Speculation on the Men's Calendar for the Next Foreseeable Future

[MargaretMcAleer]

Margaret, I must say that I hate to hear you say that. The basic protocols you cite I think make sense, mostly, though I think having players not leave their hotels but to got to practice and matches seems severe, at least from the POV of right now. With masks and caution, people do move about a bit, even in NYC. We've just started our Phase One opening, so we'll see how that goes, but people are starting to go more back to normal, even here. My industry is starting to try to go back to work, (filmmaking,) and it's not easy, but we respect new norms. As to the "unrest," I think that's overly alarmist. This level of protest won't last much longer. It has already calmed down quite a bit. George Floyd was laid to rest today. The conversations will go on, but the protesting abates. Particularly the worst of outside agitation and opportunistic looting.

Well you did not practice 'social distancing' with marches all over the USA.We also have them here around Australia, in Sydney there were thousands,that is unfair to the people that have been going by the rules,I do not want to see a 'second wave' anywhere,here we have flatten the curve,though we now moving into Winter.
Players also do not want to play in empty stands,again I can see their point of view.If it does go on,then the players will have to go into 14 day quarantine if they are going to play at the French Open,if it goes on? with the current timeline I cannot see that happening.

 

[Jelenafan]

Personally, I agree with Evans. We'd all like to have the Superstars participate, but I think it can go on without them. Think of the possibilities if they don't! When was the first new Major winner on the men's side? Cilic in 2014?

The top players sometimes have an entourage consisting of coach, assistant coach, physio trainer, nutritionist, PR person, and the half dozen family members.... Oh the inhumanity if they aren't allowed that....

Which begs the questions , if a Major is held, would the top players actually boycott it if they don't like the playing conditions/safety protocols in place? The last player boycott was waaay back in 1973 at Wimbledon of the men for "union" reasons. THe elephant in the room for the top players, besides the high profile of the Majors is that they have sponsors, endorsements which would put alot of pressure on them to play.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The top players sometimes have an entourage consisting of coach, assistant coach, physio trainer, nutritionist, PR person, and the half dozen family members.... Oh the inhumanity if they aren't allowed that....

Which begs the questions , if a Major is held, would the top players actually boycott it if they don't like the playing conditions/safety protocols in place? The last player boycott was waaay back in 1973 at Wimbledon of the men for "union" reasons. THe elephant in the room for the top players, besides the high profile of the Majors is that they have sponsors, endorsements which would put alot of pressure on them to play.

Novak has come out and said today he is seriously thinking of skipping the USO because of the 'extreme protocals' and will prepare for the French Open,though he is about to begin his exhibition tour of the Balkans.

 

[Moxie]

Novak has come out and said today he is seriously thinking of skipping the USO because of the 'extreme protocals' and will prepare for the French Open,though he is about to begin his exhibition tour of the Balkans.

Right, so what is that about? I can see a circumstance where top players would make a choice of one of the two Majors, given that they're going to be held pretty close together, and one HC, one clay.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Right, so what is that about? I can see a circumstance where top players would make a choice of one of the two Majors, given that they're going to be held pretty close together, and one HC, one clay.

Not able to have his complete team with him,restrictions with able to practice and 14 day quarantine rule,he feels that it is not sustainable and he says he has spoken to other players who also share his thoughts.,I read this earlier today on Twitter via SI.com.

 

[Moxie]

The top players sometimes have an entourage consisting of coach, assistant coach, physio trainer, nutritionist, PR person, and the half dozen family members.... Oh the inhumanity if they aren't allowed that....

Which begs the questions , if a Major is held, would the top players actually boycott it if they don't like the playing conditions/safety protocols in place? The last player boycott was waaay back in 1973 at Wimbledon of the men for "union" reasons. THe elephant in the room for the top players, besides the high profile of the Majors is that they have sponsors, endorsements which would put alot of pressure on them to play.

This was Dan Evans point: too effing bad if you can't bring the whole crew. Most don't have one. I empathize with that.

But to your 2nd point, is it actually a boycott if some players opt not to go? Remember the Rio Olympics and Zika? Some athletes chose to sit it out. That's a personal choice, not a boycott. They didn't say that the Olympics ought not to be held, just that they didn't feel safe in going. Same would be for the USO and maybe RG. They're not saying that it shouldn't be held, only that the chose not to play. At least I think that's what they're saying. As to sponsors, they're too sensitive to insurance issues. I doubt they would pressure players to go.

 

[Moxie]

Not able to have his complete team with him,restrictions with able to practice and 14 day quarantine rule,he feels that it is not sustainable and he says he has spoken to other players who also share his thoughts.,I read this earlier today on Twitter via SI.com.

That's his POV. Fine. But he's willing to try in June, but not in late August? With more protocols in place? With more information and understanding of the situation? Are they not quarantining before this tournament that he's participating in, in a few weeks? This I don't completely get. Is it the travel? Is it NYC? Is it the inability to have a full team?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

That's his POV. Fine. But he's willing to try in June, but not in late August? With more protocols in place? With more information and understanding of the situation? Are they not quarantining before this tournament that he's participating in, in a few weeks? This I don't completely get. Is it the travel? Is it NYC? Is it the inability to have a full team?

His tour starts in a couple of days to my knowledge no quarantine on his tour.,Restrictions on practice,not being able to move freely from his hotel,his team not being able to travel with him., the quarantine period.I know Ash Barty has also spoken out not being able to bring her team with her.

 

[Moxie]

His tour starts in a couple of days to my knowledge no quarantine on his tour.,Restrictions on practice,not being able to move freely from his hotel,his team not being able to travel with him., the quarantine period.I know Ash Barty has also spoken out not being able to bring her team with her.

OK, but doesn't that seem contradictory, on Novak's part?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

OK, but doesn't that seem contradictory, on Novak's part?

The quarantine part I cannot understand,speaking as a health professional,seeing we are still in a pandemic,I would think anyone would willing abide with that rule.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

OK, but doesn't that seem contradictory, on Novak's part?

Novak has never been the brightest bulb.

 

[Jelenafan]

This was Dan Evans point: too effing bad if you can't bring the whole crew. Most don't have one. I empathize with that.

But to your 2nd point, is it actually a boycott if some players opt not to go? Remember the Rio Olympics and Zika? Some athletes chose to sit it out. That's a personal choice, not a boycott. They didn't say that the Olympics ought not to be held, just that they didn't feel safe in going. Same would be for the USO and maybe RG. They're not saying that it shouldn't be held, only that the chose not to play. At least I think that's what they're saying. As to sponsors, they're too sensitive to insurance issues. I doubt they would pressure players to go.

Let me say that if any player such as those that were opting out of the Olympics for health safety reasons decided not to go, I think that’s another category.

It appears that protocols proposed FOR their health/safety that would limit their movement, perhaps require quarantining, vaccination, testing, limited support team, zero or limited public attendance, etc, etc is what some of the top players are objecting to. That’s OK, but it’s certainly not because the Majors aren’t trying to work through COVID concerns. Players running off to do tennis mini tours/exhibitions with their full entourages is fine, but let’s not pretend it’s all safety related at this point.

It’s easy for Novak, Federer or Rafa to say “ let’s forget the rest of the year” but I’m betting Player ranked # 95 might beg to differ.

Personally I think that both the FO and the USO should give players an additional stipend and some sort of compensatory bonus for playing these events this years. It’s the rank and file whose livelihood has been severely disrupted. We don’t know the full impact of the suspended play on many lower ranked players’ careers. Hell, limit the winners prize money to only a million and redistribute the rest to some sort of players’ fund, if need be.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Let me say that if any player such as those that were opting out of the Olympics for health safety reasons decided not to go, I think that’s another category.

It appears that protocols proposed FOR their health/safety that would limit their movement, perhaps require quarantining, vaccination, testing, limited support team, zero or limited public attendance, etc, etc is what some of the top players are objecting to. That’s OK, but it’s certainly not because the Majors aren’t trying to work through COVID concerns. Players running off to do tennis mini tours/exhibitions with their full entourages is fine, but let’s not pretend it’s all safety related at this point.

It’s easy for Novak, Federer or Rafa to say “ let’s forget the rest of the year” but I’m betting Player ranked # 95 might beg to differ.

Personally I think that both the FO and the USO should give players an additional stipend and some sort of compensatory bonus for playing these events this years. It’s the rank and file whose livelihood has been severely disrupted. We don’t know the full impact of the suspended play on many lower ranked players’ careers. Hell, limit the winners prize money to only a million and redistribute the rest to some sort of players’ fund, if need be.

If the USO does go ahead it will probably be with no fans,which will leave a huge loss for the event There will be TV coverage will that be enough for the tournament to go ahead.The USTA has closed one of its main offices and many people have lost their jobs.
The same applies to Roland Garos,with no fans,also they have put in roofs over 4 main show courts,will they be prepared to put the event on at a loss.,regardless having TV coverage.

 

[Jelenafan]

If the USO does go ahead it will probably be with no fans,which will leave a huge loss for the event There will be TV coverage will that be enough for the tournament to go ahead.The USTA has closed one of its main offices and many people have lost their jobs.
The same applies to Roland Garos,with no fans,also they have put in roofs over 4 main show courts,will they be prepared to put the event on at a loss.,regardless having TV coverage.

Without the TV money, they will probably lay off even more staff, more offices, etc. Doing the math, they probably know what is their break even point with the TV revenue. I am not proposing if healthwise/safety it is not tenable to go forward. I'm also not proposing nor do I think they would entertain holding the tourney just to bleed out more losses. All I'm saying is some modified version of the Tournaments which admittedly is the largest moneymaker by far for the Federations, with protocols in place would seem to benefit both the Federations and the players, at least the rank and file.

 

[Moxie]

Let me say that if any player such as those that were opting out of the Olympics for health safety reasons decided not to go, I think that’s another category.

It appears that protocols proposed FOR their health/safety that would limit their movement, perhaps require quarantining, vaccination, testing, limited support team, zero or limited public attendance, etc, etc is what some of the top players are objecting to. That’s OK, but it’s certainly not because the Majors aren’t trying to work through COVID concerns. Players running off to do tennis mini tours/exhibitions with their full entourages is fine, but let’s not pretend it’s all safety related at this point.

It’s easy for Novak, Federer or Rafa to say “ let’s forget the rest of the year” but I’m betting Player ranked # 95 might beg to differ.

Personally I think that both the FO and the USO should give players an additional stipend and some sort of compensatory bonus for playing these events this years. It’s the rank and file whose livelihood has been severely disrupted. We don’t know the full impact of the suspended play on many lower ranked players’ careers. Hell, limit the winners prize money to only a million and redistribute the rest to some sort of players’ fund, if need be.

I think your idea of spreading the prize money even more equally is a good one. As a COVID-bump. This is a solution that is being looked at across industries.

 

[Moxie]

If the USO does go ahead it will probably be with no fans,which will leave a huge loss for the event There will be TV coverage will that be enough for the tournament to go ahead.The USTA has closed one of its main offices and many people have lost their jobs.
The same applies to Roland Garos,with no fans,also they have put in roofs over 4 main show courts,will they be prepared to put the event on at a loss.,regardless having TV coverage.

As NYC opens up, a bit, I still think we don't know what it going to be like in late August. Frankly no idea. Maybe some spectators, maybe not. But we have been locked down hard here in NYC, and are opening up very slowly. We might be well-placed to hold a careful tournament by late Aug.

Without the TV money, they will probably lay off even more staff, more offices, etc. Doing the math, they probably know what is their break even point with the TV revenue. I am not proposing if healthwise/safety it is not tenable to go forward. I'm also not proposing nor do I think they would entertain holding the tourney just to bleed out more losses. All I'm saying is some modified version of the Tournaments which admittedly is the largest moneymaker by far for the Federations, with protocols in place would seem to benefit both the Federations and the players, at least the rank and file.

I agree with you that holding some version of a tournament v. canceling completely is probably the most financially sound idea. And let's face it...some people will watch anything if it's live sports, at this point. If tennis is the only game in town, they might gain more fans. They're going to try hard to play these next two majors this year, even if the big guns abdicate.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

As NYC opens up, a bit, I still think we don't know what it going to be like in late August. Frankly no idea. Maybe some spectators, maybe not. But we have been locked down hard here in NYC, and are opening up very slowly. We might be well-placed to hold a careful tournament by late Aug.

I agree with you that holding some version of a tournament v. canceling completely is probably the most financially sound idea. And let's face it...some people will watch anything if it's live sports, at this point. If tennis is the only game in town, they might gain more fans. They're going to try hard to play these next two majors this year, even if the big guns abdicate.

I think being locked down hard is the way to go quite frankly,here in Sydney we have eased some of the restrictions,we have had no new cases for a couple of weeks,except a couple of cases of people returning from overseas which are now in 2 weeks quarantine.We have seen in Singapore where they eased the restrictions too early they had to lock down again.
Fans will watch either tournament on TV regardless if they cannot attend either tournament.For me personally I hope most of the players attend,though if they do not attend,I can understand their point of view given the current circumstances.

 

[Moxie]

I think being locked down hard is the way to go quite frankly,here in Sydney we have eased some of the restrictions,we have had no new cases for a couple of weeks,except a couple of cases of people returning from overseas which are now in 2 weeks quarantine.We have seen in Singapore where they eased the restrictions too early they had to lock down again.
Fans will watch either tournament on TV regardless if they cannot attend either tournament.For me personally I hope most of the players attend,though if they do not attend,I can understand their point of view given the current circumstances.

We're figuring all of these things out in my business, too. (Film business.) We work freelance, and, in a sense, so do tennis players. With so many safety protocols in place, now we get to a time where people can make a personal choice. I hope that no one feels forced back to work, or that they feel that they're going back to work in unsafe conditions. But for those of us who need and want to work, if the proper procedures are in place, we should feel that the work environment is reasonably safe. We have most of the summer to find out if NYC can keep the curve flattened. I hope that by mid-late August, many players will feel that the circumstances are ok to come here, quarantine, and play under the new guidelines. If some players don't want to, or find it too risky or restrictive, I can only respect that. But I hope they play the USO this year. We all need to go back to work, however slowly and cautiously that means.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

ATP Set To Return On August 14 Issues Revised Calender

ATP Set to Return on August 14, Issues Revised Calendar - Tennis Panorama

ATP Set to Return on August 14, Issues Revised Calendar ATP World Tour, LONDON (June 17, 2020): The ATP, in collaboration with the WTA, ITF, USTA and the FFT, has issued a revised provisional calendar that sets a pathway for the resumption of the Tour for the first time since the suspension of...

www.tennispanorama.com

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

madrid, rome, french open in consecutive weeks. fo final on october 11th.

we will see who withdraws from what i suppose.