Nadal to get "protected" seeding at RG?

[shawnbm]

I musta looked away and missed something. When did Rafa get spooked? Did somebody turn off his bedroom light before he nodded off again?

LOL on that one! Here--this is to help "Ralph" with the boogeyman at night. :idea:

 

[MartyB]

So glad I found you guys....I took my annual sabatical from the boards but now that the the French is upon us & Wimbledon had jump back in. Just wanted to say that Nadal better not get a "favored" ranking to bump him even though he deserves it. There is no tradition of doing this in the past why start now? Now if you have to face Nadal in the quarters & you ranked 1-4 you might be in favor of it! LoL

 

[Moxie]

Seconded. Glad you found us, MartyB!

Since I was the OP on this thread, I want to point out that I only posted the news. I'm not necessarily in favor of it. (Though, as you rightly point out, the Top 3 seeds might be. They would would potentially benefit as much as Nadal.) The loser in the equation is most probably Ferrer. Given that Ferrer seems to be suffering from some niggling injury, and some fatigue or burn-out, there is a mathematical possibility that he could drop back down to 5 before RG. Nadal has points to gain only in Madrid, so that's unlikely to do it, unless David has continued problems in the clay season.

So I'm with those that say that RG has never done it, and shouldn't start now. If Ferrer holds his #4 ranking, then he deserves the more protected position. The jostled rankings would certainly make things lively!

 

[bobvance]

I think the only real threat to Rafa at RG is Novak, and that's the case whether they meet in the Finals or Quarterfinals. Also, I know it's not Rafa's fault he was injured, but it's not Ferrer's fault either. The only benefit to protecting Rafa's ranking is in preventing an earlier-than-expected showdown between him and one of the top 3. But as Moxie said, that kind of showdown could actually make things more interesting.

 

[Moxie]

Good to see you here, BobV! Look forward to your posts. The more we talk about it, the less I think they'll do it. There is no precedent. I think it's just a lot of palaver. I think most tennis fans would be against it, including Nadal fans. (Beware the dreaded asterisk! LOL.)

 

[ClayDeath]

nadal will need some luck this time around at RG.

but I think he will find a way. at least one more time.

luck always helps. it helped him at indian wells but that title was not worth it. it cost him the title in monte carlo.

I would have skipped indian wells and spent extra 12 days on the red clay working like a dog on the ground game.

his backhand was totally pathetic in that final against nole. he did not have much rhythm off the ground.

that is why he lost 11 of the last 12 points played in that match.

 

[Front242]

Well this officially isn't happening.

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/05/no-seeding-raise-nadal-roland-garros/47325/#.UYVxcErmzNo

 

[Mog]

Well this officially isn't happening.

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/05/no-seeding-raise-nadal-roland-garros/47325/#.UYVxcErmzNo

That's the right one and was expected.

 

[Kieran]

It was a non-story, wasn't it? Nadal never asked for one and none was offered.

It's like a news headline: "Man not arrested for murder that didn't happen..."

 

[Didi]

I'm glad they won't. It's fair to David Ferrer and it will add a lot of spice to the draw and open up some interesting possibilities. For example if Federer gets someone outside of Nadal in the quarterfinals and then Murray/Ferrer in the semis, Fed will be a huge favorite to make the finals. Or imagine Djokovic, Nadal and Del Potro being in the same half of the draw. And then there is still Berdych and Tsonga to make it even more interesting. Sounds intriguing to me. For the first time in what seems ages I'm looking forward to a slam draw! This time it won't be the typical formality and the boring non-event that it usually is.

 

[Front242]

I'm glad they won't. It's fair to David Ferrer and it will add a lot of spice to the draw and open up some interesting possibilities. For example if Federer gets someone outside of Nadal in the quarterfinals and then Murray/Ferrer in the semis, Fed will be a huge favorite to make the finals. Or imagine Djokovic, Nadal and Del Potro being in the same half of the draw. And then there is still Berdych and Tsonga to make it even more interesting. Sounds intriguing to me. For the first time in what seems ages I'm looking forward to a slam draw! This time it won't be the typical formality and the boring non-event that it usually is.

Agreed Didi. Absolutely looking forward to the draw and a hopefully a very good RG 2013. And yes, the main thing here is the respect given to Ferrer. People on tennis.com already want to hear Toni Nadal's reaction :shy:

 

[Mastoor]

People here know how much 'love" I have for Nadal, but this time I must say this is not fair to him. Even though I like Ferrer's personality billion times more than Rafa's.

Honestly, Didi, why would you like them to protect Ferrer more than Nadal should be protected at Roland Garros? One player won FO practically every time he played it vs another who doesn't even go past qf at the slam that theoretically should be his best.

If Nadal was still as dominant on clay as he was last year, the all seeding thing almost wouldn't matter probably, however, after MC we know he isn't dominant anymore, so seeding him 5 may result in loss in the qf should he plays No1e.

Love him or hate him, be French as much as you like, but when it comes to clay, Nadal is not a tennis ace like any other, he is the best of all times and there is only one person who should be moved a seed up at FO - him.

 

[Front242]

Doesn't matter, Mastoor. They didn't do Tommy Haas any favours and he was out way longer than Nadal. Yes, I know he's not a slam winner but he had to go through qualifiers to play slams. Would it be fair for Nadal to get different treatment? No. Same thing happened with Serena Williams a few years back. Ranked in the 90s I believe after returning from injury and she still won so it doesn't really matter. If you're that good you'll win anyway without preferential treatment.

 

[Moxie]

Doesn't matter, Mastoor. They didn't do Tommy Haas any favours and he was out way longer than Nadal. Yes, I know he's not a slam winner but he had to go through qualifiers to play slams. Would it be fair for Nadal to get different treatment? No. Same thing happened with Serena Williams a few years back. Ranked in the 90s I believe after returning from injury and she still won so it doesn't really matter. If you're that good you'll win anyway without preferential treatment.

Agreed. Plus, Mastoor, they're not "favoring" Ferrer over Nadal. They are going to respect the rankings, the way they always do. Just as well. It would have fed those "conspiracy theorists" who think the draws are rigged, already.

 

[Postpre]

I wouldn't mind seeing Nadal in Djokovic's half (or quarter). I think there would be less pressure on Nadal should he face Djokovic before the final. If he were to play Djokovic in the final, I reckon that Djokovic would be slightly more amped, and Nadal slightly more tense.

So, as a Rafa fan I think it's a good thing that he has a 50% of playing Djokovic before the finals.

 

[Mastoor]

Trouble with me is that i write what I think, to the letter(unless I make joke in the post). If you want to know what I think you just need to read carefully what I posted. I find myself way too often in position to explain what I never posted.

I didn't say they favor Ferrer to Nadal, i said they have him protected more that they are protecting Rafa by seeding Ferrer higher. Entire concept of seeding is about protection. For example first two seeds are protected from losing early to each other before the final.

Front, we will have to agree to disagree. I see that you think that all the players should be treated equally re seeding, but in my opinion exemptions should be made sometimes like in this case with Nadal. Nadal means more for clay tennis than any other tennis player ever and he certainly deserves to be promoted from seed 5 to 4.

 

[Moxie]

Trouble with me is that i write what I think, to the letter(unless I make joke in the post). If you want to know what I think you just need to read carefully what I posted. I find myself way too often in position to explain what I never posted.

I didn't say they favor Ferrer to Nadal, i said they have him protected more that they are protecting Rafa by seeding Ferrer higher. Entire concept of seeding is about protection. For example first two seeds are protected from losing early to each other before the final.

Front, we will have to agree to disagree. I see that you think that all the players should be treated equally re seeding, but in my opinion exemptions should be made sometimes like in this case with Nadal. Nadal means more for clay tennis than any other tennis player ever and he certainly deserves to be promoted from seed 5 to 4.

Everyone seems to agree but you that RG should seed the players as they always have. Why change it now? You a little bit nervous that Nole might have to meet Nadal early? ; Otherwise, what's the difference? You have certainly never championed Nadal's cause in any other circumstance, so I have to say you're a bit twitchy that Djokovic might have to face Nadal in a QF, when he's not really prepared. Hmmm?

 

[herios]

Trouble with me is that i write what I think, to the letter(unless I make joke in the post). If you want to know what I think you just need to read carefully what I posted. I find myself way too often in position to explain what I never posted.

Nadal means more for clay tennis than any other tennis player ever and he certainly deserves to be promoted from seed 5 to 4.

If he was going to be promoted why to spot 4 and not 2?? He is definitely more valuable on clay than Murray who most likely will manage to be ranked second by the time RG starts?
I am actually happy to see this non action by the organizers.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Seconded. Glad you found us, MartyB!

Since I was the OP on this thread, I want to point out that I only posted the news. I'm not necessarily in favor of it. (Though, as you rightly point out, the Top 3 seeds might be. They would would potentially benefit as much as Nadal.) The loser in the equation is most probably Ferrer. Given that Ferrer seems to be suffering from some niggling injury, and some fatigue or burn-out, there is a mathematical possibility that he could drop back down to 5 before RG. Nadal has points to gain only in Madrid, so that's unlikely to do it, unless David has continued problems in the clay season.

So I'm with those that say that RG has never done it, and shouldn't start now. If Ferrer holds his #4 ranking, then he deserves the more protected position. The jostled rankings would certainly make things lively!

So let me get this straight, If Rafa wins Madrid and defends Rome, he moves past Ferrer? Is that correct

 

[herios]

Seconded. Glad you found us, MartyB!

Since I was the OP on this thread, I want to point out that I only posted the news. I'm not necessarily in favor of it. (Though, as you rightly point out, the Top 3 seeds might be. They would would potentially benefit as much as Nadal.) The loser in the equation is most probably Ferrer. Given that Ferrer seems to be suffering from some niggling injury, and some fatigue or burn-out, there is a mathematical possibility that he could drop back down to 5 before RG. Nadal has points to gain only in Madrid, so that's unlikely to do it, unless David has continued problems in the clay season.

So I'm with those that say that RG has never done it, and shouldn't start now. If Ferrer holds his #4 ranking, then he deserves the more protected position. The jostled rankings would certainly make things lively!

So let me get this straight, If Rafa wins Madrid and defends Rome, he moves past Ferrer? Is that correct

No, it is not. He still needs some help from Ferrer to fail to defend all his points in madrdid/Rome. The gap is 935 points and Rafa cannot gain only 910 in Madrid