London Albert Hall seniors event this week

[michael-uk]

I went yesterday, first time I have been to anything like this.
It is sponsored by a financial firm, and no matter where you look there is a sign to remind you of the name.

I went yesterday, first time I have been to anything like this.
I thought it an awkward and rather unsatisfactory mix of competitive play and fooling around (the organisers and most/all of the audience would object and call it "high quality entertainment").

My ticket price (very good view) was £46, but it did last 4 hours, with barely a break between the 3 games (2 singles, one doubles).

It was ok, but I came away reminding myself that I much prefer to play, not watch. As my brother in New Zealand says; "life is not a spectator sport".

I am sure that if you Google "Albert Hall seniors tennis" you will find the right link, if interested.

 

[origmarm]

http://www.theblackrockmasters.com/
Is the link. Great looking venue. Great photo of Henri Leconte also

 

[michael-uk]

thanks OrigMarm, I should have put the link in really.
Is this your sort of thing?
(btw Leconte lost to Jeremy Bates in two not completely serious sets).

 

[origmarm]

Well I would like to go and see it yeah, but I have work on and the other half has invited half the world to ours for drinks on Saturday so thats out...grrr...

Yeah you don't get the impression Leconte takes things too seriously anymore, what with the dodgy tache, the cigars and the ladies. Still I would love to see Mac play again

 

[classic tennis]

I must say that living in the North of the UK the media coverage (except for the BBC) was terrible on this event. We get four newspapers every day & no results, stories etc........the sponsors must be chuffed.
Not sure about the longevity of this European tour format.

 

[ohlori]

Knock-knock, "Oh, hi, Paul!"

 

[!Tym]

Lol! Paul Harhuis for GSOAT! Someone needs to something about this guy and QUICK! Three years in a row running just as I predicted, ha-HA! Boy, I bet the sponsors sure popped out the champagne for that one!

No, seriously, as much as its good that Harhuis proves that the seniors tour isn't scripted; having a non-name like him win the marquee year-ending seniors event three years in a row does much to set back the financial viability of maintaining a seniors tour.

One can only imagine what would have happened if local boy (whose career by the way would make Harhuis look like an absolute legend by comparison) Jeremy Bates had somehow managed to win (which could well have happened...shh, but don't tell anyone).

 

[martin]

There is something with Haarhuis. When he was 18 years old he was a very average player. Nobody expected him to become an ATP player. He then started to play seriously at the university of Florida and became a very good player. Actually when he beat Mcenroe he played with a racket of company which is famous for their cheap sausage, candy, clothing and they also produced temporarily some kind of cheap walmart rackets. People thought he was a self kicker because the first letter of his name was woven into his racket. It was just the first letter of the company.

 

[!Tym]

No, it's funny, because I actually kind of liked watching Harhuis play back in the day. He was a very good player at all things, but his two-hander and volleys were particularly solid. However, it's a bit funny to me in that he keeps on acting like this spoiler at the year ending championships and it must be a nightmare for the tournament sponsors...I mean one time was funny, ok, but now it's getting to be a serious epidemic.

He still seems to look very fit and trim relative to the other seniors who all look like they've let themselves go a little, and perhaps this is the secret to his success? On tour he was a very good, solid, player but never really was outstanding enough in any one area to make him standout. He was the guy who was notable for seeming to be so ordinary yet also so solid and dependable in all areas.

Still, if the seniors tour could net the "names" to all play on a consistent basis, he would never even be allowed to play in my opinion. Just simple economics as there's no way he would generate any ticket sales on his own. In this sense, he acts like a spoiler on the tour, and while certainly no one should expect him to throttle his game back on purpose to give the "name" guys a free pass; I wonder if he perceives that his success in the year ending masters three years running now is probably inducing many groans backstage and behind his back from both fans (who come to watch the seniors tour for the "fantasy" and "nostalgia" aspect of watching the old "name" guys rather than him) and the financial backers of the tour.

Well, I'm sure he probably does perceive this, so I would say he probably feels like he's in a bit of an awkward position...though, of course, victory is still ALWAYS sweet.

To he who wins three years running comes the last laugh.

To bad for him, the seniors tour doesn't really count towards getting one into the Hall of Fame.

Also, it seems like old age has affected some seniors more than others. Muster, for instance, has lost his edge without his mind-bogglingly intimidating fitness and physique of yore.

It's too bad the matches weren't televised here in the states. I used to like the star logo stencil Harhuis used, I also believe he used the Kennex heritage edition series for awhile, the silver ace, version, I think.

 

[martin]

Actually i don't see much difference in his game and his serve might be even better. He served a lot of aces. Haarhuis played the pro kennex black ace. Don't ever seen him play with the silver ace. Maybe i should demo that Tyger racket that he is using now.

 

[classic tennis]

I think that one of the things that is a major problem on the European tour is that there are no real rules that the organisers stick with & tend to make it up to fit budget restrictions or to suit them self. How can you expect guy's like McEnroe, Borg, Jarryd, ect to give 10 years away to players like Ferreira & any other guy that has just quit the tour Like Rusedski & wants to pick up his $30K guarantee? It's not going to happen.
At least with the US tour the guy's are similar age for the most part.
This is where the senior golf tour runs rings around the fractured senior tennis tour, it's structured, better organised & has a lot more credability. I would love to see a over 40's tennis tour where players actually qualified & was not to the discretion of the tournament director (promoter), that way you would know what you are going to watch, I guess all the players in London we real happy Rios couldnt be bothered to make the trip up.

 

[Tyger4Tygers]

Actually i don't see much difference in his game and his serve might be even better. He served a lot of aces. Haarhuis played the pro kennex black ace. Don't ever seen him play with the silver ace. Maybe i should demo that Tyger racket that he is using now.

If you want to testdrive this baby

they are available at ******planet.com

****** = the sport we are talking about

very nice frames

 

[Pro Staff Pete]

Actually i don't see much difference in his game and his serve might be even better. He served a lot of aces. Haarhuis played the pro kennex black ace. Don't ever seen him play with the silver ace. Maybe i should demo that Tyger racket that he is using now.

Should try it imo. It's rather heavy and stiff.. it felt like a Dunlop 200G actually (MW)