James Blake and his sandbagging ways ...

Nick Irons

Semi-Pro
I noticed at the TC Open that there is one player in the TOP 20; him.

In contrast, 11 of the TOP 20 players are at Dubai. Obviously, I am in jest with the sandbagging reamark, but I wonder what would lead a player Ranked 6th in the world, too NOT go to Dubai ? Except for being afraid of Rafa and Roger of course.

Dubai
Ranking Points 300
Prize $300,000

TC Open
Ranking Points 175
Prize 61,850

If Blake could win Dubai, it'd shoot him to the 3rd Spot in the Rankings (sans that Roger and Rafa problem). This is the 2nd time I posted this thread; not sure why some mod would axe it ? It beats another IS ROGER THE BEST thread.
 

Andres

G.O.A.T.
Sandbagging??
It's money!!!
If you have the chance to WIN a title, even if it pays less money, and gives you less points, why not? Why should he join the event where OTHER 11 top20s are going to be there, reducing his chances of winning?

I think his move is actually smart.
 

Richie Rich

Legend
Sandbagging??
It's money!!!
If you have the chance to WIN a title, even if it pays less money, and gives you less points, why not? Why should he join the event where OTHER 11 top20s are going to be there, reducing his chances of winning?

I think his move is actually smart.

also, he probably got more appearance fee to play vegas - as he is the only top 20 there and likely a big draw.
 

Alexandros

Professional
I don't think Blake is very afraid of Nadal. I suspect the TC Open paid him a lot of money to appear there.
 

thebosher

New User
This is his work, if you had a good chance to make $61,850 compared to having a small shot at making $300,000 which would you take??????
 

35ft6

Legend
It's his job. He's there to get a good ranking, meet endorsement bonus requirements, and make money. He's the defending champion. What is he supposed to do?
 

vamosrafa15

Rookie
i think since he won it last year when he wasn't inside the top 10 he feels the responsiblity to come back and defend it. plus it is much shorter trip to vegas than dubai
 

Nick Irons

Semi-Pro
also, he probably got more appearance fee to play vegas - as he is the only top 20 there and likely a big draw.

This is his work, if you had a good chance to make $61,850 compared to having a small shot at making $300,000 which would you take??????

It's his job. He's there to get a good ranking, meet endorsement bonus requirements, and make money. He's the defending champion. What is he supposed to do?

All valid points. :D
 

Fee

Legend
Maybe he has issues with Dubai

Wouldn't it be nice if James actually made a conscious decision to NOT play in Dubai in solidarity with the Israeli ATP players? I sincerely doubt that is the reason that he and Marat chose Las Vegas instead. I'd go with the desire to not travel (like Tommy Haas chose to do), the proximity to Indian Wells (next on the calendar, and a Masters where JB has many points to defend), and the probability that he was offered a nice guarantee to try to defend his title.

Or maybe he just really liked playing there last year.
 

8PAQ

Banned
I noticed at the TC Open that there is one player in the TOP 20; him.

In contrast, 11 of the TOP 20 players are at Dubai. Obviously, I am in jest with the sandbagging reamark, but I wonder what would lead a player Ranked 6th in the world, too NOT go to Dubai ? Except for being afraid of Rafa and Roger of course.

Dubai
Ranking Points 300
Prize $300,000

TC Open
Ranking Points 175
Prize 61,850

If Blake could win Dubai, it'd shoot him to the 3rd Spot in the Rankings (sans that Roger and Rafa problem). This is the 2nd time I posted this thread; not sure why some mod would axe it ? It beats another IS ROGER THE BEST thread.

Good one. I needed a laugh. Thanks a lot :D
 

Mr. Sean

Rookie
Blake is a beast and owns nadal almost every time. He does kind of sandbag now that you think of it. I think he is most afraid of playing federer as aare most players but whenever he plays him he always compliments him the most on the court (you're too good!)
 
N

ne1410is

Guest
i think i'd rather play in vegas myself. just cuz it'd be so much fun when not in a match.
 

JRstriker12

Hall of Fame
Did anyone one mention that he's the Current Champ of Tennis Channel Open. It's not sandbagging to come back and try to defend your title.


Plus the women are hoter in Vegas than they are in Dubai - or at least you don't have to go through 100 yards of cloth to find out if they are hot ;)
 

Colpo

Professional
Doesn't the ATP try to spread its talent out? There's a clay tourney going on this week, too, so that makes three men's events. I'd imagine most American males would prefer to play in Vegas over Dubai although growth-wise, the two places probably look very much the same.

Plus, maybe Blake's turned off by Dubai's anti-Israel policy:

[EXCERPT]Dubai's Israel ban violates U.S. law
BY MICHAEL McAULIFF
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON - The government of Dubai, whose company is taking over operations in six U.S. ports, enforces a boycott of Israel - a boycott that is illegal under U.S. law.
The law is enforced by the Commerce Department, which is one of the agencies that signed off on Dubai Ports World taking control of terminals in Manhattan, Newark and four other cities.
The issue was raised in congressional hearings yesterday by Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), who quizzed DP World Chief Operating Officer Ted Bilkey on whether Dubai still backs the ban.
"I would imagine it would," answered the clearly uncomfortable exec, who also admitted the company is 100% owned by Dubai's ruling family.
According to Commerce figures provided by Nelson's office, U.S. ships docking in the United Arab Emirates were asked 238 times in 2003 and 2004 to certify they had no Israeli goods.
In fact, Israeli passport holders arriving by cruise ship to Dubai are not allowed to disembark.
The State Department could not immediately say last night how it would deal with a company doing business in the U.S. that backs a ban of Israeli products in apparent violation of U.S. law. A spokesman said the U.S. is negotiating a new trade deal to end the boycott.
"This is yet another problem that this deal raises," said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). "The more you learn the more unanswered questions there are."
[EXCERPT END]

You see, when your a pro from Switzerland, for instance, you can afford to be politically ignorant, and accept appearance and vacation favors from a country with such a policy, even though you can afford to vacation anywhere in the world on your own coin. As for Blake, I'm just saying maybe he's got his reasons...
 
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whistleway

Semi-Pro
A genuine question. How is that any different than the policy of US against Cuba. I wish I could get some Cuban rum :)

Doesn't the ATP try to spread its talent out? There's a clay tourney going on this week, too, so that makes three men's events. I'd imagine most American males would prefer to play in Vegas over Dubai although growth-wise, the two places probably look very much the same.

Plus, maybe Blake's turned off by Dubai's anti-Israel policy:

[EXCERPT]Dubai's Israel ban violates U.S. law
BY MICHAEL McAULIFF
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON - The government of Dubai, whose company is taking over operations in six U.S. ports, enforces a boycott of Israel - a boycott that is illegal under U.S. law.
The law is enforced by the Commerce Department, which is one of the agencies that signed off on Dubai Ports World taking control of terminals in Manhattan, Newark and four other cities.
The issue was raised in congressional hearings yesterday by Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), who quizzed DP World Chief Operating Officer Ted Bilkey on whether Dubai still backs the ban.
"I would imagine it would," answered the clearly uncomfortable exec, who also admitted the company is 100% owned by Dubai's ruling family.
According to Commerce figures provided by Nelson's office, U.S. ships docking in the United Arab Emirates were asked 238 times in 2003 and 2004 to certify they had no Israeli goods.
In fact, Israeli passport holders arriving by cruise ship to Dubai are not allowed to disembark.
The State Department could not immediately say last night how it would deal with a company doing business in the U.S. that backs a ban of Israeli products in apparent violation of U.S. law. A spokesman said the U.S. is negotiating a new trade deal to end the boycott.
"This is yet another problem that this deal raises," said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). "The more you learn the more unanswered questions there are."
[EXCERPT END]

You see, when your a pro from Switzerland, for instance, you can afford to be politically ignorant, and accept appearance and vacation favors from a country with such a policy, even though you can afford to vacation anywhere in the world on your own coin. As for Blake, I'm just saying maybe he's got his reasons...
 
This is the problem with tennis. There shouldn't be multiple tournaments going on. There should be fewer tournaments. There should be majors, masters, and just a few other third tiers.

All the best should play in the same tournament, or should skip the tournament altogether.
 

OrangeOne

Legend
This is the problem with tennis. There shouldn't be multiple tournaments going on. There should be fewer tournaments. There should be majors, masters, and just a few other third tiers.

All the best should play in the same tournament, or should skip the tournament altogether.

And 2 weeks before a slam, or 3 weeks before, when everyone wants to play, should every tournament have 128 player draws?
 
I don't understand your question. I'm simply saying: fewer tournaments with more focus on each tournament. There's a flood of tournaments every year. Often, especially in the WTA, players are obligated to enter the tourneys then they bail out at the last minute due to "fatigue". The fans end up being the losers.

Tennis is in shambles. We need more grass tourneys, fewer on hard courts, fewer tourneys overall, and racquet regulations.

Also, in majors, players shouldn't have to play a semifinal and then a final the next day. There should always be a day's rest.
 

TheTruth

G.O.A.T.
Double standard:

Blake 3-0 Rafa with a differential of 3, and he owns him.

Rafa 6-3 Federer, but Federer has figured him out, and Rafa's on the way out.

Nalbandian "owned" Fed for a while too, before Fed turned it around. As did Henman, so why can't Rafa turn this h2h around?

Just wondering. The logic seems so skewed around these parts!
 

OrangeOne

Legend
I don't understand your question. I'm simply saying: fewer tournaments with more focus on each tournament. There's a flood of tournaments every year. Often, especially in the WTA, players are obligated to enter the tourneys then they bail out at the last minute due to "fatigue". The fans end up being the losers.

You said "There shouldn't be multiple tournaments going on", which I think is unworkable logic in the leadup-weeks where everyone wants to play. In those weeks, unless every tournament is a full 128-draw, then it doesn't work, as some players will miss out one way or the other.

Change things...sure. I'm just not sure avoiding concurrent tournaments is the answer.

Double standard:

Blake 3-0 Rafa with a differential of 3, and he owns him.
Rafa 6-3 Federer, but Federer has figured him out, and Rafa's on the way out.
Nalbandian "owned" Fed for a while too, before Fed turned it around. As did Henman, so why can't Rafa turn this h2h around?

There's nothing saying any H2H can't be changed, but the difference is Fed has turned 6-1 into 6-3, and thus can rightly be said to be turning that around. A few losses on clay may or may not change that (or indeed, Rafa making a few finals on HC too!).

It's not about the differential as much as the trend.

Maybe he wants to do his biy for american tennis by appearing in the US also it is closer to home

Maybe he knew he was in poor form, and decided to pick the 'easier' tourney. Maybe he didn't feel like travelling. Maybe, as others say, he wanted to be closer to the next, bigger tourny. Who knows?
 

Zaragoza

Banned
Double standard:

Blake 3-0 Rafa with a differential of 3, and he owns him.

Rafa 6-3 Federer, but Federer has figured him out, and Rafa's on the way out.

Nalbandian "owned" Fed for a while too, before Fed turned it around. As did Henman, so why can't Rafa turn this h2h around?

Just wondering. The logic seems so skewed around these parts!

Agree. There are double standards on this board when Nadal is in the discussion.
 
You said "There shouldn't be multiple tournaments going on", which I think is unworkable logic in the leadup-weeks where everyone wants to play. In those weeks, unless every tournament is a full 128-draw, then it doesn't work, as some players will miss out one way or the other.

Change things...sure. I'm just not sure avoiding concurrent tournaments is the answer.

The lesser players play the lesser tournaments. It's simple. The better the lesser players perform in the lesser tournaments, the more easily they'll qualify for the greater tournaments.

Makes sense to me.
 

OrangeOne

Legend
The lesser players play the lesser tournaments. It's simple. The better the lesser players perform in the lesser tournaments, the more easily they'll qualify for the greater tournaments.

Makes sense to me.

But you said 'There shouldn't be multiple tournaments going on" :confused:

How does that mean there even are lesser tournaments on?
 

baros

Semi-Pro
blake is afraid he knows he has a low percent chance of winning dubai so he plays where there is round robin and not as much of a chance of loosing.
 
But you said 'There shouldn't be multiple tournaments going on" :confused:

How does that mean there even are lesser tournaments on?

Right. Any given player shouldn't be able to pick from a handful of simultaneous tourneys taking place. We need the same top players playing in the same tournaments.

It's far more interesting to know who is on top one month as opposed to two top players both winning two different tournaments.

There should be hard court tournaments during that part of the season. Not clay tourneys being played in Europe while hard court tourneys are being played in the states. The game isn't unified.

I guess since you have so many pros then you just force the lesser players to play different tourneys. Sure, you'll have multiple tourneys taking place at the same time, but I'm referring specifically to tournaments of the top players.

This way interest is generated similar to grand slams. You know everyone is showing up.

Obviously something isn't right because tennis is not that popular these days.
 

DueSouth

Semi-Pro
Double standard:

Blake 3-0 Rafa with a differential of 3, and he owns him.

Rafa 6-3 Federer, but Federer has figured him out, and Rafa's on the way out.

Nalbandian "owned" Fed for a while too, before Fed turned it around. As did Henman, so why can't Rafa turn this h2h around?

Just wondering. The logic seems so skewed around these parts!

The way i see it is that Blake does actually cause alot of problems for nadal so thats why i say he owns him. I think that nadal did own federer because he caused lots of problems for him and did win 5 of their meetings in a row, but i agree fed has figured him out now!
 

Moose Malloy

G.O.A.T.
Right. Any given player shouldn't be able to pick from a handful of simultaneous tourneys taking place. We need the same top players playing in the same tournaments.

It's far more interesting to know who is on top one month as opposed to two top players both winning two different tournaments.

There should be hard court tournaments during that part of the season. Not clay tourneys being played in Europe while hard court tourneys are being played in the states. The game isn't unified.

I guess since you have so many pros then you just force the lesser players to play different tourneys. Sure, you'll have multiple tourneys taking place at the same time, but I'm referring specifically to tournaments of the top players.


ATP CEO Etienne de Villiers agrees with you:

ATP tournaments in 2009 will come under four categories of importance, the four grand slams, the Masters Series, 10 other selected events and the rest.

In the fourth category, the fans will not see the top players but that fits in the strategy of De Villiers.

"Just as in football we have to make clear to the people that tennis also acknowledges a second and third division."

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?p=1272583#post1272583
 

TheTruth

G.O.A.T.
The way i see it is that Blake does actually cause alot of problems for nadal so thats why i say he owns him. I think that nadal did own federer because he caused lots of problems for him and did win 5 of their meetings in a row, but i agree fed has figured him out now!

Oh, I see. Caused a lot of problems for Nadal vs. the statement owned. I was getting confused, because if 3-0 differential means won, then a 6-3 differential would mean the same thing for me. Regarding whether or not Federer has figured him out, only time will tell. The h2h was 6-2, and Fed won Wimbledon, which he should have, and an exhibition which doesn't count. So until Federer actually DOES it, we all sit and wait, because at this point the h2h is 66% in Nadal's favor.
 
Wouldn't it be nice if James actually made a conscious decision to NOT play in Dubai in solidarity with the Israeli ATP players? I sincerely doubt that is the reason that he and Marat chose Las Vegas instead. I'd go with the desire to not travel (like Tommy Haas chose to do), the proximity to Indian Wells (next on the calendar, and a Masters where JB has many points to defend), and the probability that he was offered a nice guarantee to try to defend his title.

Or maybe he just really liked playing there last year.

what israeli players?
 
M

Morrissey

Guest
Double standard:

Blake 3-0 Rafa with a differential of 3, and he owns him.

Rafa 6-3 Federer, but Federer has figured him out, and Rafa's on the way out.

Nalbandian "owned" Fed for a while too, before Fed turned it around. As did Henman, so why can't Rafa turn this h2h around?

Just wondering. The logic seems so skewed around these parts!

How does he have him figured out? By beating him on grass and indoor carpet? If he beats him on hard court and clay consistently then he has him figured out. Until then it´s even.
 
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