The Rankings Thread (ATP)

[MargaretMcAleer]

You keep insisting that the AO won't be moved because of school holidays, but I find that to be a rather provincial reason to keep them where they are, if an international sport wants to change its place on the calendar. As you say, the heat and humidity in January, and therefore the health of the players, seems reason enough. Do you really think that kids make up any majority of ticket sales? I know their parents buy the tickets, but do kids really go every day? Would there be a significant drop in attendance if the kids were in school during the fortnight?

The USO is during school holidays for the first week, then the kids go back to school. I wouldn't mind if they moved it to a little later. Late August/early Sept. is very hot here, and humid, and in the heart of hurricane season.

That is the 'real reason' why okay I have said that many times, it is their long Christmas/ Summer holidays, yes it is all about ticket sales, adult parents have to buy a ticket fior starters to being their kids to the AO, so you are looking at 2 adult paying tickets with kids.There are a lot of activities fro Kids at the AO, I have been there many tines and the amount of children attending is quite surprising, remember it is not only the children from Melbourne, the whole of the East Coast of Australia, Brisbane, Sydney and Tasmania, are on the annual long Summer holidays, and families go to the AO, apart from the international fans which are large in numbers.

 

[Moxie]

That is the 'real reason' why okay I have said that many times, it is their long Summer holidays, yes it is all about ticket sales, adult parents have to buy a ticket fior starters to being their kids to the AO, so you are looking at 2 adult paying tickets with kids.There are a lot of activities fro Kids at the AO, I have been there many tines and the amount of children attending is quite surprising, remember it is not only the children from Melbourne, the whole of the East Coast of Australia, Brisbane, Sydney and Tasmania, are on the annual long Summer holidays, and families go to the AO, apart from the international fans which are large in numbers.

I knew you weren't going to like my theory, but I still say that if moving the AO would be for the general good of the calendar, the kids will get thrown under the (school) bus. Global climate change is an issue, too, and the AO and the USO are the only Majors that have to deal with a "heat rule." I don't see any arguments in the big tennis world for making these changes, I'm just entertaining @PhiEaglesfan712's idea of it. If it even ever happens, I don't expect it to be soon.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I knew you weren't going to like my theory, but I still say that if moving the AO would be for the general good of the calendar, the kids will get thrown under the (school) bus. Global climate change is an issue, too, and the AO and the USO are the only Majors that have to deal with a "heat rule." I don't see any arguments in the big tennis world for making these changes, I'm just entertaining @PhiEaglesfan712's idea of it. If it even ever happens, I don't expect it to be soon.

I never said I didnt like your theory I have said many times I would not mind it being moved, it is just I cannot see the Educations departments of the East Coast of Ausralia moving their holidays periods of which they are 4 per year, for the AO to be moved to February., the Christmas/ Summer holidays is their biggest break in the Education calendar., breaking up before Christmas and going back late January.

 

[Moxie]

Mon Dieu! You're in such a rush trying to make Carlos great B4 his time! What's the rush? He's scary good, but I'm not sure how long it'll last!

So you say he's "scary good," but you wonder how long it will last? Is he going to forget how to play this good? Or are you gaming injury?

His main issue is fitness though he held up well in grass season. Interesting to see how things go with regard to staying fit at the speed he runs.

You're both being Cassandras about Alcaraz's health and longevity. It smacks of wishful thinking, and ugliness, quite frankly. He's 20. Can we wait a bit to see how he develops before wishing him ill?

 

[Moxie]

I never said I didnt like your theory I have said many times I would not mind it being moved, it is just I cannot see the Educations departments of the East Coast of Ausralia moving their holidays periods of which they are 4 per year, for the AO to be moved to February., the Christmas/ Summer holidays is their biggest break in the Education calendar., breaking up before Christmas and going back late January.

I know what you're saying. I'm only saying that I can't think of one other tournament, much less a slam, that's tied to an educational calendar. I can see that the Australian Government might put up a fight, for that reason, but I'm not sure they'd win. I just don't think it matters that the kids are in school or out of school, in terms of when tennis tournaments get played. I almost always go to the US Open during the first week, which is still school holidays here. I cannot say that I see an inordinate number of children. Even teenagers. They're all still at the beach, or up in the mountains. Let's face it: tennis tickets are expensive, tennis matches are long, and where you and I live, we often have to deal with hours in the heat to spend a day watching tennis. Parents aren't going to subject their kids to 14 days of that. They'll take them once or twice, maximum. IMO, if parents want to take their kids out of school for a special day at the tennis, they will. My parents took us out of school for the Opening Day of baseball more than once.

 

[Moxie]

I talked about it earlier but there’s looming a real battle for the # 4 ranking before the USO. The 4th place is huge because it’s the potential difference between meeting Alcaraz, Novak & Medvedev in the qtrs as opposed to the Semis at Flushing Meadows.

Here are the players ranked # 4 through # 8 as of this Monday with their points. I’ve put in parentheses the points #5-# 8 are out of 4th place:

4. Ruud 5005
5. Tsitsipas 4850 (-155)
6. Rune 4825 (-180)
7. Rublev 4525 (-480)
8. Sinner 3975 (-1,030)

Now are the points each is “defending” between here and the USO:

Ruud 620
Tsitsipas 610
Rune 100
Rublev 415
Sinner 430

Highly improbable Sinner can reach #4, even say his winning the 2 NA Masters the rest would all have to crash & burn, so realistically it’s one of the other 4.

I believe Rublev & Ruud are playing this week.
If Casper Ruud doesnt win this week’s Swedish Open defending 250 points at best (ergo he makes it all the way to the final) retains 4th but he’s in a virtual tie with Tsitsipas & Rune with only 30 points between. Not reaching the final he slips to 5th or even 6th in the ranking.

Obviously on paper Holger Rune has the best shot, he plays Umag (250) next week while Tsitsipas plays Los Cabos (250). If any of these guys can snag a Masters (1000 points) it makes life easier. Wouldn’t discount beautiful hair ( Rublev) because he is the kind of steady, consistent player who could win a 250 & make the SF’s or Finals of the Masters.

Ruud has a tough row to hoe, as he also has a boatload of points to defend from the USO onward to the end of the season.

Tsitsipas is more than capable of catching fire of course.

Inexplicably though Stefano has a horrible track record at the USO , never gotten past the 3rd round. So if he snags the #4 by then that would be interesting.

Not sure if the Hopman cup gives points, but Holger lost to Riedi, a Swiss player today. Sorry, mate.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I know what you're saying. I'm only saying that I can't think of one other tournament, much less a slam, that's tied to an educational calendar. I can see that the Australian Government might put up a fight, for that reason, but I'm not sure they'd win. I just don't think it matters that the kids are in school or out of school, in terms of when tennis tournaments get played. I almost always go to the US Open during the first week, which is still school holidays here. I cannot say that I see an inordinate number of children. Even teenagers. They're all still at the beach, or up in the mountains. Let's face it: tennis tickets are expensive, tennis matches are long, and where you and I live, we often have to deal with hours in the heat to spend a day watching tennis. Parents aren't going to subject their kids to 14 days of that. They'll take them once or twice, maximum. IMO, if parents want to take their kids out of school for a special day at the tennis, they will. My parents took us out of school for the Opening Day of baseball more than once.

Well seeing this is their longest holiday they break up just before Christmas, Summer break they have plenty of time to visit the AO, there is really no excuse then to take their children out for a day off school to visit the AO, if by chance it was changed,whch I cannot see in the future.The Federal Government Education department, would have to change their holdiay calendar to suit the AO, I cannot see that happening

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Not sure if the Hopman cup gives points, but Holger lost to Riedi, a Swiss player today. Sorry, mate.

BTW yes Hopman cup does give points, Denmark loss, Swiss won the tie. Tausen won the singles, they lost the mens singles and mixed doubles
I put the Hopman Cup details on both the ATP and WTA news post BTW

 

[Jelenafan]

The USO is during school holidays for the first week, then the kids go back to school. I wouldn't mind if they moved it to a little later. Late August/early Sept. is very hot here, and humid, and in the heart of hurricane season.

New York City in August/early September is like an oppressive rancid steambath with the stench of decaying flesh around you.

Other than that it’s OK.

 

[Jelenafan]

Not sure if the Hopman cup gives points, but Holger lost to Riedi, a Swiss player today. Sorry, mate.

Meh, it’s an exhibition, zero points so…

 

[Moxie]

Meh, it’s an exhibition, zero points so…

View attachment 8531

Actually, Margaret says they give points. Not dissing, just saying.

 

[Moxie]

New York City in August/early September is like an oppressive rancid steambath with the stench of decaying flesh around you.

Other than that it’s OK.

There are those who think Venice is unappealing because the canals smell bad in the summer. IMO, this is a great lack of imagination. New York City in early September reemerges from its summer slumber, and the arts and the theatre all reopen, as do the restaurants. I think that's more than just "OK."

 

[Jelenafan]

Actually, Margaret says they give points. Not dissing, just saying.

Shouldn’t the Swiss player Leandro Reidi who beat Holger today have had his live ATP rankings updated? Just asking. The other tourneys players points were added.

 

[Jelenafan]

There are those who think Venice is unappealing because the canals smell bad in the summer. IMO, this is a great lack of imagination. New York City in early September reemerges from its summer slumber, and the arts and the theatre all reopen, as do the restaurants. I think that's more than just "OK."

Moxie, I love New York. ; )

I hate & loathe humidty.

The two are not mutually exclusive…

 

[Moxie]

Moxie, I love New York. ; )

I hate & loath humidty.

The two are not mutually exclusive…

You will not be the only person who hates NYC in July and August. I actually call this the "season of the bad smells." But you have to take the good with the bad.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

You will not be the only person who hates NYC in July and August. I actually call this the "season of the bad smells." But you have to take the good with the bad.

lol, that was the song they used to promote the US Open series and the US Open in 2018 and 2019. Whenever I hear that song now, I always associate it with late July-early September with the North American tennis swing.

 

[Moxie]

I talked about it earlier but there’s looming a real battle for the # 4 ranking before the USO. The 4th place is huge because it’s the potential difference between meeting Alcaraz, Novak & Medvedev in the qtrs as opposed to the Semis at Flushing Meadows.

Here are the players ranked # 4 through # 8 as of this Monday with their points. I’ve put in parentheses the points #5-# 8 are out of 4th place:

4. Ruud 5005
5. Tsitsipas 4850 (-155)
6. Rune 4825 (-180)
7. Rublev 4525 (-480)
8. Sinner 3975 (-1,030)

Now are the points each is “defending” between here and the USO:

Ruud 620
Tsitsipas 610
Rune 100
Rublev 415
Sinner 430

Highly improbable Sinner can reach #4, even say his winning the 2 NA Masters the rest would all have to crash & burn, so realistically it’s one of the other 4.

I believe Rublev & Ruud are playing this week.
If Casper Ruud doesnt win this week’s Swedish Open defending 250 points at best (ergo he makes it all the way to the final) retains 4th but he’s in a virtual tie with Tsitsipas & Rune with only 30 points between. Not reaching the final he slips to 5th or even 6th in the ranking.

Obviously on paper Holger Rune has the best shot, he plays Umag (250) next week while Tsitsipas plays Los Cabos (250). If any of these guys can snag a Masters (1000 points) it makes life easier. Wouldn’t discount beautiful hair ( Rublev) because he is the kind of steady, consistent player who could win a 250 & make the SF’s or Finals of the Masters.

Ruud has a tough row to hoe, as he also has a boatload of points to defend from the USO onward to the end of the season.

Tsitsipas is more than capable of catching fire of course.

Inexplicably though Stefano has a horrible track record at the USO , never gotten past the 3rd round. So if he snags the #4 by then that would be interesting.

To your point in this portion of the Top 10, Rublev just beat Ruud in the final in Bastad, so Ruud loses -100 points, Rublev gains +205, tightening things up even further between #4-7.

 

[tented]

I talked about it earlier but there’s looming a real battle for the # 4 ranking before the USO. The 4th place is huge because it’s the potential difference between meeting Alcaraz, Novak & Medvedev in the qtrs as opposed to the Semis at Flushing Meadows.

Here are the players ranked # 4 through # 8 as of this Monday with their points. I’ve put in parentheses the points #5-# 8 are out of 4th place:

4. Ruud 5005
5. Tsitsipas 4850 (-155)
6. Rune 4825 (-180)
7. Rublev 4525 (-480)
8. Sinner 3975 (-1,030)

Now are the points each is “defending” between here and the USO:

Ruud 620
Tsitsipas 610
Rune 100
Rublev 415
Sinner 430

Highly improbable Sinner can reach #4, even say his winning the 2 NA Masters the rest would all have to crash & burn, so realistically it’s one of the other 4.

I believe Rublev & Ruud are playing this week.
If Casper Ruud doesnt win this week’s Swedish Open defending 250 points at best (ergo he makes it all the way to the final) retains 4th but he’s in a virtual tie with Tsitsipas & Rune with only 30 points between. Not reaching the final he slips to 5th or even 6th in the ranking.

Obviously on paper Holger Rune has the best shot, he plays Umag (250) next week while Tsitsipas plays Los Cabos (250). If any of these guys can snag a Masters (1000 points) it makes life easier. Wouldn’t discount beautiful hair ( Rublev) because he is the kind of steady, consistent player who could win a 250 & make the SF’s or Finals of the Masters.

Ruud has a tough row to hoe, as he also has a boatload of points to defend from the USO onward to the end of the season.

Tsitsipas is more than capable of catching fire of course.

Inexplicably though Stefano has a horrible track record at the USO , never gotten past the 3rd round. So if he snags the #4 by then that would be interesting.

Rublev is on the cusp of taking Rune down one spot, and Ruud has the opportunity to distance himself even more:

 

[Jelenafan]

Rublev is on the cusp of taking Rune down one spot, and Ruud has the opportunity to distance himself even more:

View attachment 8552

Yes, Holger had to withdraw from Umag due to injury. Most likely he now plans to play just the 2 Masters ( Canada & Cincy) before the USO.

Looks like both Ruud & Rublev are committed to playing 2 consecutive 250 tourneys (Swedish Open & this week Hamburg) AND both NA Masters before the USO. They met in last week’s final & could very well meet again in the Hamburg final. Seems like alot of tennis but who knows? Those guys thrive on 250’s.

Tsitsipas will play one 250 , Los Cabos , before the 2 HC Masters.

Different strategies at play.

 

[Fiero425]

Yes, Holger had to withdraw from Umag due to injury. Most likely he now plans to play just the 2 Masters ( Canada & Cincy) before the USO.

Looks like both Ruud & Rublev are committed to playing 2 consecutive 250 tourneys (Swedish Open & this week Hamburg) AND both NA Masters before the USO. They met in last week’s final & could very well meet again in the Hamburg final. Seems like alot of tennis but who knows? Those guys thrive on 250’s.

Tsitsipas will play one 250 , Los Cabos , before the 2 HC Masters.

Different strategies at play.

Well Ruud & Rublev are the King & Prince of Wales of 250 events! IDK what the big deal is w/ 1000's now that the Big 3 aren't dominating them?