2022 ATP General News

[Fiero425]

So, tennis is going to be the only sport that will allow international play by Russians and Belarusians? Watched the World Figure Skating Chp, earlier and their sport with a few others aren't allowing it while Ukraine is being attacked! Shocking! Saw Medvedev's name still at the top of the draw so we'll see him play Sir Andy soon!

 

[Moxie]

So, tennis is going to be the only sport that will allow international play by Russians and Belarusians? Watched the World Figure Skating Chp, earlier and their sport with a few others aren't allowing it while Ukraine is being attacked! Shocking! Saw Medvedev's name still at the top of the draw so we'll see him play Sir Andy soon!

So, would you have Russian and Belarusian players shoved out of an individual sport? I wouldn't. Would you have Medvedev, Rublev, Khachanov and Karatsev denied the right to play tennis because of Putin's war? Or Sabalenka and Azarenka, for that matter? IMO, it's already an empty gesture to take their flags off by their names. The ATP has plenty enough housekeeping to do, (such as with Sasha Zverev,) before it goes venturing into international politics, if you ask me. Let's face it: while the Russian federation was sanctioned for doping from the Olympics, Russian players still participated under a "neutral flag." That, to me is much more of a problem. There is a place where athletes might rightfully be banned. (See: Kamila Valieva.) Preventing any of the above players from playing tennis for the sins of Vladimir Putin seems irrational, useless, and a bad look on the West, if we are hoping to project a view of freedom, as the alternate.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Remember Jerry Janowicz? ( injuries derailed his career) is back on the challenger tour after a 2 year break playing qualifies at ATP event in Lugano

 

[Fiero425]

Remember Jerry Janowicz? ( injuries derailed his career) is back on the challenger tour after a 2 year break playing qualifies at ATP event in Lugano

I remember the name and maybe an upset of a top player, but can't remember much more than he was a tall and lanky player!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I remember the name and maybe an upset of a top player, but can't remember much more than he was a tall and lanky player!

I thought he did well at Wimbledon,so I just looked up his bio,he is 6ft 8in and was the first Polish male player to make s/final at a GS,Wimbledon in 2013,losing to the eventual winner Andy Murray.

 

[rafanoy1992]

Remember Jerry Janowicz? ( injuries derailed his career) is back on the challenger tour after a 2 year break playing qualifies at ATP event in Lugano

He did one of my favorite tennis outbursts of all time. By the way, compared to what current players are doing right now, Jerzy Janowicz outburst was "calm"

 

[Jelenafan]

So Sebastian Korda and Ramos Vinolas battled to a the third set with Seb prevailing 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 saving a MP.

However Most important stat:

Sebastian wisely ditched the Adidas “accident” shorts from IW.

 

[Moxie]

So Sebastian Korda and Ramos Vinolas battled to a the third set with Seb prevailing 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 saving a MP.

However Most important stat:

Sebastian wisely ditched the Adidas “accident” shorts from IW.

Someone should have been fired for designing that kit. And for approving it. EDIT: And you want to do away with Wimbledon Whites...at least THAT kind of thing will never happen at Wimbledon. There is wisdom in their policy, like it or not.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Some sad news,

Tommy Robredo age 39,former No 5 player plans to retire from professional tennis at the up coming Barcelona Open in April
( I met Tommy at the Sydney tournament many years ago,apart from being a very handsome man,he was a delight to talk to,also saw him play overseas on the clay).

 

[Fiero425]

Some sad news,

Tommy Robredo age 39, former No 5 player plans to retire from professional tennis at the upcoming Barcelona Open in April.
( I met Tommy at the Sydney tournament many years ago. Apart from being a very handsome man, he was a delight to talk to. Also saw him play overseas on the clay).

Aren't they all from Deliciamo to Verdasco? The Spaniards all have the hair, face, & bodies most envy! I kept thinking Robredo was already retired; pushed out by how many talented players are from Spain! They have a wealth of riches w/ top 100 players circulating throughout the ranks!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Aren't they all from Deliciamo to Verdasco? The Spaniards all have the hair, face, & bodies most envy! I kept thinking Robredo was already retired; pushed out by how many talented players are from Spain! They have a wealth of riches w/ top 100 players circulating throughout the ranks!

I remember Tommy took out Federer at the USO,I could not believe it,though he played well.

 

[Jelenafan]

So, would you have Russian and Belarusian players shoved out of an individual sport? I wouldn't. Would you have Medvedev, Rublev, Khachanov and Karatsev denied the right to play tennis because of Putin's war? Or Sabalenka and Azarenka, for that matter? IMO, it's already an empty gesture to take their flags off by their names. The ATP has plenty enough housekeeping to do, (such as with Sasha Zverev,) before it goes venturing into international politics, if you ask me. Let's face it: while the Russian federation was sanctioned for doping from the Olympics, Russian players still participated under a "neutral flag." That, to me is much more of a problem. There is a place where athletes might rightfully be banned. (See: Kamila Valieva.) Preventing any of the above players from playing tennis for the sins of Vladimir Putin seems irrational, useless, and a bad look on the West, if we are hoping to project a view of freedom, as the alternate.

So you make a distinction between individual sports and team sports?
Why do you think so many sports federations from both team and individual sports have taken this action?

Just curious if you're saying saying all these sports federations are stifling freedom, their actions are irrational, useless and a bad look for the West?

ETA: I think many individual Russian athletes across the spectrum of sports are not pro-War, are horrified by what Putin has done, not just, as I suspect Russian tennis players, who I include among my favorites.

 

[Moxie]

So you make a distinction between individual sports and team sports?
Why do you think so many sports federations from both team and individual sports have taken this action?

Let me see if I can lay out my position, though we should clarify your phrase "sports federation." To me, that means a governing body within a country. (Like the Spanish tennis federation, as opposed to the ATP or WTA,) but can I take you to mean overall governing bodies of a sport? I'm going with that, as it makes more sense.

I understand why various sports want to take some position on the war that Russia is perpetrating on Ukraine. Everyone does, and is trying to do their bit. In terms of events, I completely agree with cancelling sporting events in Russia, for example. Don't give them a platform. (I suppose we can talk about China another day.)

In terms of team events, like soccer, hockey, etc. where they play internationally, I think it is fair to exclude the Russian team. And no neutral flag. (That whole Olympic one was bogus, even before the war.)

As to individual athletes, such as the ones in our sport, or Russians who might play team sports around the world for otherwise Western teams, (like hockey, in the US) or whatever...how are they responsible? Why should they be punished? I can see no benefit in denying Daniil Medvedev or Aryna Sabalenka the right to play tennis, for example.

Just curious if you're saying saying all these sports federations are stifling freedom, their actions are irrational, useless and a bad look for the West?

I would say that if Wimbledon decides to require some kind of loyalty pledge against Putin, then, yes, they are "stifling freedom," though I would not put it that way. I'd say they were being the "thought police," in a way that is as bad as the autocracies we claim to despise. That I would say IS a "bad look for the West." As to whether their actions are irrational, I wouldn't go that far, though I'm not sure they're yet especially well-thought out. And as to useless, I have already said that I find the removing of the flags next to individual tennis players' names to be an empty gesture. I've said previously that I don't so much mind that they do it, but I am beginning to mind, actually. I feel for these players who have part of their identity erased, through no fault of their own. And what good does it do? None, IMO, though I think it may do psychological harm to the players. Unnecessarily punitive, if you ask me.

 

[Jelenafan]

Moxie:
In terms of team events, like soccer, hockey, etc. where they play internationally, I think it is fair to exclude the Russian team. And no neutral flag. (That whole Olympic one was bogus, even before the war.)

However those individual athletes in those teams are being impacted despite maybe their personal beliefs. How is that “fair”?

In a perfect world sports and politics don’t mix nor others use sports for political means, but of course unfortunately that ship sailed a few thousand years ago.

I get that many Russian individuals in all facets of life, sports and business are not responsible for the horrific destruction in Ukraine.

Listen, I acknowledge that Putin is not going to end this war simply because sports governing bodies are banning Russian athletes from competing. Or because Russian citizens won’t be able to drink Starbucks or buy Apple products or listen to Spotify. I understand many of these things are merely “symbolic” gestures and that sadly, the ones who pay the consequences are Russian individuals and the Russian economy.

But on some occasions, maybe, just maybe, an ineffective and unfair gesture is an also an expression or statement that makes a stand over a larger issue.

Believe me, I’m not bashing you but I do opine understandably you’re thinking more selectively about the sport you love (tennis)and the athletes you appreciate and connect with. I get that. However unfair to the individual athletes , I do think that there would be a rationale for the counter argument that can’t be reduced to that’s all about “stifling freedom” or “a bad look” to exclude or ban them from participating for now.

 

[Moxie]

However those individual athletes in those teams are being impacted despite maybe their personal beliefs. How is that “fair”?

In a perfect world sports and politics don’t mix nor others use sports for political means, but of course unfortunately that ship sailed a few thousand years ago.

I get that many Russian individuals in all facets of life, sports and business are not responsible for the horrific destruction in Ukraine.

Listen, I acknowledge that Putin is not going to end this war simply because sports governing bodies are banning Russian athletes from competing. Or because Russian citizens won’t be able to drink Starbucks or buy Apple products or listen to Spotify. I understand many of these things are merely “symbolic” gestures and that sadly, the ones who pay the consequences are Russian individuals and the Russian economy.

But on some occasions, maybe, just maybe, an ineffective and unfair gesture is an also an expression or statement that makes a stand over a larger issue.

Believe me, I’m not bashing you but I do opine understandably you’re thinking more selectively about the sport you love (tennis)and the athletes you appreciate and connect with. I get that. However unfair to the individual athletes , I do think that there would be a rationale for the counter argument that can’t be reduced to that’s all about “stifling freedom” or “a bad look” to exclude or ban them from participating for now.

Look, I'm not even standing hard on team sports. I think I've made it pretty clear that I don't think sports gestures are going to change any of this. I was trying to go a little easy on the sports world for trying to care. And yes, the sport I care most about and pay most attention to is tennis, so I frankly know very little about how it affects hockey.

But when you say that "maybe an ineffective or unfair gesture" can change something, what are you in favor of, in terms of what sports should do? You didn't really say.

 

[Jelenafan]

Look, I'm not even standing hard on team sports. I think I've made it pretty clear that I don't think sports gestures are going to change any of this. I was trying to go a little easy on the sports world for trying to care. And yes, the sport I care most about and pay most attention to is tennis, so I frankly know very little about how it affects hockey.

But when you say that "maybe an ineffective or unfair gesture" can change something, what are you in favor of, in terms of what sports should do? You didn't really say.

Actually I didn't say I think by itself it necessarily changes something.

What I did say it can be “an expression or statement that makes a stand over a larger issue.”

I think many us have done or said things that may result ineffective in hindsight but still feel it was important to do so.

Listen, I know it’s a muddled subject, it’s just that I can respect that not all those that advocate such actions are being simply blind or oblivious to the overall concept of “freedom”, that’s all.

Now we better stop because I sense the admins are ready to move our discussion. ; )

 

[the AntiPusher]

Some sad news,

Tommy Robredo age 39,former No 5 player plans to retire from professional tennis at the up coming Barcelona Open in April
( I met Tommy at the Sydney tournament many years ago,apart from being a very handsome man,he was a delight to talk to,also saw him play overseas on the clay).

Sorry, I thought he retired years ago with Nicky Almalgro

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sorry, I thought he retired years ago with Nicky Almalgro

No worries,I knew Tommy was still playing challengers.

 

[the AntiPusher]

No worries,I knew Tommy was still playing challengers.

Tommy had a good game but didn't have any weapons to hurt the top players unless he caught them on a bad day. If I recall, his H2H record against Andy Roddick was very one-sided (like Roger's H2H vs Roddick) which I NEVER understood because Tommy's game was more fundamentally sound than I felt Andy's game.

I have seen many so called rivalries especially at the non pro level but the same principle applies, "If you accept that another player has superior skills over you, than the "WAR" is over before the first ball is ever struck. " The art of the game is mental battle of creating doubt in the other players mind by taking away your opponent's strengths." I said that to one of my USTA league teammate who had lost to the same player ten times in a row in singles. My record against the same player was 5-4. He asked me what was my strategy against his rival. I told him, I told all the other players who later informed his rival I said that he was just a glorified pusher who was afraid to slug it out with me. This tactic worked because it took him completely out of his comfort zone when he tried to "out hit" me during our matches.

 

[Moxie]

Actually I didn't say I think by itself it necessarily changes something.

What I did say it can be “an expression or statement that makes a stand over a larger issue.”

I think many us have done or said things that may result ineffective in hindsight but still feel it was important to do so.

Listen, I know it’s a muddled subject, it’s just that I can respect that not all those that advocate such actions are being simply blind or oblivious to the overall concept of “freedom”, that’s all.

Now we better stop because I sense the admins are ready to move our discussion. ; )

Well, it IS about ATP general news.

I don't see that we're really disagreeing, though I'm not exactly clear what actions you do support. I do believe in symbolic gestures, even if futile, so I'm willing to consider that erasing the flags of Russian and Belarusian players serves to remind us (who are at a remove) that there is war going on, and who the bad guys are. But I'm not going to agree with threatening to keep players out of Wimbledon if they don't publicly disavow Putin, for example. That goes too far, IMO.