can rejoice that he does not have to be vaccinated to enter the tournament.
All round good guy dont make me laugh...some of his decisions in the past have been less than admirable...Arida Tour rings bells and also present I wont bring those up....I can if you want me to.lol!
With Medvedev hot on his heels to be the No 1 player....lets see how this year pans out.

 

[Fiero425]

Well as a Novak fan I guess you can rejoice that he does not have to be vaccinated to enter the tournament.
All round good guy; don't make me laugh...Some of his decisions in the past have been less than admirable...Arida Tour rings bells and also present. I won't bring those up....I can if you want me to.lol!
With Medvedev hot on his heels to be the No 1 player....let's see how this year pans out.

You;'d be wrong! Not really that much of a fan and I think it's ridiculous to not get vaccinated unless he feels it'll affect him in some way! He's taking this very seriously as he lost out on defending his title "down under" and his promise to not subject himself to "the poke" in the future!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

You;'d be wrong! Not really that much of a fan and I think it's ridiculous to not get vaccinated unless he feels it'll affect him in some way! He's taking this very seriously as he lost out on defending his title "down under" and his promise to not subject himself to "the poke" in the future!

That is Novak's decision not to get vaccinated,I respect anyone for their views,even though I might not share their views.
Quite frankly I am 'over' discussing the 'debacle' at the AO.Some of Novak's actions before he left for Australia were highly questionable,he has already stated that in hindsight he was wrong.
Lets move on

 

[Jelenafan]

If we're lucky, maybe he'll be in Novak's section! I have this feeling Djokovic is going to take out all his frustrations on the competition and try to annihilate anyone in his path! Not many spoke up for him as the #1 player in the world, past president of the ATP Assoc., & all-around good guy he's shown himself to be!

I recall some ATP and WTA players spoke out , such as Nick Kyrgios. Certainly Novak's long time buddy Pospisil defended him:

'Lack of Leadership': Vasek Pospisil Calls Out the ATP's Silence on Novak Djokovic Debacle in Melbourne

9-time Champion Novak Djokovic might not be allowed to play the Australian Open. Vasek Pospisil calls out the ATP's silence on the matter.

www.essentiallysports.com

Fiero, just curious, did you expect the players to revolt in mass if Novak wasn't allowed to play at the AO?. The reality is that most of them were trying to get focused on the tourney and their own efforts. The Novak issue was a large distraction away from the tennis on hand. Since most of them were vaccinated, I'm guessing many of them (rightly or wrongly) shrugged their shoulders and could have reasoned they had to get vaccinated, why couldn't he?
Overall it appears to me most of the rank and file ATP players do get along pretty well with Novak. In fact *some* players are on the record as saying he is more accessible than Rafa or Federer in the locker room.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

As I previously posted that Jannik Sinner recently parted with his long time coach Riccardo Piatti.
Jannik also posted today,also his entire team.( which makes sense)
Jannik's next tournament is in Dubai.Apparently Magnus Norman could be his new coach.

 

[Fiero425]

I recall some ATP and WTA players spoke out , such as Nick Kyrgios. Certainly Novak's long time buddy Pospisil defended him:

'Lack of Leadership': Vasek Pospisil Calls Out the ATP's Silence on Novak Djokovic Debacle in Melbourne

9-time Champion Novak Djokovic might not be allowed to play the Australian Open. Vasek Pospisil calls out the ATP's silence on the matter.

www.essentiallysports.com

Fiero, just curious; did you expect the players to revolt in mass if Novak wasn't allowed to play at the AO? The reality is that most of them were trying to get focused on the tourney and their own efforts. The Novak issue was a large distraction away from the tennis on hand. Since most of them were vaccinated. I'm guessing many of them (rightly or wrongly) shrugged their shoulders and could have reasoned they had to get vaccinated, why couldn't he?
Overall, it appears to me most of the rank-and-file ATP players do get along pretty well with Novak. In fact *some* players are on the record as saying he is more accessible than Rafa or Federer in the locker room.

I'm not trying to make excuses for Novak or even the players staying mum! Someone "down under" fk'd up and told him to "come on! You have reason to not be vax'd!" There are 3 governing bodies, and they blew this up more than it should have! It wouldn't be the 1st time the ATP backed a player to the exclusion of all else! Even Wimbledon was hurt back in '73 with their rules, tradition, and history! After seeing McEnroe's boorish behavior in '81 and allowing him to continue in the tournament, it made them all lose credibility!

 

[Carol]

Do you see this?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Do you see this?

That is Stefan lol!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I'm not trying to make excuses for Novak or even the players staying mum! Someone "down under" fk'd up and told him to "come on! You have reason to not be vax'd!" There are 3 governing bodies, and they blew this up more than it should have! It wouldn't be the 1st time the ATP backed a player to the exclusion of all else! Even Wimbledon was hurt back in '73 with their rules, tradition, and history! After seeing McEnroe's boorish behavior in '81 and allowing him to continue in the tournament, it made them all lose credibility!

No one in Australia told Novak that he can come here 'saying you have reason not to be vaxed.....nice try with that excuse.What a load of garbage.. LOL!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rafa Nadal is on his way to Acapulco ATP500 tournament which starts February 21 to 26th February
Medvedev has arrived in Mexico today.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I think Verdasco just win his first ATP match since 2019 ! I heard that he was very emotional afterwards

today Verdasco lost to Federico Coria.. Y'all know who is olded big brother is... Guillermo who was once the best clay court player on the planet... I wonder if he still plays or practices with little bro...

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

ATP no longer lists player residences 'on privacy grounds'
"This brought us in line with other organisations in tennis,as well other major sports organisations many of which do not publish residency info".

 

[Fiero425]

today Verdasco lost to Federico Coria.. Y'all know who is olded big brother is... Guillermo who was once the best clay court player on the planet... I wonder if he still plays or practices with little bro...

View attachment 6159View attachment 6160

I didn't recognize Coria in today's match! I thought it must be another Coria because he looked nothing like this guy above!