Sean,
nice post. I hope Wawrinka wins tomorrow. He has truely deserved a title, battling quietly through all the odds, just playing his tennis.

***And these retirements might again fire-up all the injury talk of the pro circuit. But it’s probably just bad luck, bad timing. Injuries do and will happen. There’s nothing you can do about it. Let’s just hope we don’t get another one tomorrow.
****

this is wishful thinking and you know it. When was in the ATP history that a tournament had so many injuries? IF Rafa had retired with that horrible blister, it would have been at least four retirements. To cheat the fans like this, those who have paid for the tickest, those who have paid for the master series TV, woke up 4, 6 am to watch “two ” semi finals and get none, is just ridiculus!

I would say just wait and watch. It is not going to get better from here, because the players do not get any rest. Tomorrow it is HAmburg, then in two weeks RG, Queens/Halle/other grass prep tournyes and Wimbledon, ….

from now on tennis will be decided on “smart retirements”. Whoever can retire earlier without incurring serious injuries, will preserve his body for more important matches when the contenders are all out due to “serious” injuries.

ATP brought this disaster upon tennis and someone should go out and give some answers. Why is it the players who always need to answer to the media? I want ET to answer some serious questions too. Tennis can lose popularity if these maniacs continue slaying the players for big dollars.

btw, I hope Andy and Radek are well for hAMBURG AND THE REST OF SEASON.

Yes Sean, you are getting way ahead of yourself.

Djokovic can be number 2 going into RG if he wins tomorrow and make semis in Hamubrgo, as long as Nadal doesn’t go to the final.

Even if he wins Hamburgo and RG he will be 6050 pts. For him to became n.1, Fed who will be 6825 pts next monday will have to lose second round in Hamburgo and before quarter-finals in RG, or loose 800 pts in Hamubrog and RG where he is deffending 1200 pts (win in Hamburgo - 500 and runner-up RG, 700) he has to defend.

It’s like wining in lottery! But the remote possibility exists, and after Hamburgo, and how well Fed and Nadal played, we will know it!

You are right, Zola, retirements, withdrawals, etc., do cheat the fans who paid for tickets or for online TV and alike. And it does hurt the sport in the end.

But honestly there’s really nothing that can be done. There’s no simple answer.

Played at the higher levels tennis is such an incredibly violent sport on the body. If you hit a two-handed backhand think of the all muscles, ligaments, etc., that are used in a simple rally. You put strain on both wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles even hands and fingers.

When guys do retire when there are feeling ill like Stepanek did today I think there’s some wiggle room where maybe the trainer/doctor/supervisor could remind the player that the fans paid to see him play and to give it go for the sport, provided of course that by soldiering on he’s not putting himself in further danger. Of course I don’t know if those conversations do take place but I think they should. The doctor should say, “Hey, you are fine. Quit complaining and get back out there.” when he can.

But overall with the physical side there’s not much you can do.

It’s not surface related because we see it on clay, hard courts and on grass.

Would having more time between matches/tournaments help? Maybe, maybe not. For some players more rest would mean less time actually training which could result in a greater chance for injury when they do play again.

Maybe the tour should advise the players of training and strengthening methods that will reduce injury. My guess is is that the players train differently, but is one method easier on the body than another? Does one reduce the chance for injury while another increase it?

It’s a tough thing as fans, but unfortunately it’s just part of sports, all sports for that matter.

“ATP brought this disaster upon tennis and someone should go out and give some answers. Why is it the players who always need to answer to the media?”

You make a great point here Zola. The ATP, which is a business, profits off the players - their bread-and-butter - but do they think of the players’ well-beings?

These players need a longer off-season and/or they’re going to have to simply PLAY LESS. This means the smaller tournaments could start to fold. Alternately, it could mean strange rankings shifts as lower ranked players accumulate points at smaller tournaments? I dunno.

Clearly, Rafa and Ferrer were both burnt out this tournament, even if they didn’t retire. Gonza had to withdraw with an injury. Also Almagro, who played sick last week, and today Roddick and Step. Whether you give these guys a pass and don’t give Djoko one, like Sean, I don’t care. I give them all a pass.

The players have to perform for the ATP, the Press, and the Fans, but none would have a sport to profit from, write about, or enjoy if it weren’t for THE PLAYERS. Yes, they make muncho moneyo. But still. It will suck if retirements become the future.

So this does need to be sorted out.

It could be, as Sean says, that what happened in Rome is simply bad-timing. But I don’t think so. Certainly, if someone were to research the number of retirements in the past couple of years, not of individual players or of winning or losing retirement %, but of the sheer quantity, we’d find that they’ve increased exponentially wouldn’t we? At least it seems so. And I’ve been watching tennis a long time.

So why is that?

If it’s a question of training methods, again, that’s something the ATP should take responsibility for and should research.

Jane, as I wrote I don’t think playing less is ultimately the answer.

Obviously there’s the argument that you can’t get injured if you are not playing! However, when you do take time off for rest I would argue that the longer you are off the more you will feel the strain when you do return.

Of course the guys at the top play more tennis so naturally they have more chances for injury. Then again, Federer’s never retired in a match (yes, he’s had some injuries) whereas I’ve heard del Potro retires more than anyone? That’s got nothing to do with the amount of tennis each played (Federer plays far more than del Potro) but it comes down to body type, training methods, etc.

So it’s a fine very line, and unfortunately everyone’s body reacts differently to rest and strain.

My thinking is the ATP or someone else should research what training methods reduce the likelihood of injuries. Take that plan, that regimen and tell the players, “Hey, if you guys follow this outline maybe it will cut down on the chances you suffer an on-court injury. Think about it, see if you can work parts of it into you routine.”

Daniel, thanks for the numbers. So by winning Rome and by reaching the Hamburg SF Djoko could become No. 2? That’s very possible!

And i should add that it really comes down to the players knowing and understanding what their body can and cannot do. When to push on the pedal and when to ease up.

Stan is injured, some of the matches this week showed it.

Djoko is famous for retiring with injuries.

WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR BOTH RETIRE TOMORROW AT THE SAME TIME?

Sean,

It can be an accident or bad training, etc. but I don’t remember Roddick retiring. If he didn’t know how to train, he would have had injuries like that before!

As for RAfa and Ferrer, I am sure they would have benefited from the one-week rest that is taken from them this year.

What about spacing out the master series and giving reducing the length of the season?

Sean,
you are a sports critic and your opinion does matter. If at times like this, you just shrug the injuries off as “normal” or blame the players for it, you will give ATP a free pass to slay the tournaments and the players further.

If it was one injury, your conclusions could have been right. But massive injuries like this should have other reasons. So, please look and see how they could have been prevented and are these going to happen more often or less? Does ATP has any responsibility? I wish someone called ET for an interview!

Sean,
there should be a reasnable “in between” solution. Reasonable number of tournaments, with perhaps a week in between, so that the players can rest their body. Is three master series in 4 weeks reasonable?

Blake and Roddick are both experienced players and they have both called for a season that ends in October and they have signed the petition to re-consider ETv’s contract.

Nuno, now that would be something wouldn’t it? I would actually like to see that. That’d be a first.

Zola, you are really after the ATP and Mr. Disney!

Okay, so we space out the Masters clay events, but what happens to the 24 or so guys who lose in the first round? They are now stuck with 10 days of rest after playing just one match.

For some players their bodies are like engines, they more they run, the more they play the better they perform and less chances for injury. Of course there are others who need the rest to heal.

So it really goes both ways. Resting won’t hurt the body, but if you rest too much you can increase the chances for injury when you do return.

I’m not sure a longer off-season will reduce the injury percentages for that same reason.

The short term ranking puzzle aside, but mid November when the season ends it looks quite possible that Novak will end the year #1. He has banked a lot of points so far in the year. Obviously, there are a lot more events to be played, but win or lose tomorrow this week helps Novak a lot vs. Federer and especially Nadal in the year long battle for ranking points.

Just to add one - Djokovic warned yesterday about the clay court and the shape of it, and everybody turned against him, but he may be right afterall - could that be the case here? Clay is easier on the body if you compare to hard surface, joints, being able to skid on it a bit - but it has its problems (e.g. you often have longer points because of the slow surface, less points ending as straight winners).
Also I agree with you, we should give players a break, it’s hard enough playing day in day out, they get sick as we all do + the strain on the body - and if you risk losing a month or two of pro playing, well it’s understandable.

Sean
**Okay, so we space out the Masters clay events, but what happens to the 24 or so guys who lose in the first round? They are now stuck with 10 days of rest after playing just one match.**

OK, if you have two master series in two weks , these guys will have two matches in two weeks and will be out again till next week. Should we sacrifice the health of the 8 who play the QF for those who go out at the first round?

We can’t babysit the players. It is their reponsilility to stay fit during the off time. No one schedules matches for Fed or Rafa during the off season, they are both practicing in Dubai and Mallorca.Same with other players. That’s why they are professional.

when there is a week between master series, a player has an option to train or not to train. When there is no rest, the player has “no options”.

***Zola, you are really after the ATP and Mr. Disney!***

You bet! I want a CEO from PIXAR this time!

Sean

**I’m not sure a longer off-season will reduce the injury percentages for that same reason.***

the players are the ones who have to go through all this in reality and they wish for a shorter season ending in October.but that’s a long shot. I want just some rest between clay master series events. that’s all.

Sean,
“For some players their bodies are like engines, they more they run, the more they play the better they perform and less chances for injury. Of course there are others who need the rest to heal.

So it really goes both ways. Resting won’t hurt the body, but if you rest too much you can increase the chances for injury when you do return.”

I really don’t agree with you. Resting 10 days never hurts player. And their bodies are never similar to engine. We must consider the winner in scheduling the calendar. It’s better supporting the winner than caring the losers. If you lose more early, of course you have more rest. Obviously, if you win the more matches you have more pressures on your body and even more matches to play. ATP’s right to make some back-to-back tournaments but putting 3 Master Series in 1 month is really ridiculous. Neither playing 2 Master Series in one month like IW-Miami nor playing 3 Master Series in the same period like this is good for player.

I must stress that I hate ATP for the calendar. I hate seeing those rubbish semi-finals. And I hate seeing players continuing retire. As a tennis fan, I want to see players play happily and contribute good matches for spectators.

I think that tennis is being treated like a team sport. In a team sport, when there is someone out with an injury, there is always someone to fill in. the fans get their money’s worth because the game is played. they may not get to see the person they really want to seebecause of that person’s retirement, but at least they get to see the game. In tennis, it’s an indevidual who gets and injury or who starts to feel sick. Unless, the fans would like to have the sick one throw up all over the court, or the injured one literally carried off the court, then these things are going to happen. Also, I think that in an effort to draw more fans, the ATP feels it has to put on a show that includes a tennis match. Those extraneous things have to be paid for. At one end, the players are expected to perform, so as to draw in the avertisement dollars, and at the other end, the fans pay higher ticket prices and thus have higher expectations. As a totally-blind person, I don’t need extra things going on to look at and keep me interested. I would just want the tennis to be good and the person calling the game to give me the details I need. It’s the same when I go to music concerts. I need the music to be good. If it’s not, the extra stuff-light shows etc.-aren’t going to make up for it. I would also go for a longer off-season. Heavens, I would just go back to grass all round. If golfers can have greens all over the world, why can’t tennis?

Sean -

“but it comes down to body type, training methods, etc.

So it’s a fine very line, and unfortunately everyone’s body reacts differently to rest and strain.”

I agree with you here. There is an element of individuality and body type / immune system that we have to consider when it comes to injuries and retirements. That’s why it bugs me that you crap on Novak but give others a pass; it’s a double standard. Novak has a weaker immune system, has admitted, even on Leno I think, that when he travels, he tends to get sick. Haven’t you heard of people getting sick when they fly? I have.

As Debra Gardner smartly points out, tennis is an INDIVIDUAL sport; thus, the players should be treated & judged accordingly.

Also - training methods might be one approach to alleviate the increase in retirements due to injuries, but the wear-and-tear these players face is MORE than in the past.

When McEnroe and co. played, they often skipped the Australian; they traveled less AND had less media events/requirements. Look at how much media and off-court stuff some of the players now-a-days commit to. To me, anyhow, it seems like more. So add that into the mix, and the pressure that comes with it, which could lead to more stress. (Case in point; don’t you get the sense that Murray will be BURIED under the weight of the British press if they don’t shut the hell up??!!) Not only do players today travel more, play more, and perform more, but they are judged REALLY HARSHLY by fans and press.

We need to get behind them and look for answers.

I agree with zero 100% on this point: “As a tennis fan, I want to see players play happily and contribute good matches for spectators.”

I don’t want to see players playing sick or injured and “sticking it out”. I want to see them at the top of their health and their games - don’t we all?

Zola,

Novak has gone on the record today, criticizing the schedule openly, much like Rafa has.

I’ve also heard there is a petition to the ATP circulating.

So, hopefully, something will be done, if not this year, then in the future.

We can complain about the TV coverage and get something done about, but it’s also time to get behind our players, whether you’re a fan of one or many.

Here’s the link to the BBC article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/7394171.stm

One more point - Roddick is quoted in that same BBC Sport article, saying that he has been saying for YEARS that the players need a longer off-season to recover.

“The ATP said it marked the first time in the history of the Masters Series that both semifinals ended with retirements. Tour officials could not say if it had ever happened in another tournament.”

Jane, your wish of seeing the best players at the “top of their health and their games” is closer to a pipe dream.

A lot of guys play with minor injuries. Fed’s never retired in a match before, but I’m sure he’s played through pain. Nadal played through pain the other day. As did his opponent Ferrero who said he wasn’t 100% due to an adductor issue. Fed played through mono in Australia.

And lots of other guys do play through injuries, they just don’t make light of it. Some do it more than others. And that was the case in the 90s, the 80s, the 70s and so on. And it’s true in other sports, too.

You must not be much of an NFL fan because by the end of the season everyone is banged up. Very few players are actually or ever 100%. Tom Brady played in the Super Bowl with a bad ankle. In the AFC championship game Philip Rivers played with a torn ACL in his knee. Rivers had no business playing that game but he did so because that’s his job to quarterback his team and give them and their fans the very best chance of winning.

Hell, didn’t Tiger Woods play the Masters with a bad knee which required surgery the very next day? And Kobe Bryant I believe has a finger which needs surgery once the season ends.

And at least here in American effort in sports does count for a lot. You may not be at your best but the fact you got up off the mat and gave it go makes us root for you that much more.

Pete Sampras won a lot of fans the day he beat Corretja in that memorable US Open match. Pete could have easily retired in that last set and no one would have questioned him. He probably felt like crap (he looked like crap) but he’s a tennis player. That’s what he does. And in the end he was better for sticking it out, and he won the match.

Regarding Novak, I am fully aware of his issues, but I still gotta ask why it only affects him when he’s in trouble against a top player? Now I’m not saying he’s not feeling discomfort, but I’m guessing some of that is psychosomatic.

Regarding Murray, yes, if he isn’t already getting slammed he will be. Look the British press did to Henman and he was an overachiever in my mind. Murray’s an underachiever, and if he doesn’t get his game straightened out I feel sorry for what they will do to him.

True the game has changed a lot since the 80s, but the players need to be responsible with their schedule, training, etc.

Added rest built into the schedule/off season will help but it’s not going to stop the problem of injuries and retirements. It starts with the players on an individual level, then the tour to properly educate them and then even the trainers/doctors to tell the players that hey, your injury or illness really isn’t that bad, continue on, we’ll get some treatment afterward.

In some ways the tours need to make it tougher to retire during the match, if that makes sense.

And I agree the clay schedule is atrocious and unfair.

Why does America and the American players get a month to play two hard court Masters events in Miami and IW which really don’t lead to anything or are really part of any major circuit in the calendar while the Europeans have to play three within that same time frame in a very important French Open lead-up swing?

Tour solution: Get rid of a clay Masters.
Real solution: Get rid of IW or Miami and expand the clay season.

The Tour took the path of least resistance (or so it thought) and is planning to get rid of Hamburg.

Dan,

Talking 2008 points only I could definitely see Novak being No. 1 going into the US Open but I question his fitness level the last month of the year. I think it will be a really tight three-man race and based on what happened last year and the fact he’s likely going to play more this year, Novak may very well fizzle out again.

But I do think he’ll have the best summer of the three which will set himself up for a year-end No. 1 charge.

“There’s something happening here.
What it is ain’t exactly clear.”

We are not even into the body crunching part of the tennis season with the U S Open series still months away and the stars are already falling like flies.

The last thing I would want is to let the clowns who are the current Tennis Masters decide when a player can retire. The time has come to review everything especially the schedule, conditioning training availability for all players, etc. Perhaps even looking at what golf, basketball and other long season sports do for their athletes ought to be taken into consideration.

Sean -

Well, then, here’s to pipe dreams, or the closest we can get to them. I don’t see the glory in suffering.

I hate NFL, and most team sports actually, but especially “football”. Bunch of whacked out dudes banging into one another, peppered with the occasional amazing run/throw? I know that will offend, but it’s a bore to me. Funnily enough, I don’t mind soccer, which is the *real* football. I hate, hate, hate wrestling and boxing. So there you go, just a bunch of arm-chair opinion, admittedly so.

But give me a smart and well-played tennis match over any other sport any day… and players who aren’t played to death.

How can players be “responsible” with their scheduling, though, when they have points to defend? When they want to move up in the rankings. This is where you’re kind of putting the onus on the players when it should be put on the ATP.

Of course, players must be responsible with their training, and if they’re not and they get injured, well, then too bad for them. Isn’t it obvious a player should be fit? I think we can honestly say that MOST of them are.

Dr Death,

“Everybody look what’s going down…” Yeah… exactly.

I agree: to let someone else judge when a player can retire? That’s dangerous territory. Maybe we should just throw the players to the lions? LOL.

Doctors, Sean, are often wrong. But not Dr. Death

jane:

“How can players be “responsible” with their scheduling, though, when they have points to defend? When they want to move up in the rankings.”

I think the whole ranking system should be revamped. The ranking system is what pushes these players — every year grinding to defend the previous year’s points — it’s absolutely ridiculous, and probably boring to them. It places these players into a vicious cycle and robs them of a chice to play in a different tournament. Variety being the spice of life is not the norm here. Some thought should be given to eliminating defending some of the ranking points, e.g., the points earned in the smaller tournaments.

The way the tournaments are set up, especially the smaller tournaments, they’re played along the same format as the MS. It’s ridiculous, when one considers the points and prize money that’s there for the taking. Some more incentive should be given to playing the smaller tournaments; if this isn’t done and it becomes mandatory for players to play 19 tournaments in a year, then the smaller tournaments will suffer. Some will argue that the smaller tournaments have less talented and lower ranked players, but considering what’s been happening in the top 100 and the quality of the players’ game, this argument no longer holds true. Just look at who’s beating the higher ranked players. A lot of the top 50 players were once GS winners, ex-No.1s and MS winners. These players are dangerous and can beat a higher ranked player in the twinling of an eye, as has been evidenced in the present MS - Rome tournament.

Additionally, the amount of points earned and the dollar amount paid to the players for rounds one (1) through the QFs is a mere pittance, considering, the points and prize money awarded to the finalist and winner. Most of the hard work is done through the QFs, especially in the GS, but the points and money awarded is just one-quarter of the whole purse; it’s unfair. A more equitable form of reimbursement should be figured out at a fixed amount per match played, similarly to the TMC form of reimbursement. ATP is virtually robbing these players for their hard-fought battles. A more equitable form of reimbursement should prevail.

On a side note, it’s been the consensus of opinion that Federer has never retired; he did once, in his home tournament in Basel, a few years ago, where he suffered an injury to his groin muscle and pulled out from the tournament.

Sour grapes from Federer again in his post match presser:

“But this wasn’t really a clay court match. I think I would be a bit more worried if I were to lose against a guy who would just be playing real clay court tennis.”

So what do you good readers make of that?

Sean Randall:

What you paint is a glorios picture of machoistic pride — maybe a little too much. Have I got too much chutzpah for pointing this out? Maybe, maybe not, but is it fair to employ American Football v. Tennis as an argument for true grit? I think there’s a huge difference in the format of these two sports. Tennis is an individual sport and one which is solely on the players’ shoulders. Football or any other team sport does not place that same burden on its players to go out there and fight to the bitter end. There are always backup players available in crunch time and this relieves a huge burden on the players. Just think if you had a very capable assistant to do your job in the event you got sick or injured, wouldn’t that remove a phenomenal burden from your mind/shoulders? The feeling of: ‘Oh I don’t have to worry about that project, if I’m sick Dan can pitch in and take over for a few days, and everything will run smoothly, because he’s capable’? (Dan i just named you to the position of Sean’s capable assistant.) Well, unfortunately, the tennis players DON’T have that choice and it can be very difficult for them to carry this added psychological burden, especially if they have to retire.

For instance, I overheard Roddick, when he twisted his back today, say to Doug Spreen, and this is not verbatim, ‘it’s the same thing that was hurting yesterday’. He was macho enough to come out today, and what happened, he injured himself even further. Sometimes, I feel that this true grit mentality is what causes a simple injury to become compounded and can have long-lasting effects. I’d say a player should be able to retire if, and when, he deems it’s detrimental to his body, rather to keep on playing. Forget the critics, there will always be many of those, but one has to do what’s best for numero uno.

It would probably be halpful for the ATP to employ a team of psychologists to help them understand the human psyche and the mind/brain connection to the physical. Considering the brain is the master organ in the body, one which is least considered when dealing with injuries, but the one that plays the most important part, some psychological minds should be employed to help ATP figure out the effects injuries have on these players.

Another point that should be considered in retirements, can one honestly say that a player who’s reached the semis would just go ahead and throw in the towel for a minor injury or ailment. I don’t think so. What one considers a minor aliment, another might not; it’s an individual thing not a carte blanche rule that should be applied. Discretion is the better part of valor in these circumstances and this can only be done on an individual basis. I’m sorry for bending your ear, but brevity was not a choice here.

Von:”I think the whole ranking system should be revamped. The ranking system is what pushes these players — every year grinding to defend the previous year’s points — it’s absolutely ridiculous, and probably boring to them. It places these players into a vicious cycle and robs them of a chice to play in a different tournament. Variety being the spice of life is not the norm here. Some thought should be given to eliminating defending some of the ranking points, e.g., the points earned in the smaller tournaments.”

A totally agree on this!!!
But you know - it’s all about politic and bussines - they have to keep a popularity of some tennis places so the point system is made that way that it pushes high ranked players to always play on the tournaments with bigger renomee - that’s all about money.

TD:

“But this wasn’t really a clay court match. I think I would be a bit more worried if I were to lose against a guy who would just be playing real clay court tennis.”

“So what do you good readers make of that?”

You’re stoking the fire, here girl, and if I get started and end up being slaughtered, I’ll blame you.

So sorry your week was spoilt by our guy having to retire — did an opportunity present itself to speak to him? I saw an American couple, with 2 children in one of the front boxes, clapping like crazy for Andy in his match v. Robredo, was that you? I was amazed at the response from the Italian fans for Andy. He’s loved in Italy. Enjoy the upcoming final.

Maja:

“It’s all about politic and bussines - they have to keep a popularity of some tennis places so the point system is made that way that it pushes high ranked players to always play on the tournaments with bigger renomee - that’s all about money.”

So true, Maja. To steal a line from Dr. Death: “Show me the money!” The money is what’s killing these players and ATP is just hogging it all — paying out pittance and receiving huge returns of profits. It’s ridiculous how much these players have to put out initially in the first rounds leading up to the QF, but the remuneration and points awarded is a mere pittance for their efforts. Pitiful pittance/compensation; that’s the way the cookie crumbles, but unfortunately oligopoly rules and is the name of the game. The players need an additional organization to fight for their rights - a players’ rights committee, similarly to a union for blue collared workers, and they can threaten to strike, just like baseball. Now that’s a prescription for attention and some changes. I’d pick Djoko and Roddick to head the strike committee. Give me a picket and a step stool (5′5″ here) and I’ll be standing next to them, shouting at the top of my lungs with gusto.

rog always has sour grapes when he loses, i am used to it by now.

Von:

Fed never retired mid-match. The basel tournament you mention, he withdrew. I hope you realise the difference between a retirement and a withdrawal?

I agree with Sean’s take. A-rod and stepanek get a pass. Djokovic does not. Reason: Djokovic is a repeat offender. His withdrawals are on every tennis-fan’s lips. You cant say the same for a-rod and the worm.

All clay-court supporters might make use of what happened today to trash the ATP, but a-rod did not play for weeks till now, and the worm has not gone deep in any of the clay tournaments but rome. This is no reason to blame the atp management. These 2 injuries have nothing to do with scheduling. The ATP has to get its scheduling right, but what happened today is just a freak coincidence. Nadal and alamagro, that is due to scheduling. A-rod and worm - 1st offence. choker - is a moron. He needs to develop some balls or take his drama to the WTA. He can play WTA doubles with henin and retire in a big match when their opponent is 1 game from victory.

Fed haters - fed has sour grapes after losing
Choker haters - he needs to grow some balls
Nadal haters - same as choker but on hard-courts
A-rod haters - he is a boorish american sissy

Those equines have been clubbed to merciless death, brought to life and the cruel process repeated a zillion + 1 times. Can we have something new, please?

Von,

Great pipes girl: I agree on both your rankings & pittance points, and have said similar stuff about discretion / individuality and taking into account circumstances.

Unfortunately, it’s doubtful that we’ll convince the ATP or those fans with less discretion to change their minds, come hell or high water.

Maybe the players need to take it into their own hands and do a little protesting; how about all of the top ten boycotting a MS event? That’d get things moving, I suspect.

Here’s another shocker from the Times Online:

” The full extent of the malaise is illustrated by the fact that in six clay-court events this spring, the total of pull-outs is an alarming 23.”

Von Says: “You’re stoking the fire, here girl, and if I get started and end up being slaughtered, I’ll blame you.”
————-

lol okay Von I will take the fall.

I am sorry that both Roddick and Stepanek had to retire but I think their situations are a little different from Djokovic’s retirement in Monte Carlo. I will enjoy the final anyway, barring any more retirements or injuries, I was happy to see Blake and Roddick perform so well on their worst surface.

I think the ATP needs an advocate for the players because nobody is looking out for them it’s all about the money.

fed is afraid Says: “rog always has sour grapes when he loses, i am used to it by now.”
——————-

So am I but it is infuriating how Federer always gets a free pass from the media while other players are crucified. >:(

Kash:

How are doing? Missed you for a while. Concession to your points about Fed’s Basel tournament.

“All clay-court supporters might make use of what happened today to trash the ATP, but a-rod did not play for weeks till now, and the worm has not gone deep in any of the clay tournaments but rome. ”

I’m not quibbling about the ATP clay court season — just about the points/money award system employed by ATP, and the judgemental comments about the unfortunate retirements, which are at the players’ discretion. Who knows what happens in another’s body; only they know the full extent of their problem. It’s a grey area, and we do have to give them the benefit of the doubt, whichever way we look at the problem. I’ve been vociferous in the past about retirements, but in retrospect have changed my thinking.

You’re correct on A-Rod not playing for a week — he missed MC, but he played in DC the weekend just prior to MC. Additionally, being a full-blooded American young man who loves to party, and one who puts friends above ranking points, he took time out to join Mardy Fish’s bachelor party celebration after DC. A-Rod does know how to schedule his tournament participation to avoid burn out, even though he’s been slaughtered for his adeptness regarding same — being called a sissy, and he whole nine yards, for not playing in too many clay court tournaments. You know the score so I won’t burden you with the details. Today, was an unfortunate retirement from him, one I would wish had not happened — I would have liked for him to win the whole darn tournament to shut up his critics. Alas, that was not to be — a very disappointed fan here.

___________
jane:

“Unfortunately, it’s doubtful that we’ll convince the ATP or those fans with less discretion to change their minds, come hell or high water.”

Unfortunately — but just keep on hoping, and who knows some good will emanate from the ATP and the judgmental critics. ‘Hope’ — it’s the creed by which we all should live. Once that goes, we’re in serious trouble. I don’t mind the critics as much as I dislike the name calling. Grow up guys — no need to show the juvenile side — we’re all adults, who hopefully, have left those selective names behind in our adolesence.

Von,
sorry for Roddick. I thought he could even go to the final. The way he was playing, he had a great chance. Pity he had to retire. No blame on him or Stepanek ( although Stepanek took some heat from the press).

It is interesting about Fed’s Basel retirement. Do you have a link? Kamakshi Tandon had a repot on retirements saying that Fed and Blake have never retired. so it will be interesting to see.

Jane,
I am glad Djoko has stepped up to voice his concern. I know Blake and Roddick have been vocal this year along with Rafa. There is a petition signed by 17 of the top 20 players asking ATP not to automatically recruit ET after his term ends in 9 months. The three that did not sign could not be reached.

I absolutely agree that fans should support the players at this stage. This shambles of a calendar is just hurting the playes and resulting in the destruction of the tournaments. Look at Rome. It has produced epic matches at 05, 06 and 07 and became a disaster at 08.

there is a petition for fans to sign:

http://www.petitiononline.com/tennis08/

TD:

“I think the ATP needs an advocate for the players because nobody is looking out for them it’s all about the money.”

How about us joining with A-Rod and some others in a picketing for justice against ATP — a union/picket type demonstration. I’m utterly dumbfounded that the players do not have a players’ rights committe to arbitrate on their behalf. Absolutely undemocratic from so many points of view. For the time being, until some bright spark decides to act on their behalf, they’ll just have to tow the line with ATP. There are many ways to skin a cat — the players will have to find their own individual means by which to do so. Until then … let’s just enjoy the matches in which they play. Enjoy your vacation and keep on trucking and supporting our guy. I’m always here to lend a helping finger (posting).

Maja dear,
I am a Rafa fan, so I am a bit scared ( very scared) that Djoko can overtake his No 2 spot before RG. That’s why I will root for Wawrinka tomorrow, but nothing against Djoko.
The way he played in this tournamnent, has been great and I am sure he has a great chance to go deep in RG as well. If he was a coupla thousand points behid Rafa, I would have been indifferent!

btw, Jane,
Stan the man! broke into top 10, what about that? Man, I am starting to like too many players! I have been disappointed by Murray, Monfils and Cilic, but Ancic and Wawrinka are doing well.

Zola:

“Do you have a link? Kamakshi Tandon had a repot on retirements saying that Fed and Blake have never retired.”

Sorry, I don’t have a link, and not being a pack rat, I don’t save such stuff, but just commit them to memory. I’m running short on brain cells though — an age-related problem.

Thanks for your expression of kindness towards A-Rod. I’m one very disappointed fan today. He’s not playing Hamburg and I’m very concerned about his back problem. This had happened before the ‘07 TMC and flared up again before his matches with Fed and Ferrer. His back was frozen and his critics had a field day with their immature nonsense.

As I stated previously, we can complain from here to ying yang about ATP, it’s not going to help — we’re fighting with an oligopoly/monopoly type organization here, whose main function is to extract as much money by exploiting skilled labor. A proverbial sweat shop that keeps on churning out edicts and/or commandments. I don’t know the answer, and I daresay the players have one, but what I do know is that the players should have some entity to which they can take their complaints, and receive some kind of affirmative action. That’s whole different can of worms though, and a proverbial Pandora’s box will definitely be opened. However, it might be worth the upkeep by the players — the same as paying union dues by blue collared workers, to have such an adovocate organization.

Hope Rafa is well next week — he needs to go far in Hamburg. Don’t worry, sometimes the darkest hour is just before dawn, and then, hello, it’s sunrise and all is bright and beautiful. Keep hoping and smiling. here’s a smile for you from Rafa. :)

The ATP is playing with players health.It is obvious that ATP wants mony only.It will be good if they understand that they exists because of the players and it is their duty to look after the welfare of the players.It is time to kick out the ATP boss and find a new one.

I heard that Wawrinka had some issues with his back. Hope he’ll be well to day. I’d like to see he play a great match with Djoker. And I hope Stan win this

if nadal made the final, djokovic would have retired by now with an std

Yes, Rod, agree with you 100%. Case closed.

Gosh, I love all the controversy. I think we can all agree that the schedule is ridiculous for one important reason - it exhausts the fans!

But hey, the final might not be a total drag. The Djoko/Wawrinka head to head is 3/2 with one of Stan’s two wins coming on clay (Djokovic retired from that one, but let’s not go into that.)

There’s no way Novak is going to get far in Hamburg next week - he’s going to fizzle out by the quarters, for sure. This time of year is just one big revolving door.

So how ’bout that Elena Dementieva, huh?

It’s silly to say that one player deserved the title if the battle is not over yet. I wouldn’t say Wawrinka deserved the title - we will find out who deserved it TODAY, because today is the final.

This I wrote is the comment about what zola said on the beginning that Wawrinka deserved it.

Hi Von:

I am doing good, just a little tied up with making some career changes. I do read most of the posts on this site and other tennis sites, so I have been following your posts (most of them anyway!)

Also, you are not in the clay-court supporting group. You do make great points about scheduling and the points system, though i do think it is upto the player to space himself. It is part of the deal, and that was one of the reasons fed was so dominating the last few years. He understands his fitness/body issues and spaces himself very well. He has had his share of injuries, like the basel tournament you mention in 2005. Fed played one tournament after the US open that year.(I think it was thailand) and skipped madrid, basel and paris but played the MC (not completely fit. agassi, nadal and a-rod had pulled out, but fed showed up not entirely fit)

He takes a mid-year break after wimbledon and doesn’t really get into the US open grind. Plays only the 2 mandatory master’s and pretty much plays only DC and 1more tournament before madrid/basel/paris and mc! It will be interesting to see how he goes about this year, as he has been losing a lot and has not played a lot many matches this year.

Anyhow in my mind, the atp scheduling is the wrong goose to chase regarding the injuries. The more relevant problems, which I am quite surprised no one has mentioned in 50-odd posts before me, are:

1) The insane strings and racquet technology. Sean has been quite vocal about these in the past. With the kind of spin and power players generate these days, it was just a matter of time the players’ bodies gave up on them for playing at such insane power and speed dominated game.

2) Market more players to the fans. I mean, except the fed, nadal, choker and a-rod, I donot see any vocal fans for the other guys. We are the most fanatic of tennis fans and what we write about the non-top 5 players is trivial compared to the reams and reams we dole out on the top dogs. Imagine the casual fan. If the atp/wta has a pool of 25-30 popular players, it will leave the ball in the players’ court as to how to space themselves.

To me the players’ injuries are more related to the above 2 reasons than the atp scheduling. I love it that there is tennis every week. However I donot expect fed/nad/choker to play every week. They should be wise enough to space themselves. The solution to no.1 should not be playing more as much as it should be about WINNING more.

Because of the short tennis off-season, you really can’t compare it to team sports. If some of these guys choose to play it with an injury, they know they are going to have a good long time to recover and not be penalized for it. As an American,I know that we tend to route for the person who can “tough” it out, stay in their to help the team win. But tennis isn’t a team. The older I get and the more aches and pains I have, I am simply not impressed by playing when there’s something seriously wrong. Sure, players will do it because at this level, you’re generally highly competitive, but it doesn’t make me think more of them because they did, or less of them because they didn’t. Jane, I don’t really like football either, though I do like ice hockey and goodness knows there’s enough banging against one another to satisfy anyone.

Von, to respond to a few of your comments.

“I think there’s a huge difference in the format of these two sports. Tennis is an individual sport and one which is solely on the players’ shoulders. Football or any other team sport does not place that same burden on its players to go out there and fight to the bitter end.”
Are you sure? In team sports there’s far more pressure to play and uphold your responsibility to the team, to the fans and to the organization and sport. In tennis or golf, it’s just you. Much easier to quit when only you will have to face the consequences.

“There are always backup players available in crunch time and this relieves a huge burden on the players. Just think if you had a very capable assistant to do your job in the event you got sick or injured, wouldn’t that remove a phenomenal burden from your mind/shoulders?”
Are you sure? Yes, there are backup players in team sports which makes it even that more impressive that guys like Philip Rivers, who again played with a torn ACL in the AFC playoffs, go out there and fight.

“I’d say a player should be able to retire if, and when, he deems it’s detrimental to his body, rather to keep on playing. Forget the critics, there will always be many of those, but one has to do what’s best for numero uno.”
Here I would agree, however was Novak in a situation in MC where if he kept playing it would have been “detrimental to his body”? What about Stepanek yesterday? Based on what I saw and the information available – neither player was rushed to the hospital – I would argue no.

And remember, players are not just playing for numero uno but also for the fans who paid a hefty price for a ticket and those watching at home. And ultimately it’s those same fans who pay the players. I think Federer really understands that.

“Another point that should be considered in retirements, can one honestly say that a player who’s reached the semis would just go ahead and throw in the towel for a minor injury or ailment. I don’t think so”.
Think again. Novak did it. Stepanek did it, too. Look at Federer who had mono – a far more serious illness than just feeling sick like Stepanek – and he made it through his Australian Open semifinal. True, the player probably thinks it’s the end of world if he continues but reality of it is – and here’s where the trainer/doctor should step in – it’s a minor illness at the end of the day. Again, a case of getting it straight between the ears.

And lastly, and this goes to everyone who’s pointing the finger for the injury problem at the ATP, who at the ATP is holding a gun to Rafa’s head forcing him to play in Barcelona? Who at the ATP forced him to play Monte Carlo? Or Dubai? Who’s doing it?? Is it really ET?

No. It’s Rafa himself. It’s greed. Rafa plays Barcelona to pick up a paycheck. He plays Dubai to pick up an even bigger paycheck.

Andy Roddick gets it. He picks his spots. He passed on Monte Carlo and on Barcelona because he listens to what his body tells him better than a lot of other guys. And the result being is that he tends to skip a lot of the non-mandatory U.S. events like Delray Beach (where he spent some time growing up) or Houston (which is played in the very state where he now lives). Of course the irony is he still got injured.

As far as I understand the rules – and I could be wrong here – players have to the play the four slams and seven of the nine Masters. By my count that’s 11 tournaments required during any season. Events beyond those 11 is up the player.

Sure, the ATP can do a better job of managing the schedule, but it really comes down to each player individually determining their optimal schedule, and let’s face it for some guys the money comes before their health.

Sean,
Do you know the ATP rules?

The three clay master series are mandatory. No one is putting a gun to Rafa’s head, but he wants to accumulate points on his favorite surface. what is wrong with that?

Why do you point the finger to Rafa and not to the unhumanly schedule?

look at the program. it was IW, then Miami, then Davis cup. After two days of break, MonteCarlo, Barcelona , Hamburg and Rome. I give you that Rafa could frfiet his points in Barcelona.

But I don’t agree that it is greed. He could have had more money and more points defending his Rome title.

I don’t understand your logic. You are clearly giving the ATP the license to slay the players. The schedule is just not right. with two master in the first three months of the year and then three master series in a month. A calendar that has been force on the players by CBS And college basketball , and you as a tennis critique actually defending it and blaming the players of greed? unbelievable!

Congrats to Djokovic & Wawrinka for a competitive final - Great job breaking into the top 10 Stan and awesome work Novak, for yet another tournament win, and your first M.S. on clay ! Whoo-hoo!

Zola, nothing is wrong with wanting to accumulate points, prize money, etc. But you also have to take into account the limit of your body. For some guys playing all four events is not much of a problem, for others (Rafa?) it is.

Zola, I will admit I’m no scholar of the rules, but can you tell me what the penalty was for Roddick and Blake when they decided not to play Monte Carlo? What wrath did ET lay on them for skipping?

And it’s really hard to blame all this on college basketball? C’mon now!

How sweet it was when Djokovic was speaking Italian - such a smart and charming guy. And the way he hug Gabriela Sabatini hehehehe

Sean,

You’re right that there’s an element of greed and over-scheduling that should be put on the player; I think Kash raises this point as well.

But what about rankings; if they didn’t play as much as they did, they’d lose points. So the desire for glory figures in too, and of course that’s the nature of sport, so.

The ATP could still rethink the calendar and give these guys a little more of an off season. I agree with Roddick about that.

Maja,

Djoko knows 4 languages and said he has been “working on” his Italian because he loves it. I’m really happy he won.

And, Zola, here’s this from Roddick yesterday:

Q. You can say it could be a coincidence, but there were six players that couldn’t finish their matches in Barcelona and three here, plus Nadal’s feet. That’s an awful lot of matches that didn’t get finished in two tournaments. Is the locker room concerned about this? Do they talk but injuries?