Plan to Alter Rogers Cup

[Lifted]

Source: The Star

Tennis Canada is considering a radical change to the Rogers Cup starting in 2011, one that would see men and women play in Toronto at the same time.

But not all of the men and women.

The WTA Tour and ATP Tour are forcing Tennis Canada to play its men's and women's tournaments during the same week in two years' time, and the sport's national governing body wants to find a way to maintain its financial successes in both Montreal and Toronto.

So, it's considering a "half-and-half" idea: having half the men and half the women play in Toronto, while the other half play in Montreal. Each city would get a final on the Sunday.

"We wondered if we could have two mini-combined events," said Michael Downey, president and chief executive officer of Tennis Canada, adding the idea is still in its infancy. "It would be fundamental change for the players and the tours. It's never been done before."

As things are, tennis plays in brackets. The No. 1 seed leads one bracket, and the No. 2 seed leads the other. The two brackets don't meet until the final.

"The (Saturday) afternoon semifinalist in Toronto flies that afternoon to Montreal in time to practise, and plays the final the next day," said Downey. "The women's semifinalist comes the other direction. The same scenario in doubles."

Essentially, it's copying a format used in World Cup soccer and world championship hockey, both of which use different fields and arenas until the final.

The WTA and the men's ATP Tour, which want more combined events to build on the success of the four Grand Slams and a handful of other combined tournaments, are considering the idea.

"It's incredibly innovative," said Stacey Allaster, the Canadian CEO of the WTA Tour. "It's cool, but this is professional sport and it's a challenge.

"We're always open to ideas that make sense. We have time (to make a decision)."

Some of the men's players were asked about the idea last week in Montreal. Roger Federer said flying after the semifinal wouldn't be an issue. Doubles players are troubled, if their usual partner finds himself or herself in the other city.

Players are also concerned about the courts not being identical and getting used to the ambience in a different city.

Currently, Tennis Canada alternates the men's and women's events between Toronto and Montreal, with the Toronto event being played the week after Montreal's.

If the WTA and ATP ultimately consider the half-and-half solution too radical, then the women will play in Toronto and the men in Montreal the same week starting in 2011, in what Tennis Canada has taken to calling a "virtually combined" event.

The idea is that TV coverage would slide seamlessly between Toronto and Montreal.

Ultimately, Tennis Canada is pulling for the half-and-half idea.

"There's a lot of discussion that still has to go on. It's very complicated, and who knows whether we get approval," said Downey. "But when you look at this sport, it's defined by combined events.

"When you think of tennis, you think of men and women playing together in all the Grand Slams. It's kind of neat: you have two combined events, which would be a new wrinkle for the sport."

What do my forum-mates think of this?

 

[uNIVERSE mAN]

That's the biggest load of **** I've ever heard, you can't F'n play in a different city with a different court/surface in the middle of a tournament!!!

 

[JeMar]

I don't think it would work, as one of the finalists would have a huge advantage over the other.

 

[Frodo Baggins]

I think It'll be Screwed up=Lots of Fans An Players Will be lost An Confused..As For Fans They be The Most lost By This.. When They Expect a certain player to be there in the semi.. An Show up An Thier Not There..=Lost Ticket sales..=Very Poor Imo!!!

 

[Frodo Baggins]

if They Want To Make It Better!!! Just Have One Rogers An Keep it in That city..An Try An Make It Yearly!!!! As For Which City Weather In Mont Or toront.. Thats When They Choose!!! < My Op

 

[Camnation]

If the WTA and ATP ultimately consider the half-and-half solution too radical, then the women will play in Toronto and the men in Montreal the same week starting in 2011, in what Tennis Canada has taken to calling a "virtually combined" event.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

 

[CyBorg]

Oh, fack off. Did they hire De Villiers to think this shat up?

 

[Vermillion]

........ what the.....

 

[Lifted]

The entire idea just sounds so goofy and unnecessary to me...the flying part especially...I mean, why?

Oh, fack off. Did they hire De Villiers to think this shat up?

Excuse my ignorance, but who is this De Villiers fellow?

 

[CyBorg]

Excuse my ignorance, but who is this De Villiers fellow?

New fan of the ATP?

 

[FedFan_2009]

This is a horrible idea. Whoever thought this up should be hung.

 

[egn]

Oh, fack off. Did they hire De Villiers to think this shat up?

lmfao. God I hope not. Hopefully he never gets to ruin tennis again.

Dumbest idea ever though from tennis canada.

Camnation from Toronto I am guessing..

 

[Deuce]

They should play both Finals in Kingston - roughly halfway between Montreal and Toronto...

 

[CanadianChic]

I am against the change. Deuce, I realize this is none of my business (although that has never stopped me) but is that where you live?

 

[Deuce]

None of your business.

 

[CanadianChic]

Okay. Thanks for answering and you're right.

 

[ninman]

I've got a better idea, how about 7 matches, in 7 days, in 7 cities? That would be much better wouldn't it? Seriously though who ever thought this up is completely ********.

 

[topher.juan]

Tennis in Canada is a joke. The Roger's commentators don't have a clue what they are talking about, listening to them sounds like they got a crash course on the sport yesterday and have some cue-cards with neat-o facts to read out. The only thing they know is how the challenge system works and continually remind us about this every 10minutes. Anyhow, commentators have nothing to do with this, it just shows that NOBODY in Canada has a clue about the sport, from the commentators to those organizing it.. or how about those attending it? There's a reason the camera tries to not pan up during Rogers cup... THERE"S NOBODY THERE! Finals aside, I can't believe the empty seats. Canadians don't care about tennis and the turnout shows it. Having two mini-tournaments is stupid, if they split the field I would think they would have to split the points awarded in half, in doing so the players won't care about the tournament, I don't think they do already, has anyone noticed the night and day difference in the determination between players in Montreal and Cincinnati??? No comparison; you see guys already wanting to win Cincy, Nadal had some intense focus today... I don't recall that look from anyone once in Montreal. Rogers cup = no fire.

FACT: More racquets are sold here for hitting tennis balls for dogs than they are for playing tennis.

 

[jrod]

Really Bad Idea

This is a bad idea in my opinion. From a fan perspective, I have absolutely no interest in the WTA. Furthermore, the appeal of attending the ATP event is because the tournament typically attracts the top 20 players in the world and it is an excellent opportunity to see them ALL play. I would definitely not attend any more.

I'm going to send an email to my Tennis Canada contact in protest. I'll use all coherent and reasonable arguments as to why this won't work from this thread. I suspect the arguments that will have the most weight will be those that suggest the economic impact of this idea will decrease revenue and attendance.

So SPEAK UP people!

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

Oh, fack off. Did they hire De Villiers to think this shat up?

good one.

 

[TheMusicLover]

Please tell me this is a JOKE. :help:

 

[rfprse]

Oh, fack off. Did they hire De Villiers to think this shat up?

Yeah. A silly solution to the idiotic pressure. It's a result of the remnants from de villiers (& scott in wta) era. (increasing the number of combined tournaments is one of their main agenda). Just like unfair points scheme, greedy number of mendatory events, idiotic calendar, the atp sign over the net....

The WTA Tour and ATP Tour are forcing Tennis Canada to play its men's and women's tournaments during the same week in two years' time

The current format works fine. The real problem is this pressure from wta & atp to change these tournaments into one. There's no reason to change the successful events which will just end up reducing the revenue.

 

[Camnation]

Tennis in Canada is a joke. The Roger's commentators don't have a clue what they are talking about, listening to them sounds like they got a crash course on the sport yesterday and have some cue-cards with neat-o facts to read out. The only thing they know is how the challenge system works and continually remind us about this every 10minutes.

+100000000000000

When they're forced to fend for themselves (without cue-cards), they get basic facts wrong. Ugh.

Also whoever updates the scores on TV keeps messing up. It would be 40-15 and the screen would way 0-30.

Just embarrassing for Canadian tennis.

 

[Lifted]

New fan of the ATP?

No, but next time I'll search the name on Google before asking a crotchety old man on the internet.

 

[jrod]

Let Tennis Canada know what you think!!!!

I spoke to my contact at Tennis Canada. The intent of the press announcement was to gauge fan reaction (i.e. a trial balloon of sorts).

Most Important Part: Make sure you tell Tennis Canada what you think about this boneheaded idea!!!!

 

[theprophe]

There's a reason the camera tries to not pan up during Rogers cup... THERE"S NOBODY THERE! Finals aside, I can't believe the empty seats.

FACT: More racquets are sold here for hitting tennis balls for dogs than they are for playing tennis.

thats interesting, i believe they set a record for a one week tournament attendance at 200,000, i didn't know the main court had seating for 200,000 people, learn something new everyday here

 

[CyBorg]

No, but next time I'll search the name on Google before asking a crotchety old man on the internet.

haha .. I'll be nice next time.

 

[Deuce]

thats interesting, i believe they set a record for a one week tournament attendance at 200,000, i didn't know the main court had seating for 200,000 people, learn something new everyday here

11,500 seat centre court... plus 4,300 seat court 1... plus site access tickets...
Tournament runs 9 days...

 

[JustBob]

The men's and women's event will be played during the same week starting in 2011. The rest is mere speculation. Tennis Canada are just throwing ideas around at this point.

There's a reason the camera tries to not pan up during Rogers cup... THERE"S NOBODY THERE! Finals aside, I can't believe the empty seats.

This must be why the Roger's Cup has set new world attendance records for a one-week tournament in 2007 (Montréal), 2008 (Toronto) and 2009 (Montréal)...

 

[Deuce]

The men's and women's event will be played during the same week starting in 2011. The rest is mere speculation. Tennis Canada are just throwing ideas around at this point.

This must be why the Roger's Cup has set new world attendance records for a one-week tournament in 2007 (Montréal), 2008 (Toronto) and 2009 (Montréal)...

^ Are you sure about Toronto in 2008?
I was hearing that this year broke the record of 2007 in Montreal... and it's been rather consistently reported through the years that Montreal consistently beats Toronto's attendance (men's tournament vs. men's tournament and women's vs. women's).

 

[JustBob]

Actually you could be right, but I can't find the Toronto numbers for last year.
Might not have been a record but they were still pretty good although attendance in Montreal is generally higher.

Attendance records

Uniprix Stadium 174,706 (Montreal 2006)
Uniprix Stadium 182,252 (Montreal 2007)
Add this year to that as well.

 

[Beacon Hill]

Tennis in Canada is a joke. The Roger's commentators don't have a clue what they are talking about, listening to them sounds like they got a crash course on the sport yesterday and have some cue-cards with neat-o facts to read out. The only thing they know is how the challenge system works and continually remind us about this every 10minutes. Anyhow, commentators have nothing to do with this, it just shows that NOBODY in Canada has a clue about the sport, from the commentators to those organizing it.. or how about those attending it? There's a reason the camera tries to not pan up during Rogers cup... THERE"S NOBODY THERE! Finals aside, I can't believe the empty seats. Canadians don't care about tennis and the turnout shows it. Having two mini-tournaments is stupid, if they split the field I would think they would have to split the points awarded in half, in doing so the players won't care about the tournament, I don't think they do already, has anyone noticed the night and day difference in the determination between players in Montreal and Cincinnati??? No comparison; you see guys already wanting to win Cincy, Nadal had some intense focus today... I don't recall that look from anyone once in Montreal. Rogers cup = no fire.

FACT: More racquets are sold here for hitting tennis balls for dogs than they are for playing tennis.

You could not be more correct. There were maybe a dozen fans total in Montreal last week. It was pitiful. Or did it set a world record for the most attended week-long tennis tournament in the sport's history? Can't remember. One of the two.

 

[Kegzz]

If they want a joint event, they should either settle on using one of the cities or alternate between the two like they are now, but everyone plays at the same place in the same week, and then the next year everyone plays at the other city in the same week etc.

 

[topher.juan]

This must be why the Roger's Cup has set new world attendance records for a one-week tournament in 2007 (Montréal), 2008 (Toronto) and 2009 (Montréal)...

Right.... Uniprix stadium holds 12,000 people; I don't know what the turnout was this year, but let's say it was higher than the years you posted and 200,000. There were 55-matches, 55 x 12,000 = 660,000 seats. That means on average over 2/3 of the seats were empty. We all know the majority of attendance were at the 11 roger/rafa/murray appearances which alone make up for a potential of 132,000 seats... let's say those were around 80% full for ~100,000 seats, half the attendance... the other 100,000 is dispersed over 44 matches, or 528,000 potential seats... meaning, if a "name" player isn't there, it's more like 4/5 seats are empty, or only 10 people in a block of 50 seats as shown when the camera pans up. If that's a record turnout, that's not one to be proud of. I'd be interested to see how this compares to Cincinnati, I see a night and day difference in the turn out and player's enthusiasm.

 

[veroniquem]

Unbelievably dumb idea. Why not play each round in a different city while they're at it? That any player could go along with such a ludicrous project is profoundly disturbing...

 

[Deuce]

Right.... Uniprix stadium holds 12,000 people; I don't know what the turnout was this year, but let's say it was higher than the years you posted and 200,000. There were 55-matches, 55 x 12,000 = 660,000 seats. That means on average over 2/3 of the seats were empty.... blah... blah... blah...

Are you mathematically challenged, or just very ignorant about tennis tournaments?
Are you truly that unfamiliar with tennis tournaments to believe that they sell tickets for centre court for each and every individual match?

Centre court holds roughly 12,000 people.
Including the two qualifying days, there were 15 sessions. One each for qualifying on the first Saturday and Sunday, two each for the main draw from Monday to Saturday, and one for the final on the Sunday.
That makes 12,000 x 15... which equals 180,000.
Of course, centre court was not sold out for every one of the 15 sessions. But it was sold out for at least half of them, as far as I've heard.
Throw in the tickets sold for court #1 and the grounds passes, and you have your 200,000.

Before clicking on 'submit' next time, I suggest you know what you're typing about.
And you might want to also save the arrogant obnoxiousness for times when you possess at least a little bit of knowledge about the given subject.

 

[Bud]

Source: The Star
What do my forum-mates think of this?

It would be more intelligent to combine the event... but one year hold it in Montreal, the next in Toronto.

IOW, have one combined mega tournament in each city every 2 years instead of 2 mini tournaments in 2 cities every year. I'm sure many people would even travel to see the combined event.

Hell, it's only 300 miles between both cities.