Choosing their Wimbledon warm-up tournaments

[lindseywagners]

How do players go about choosing their Wimbledon warm-up tournaments? Is there an entrance process or do players just pick where they'd rather play? Why does, for example, Federer play Halle and Murray Queens Club; or rather, why did Federer 'start' playing Halle way back when and why did Murray choose Queens?

 

[Moxie]

I don't exactly know the answer to that, but there does seem to be a certain logic to it. The two big ones are Queens and Halle, and the tip-top guys seem to play one or the other, though there are a few others. The top guys are enticed (read: money,) and I believe they sign contracts. Halle, being in Germany, has always made sense for Federer, since it's pretty close to home, and he's a German-speaker. And I used to figure, in the height of the rivalry, that Nadal played Queens so they wouldn't have to meet before Wimbledon. However, Halle enticed Nadal away last year. I think Murray would catch flack if he didn't play Queens. Djokovic has played Queens in the past, though he's skipped a tune-up before Wimbledon the last 2-3 years. As to the rest, there is some level of invitation. You asked about Hewitt on another thread. He actually won Halle maybe 3 years ago, beating Federer in the final. And he has won Wimbledon. So, while he's generally past his sell-by date, Halle seems happy to have him back. He's still an audience draw, and better on grass than many.

 

[herios]

I don't exactly know the answer to that, but there does seem to be a certain logic to it. The two big ones are Queens and Halle, and the tip-top guys seem to play one or the other, though there are a few others. The top guys are enticed (read: money,) and I believe they sign contracts. Halle, being in Germany, has always made sense for Federer, since it's pretty close to home, and he's a German-speaker. And I used to figure, in the height of the rivalry, that Nadal played Queens so they wouldn't have to meet before Wimbledon. However, Halle enticed Nadal away last year. I think Murray would catch flack if he didn't play Queens. Djokovic has played Queens in the past, though he's skipped a tune-up before Wimbledon the last 2-3 years. As to the rest, there is some level of invitation. You asked about Hewitt on another thread. He actually won Halle maybe 3 years ago, beating Federer in the final. And he has won Wimbledon. So, while he's generally past his sell-by date, Halle seems happy to have him back. He's still an audience draw, and better on grass than many.

moxie, Lleyton is in Queens this year

 

[Moxie]

Ooops. But it still does explain why he gets a slot in one of the better tournaments...results. And surely it's an invitation, right?

 

[britbox]

For the top players, it's largely down to appearance money.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

^ yes and no, i think. some pairings just make more sense - as Moxie said, Roger with the german audience, Murray staying in GB; there's marketing reasons for both the player and the tournament behind that; on top of that, i guess the top guys don't mind splitting up a little - getting a chance to get a higher seed is a factor. then again, of course all these factors also determine how much the tourneys can/will dish out - getting Roger might be more crucial/valuable to Halle than it is to Queens, so they'll pay more; and the fact that one tournament can't pay all of the top guys aides the "splitting up".

now, if Larry Ellison were to step up and buy Halle, and throw around money like crazy - he'd get a lot of people moving, but there would still be reason enough for some to stay in Queens, don't you think? that said, if Ellison were to buy Halle, we'd probably have the mandatory Grass MS1000 within two years, max.

 

[britbox]

Disagree buddy - Nadal was on a bigger appearance fee on his Queens contract than if he'd won the tournament. When it elapsed he had carte blanche to negotiate a new fee with whomever he felt like. Halle and Queens are on budgets - if Queens offered Federer a significantly larger appearance fee, then he wouldn't be playing Halle. Basic economics. Marketing reasons are based on financial return for both parties in one way or another. If money wasn't a factor, why would anybody choose to play Halle over Queens?

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

i'm not saying fees are not a factor, and i'm not denying that they're the biggest factor either - they most definetly are, for the top guys. but there are some other things at work as well - which, incidentally, also have an influence on how big a fee will be offered in the first place. if one tournament pays for the top two, then all things being equal, it might make sense for the #3 to talk to the other tourney. or: if the courts were absolutely horrible in Halle, i don't think a top guy would risk his Wimby preparation even for a hefty fee - but then again, the organizers would realize that they first have to put some money into the courts, and then use the remainder to lure the players.

also: you say if Queens offered Fed a "significantly larger" fee, he'd go there - but what if the numbers are close(r)? i'd say paying a visit to the german market makes a lot of sense for the RF enterprise, with Mercedes forking over millions each year and all that. so you're right - basic economics at work, just that they go beyond just the appearance money if you ask me.

 

[lindseywagners]

now, if Larry Ellison were to step up and buy Halle, and throw around money like crazy - he'd get a lot of people moving, but there would still be reason enough for some to stay in Queens, don't you think? that said, if Ellison were to buy Halle, we'd probably have the mandatory Grass MS1000 within two years, max.

Very interesting thought. The U.S. Open and French Open obviously differ from Wimbledon in that there is no Masters 1000 event as part of the grass court season. The players all play the same tournaments in preparation for the French and U.S. Opens because of the 1000 events, but it's not the case with Wimbledon (or the Australian Open, so I guess my question would apply to Doha, Brisbane, and Chennai as well; the tournaments the week immediately before the Grand Slams -- Heineken Open, AEGON Open, etc. -- almost never attract the top guys, though I'm sure this process is then applicable to guys like Ferrer and Kevin Anderson).

 

[kskate2]

Also in regards to why some choose Halle over Queens, isn't there a higher income tax on the prize money in Queens?

EDIT: I found 2 articles that refer to my post.
http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/7096047/rafael-nadal-skip-queen-club-year-due-tax-laws

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2048695/Rafael-Nadal-snubs-Queens-UK-tax-laws.html

 

[Front242]

Ridiculous tax laws in the UK for sports people alright but apparently the government are taking note and a change is on the cards.

 

[Iona16]

Andy Murray is committed to playing Queen's Club until 2016. He has played Queen's every year since turning professional. Not really surprising as the British #1. I think he would face quite a bit of criticism if he did not play his home tournament.

Playing Queen's and Wimbledon together ensures that Murray is able to stay in his own home for a month. A rarity for players, especially whilst still competing in tournaments.

 

[tented]

Ridiculous tax laws in the UK for sports people alright but apparently the government are taking note and a change is on the cards.

Good. I remember there were potential problems for athletes who went to London last year for the Olympics. If I remember correctly, England temporarily stopped enforcing the law in order to guarantee the athletes it was OK to attend without worrying about being taxed.

 

[herios]

Beside the 4 official ATP events on grass prior to Wimbledon: Halle, Qeens, Eastbourne, S'hertogenbosch, there is the Boodles exhibition event, here Djokovic has chosen to go in the last few years.
This year he is warming up there too, in a very relaxed atmosphere, where the matches are consisted of two sets and a tie break in case even, like in doubles.

http://www.theboodles.com/players/2013-players.html

 

[lindseywagners]

Beside the 4 official ATP events on grass prior to Wimbledon: Halle, Qeens, Eastbourne, S'hertogenbosch, there is the Boodles exhibition event, here Djokovic has chosen to go in the last few years.
This year he is warming up there too, in a very relaxed atmosphere, where the matches are consisted of two sets and a tie break in case even, like in doubles.

http://www.theboodles.com/players/2013-players.html

Wow, I never knew about this tournament. Thanks!

 

[herios]

A point iin the Nole - Grigor match worth to see:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2Fj5LdNseI