Federer's Schedule 2018

[Moxie]

Because it's a 1500...a "tweener". I get both sides of the argument: Keep it consistent with the calendar (indoor hards) or rotate the surfaces because it's a tournament based on results on all surfaces throughout the year. Tough call. When do you rotate the surfaces? Who decides? When clay? When "slow" hards? When grass? When "fast" hards? When something else?...The possibilities are mind-boggling.

I appreciate that you get my idea. It's not so mind-boggling, though. You start whenever, and then just rotate. Say 2019 could be grass in Oz. Then 2019 on clay...in Buenos Aires, for example. Then 2020 Indoor HCs back in London or back in NY. Then back to grass, and so on....

 

[I.Haychew]

I appreciate that you get my idea. It's not so mind-boggling, though. You start whenever, and then just rotate. Say 2019 could be grass in Oz. Then 2019 on clay...in Buenos Aires, for example. Then 2020 Indoor HCs back in London or back in NY. Then back to grass, and so on....

Flip a seven-headed coin every year. Is there such a thing as a seven-headed coin? (Pulled the seven-headed thing out of my ass). How about a new surface on which no one has ever before played? But then, who decides? Just a thought.

 

[Moxie]

I'd say it's nice that it is separate. There is already a lack of surface variety on the tour. Obviously you don't like indoor HC and you aren't even going to try to hide it.

Rotating cities for YEC would be fine but keep the same surface and for the most part you would want it to play somewhat similar to Paris Masters.

You have a lot of nerve accusing me of surface prejudice, eh, sweetie? If you'd get over that, and look at my argument, it's not without merit. At least everyone sees the value in it not being in the O2 every year, including you.

Still, it's an anomalous tournament. It doesn't have to follow on from anything else. It's structured differently from any other, and, being the Year End Championships, it really could be on any surface. I think you're being stubborn not to see that. Forget that I'm a Nadal fan, and do consider that by the time any such change would happen, both Roger and Rafa will be retired. Therefore, we can consider it without animosity, personal interest or getting any knickers in a twist. So take a deep breath, have a walk around the room, and tell me if you'd really have it at the O2 forever, or whatever else you might do with it.

 

[DarthFed]

I just said it's fine to move locations year to year. Switching surfaces doesn't make sense but if you're saying "let's change the surface year to year starting in 2030" then I will take it less as a self-serving change for Rafa's sake. I'd still say it doesn't make sense to do that but at least it doesn't come off as being bitter that your guy can't win the big event on indoors HC.

The difference in format isn't a good enough reason to justify changing surfaces after nearly a month of indoor HC.

 

[Moxie]

Flip a coin seven-headed coin every year. Is there such a thing as a seven-headed coin? (Pulled the seven-headed thing out of my ass). How about a new surface on which no one has ever before played? But then, who decides? Just a thought.

Back to linoleum are we? But seriously, why couldn't it rotate in a reasonable fashion? There is no other round-robin tournament in the regular ATP. No tournament with only 8 players in the mix. So this one is on indoor hc. Every year. Over-balancing HCs, in the big tournaments, I would say. The least traditional of the surfaces, and indoors even more so. Everyone is crying over why there isn't more grass, and I offered an option. Just saying.

 

[Andy22]

I think I said Australia, NZ and So. America, but Asia was also implied, yes. So you're OK with not bouncing it between Spain and London, then?

NZ No, Australia if its on clay yes it would be fair to all players

 

[Moxie]

I just said it's fine to move locations year to year. Switching surfaces doesn't make sense but if you're saying "let's change the surface year to year starting in 2030" then I will take it less as a self-serving change for Rafa's sake. I'd still say it doesn't make sense to do that but at least it doesn't come off as being bitter that your guy can't win the big event on indoors HC.

The difference in format isn't a good enough reason to justify changing surfaces after nearly a month of indoor HC.

You do recognize that there are only two weeks between Miami and MC right? Two MS1000s and a surface change. It's not like the tour doesn't ask them to do it. Currently, there's only 1 week between Bercy and the WTF, since they tightened up the schedule. But they could add one back, for the sake of broadening the appeal and scope of the WTF. I think it would be interesting. In the past, there was the 2-3 week break, and so really no excuse for it staying on indoor HC then.

EDIT: The years I used were an example. If it cools your jets, then fine, starting in 2030. You understand it doesn't matter what years I say. Despite the rumors, I don't run the ATP.

 

[Moxie]

NZ No, Australia if its on clay yes it would be fair to all players

I'm sure either you didn't mean that, or I completely misunderstood. No to NZ? Australia on clay?

 

[Andy22]

I'm sure either you didn't mean that, or I completely misunderstood. No to NZ? Australia on clay?

I'm saying wtf in NZ is a bad Idea, if wtf was in Australia, it should on clay, then on grass sometimes.

 

[I.Haychew]

How about this...You hav

Back to linoleum are we? But seriously, why couldn't it rotate in a reasonable fashion? There is no other round-robin tournament in the regular ATP. No tournament with only 8 players in the mix. So this one is on indoor hc. Every year. Over-balancing HCs, in the big tournaments, I would say. The least traditional of the surfaces, and indoors even more so. Everyone is crying over why there isn't more grass, and I offered an option.

My new opinion as it pertains to the WTF: The year end number one player should get to choose both the surface and the venue. Gives incentive to play hard all year on all surfaces? Just a random thought.

 

[Andy22]

Haha you don't understand much of anything too well. The tournaments will always put him on the top court and usually at night because he is by FAR the biggest draw in tennis.

I disagree Nadal is just as big a draw as for Federer. Plus Federer whining every time he's losing to djokovic about how many times he's bounces the ball.?

 

[Moxie]

I'm saying wtf in NZ is a bad Idea, if wtf was in Australia, it should on clay, then on grass sometimes.

Why would you play on clay in Australia? And where? The notion of moving the WTF to various locations is to spread it around, make it more global. But wouldn't you play the clay ones in South America? And what's wrong with NZ? Auckland was a fine grass club, and could put one up again, no? Not sure why I'm bothering here.

 

[Moxie]

How about this...You hav


My new opinion as it pertains to the WTF: The year end number one player should get to choose both the surface and the venue. Gives incentive to play hard all year on all surfaces? Just a random thought.

That is a very random thought.

 

[I.Haychew]

I disagree Nadal is just as big a draw as for Federer. Plus Federer whining every time he's losing to djokovic about how many times he's bounces the ball.?

That is a very random thought.

Just throwing things out there, as I have no "horse in the race"...other than that I want Nadal to lose every match he plays.

 

[Moxie]

Just throwing things out there, as I have no "horse in the race".

Just saying, but venues need more time to organize and prepare than that. I don't think tennis gets played that much on the fly, nor should it be beholden to one player's choice. You're saying they would have to prep and go out on all surfaces. I do get that idea...kind of a reaction to Roger not playing clay at all last year. I don't think that's necessarily true. The points are the points, and what got you to the WTF is what got you there. But, in my scheme, they would know going into the year what surface the YEC would be played on, so it could change decisions about where and when to play. I don't know if it could hurt Bercy any more that it already is. If they were looking at a surface change, top players would skip it, but they often do anyway, or bomb at early. That's the complaint that Paris has been making for years. In that sense, I don't see a huge difference.

 

[I.Haychew]

Just saying, but venues need more time to organize and prepare than that. I don't think tennis gets played that much on the fly, nor should it be beholden to one player's choice. You're saying they would have to prep and go out on all surfaces. I do get that idea...kind of a reaction to Roger not playing clay at all last year. I don't think that's necessarily true. The points are the points, and what got you to the WTF is what got you there. But, in my scheme, they would know going into the year what surface the YEC would be played on, so it could change decisions about where and when to play. I don't know if it could hurt Bercy any more that it already is. If they were looking at a surface change, top players would skip it, but they often do anyway, or bomb at early. That's the complaint that Paris has been making for years. In that sense, I don't see a huge difference.

Okay. Regarding the World Tour Finals: Determine the location and surface at the beginning of the year. My question is...Who decides?

 

[Andy22]

Why would you play on clay in Australia? And where? The notion of moving the WTF to various locations is to spread it around, make it more global. But wouldn't you play the clay ones in South America? And what's wrong with NZ? Auckland was a fine grass club, and could put one up again, no? Not sure why I'm bothering here.

I mean as long they share surfaces it would be good any there outside Europe.

 

[Moxie]

Okay. Regarding the World Tour Finals: Determine the location and surface at the beginning of the year. My question is...Who decides?

ATP. Not at the beginning of the year. Ages before. Develop a rotating schedule and adhere to it. Darth says 2030, so that I'm not being prejudiced towards Rafael. OK. So we start with grass and Auckland or Kooyong wins the bid and lays in a lovely grass court. 2031: clay. I've given Buenos Aires as an example. Or Rio. 2032: Indoor HC. 2033: Outdoor HC? Or go back to Grass, and make the HC's a coin flip. But think of this: if you made more grass courts and events in the southern hemisphere, you'd create better grass players and perhaps revive the grass, overall. It's possible.

 

[El Dude]

Haha, @DarthFed called me on my shit...yeah, I was over-stretching diplomacy a bit. Ultimately the surface of the WTF is a non-issue for me...I don't see a need to change it, but I also wouldn't be upset if they rotated it.

 

[DarthFed]

I disagree Nadal is just as big a draw as for Federer. Plus Federer whining every time he's losing to djokovic about how many times he's bounces the ball.?

Nadal isn't even close to as big of a draw and please don't use social media numbers. I'm talking tournaments.

And I haven't heard Federer whine about Djokovic bouncing the ball too much. I have heard a certain diva bitch about one of the most respected chair umps for enforcing the time violation rules. The diva even had this chair ump banned from his matches for awhile