Well said!

On the Abu Dhabi miracle cure:

“What’s been especially disappointing this week, in the middle of the Shanghai bitch fest, is that the players seem more clueless than ever. Take Nadal. While he said “it’s impossible to play 1st of January and finish 5th of December,” he has also announced that he’ll be competing in the Abu Dhabi exhibition at the beginning of next year before the Australian Open. (Roger Federer is also scheduled to compete there.) It’s not required that Rafa sign up for this event, though one can only guess that the folks at Abu Dhabi are offering up sizeable appearance fees that will probably go a long way in making a tired mind and body feel rejuvenated.”

On the grueling 25 week season:

“On the ATP tour, the pros are supposed to play eight of the nine Masters Series events (Monte Carlo is the exception) and four 500-level events (Monte Carlo can count toward this quota) throughout the year, with only one required to be after the U.S. Open. The Top 8-ranked players are also required to show up for the year-end World Tour Finals. Add to that the Grand Slams, at two weeks each, and the Davis Cup (4 times per season for teams that reach the final) and you’ve got a maximum tournament requirement of 25 weeks. Don’t know about you, but I’d fancy a work schedule like that. And this, of course, assumes that these players are getting deep into the second week of majors and going far in Davis Cup, which only a select few actually do.”

On diluting the Masters Series tournaments:

“But let’s say the ATP caved in to the top players’ demand and eliminated commitments for Masters Series events. What would happen to the tour? With players free to compete where and when they wanted, the Masters Series 1000—the crown jewel of the men’s tour—would be diluted. Rather than getting all the top players in one spot for a few weeks out of the year, these events would be just like all the others, with a couple stars mixed in with the rank-and-file. Without mandatory requirements, the bad old days of under-the-table appearance fees would probably return, and cowboy tournament organizers would lure players to their events without considering what’s best for men’s tennis.”

I still think the season is too long – for the FANS, not for the players. A tightened up season would make each tournament more relevant and more exciting. A longer off season would heighten the anticipation for “opening day.” It’s just toooo muchhhhhh tennnnisssss. (Sorry I’m a little burnt out right now, if you can’t you tell – Rafa, give me a call and we can bitch together!)

If the season is cut are these complainers willing to take less money for getting deep in a tournament? So that extra money can be given to those who go out at the earlier stages of the tournament? Will they accept lower appearances fees(top 2 players apparently get 1million euros), so that more money can go into prize money? Will they accept money being taken from the prize fund at bigger events to increase the prize funds at lesser events? If there are less events it is going to be harder for those ranked 150+ to earn a living.

It is up to a player to manage his schedule. If Nadal is so worried about burn out why is he playing so many matches? He doesn’t need to play all these singles tournaments, doubles matches, dc matches, exho’s. He sort out his schedule first before he whinges. I’m sure if he really wanted to he could find a doctor who would say he was too sick to play a tournament…

More and more Nadal seems to me to be about the appearance fees – he complains about the length of the season yet seems to play every tournament that god sends. If we assume conservatively he played 14 tournaments and got paid 1 million euro’s just for turning up at each one then that’s a heck of a lot of money before you factor in prize money and sponsorship. You can see why he doesn’t want to stop going to these events and wants the ATP to shorten the season.

Why aren’t the complainers lobbying for the return of carpet, an increase to the grass court season both of which much be much softer on the knees than a hard court. Why aren’t they lobbying for the standarisation of hard courts?

Instead of just complaining they should propose a solution that will benefit all players not just those in the top five.

i will not believe that marat is retiring until he absolutely stops playing!

That’s my rational side. But on the other hand, the players formed the ATP to give themselves power- technically, tennis players have more control over their sport than any union, so if they can’t make the changes they have only themselves to blame. And the reason is clear too- money. In hockey, with the long season and the players salaried (instead of paid-by-game) the players can blame “greedy” owners. In tennis, they ARE the owners: 4 legs good, 2 legs better…
And if Nadal wants to play exhibition tournaments he has no credibility on the issue.
What they’re really saying is, We are children who will chase candy whenever we see it. We need adults to put the candy out of reach.

My fingers know 3 keys on the keyboard a little too well … *whistles*

Moving the AO back to Fed won’t stop either Roger or Rafa from signing up to Abu Dhabi Cashcow Invitational. If AO was moved back to Feb, you bet more of the top players are going turn up in the Mid-East or Asia to play exhos or Qatar/Chennai. That’s just the way it is.

I’m not saying that there isn’t a problem, but clearly it’s a bit easy for the players to sit back and complain about the season being too long, then play a whole bunch of tournaments for extra cash.

I find it funny that the TV commentators are still saying its an “alleged” retirement. They just don’t believe it!

Just kidding – of course you make good points. I think there are very good reasons for most of the tournaments to stay scheduled as they are, which is why it’s highly probably that nothing will ever change. Perhaps it’s just that the number of required events needs to be adjusted. Of course then we’ll hear about how the events don’t get enough participation by the top players.

Or players who have a problem with the season can take a cue from Roger and schedule themselves appropriately. I don’t think Nadal should have played Beijing. Not with the injuries he’s had this year.