Shanghai crowds

the attendance at this event in shanghai is some of the worst i have seen at a master series, am i wrong?...it's terrable

I guess you have never seen the French Open.

I think theres been a thread to this somewhere..I definetly agree with you, the only match which had a crowd was the blake v nadal match (due to nadal's popularity) but other then that its been woeful.

is it because the ticket prices are too high? were previous TMC Shanghai tourneys well attended?

Yeah, why is this? Given that Shanghai is so large it seems weird that there aren't many people there!

Empty stadiums like that are bad for the sport.

I don't understand why the organizers don't give a away free tickets. It can't be too hard to find 1-3 thousand people in Shanghai interested to watch tennis for free.

dropshot winner said:

Empty stadiums like that are bad for the sport.

I don't understand why the organizers don' give a away free tickets. It can't be too hard to find 1-3 thousand people in Shanghai interested to watch tennis for free.

Click to expand...

yeah empty stadiums definitely don't sell the sport as entertaining or appealing

Baikalic said:

yeah empty stadiums definitely don't sell the sport as entertaining or appealing

Click to expand...

Well, when the season gets so long, that the big guys pull out. Then why would you want to go?

Although I feel players have the right to pullout. I also feel sorry for the people it effects.. I blame the ATP for the crap schedule.. Not that I think its too long. Its just organised very poorly..

They should reduce ticket price or do something to get the attendance up. Doesn't feel like a masters event with empty stadiums.

I've heard Shanghai is pretty expensive and with the top guys not playing I expect they're not really interested.
But I also cant think of any other slot during which the event can be held.

Yeah the crowds are drinking the weak sauce. Even though I dunno, Roger and Roddick aren't there it is still vedry quality tennis and worth watching.

It is very pathetic. If it was ping pong, the place would be sold out!

no federer, no crowd.

Maybe they can't afford it or are at another stadium watching a video game or DDR tournament?

wyutani said:

no federer, no crowd.

Click to expand...

You have a point and not only about Federer,who is huge in Asia,but about the stars of the game present at Shanghai. Djokovic and Nadal matches had higher attendaces but the crowd doesn't seem to get into it like other venues and the fact that djoker and nadal aren't exactly killing it right now doesn't help either. Tell me one memorable match at Shanghai 09'. I can think of a few decent ones but no instant classics.

Instead this tournament is plagued by retirements and by mediocre gameplay by the players present,with few exceptions. This tournament and last year's season end make me laugh at the people who question the fact that the season needs to be shortened or at least reorganised. We had some big stars miss some year end events in 08',in 2009 Nadal has been plagued by injuries mid season(but only because he plays too much) and towards the end of the year not only are 8 players retiring in Shanghai,a masters event,but Federer skips Beijing and Shanghai because of fatigue(official reason though I doubt it),Murray has problems with his wrist and so on. It wouldn't amaze me if some other players go missing for Paris either to rest for TMC or for DC final.

It's pretty sad when you think about. Tennis should be about passion for the game,you should feel excited when you watch a tennis match. In beijing and shanghai I rarely felt both in Nadal and non-Nadal matches.The atmosphere is pretty bleak(even though the organising seems great),players are retiring left and right and the tennis is mediocre. Hope the players rest up and we will see a good TMC.

The few that are there seem enthused; but, the numbers in attendance are pathetic.

would agree.. a bit disappointing