While I'm not a big fan of tennis, as a sports fan I'm very interested to see what happens at the AO given the chaos COVID-19 has introduced to preparations.
As much as there are complaints, we might actually find new interest if some rank outsiders can get a run on.
Is it primed for some resilient kids to sweep away the old pros?
While I'm not a big fan of tennis, as a sports fan I'm very interested to see what happens at the AO given the chaos COVID-19 has introduced to preparations.
As much as there are complaints, we might actually find new interest if some rank outsiders can get a run on.
Is it primed for some resilient kids to sweep away the old pros?
Not so sure about that, I reckon the kids have been busy whinging and carrying on while the old pros and been getting on with it and grinding away not matter what.
Also Djoker and co have been staying in the penthouses.
I hope it flops big time. Seems it will.
Also Djoker and co have been staying in the penthouses.
So it's $3K per night whether you stay in a cupboard or a small elevated suburb!
Lot's of excuses being made by seeds for early exists.
Maybe losing their regular luxuries has made them a bit soft!
I can't say I didn't see this coming, high level professional sport is full of apologists that spend all their days making life easy for the top talent. Take all that away and the playing field suddenly levels.
$100K for a first round exit - money for old rope!
$100K for a first round exit - money for old rope!
How do they even survive? ::)
$100K for a first round exit - money for old rope!
Only job you can get wealthy in by being a loser........
Exception not rule.
Most tours don't pay this well, and just getting here to this level is not for someone without some investment.
Exception not rule.
Most tours don't pay this well, and just getting here to this level is not for someone without some investment.
Regardless, that doesn't change the fact they are complaining about it, do they have to?
Regardless, that doesn't change the fact they are complaining about it, do they have to?
I have heard people say that the AFL and Soccer players get paid handsomely to chase around what is in essence a bladder with animal skin wrapped around it.
You know how it goes, people like to claim that these guys haven't done anything to warrant the payment or a bunch of whingers, blady blady. The reality is, that these people throw around the insults because they really can't fathom just how competitive that environment truly is, because they see what is considered unproffesional super brats. Thing is, those brats are supremely talented and actually work quite hard too, they just dont work as hard as the ultra pro competitors.
What we don't see is all the sacrifice off court that happens before they even get the chance to turn pro, and the fact that for each one that makes it, there is likely another 300 that doesn't even get close.
The Australian open is one of 4 of the largest tournaments on the planet, paying some of the most handsome money in the process. To be a loser in that tournament is to be a winner already.
It takes a lot of commitment, effort, persistence, sacrifices and also a lot of god given talent to go with it. Not to mention luck, and probably connections too.
The people we see hit the ball around at these premier events, are the elite of the elite. Yes they complain when things don't go their way and you know, its no different to seeing someone barking at an umpire, or someone like Dangerfield coming out in the media and having a good old chin wag about something that is going to benefit his team.
They all do it, none of them are immune from it, the humble ones are few and far between, and even the most loved sportsman behaves like a twat every so often. They are only human after all.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_ATP_Tour
You can see some of the prize money listed on the schedule of the events part of that link. Not all of them pay as handsomely as the Australian Open does.
For reference, the Aus open pays a total of $32 846 000. That is a tonne of prize money.
You start seeing just how few and far between the prize money is in some of the other tournaments.
In Feb, there are 12 tournaments a player can participate in. Most of the people we watch here in Australia, will compete in at least one or two of these other tournaments, and the total prize pool at the next big thing is likely from Dubai in Feb, where total prize money is $2 950 420.
https://www.perfect-tennis.com/prize-money/dubai/
For 2020 the total prize money for the ATP event is $2,794,840 which is a 2.1% increase compared to last year. Along with 500 ranking points, the winner in Dubai will leave with $565,705, which is a barely noticeable 0.01% rise. The runner up will receive $284,485 a 0.21% rise.
While the main draw round all sees nominal increases, losers in qualifying have seen their pay packets notched up 36.08% and 22.55% respectively. First-round qualifying losers bag themselves $5,450 while final-round qualifying losers receive $9,810.
You might find that's why the whinging in the Aus open is as big a problem as it is.
For me, I am ambivalent. We see plenty of poor behaviour from people in the public eye, and we see them in both their best and worst moments. As someone who simply likes to watch Tennis, I call it noise. Others disagree, that is their want, that is their choice.
Most people will never understand the life of these professional athletes. When you live and breathe something the way they do, and ride the wave of success and injury like they do as well as the rankings implications, the sheer dedication to the craft, and the fact that they play a lot of tennis consecutively to earn the sort of money they do, well, I have nothing but admiration for their sacrifices.
i know I wouldnt be able to have the sort of longevity that the champions of that sport do. Hell, even those lesser known names that have been around forever (like Thomas Brdic, or John Millman, who just keep on going around and around and never quite crack it into the top level of players) get a lot of respect from me.
There are plenty of flash in pan players too. They come up, play for a bit, get injured, and never quite recover. Its because the rankings will quickly see you out of the pro tour.
Its truly mind boggling once you start looking into it.
I understand
@Thryleon, but in fairness the players that seem to complain aren't necessarily the ones hanging on by a thread, and many of those complaining aren't qualifiers or wildcards, they are seeds that believe they have been mistreated.
Players that have invested heavily just to make it, only to see hopes evaporate in a cloud of COVID-19, they deserve some pity.
Even so it's not the organiser's, venue's or county's fault, it's just a blame game.
I've not got a problem with the prize money, I've got a problem with accepting the cheque then complaining about it. Especially after you volunteer to come here knowing in advance you would enter quarantine.
Exception not rule.
Most tours don't pay this well, and just getting here to this level is not for someone without some investment.
That's right Thry, and I think that the $100K represents an increase to encourage players to attend and put up with quarantine.
As LP said, it's not the players who would be happy to get $100K who are complaining. Of course, some of the big earners, like Serena Williams, have been very outspoken in favour of the quarantine.
As LP said, it's not the players who would be happy to get $100K who are complaining. Of course, some of the big earners, like Serena Williams, have been very outspoken in favour of the quarantine.
Yes, it's clearly the case there are split opinions, but perhaps this comes more from a personal experience perspective of COVID-19, than a position of privilege. Sort of like the published opinions of Bill Gates vs Greg Norman, until Norman got ill and flipped.
I wonder if Williams' ethnicity in respect to the exacerbated impact of COVID-19 on African Americans, has tweaked her awareness!
What I don't understand is the French/Belgian player who was actually infected, coming out after 14 days of quarantine, losing early but picking up a cheque for $100K. In effect she complains about being cared for while infected with COVID-19, at the AO's expense which I assert is ultimately the Australian tax payer, and being paid $100K for the privilege with all expenses paid. :o
People complain.
For example, you guys are complaining about people complaining, and wondering why they have the right to complain.
They have the right to complain, because they are human beings, and if you say nothing about what is currently impacting you, then you are advocating people stay silent, STFU, and hit their ball around and leave us alone.
Its amazing.
I had a conversation the other day, and it was regarding mental health, and why people don't speak up. Yet, here we are wondering why a pro player, is complaining about something that they in our opinion shouldn't be complaining about.
Do we want people to speak up or are we going to label them whingers??
Do we want people to speak up or are we going to label them whingers??
I think we see a difference between complaining and blaming, at least I do.
I suppose in discussing this I should be more careful of the terms used, but I just take it that others discussing this are also referring to the blame game.
All I am saying is, be careful what you wish for.
Once upon a time, colorful characters were in sport. They were real people, with real opinions, they lived real lives and now we are advocating that they act more like robots and less like people to satisfy ourselves.
John Mcnroe forged a career on it. There were always plenty of fiery characters. Instead, now when we see people who behave "appallingly" we look down our nose at them rather than exercise a modicum of respect.
John Mcnroe forged a career on it. There were always plenty of fiery characters. Instead, now when we see people who behave "appallingly" we look down our nose at them rather than exercise a modicum of respect.
I'm not sure I understand this perspective, people behaving appallingly deserve our respect!
I recall McEnroe being a knob on the court, I don't really recall him being precious or appalling off court, actually off court I have memories of him being quite charitable but maybe they aren't reliable memories given the distance. I don't count occasions when he was baited by media types, in that circumstance he has my permission to bite back.
People complain.
For example, you guys are complaining about people complaining, and wondering why they have the right to complain.
They have the right to complain, because they are human beings, and if you say nothing about what is currently impacting you, then you are advocating people stay silent, STFU, and hit their ball around and leave us alone.
Its amazing.
I had a conversation the other day, and it was regarding mental health, and why people don't speak up. Yet, here we are wondering why a pro player, is complaining about something that they in our opinion shouldn't be complaining about.
Do we want people to speak up or are we going to label them whingers??
Perhaps there are parallels, I just don't see them. I just see privileged, prat, guests in our country, having a whinge about a government, trying to keep our citizens safe in the midst of a global pandemic, of making it hard for them to hit a ball around and make money. If you don't like the rules here, go hit your little tennis ball around in some other covid infested country and leave the rule making in Australia to the adults.
I'm not sure I understand this perspective, people behaving appallingly deserve our respect!
I recall McEnroe being a knob on the court, I don't really recall him being precious or appalling off court, actually off court I have memories of him being quite charitable but maybe they aren't reliable memories given the distance. I don't count occasions when he was baited by media types, in that circumstance he has my permission to bite back.
You need a villain or two in any sport to drag the punters through the door, Jmac played his role to perfection, of course he had great ability too but seems to be remembered more for his flair ups and slanging matches with umpires.
End of the day though he made a great career out of being a knob on court but knew how to get it done off the court too and thats a skill on its own.
You look at Anna Kournikova now retired and Genie Bouchard, they just have to look good carrying a racket and wearing the designer tennis gear and its game set and match. You would be able to count the number of tournaments won from each on one hand and have fingers to spare at careers end but they will leave the game as winners, this is just how pro sport and in particular tennis rolls.
They wont go down in history as great players but having an angle to make money out of is all that counts.....but with all that comes this attitude and treat me as special behavior and in these CoVid times copping complaints from very privileged individuals like well to do Tennis players is very hard to handle . Leave the theatrics, and prima-donna stuff for the court and take a hit for the public who make your life so good and follow the rules like we all have to do is all the community wants from them in return for their special lifestyles.
Tennis to me now is just another component of today's bullcrap world, right up there with social media and "reality tv". Never watch these days.
I saw some irony last night in a tennis report.
Apparently someone having a phone conversation at the back row of the stand is an intolerable distraction, but squealing like a pig as you serve is all OK!
In fairness I thought the players had moderate this a bit recently, I'm not sure if that is the officials clamping down or the player's embarrassment of the unbridled squeal in an empty stadium. But as soon as there is a big point, it seems to resurface.
The medical timeout strikes again!
The medical timeout strikes again!
But Ash is a class act! Hopefully, she will learn from this.
The medical timeout strikes again!
I heard about this on the news, blaming a swing in the game on a medical time out. A bigger load of horse crape I have never heard.
Muchado's medical timeout is just something for everyone who is on the AO teat to get upset about/ talk about/ express outrage over. Non- story.
I have watched more matches this year than other years and picked some good ones - I have also just walked away from several that are tripe. Won't watch Djokovic as a rule.
I heard about this on the news, blaming a swing in the game on a medical time out. A bigger load of horse crape I have never heard.
They are coached about when to take them, sports psychologists are part of the entourage, it's a tactic like grunting!
If Ash missed a trick it was taking her own medical time out when momentum swung!
One day the event will degrade into a medical intervention tit-for-tat, the tennis version of a soccer swan dive, I'm predicting this to happen between some European players and the match will be declared a nil all draw!
These are professional athletes, being paid hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars by tax payers, and they secure victory by very very questionable tactics.
Start billing/fining them for medical timeouts, maybe 10% of prize money per incident, don't bill/fine them if they retire hurt from a match. I'll predict the frequency of timeout incidents greatly diminishes because most are disingenuous.
As much as I love seeing our Ash Barty in the contest and ranked No.1, I have to say I think Naomi Osaka is the world's best at the moment by some margin.
All I saw was that Osaka was 2-0 down in the first set. The score suggests a great win. She's an excellent player. Williams is another that I don't watch (although I would watch Osaka, which makes this match quite conflicting!)
They are coached about when to take them, sports psychologists are part of the entourage, it's a tactic like grunting!
If Ash missed a trick it was taking her own medical time out when momentum swung!
One day the event will degrade into a medical intervention tit-for-tat, the tennis version of a soccer swan dive, I'm predicting this to happen between some European players and the match will be declared a nil all draw!
These are professional athletes, being paid hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars by tax payers, and they secure victory by very very questionable tactics.
Start billing/fining them for medical timeouts, maybe 10% of prize money per incident, don't bill/fine them if they retire hurt from a match. I'll predict the frequency of timeout incidents greatly diminishes because most are disingenuous.
Barty stated herself to not use the medical timeout excuse on her behalf. She dropped her bundle and was beaten by a better and more determined player on the day. It happens.
As much as I love seeing our Ash Barty in the contest and ranked No.1, I have to say I think Naomi Osaka is the world's best at the moment by some margin.
Yes agree.
Nine for Novak the GOAT.
Nine for Novak the GOAT.
He's certainly in the conversation. There's no clear cut GOAT at the moment IMO. What I personally find disappointing is that there is no player outside the big 3 who looks like an heir apparent. There's a few that have a big win here or there, but none look like they can win multiple slams and be dominant for an extended period.
And Kyrgios should take a leaf out of Djokovic's book. Instead of wasting time telling the world how much you don't like him, start winning some tournaments, because while you gob off, Novak focuses on the important stuff. Although I think it's too late for Kyrgios to change.
He's certainly in the conversation. There's no clear cut GOAT at the moment IMO. What I personally find disappointing is that there is no player outside the big 3 who looks like an heir apparent. There's a few that have a big win here or there, but none look like they can win multiple slams and be dominant for an extended period.
And Kyrgios should take a leaf out of Djokovic's book. Instead of wasting time telling the world how much you don't like him, start winning some tournaments, because while you gob off, Novak focuses on the important stuff. Although I think it's too late for Kyrgios to change.
True, early on in his career Novak wasnt like much either and was thought to be a bit of a pratt.
True, early on in his career Novak wasnt like much either and was thought to be a bit of a pratt.
There appear to be plenty who still think Novak's a prat.
There appear to be plenty who still think Novak's a prat.
To me Djoker's poor behaviour is more by design than involuntary like Kyrgios, while Tomic is 100% pure a55hole!
Running a tournament in the middle of a pandemic when everybody else is shut down, and smacking balls at umpires are not acts that are going to win friends.
To me Djoker's poor behaviour is more by design than involuntary like Kyrgios, while Tomic is 100% pure a55hole!
i don't think either Tomic or Kyrgios have advanced the cause of Australian tennis all that much, although I have to give credit where it's due - watching him against Thiem, I thought Kyrgios gave 100% - he never chucked in the towel, and fought it out to the end. 5 hard fought sets, well done Nick. Having said that, I just don't think he has the discipline, the interest, the mental fortitude or the tennis smarts to take his game to the next level. Those underarm serves and tweener shots have become tiresome and ineffective. It's just a bad look, and indicative of a particular mindset IMO.
I'm not saying anything about Tomic.
Need to remove nationalism from Tennis. Has Hamilton advanced the cause of British F1?, or Stroll the cause of Canadian F1? Tennis represents the country at Davis/Federation Cup, Olympics and Commonwealth games.
I get that there is an inclination to barrack for someone from your country.
In terms of Kyrgios' underarm serve - they're genius.
Can't watch Djokovic play. His on court persona is horrid, while he is a great tennis player, I'd rather watch a brick wall. Hopefully Tsipsaris and Thiem can improve and not be the 'Andy Roddick's' of years gone by.
Can't watch Djokovic play. His on court persona is horrid, while he is a great tennis player, I'd rather watch a brick wall. Hopefully Tsipsaris and Thiem can improve and not be the 'Andy Roddick's' of years gone by.
I like watching Tsitsipas, but to me his game style is super-taxing, and as a result he'll struggle when opponents control the court not unlike Hewett would often struggle to close out matches. They are very skilled players but they do not "manage" the court like Djoker or The Fed.
I'm not saying anything about Tomic.
Neither is anyone else
To me Djoker's poor behaviour is more by design than involuntary like Kyrgios, while Tomic is 100% pure a55hole!
Tomic's problem is simply as dumb as a box of rocks. If he couldn't hit a tennis ball, he'd be either on the dole or flipping burgers at Maccas with kids half his age. His father makes him look like a Rhodes Scholar. I think Djoker has been misunderstood for a long time, his steely determination to be the best and prepare himself as such rubs people up the wrong way I reckon. He is probably less talented than Raffa and Fedexpress, but his is more competitive and prepares perhaps a fraction better (no disrespect to Raffa). Kyrgios is as talented and marketable as they come, I to date he has been poorly managed and immature. I think he is growing up and whilst he aint gonna win 20 or even one grand slam, I think he will grow up to a fine young man who does a lot int he community. For Tomic, a career in porn with his GF beckons.
Tomic is just a crap player and thats where it ends.
Tomic's problem is simply as dumb as a box of rocks. If he couldn't hit a tennis ball, he'd be either on the dole or flipping burgers at Maccas with kids half his age. His father makes him look like a Rhodes Scholar. I think Djoker has been misunderstood for a long time, his steely determination to be the best and prepare himself as such rubs people up the wrong way I reckon. He is probably less talented than Raffa and Fedexpress, but his is more competitive and prepares perhaps a fraction better (no disrespect to Raffa). Kyrgios is as talented and marketable as they come, I to date he has been poorly managed and immature. I think he is growing up and whilst he aint gonna win 20 or even one grand slam, I think he will grow up to a fine young man who does a lot int he community. For Tomic, a career in porn with his GF beckons.
I reckon the Djoker is very talented and has more ability than the other two but probably doesnt have the mental edge at times to drive him like the other two.
ie Federer :The two players have faced each other 50 times with Djokovic leading the head-to-head 27–23. Djokovic leads 13–6 in all finals and 11–6 in Grand Slam matches.
ie Nadal: The two have faced each other 56 times with Djokovic leading 29–27. ..
Agree on Kyrgios, plenty of natural talent but not enough mental drive...but his personality has traits that could help him off the court as when you peel back the layers of BS you can see a decent kid underneath.
Agree on Tomic, total Muppet who needs a mental makeover or he will descend into a lifestyle that could lead him into real serious trouble off the court and when his career ends if it hasnt already.
Tomic is just a crap player and thats where it ends.
Bernard Comic. POS
Genie Bouchard has a new sponsorship with New Balance, obviously tennis ability(think she his ranked about 140 odd) has little to do with marketing and apart from being a nice looking girl she also has 2 zillion instagram followers hanging of her every word and photos which is probably the main reason why she is in demand. As for her tennis career she was just bundled out of a tournament in Lyon in the first round.
Good luck to her but spare a thought for a tennis player with more ability and desire but who doesnt have that celebrity appeal
and easy money to fall back on. ie You are ranked in the top 50 but a player ranked 100 spots above you will probably earn more money for playing less tennis at a lesser level if they have the looks and are media savvy.
Genie Bouchard has a new sponsorship with New Balance, obviously tennis ability(think she his ranked about 140 odd) has little to do with marketing and apart from being a nice looking girl she also has 2 zillion instagram followers hanging of her every word and photos which is probably the main reason why she is in demand. As for her tennis career she was just bundled out of a tournament in Lyon in the first round.
Good luck to her but spare a thought for a tennis player with more ability and desire but who doesnt have that celebrity appeal
and easy money to fall back on. ie You are ranked in the top 50 but a player ranked 100 spots above you will probably earn more money for playing less tennis at a lesser level if they have the looks and are media savvy.
Agreed, her appearances are now more about boosting her Instagonad profile, it's disingenuous and disrespectful to the sport.
Maybe she is a nice person, but what she is up to is not much better than Tomic, at least that is what I think.
There are plenty of players that deserve a crack at the tournaments she probably gets a wildcard for, because she rates for the broadcasters!
In my world, a sports based world, the only thing she has influence over is disdain. I'd rather they gave wildcards to The Three Stooges, at least then everyone would know it's a joke!
Genie Bouchard has a new sponsorship with New Balance, obviously tennis ability(think she his ranked about 140 odd) has little to do with marketing and apart from being a nice looking girl she also has 2 zillion instagram followers hanging of her every word and photos which is probably the main reason why she is in demand. As for her tennis career she was just bundled out of a tournament in Lyon in the first round.
Good luck to her but spare a thought for a tennis player with more ability and desire but who doesnt have that celebrity appeal
and easy money to fall back on. ie You are ranked in the top 50 but a player ranked 100 spots above you will probably earn more money for playing less tennis at a lesser level if they have the looks and are media savvy.
Think Anna Kournikova. Easy on the eye, useless on the tennis court, a marketers dream. Genie is the same, watch NB sales jump after a few posts of her wearing their stuff.
Genie can play a bit though.
I reckon when they're young and hungry they do well, and then when they get a bit older they realise they can earn enough have a good lifestyle because no matter how hard they try they just aren't going to outcompete someone like Williams.
I think its just reality that also rans in tennis get bundled out early sometimes because the new breed are hungry and they don't want to put in the work to be mediocre.
Genie can play a bit though.
I reckon when they're young and hungry they do well, and then when they get a bit older they realise they can earn enough have a good lifestyle because no matter how hard they try they just aren't going to outcompete someone like Williams.
I think its just reality that also rans in tennis get bundled out early sometimes because the new breed are hungry and they don't want to put in the work to be mediocre.
You are probably right....Genie was ranked No 5 at one stage and I get Tennis needs faces and looks to sell the game and the easy money was there for her given she could sell fresh air with her looks and social media profile.
She probably had the choice of knocking herself out to try and stay top ten or just embrace the offers she was getting and devote more time to making money off court.
I guess I was just pointing out that good looks, a heavy social media presence and a savvy personality will get you further than ability a lot of the time and that is a bit wrong to me and sending the wrong message to a lot of kids but thats seems to be the way these days with influencer's making a career out of ordinary folk following them and Genie is more of a influencer than a Tennis player these days.
You are probably right....Genie was ranked No 5 at one stage and I get Tennis needs faces and looks to sell the game and the easy money was there for her given she could sell fresh air with her looks and social media profile.
She probably had the choice of knocking herself out to try and stay top ten or just embrace the offers she was getting and devote more time to making money off court.
I guess I was just pointing out that good looks, a heavy social media presence and a savvy personality will get you further than ability a lot of the time and that is a bit wrong to me and sending the wrong message to a lot of kids but thats seems to be the way these days with influencer's making a career out of ordinary folk following them and Genie is more of a influencer than a Tennis player these days.
Hornikova had a highest ranking of 8, never won a major.
You are probably right....Genie was ranked No 5 at one stage and I get Tennis needs faces and looks to sell the game and the easy money was there for her given she could sell fresh air with her looks and social media profile.
She probably had the choice of knocking herself out to try and stay top ten or just embrace the offers she was getting and devote more time to making money off court.
I guess I was just pointing out that good looks, a heavy social media presence and a savvy personality will get you further than ability a lot of the time and that is a bit wrong to me and sending the wrong message to a lot of kids but thats seems to be the way these days with influencer's making a career out of ordinary folk following them and Genie is more of a influencer than a Tennis player these days.
I dont disagree but its just modern sport. Marketing plays a part.
One of the best English strikers in the last 30 years was a bloke named Matt le tissier.
Played his entire career at southampton and barely got a look in for the English National team.
Check his highlights.
Only thing that held him back was his looks.