Rafael Nadal requests officials to examine the slippery courts
Wednesday in New York
More rain, and a revolt in the offing…
Standing up for themselves
Tennis is a lucrative business. A very lucrative one. How else could the tours and tournaments announce recession-defying increases in prize money, television networks continue to pay more and more for broadcast rights, and fans still flock to put bottoms on seats.
But there would be no business without a major ingredient…the players. Rafael Nadal seems determined to remind everyone of that fact.
"It's the same old story, all you think about is money," the world No 2 said. "We don't feel protected here. The tournament grand slams, they are [getting] a lot of money and they are working for that, but not [for] us."
Joined by Andy Murray and Andy Roddick, Nadal voiced concerns to US Open referee Bill Earley about being forced to take to wet, slippy, courts to give TVs something to broadcast.
CEO Adam Helfant leaves the ATP at the end of the year, with his successor yet to be appointed. Is this the time for the players to take back some of the power?
John McEnroe certainly thinks so…
Poor decisions
Putting the players on wet courts was not the only piece of strange thinking…
Playing in the rain: Not only did Murray and the others reveal that the courts, balls, towels and nets were still wet when they were announced onto court, but the decision was so abrupt that Nadal kept opponent Gilles Muller hopping on the spot for some time while he taped his fingers. Donald Young also kept Murray waiting.
Three-day first round and the Super Saturday: Every other Grand Slam seems to have the art of playing one day on, one day off, down to a tee. Why do the US Open do it differently? The legendary 'Super Saturday' of course – the back to back orgy of men's semi-finals sandwiching the women's final. As Rafa says, it's all about the money.
As for the three-day first round, who knows. But it is surely absurd that someone can play their first match on Monday, and have two days relaxing, while someone else is still stewing that they haven't got a win on the board yet.
Why communicate? Sam Stosur, being Australian, is a pretty mild-mannered creature. But even she was nearly driven to distraction when her match against Maria Kirilenko was shunted from Ashe to another court, but no one actually told them for almost an hour.
In defence
In their defence, the USTA issued a statement saying that forecasts had indicated a two-hour window of play, hence the decision to send the players out into the mist.
"We have experienced referees, and they decide if courts are fit for play. Conditions may be not ideal, but still can be safe. However, if a player or players feel that conditions are unsafe, we listen to them, as we have always done, and the referee uses that information as part of his/her assessment on whether to continue or halt play.”
So…what do you think? Right or wrong? Or muddled…please do comment below.
Roof-gate
Naturally, there was continued discussion about the lack of roof at Flushing Meadows and whether one will be built in the immediate future. Jeff Tarango, one of the USTA's board of directors, said plans were in place to build a roof by 2016.
But a USTA statement denied that plan.
"The USTA disavows the statements made by USTA board member Jeff Tarango to BBC Radio regarding plans for the demolition of Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium. There has been no scenario discussed that includes the demolition of Arthur Ashe Stadium and any talk about the future of Louis Armstrong Stadium at this point is both premature and inaccurate."
Stories need to be straightened somewhere…
Coming up this evening…
The USTA still insist they are aiming to complete the tournament on Sunday, meaning that those still in the fourth round (Murray, Nadal and co), would have to play and win four best-of-five-set matches in four days to win the title.
As a result, the schedule is jam-packed again, although they've done a little jiggling and brought the new Court 17 into action.
ARTHUR ASHE – Day
4R Rafael Nadal v Gilles Muller 0-3
Is Rafa over his bad mood?
QF Serena Williams v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
They came out to warm-up last night. And then sat in their chairs.
QF Novak Djokovic v Janko Tipsarevic
Night
QF Roger Federer v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
The last two have gone Jo-Willy's way…
LOUIS ARMSTRONG
4R David Ferrer v Andy Roddick 1-3
A-Rod got the better start.
QF Caroline Wozniacki v Andrea Petkovic
The wall versus the machine. Could be interesting.
GRANDSTAND
4R Andy Murray v Donald Young: 1-2 on serve
Delayed for two days…
QF Sam Stosur v Vera Zvonareva
How much birthday cake did Vera eat I wonder?
COURT 17
4R John Isner v Gilles Simon
Little and large? Power v poise? Something like that.
QF Anqelique Kerber v Flavia Pennetta
The one no one's quite sure about. Forza Flavia, I'd say.
Also in action
British duo Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins aim to make their first Grand Slam semi-final (again), while the four British boys aim to make it into round three.
The daily click
Ross Hutchins being ribbed by Andy Murray. Even Mark Petchey joins in.
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