Fed withdraws from ATP CUP ..

tacou

G.O.A.T.
I totally agree. If you're going to charge more for certain matches SPECIFICALLY to enable people to see certain players then morally you have to refund the difference if those players don't appear. There's no other way round that.
It's also emblematic of a larger problem in tennis: the over-reliance on the Big 3/4. People often complain about how ESPN/TTC commentators will talk endlessly about Fedalovc over matches being played live. How are audiences supposed to care about the sport as a whole if the commentators can't be bothered to pay attention?

Here, the tournament is literally saying "These matches are more entertaining than the others." Can't really blame people for wanting to sell their tickets once the "good matches" start disappearing.


The competition that doesn't even start til January? He's already withdrawn and it's only October? Does that mean he's also out of the ATP Finals?

This makes 0 sense. How embarrassing.

It makes a lot of sense as it's the first event of the season and guarantees a certain number of matches. It's not some edit: random mid-season tournament he's pulling out of.
As he explained, he's decided +2 weeks of rest/practice would be more valuable.
Sorry if you had tickets but not sure what is nonsensical or embarrassing about the decision.
 
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Aussie Darcy

Bionic Poster
It's also emblematic of a larger problem in tennis: the over-reliance on the Big 3/4. People often complain about how ESPN/TTC commentators will talk endlessly about Fedalovc over matches being played live. How are audiences supposed to care about the sport as a whole if the commentators can't be bothered to pay attention?

Here, the tournament is literally saying "These matches are more entertaining than the others." Can't really blame people for wanting to sell their tickets once the "good matches" start disappearing.




It makes a lot of sense as it's the first event of the season and guarantees a certain number of matches. It's not some
As he explained, he's decided +2 weeks of rest/practice would be more valuable.
Sorry if you had tickets but not sure what is nonsensical or embarrassing about the decision.
I'm from Brisbane so it's not because of tickets, I just think it's a bit embarrassing to withdraw THIS far out from the event. Should've just waited til the off season and made up some BS injury excuse like they always do. Federer has played the Hopman Cup or Brisbane International in the exact same week as the ATP Cup for the last SIX years and never used this BS family excuse. (Hell, the Hopman Cup this year actually started 4 days EARLIER than the 2020 ATP Cup would next year). If Fed wants to invent an excuse, go for it but pick a damn good one.
 

Mainad

Bionic Poster
I wonder what these 'family reasons' are that make it impossible for him to play ATP Cup but not the AO which is also in January?

Is Mirka due to give birth again that week? ;)
 
I wonder what these 'family reasons' are that make it impossible for him to play ATP Cup but not the AO which is also in January?

Is Mirka due to give birth again that week? ;)
As far as I know, women should not be expecting at 42, not good for their health..
 

ARaj

Rookie
I wonder what these 'family reasons' are that make it impossible for him to play ATP Cup but not the AO which is also in January?

Is Mirka due to give birth again that week? ;)

Possibly a really busy off season playing numerous exhibitions in South America! Maybe needs to spend some time at home as Mirka and the kids may not travel to Australia next year
 

Poisoned Slice

Bionic Poster
MaRiTaL pRoBlEmS ?!

-TTW whenever a player dares to do anything besides play tennis

I thought you said Martial problems and then I was getting ready to make huge list.

Instead, I'll just post a picture of Fraud.

rs_1024x760-160127142431-1024-patrick-j-adams-suits.jpg
 

Fedforever

Hall of Fame
If Mirka was giving birth in January she would have been five months pregnant at the US Open. And a woman who's had two sets of twins doesn't get to that stage being able to hide it.
 

Gemini

Hall of Fame
If Mirka was giving birth in January she would have been five months pregnant at the US Open. And a woman who's had two sets of twins doesn't get to that stage being able to hide it.

Not every woman presents pregnancy the exact same way. Given that you had twins in her previous two pregnancies and her "not showing" during the Open could be an indication that she's only carry a single child this time around and not multiples. We'll see in January.
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley added: “Roger is indisputably a legend of our sport and we have been blessed that he has managed to stay at the top of the game for so long.

“We understand this has been a really difficult decision for him. He has always done an extraordinary job being a great dad while managing his career.

“Although we know the fans in Sydney would love to have seen him compete in the ATP Cup, we totally respect his decision and look forward to seeing him at the Australian Open.”

 

icedevil0289

G.O.A.T.
I'm from Brisbane so it's not because of tickets, I just think it's a bit embarrassing to withdraw THIS far out from the event. Should've just waited til the off season and made up some BS injury excuse like they always do. Federer has played the Hopman Cup or Brisbane International in the exact same week as the ATP Cup for the last SIX years and never used this BS family excuse. (Hell, the Hopman Cup this year actually started 4 days EARLIER than the 2020 ATP Cup would next year). If Fed wants to invent an excuse, go for it but pick a damn good one.

wouldnt that make it even worse though? if this were just him playing as individual sure, i think this gives a chance for other countries to qualify. I think it would be far more worse and ridiculous if he were to withdraw at the last minute. Also also this team event and ATP finals are not remotely even teh same thing. normally i fiind your comments sound, but this makes absolutely no sense.

I don't see how this is bs excuse anymore than injury. I think the difference is here he is flying from china to AO (you can criticize him for his exho tour sure) but him wanting to spend an extra few weeks with his family isnt a bad thing. i do feel bad for the fans though
 
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icedevil0289

G.O.A.T.
I wonder what these 'family reasons' are that make it impossible for him to play ATP Cup but not the AO which is also in January?

Is Mirka due to give birth again that week? ;)

lord i know that is what some fans are running with but I hope not.

honestly I do think his exho tour has a lot to do with his decision, probably not all teh dates/events were finalized when he first announced his entry. His decision to play in chhina december 27th-29th probably was final straw so to speak. I know that its just an exho but I suspect that he might not want to put in so much energy when that event just ends a few days before ATP cup starts and he is then flying from china to Australia. AO is a bit later in January and lets be real obviously slams will take priority.

My bigger concern is now what in the world is he using to warm up for AO
 
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icedevil0289

G.O.A.T.
i really dont get how given that other players are involved, it makes sense to withdraw at the last minute. that seems really silly
 

icedevil0289

G.O.A.T.
It's also emblematic of a larger problem in tennis: the over-reliance on the Big 3/4. People often complain about how ESPN/TTC commentators will talk endlessly about Fedalovc over matches being played live. How are audiences supposed to care about the sport as a whole if the commentators can't be bothered to pay attention?

Here, the tournament is literally saying "These matches are more entertaining than the others." Can't really blame people for wanting to sell their tickets once the "good matches" start disappearing.




It makes a lot of sense as it's the first event of the season and guarantees a certain number of matches. It's not some
As he explained, he's decided +2 weeks of rest/practice would be more valuable.
Sorry if you had tickets but not sure what is nonsensical or embarrassing about the decision.

I personally think its silly to say that its better to withdraw so close to the event compared to in advance. this is a country based event with other players involved and a different qualification process. Him withdrawing much closer to the event makes it even worse, because I assume then the tournament has to scramble to figure out who qualifies and all that. There are already people upset he withdrew this late, funny enough, because the draw had already come out but atleast he did it with some time for other countries to qualify.

tbh i still dont get ATP cup and how it works, it bothers me that not everyone can qualify but there are points offered.
 

Fedforever

Hall of Fame
Not every woman presents pregnancy the exact same way. Given that you had twins in her previous two pregnancies and her "not showing" during the Open could be an indication that she's only carry a single child this time around and not multiples. We'll see in January.

But if she was giving birth in January why wouldn't they announce it? She'd have to be locking herself inside the house right now to make sure no-one "spotted" her. Of course couples often don't announce pregnancies in the early months but I can't think of any valid reason why you'd keep a six/seven-month one hidden
 

icedevil0289

G.O.A.T.
But if she was giving birth in January why wouldn't they announce it? She'd have to be locking herself inside the house right now to make sure no-one "spotted" her. Of course couples often don't announce pregnancies in the early months but I can't think of any valid reason why you'd keep a six/seven-month one hidden

would she not be showing even in the slightest during LC, was that the last time we saw her? tbh i do find it funny how her not being there for two tournaments suddenly has everyone freaked out. maybe she just took some me time during basel, I would and well none of the family besides his parents showed up in Shanghai.
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
It's a mistake to keep adding more tournaments centered around the Big4 who are all in their 30s. Can't imaging the LC surviving without the participation of at least 1 of the Big3 same goes for the ATP Cup.
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
Will LC and the ATP Cup go the same way as the IPTL? Not for financial reasons as is the case with the IPTL but lack of interest when the Big3 eventually retire.
 

bjsnider

Hall of Fame
I'm assuming there's a financial subtext to Federer's message. ATP Cup didn't offer him enough Franklins.
 

oldmanfan

Legend
lord i know that is what some fans are running with but I hope not.

honestly I do think his exho tour has a lot to do with his decision, probably not all teh dates/events were finalized when he first announced his entry. His decision to play in chhina december 27th-29th probably was final straw so to speak. I know that its just an exho but I suspect that he might not want to put in so much energy when that event just ends a few days before ATP cup starts and he is then flying from china to Australia. AO is a bit later in January and lets be real obviously slams will take priority.

My bigger concern is now what in the world is he using to warm up for AO

I think Fedr is using the China exo as prep bc it starts 2-3 days earlier than the last Hopman Cup he played. So it's similar and since the China exo is 3 days, Fedr likely plays 2-3 matches (Hopman Cup guarantees 3 singles matches, but no edition this coming year).
 

BeatlesFan

Bionic Poster
I hope things are alright at home. Was Mirka there @ Basel?
No she wasn't, unless she was pulling a Steffi Graf and deliberately sitting on her own, away from the box and then Robbie and Lynnette. This is not to suggest there's trouble in paradise, Mirka was in Basel, just not attending the matches this week.
 

BeatlesFan

Bionic Poster
Federer is not going to be able to keep his slam and #1 record so he might as well call it a career now.
Let's see... Nadal has 196 weeks ranked #1, Fed has 310 weeks. Nadal is literally more than two years away from touching Fed's record. But his record isn't "safe?" Or is there someone else closer to Fed's #1 record than Rafa? :unsure:
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
Let's see... Nadal has 196 weeks ranked #1, Fed has 310 weeks. Nadal is literally more than two years away from touching Fed's record. But his record isn't "safe?" Or is there someone else closer to Fed's #1 record than Rafa? :unsure:
Where did I say Rafa would beat his #1 record?
 

tacou

G.O.A.T.
I'm from Brisbane so it's not because of tickets, I just think it's a bit embarrassing to withdraw THIS far out from the event. Should've just waited til the off season and made up some BS injury excuse like they always do. Federer has played the Hopman Cup or Brisbane International in the exact same week as the ATP Cup for the last SIX years and never used this BS family excuse. (Hell, the Hopman Cup this year actually started 4 days EARLIER than the 2020 ATP Cup would next year). If Fed wants to invent an excuse, go for it but pick a damn good one.
You seem quite riled up and I don't understand why. Players change their schedules every year.

He committed to a tournament and no longer wants to play it, so he's cancelling. I'm not sure why doing it closer to the event would be better, especially as his decision impacts several other players in this case.
 

icedevil0289

G.O.A.T.
I think Fedr is using the China exo as prep bc it starts 2-3 days earlier than the last Hopman Cup he played. So it's similar and since the China exo is 3 days, Fedr likely plays 2-3 matches (Hopman Cup guarantees 3 singles matches, but no edition this coming year).

idk if i would count that as prep though, isnt an exho. I mean i know hopman cup is seen as an exho in some ways because no points but it has a competitive vibe to it, but we will see how it plays out.
 

BeatlesFan

Bionic Poster
Where did I say Rafa would beat his #1 record?
Your saying Djokovic, Nadal's main rival, will vault over Fed's weeks at #1 instead of Rafa? That will make Federer irrelevant according to your logic, so where will that put Rafa? I guess at the level of "super irrelevancy." :cry:
 

icedevil0289

G.O.A.T.
You seem quite riled up and I don't understand why. Players change their schedules every year.

He committed to a tournament and no longer wants to play it, so he's cancelling. I'm not sure why doing it closer to the event would be better, especially as his decision impacts several other players in this case.

i mean i get if some people take issue with him withdrawing given he has a fairly packed exho schedule and why is he doing that ( even though hey if i were him id enjoy my s.american tour) but the fact that criticism is he withdrew too early is bizarre to me. also people always get flack for using injuries as an excuse. You know people would come back and be even more upset because he had a laundry list of exhibitions to play a few weeks before and then withdrawing at hte last minute would look 10x worse. getting two weeks back to spend with family and rest up makes far more sense imo.
 

TimHenmanATG

Hall of Fame
This is a bit of a surprise.

Roger normally takes exhos seriously - like the Laver Cup, World Tour Finals, Hopman Cup, etc.

Let's not forget, though, that the ATP Cup has the indelible hand of Gerard Pique all over it:
4DD101B800000578-5906477-image-a-28_1530459574747.jpg
 

Fedforever

Hall of Fame
would she not be showing even in the slightest during LC, was that the last time we saw her? tbh i do find it funny how her not being there for two tournaments suddenly has everyone freaked out. maybe she just took some me time during basel, I would and well none of the family besides his parents showed up in Shanghai.
The more pregnancies you've had the more it shows. A friend of mine on her second pregnancy looked like she was about to give birth when she was only about three months gone. And I just can't see why they'd be hiding it. They announced the pregnancies on both previous occasions - why would they want to shout "surprise!!!" in January?

It's weird people are making big conspiracies out of the fact she wasn't at matches in Basel. Maybe she just had a virus or a stomach upset?
 

icedevil0289

G.O.A.T.
The more pregnancies you've had the more it shows. A friend of mine on her second pregnancy looked like she was about to give birth when she was only about three months gone. And I just can't see why they'd be hiding it. They announced the pregnancies on both previous occasions - why would they want to shout "surprise!!!" in January?
i think they saw family reasons and it was either marital troubles or pregnancy and people went with the latter because it is better news.

i mean it could be something, but i think the reality is the china exho ends December 29th, and then I think the ATP cup starts on teh 3rd and goes on for a week (i assume they arent playing every day but are committed to being at teh event for that duration) and that seems like a lot. I assume he isnt going to drag his family to all the exhos he is going to so makes sense if he wants some family time. I personally think the china exho was unncessary but it is what it is. I get the other places because he atleast is seeing fans in countries that dont get to see him.
 

Fedforever

Hall of Fame
i think they saw family reasons and it was either marital troubles or pregnancy and people went with the latter because it is better news.
If there are "family reasons" it's most likely the elder twins are not so keen on travelling any more. Children that age have a developmental need to move away from their families and start establishing their own identities amongst their peer group. I don't see how they do that when they're travelling all the time. If Roger and Mirka have recognised this then good on them.
 

icedevil0289

G.O.A.T.
If there are "family reasons" it's most likely the elder twins are not so keen on travelling any more. Children that age have a developmental need to move away from their families and start establishing their own identities amongst their peer group. I don't see how they do that when they're travelling all the time. If Roger and Mirka have recognised this then good on them.
I can't believe those girls are 10 though, i still remember mirka about to pop 10 years ago. But you do make a good point. I think they enjoy the time they are at events, but also enjoy the time they are at home and probably arent devastated if they dont get to go.
 

Fedforever

Hall of Fame
I can't believe those girls are 10 though, i still remember mirka about to pop 10 years ago. But you do make a good point. I think they enjoy the time they are at events, but also enjoy the time they are at home and probably arent devastated if they dont get to go.

As much as these children have had a very privileged life in many ways there are things that most children take for granted that they haven't been able to do. And it would hardly be surprising if they wanted to do some of those things, maybe they want to join the Girl Guides and stuff like that?

We are (quite rightly) never going to know but it seems a more feasible explanation than hiding secret pregnancies!
 
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