Collegians in summer ITF/ATP events

[jcgatennismom]

So ATL Qs start tomo, and Nate Bonetto, the GT transfer from FL gets the final Q WC. He will be the 3rd GT player with WC there- Andres Martin in MD and Kevin King with the earned Q WC from winning the WC challenge. Ethan Quinn is the only WC from UGA (in Qs). @Sureshot in a post a month ago wrote that Paulsell of UGA deserved a WC. He definitely had a better college ranking for 23/24 with an ITA ranking of 37 vs unranked Bonetto, a WTN of 3.5 vs 4.7 for Bonetto, and a UTR of 13.88. Instead of getting a possible Q WC, Paulsell signed up for a 15k but didnt even get off the alternate list for Qualis. The idiosyncrasies of tennis once again displayed…one guy gets a 250Q WC and another higher ranked player of a college in the same state can’t even get in 15K Q…Pro tennis takes extreme talent, mental toughness, work ethic plus a little luck in the early draws and WCs. Hopefully Paulsell will get in other Futures this summer. On another note, Wolf who was in MD last year plays Kevin King in 1st rd of Qs

 

[Sureshot]

So ATL Qs start tomo, and Nate Bonetto, the GT transfer from FL gets the final Q WC. He will be the 3rd GT player with WC there- Andres Martin in MD and Kevin King with the earned Q WC from winning the WC challenge. Ethan Quinn is the only WC from UGA (in Qs). @Sureshot in a post a month ago wrote that Paulsell of UGA deserved a WC. He definitely had a better college ranking for 23/24 with an ITA ranking of 37 vs unranked Bonetto, a WTN of 3.5 vs 4.7 for Bonetto, and a UTR of 13.88. Instead of getting a possible Q WC, Paulsell signed up for a 15k but didnt even get off the alternate list for Qualis. The idiosyncrasies of tennis once again displayed…one guy gets a 250Q WC and another higher ranked player of a college in the same state can’t even get in 15K Q…Pro tennis takes extreme talent, mental toughness, work ethic plus a little luck in the early draws and WCs. Hopefully Paulsell will get in other Futures this summer. On another note, Wolf who was in MD last year plays Kevin King in 1st rd of Qs

Thanks for highlighting Paulsell. I for one am sold on him. Quite the travesty really! The USTA needs to give him a few WCs when I look around and a bunch of folks are getting WCs to the lower level Futures. UGA’s in good hands with him at the top. Not sure if next year is his final season of eligibility or did he redshirt his freshman year. Either way, looking for him to make a big impact on his way out.

 

[Wild Card]

Bonetto plays Brit Billy Harris - interesting to see how he fares. Billy recently beat fellow Brits Broom (Dartmouth, Baylor) and Fearnley (TCU) at Eastbourne and lost in R128 at Wimbledon to J Munar (Spain)

 

[jcgatennismom]

Thanks for highlighting Paulsell. I for one am sold on him. Quite the travesty really! The USTA needs to give him a few WCs when I look around and a bunch of folks are getting WCs to the lower level Futures. UGA’s in good hands with him at the top. Not sure if next year is his final season of eligibility or did he redshirt his freshman year. Either way, looking for him to make a big impact on his way out.

I watched him beat Andres In straights this spring-went to Athens as GT-thought GT could beat GA after the graduation of all the super seniors in 23. Paulsell really stepped from line 5/6 to play at 1 this year. The US summer and Nov Futures are hardest to get in as they are loaded with collegians. Maybe he needs to go down to Mexico for a few weeks…Used to be Cancun would host 3-4 15Ks in a row and college guys in would rent a cheap cottage for a month. You lose at least u have the beach! It’s a different Mexican city this year. Once a player wins a single Q match it is much easier to get in other Future Qs and then MDs

 

[bobleenov1963]

Last time I checked tennis is a meritocracy. BTW, I saw what he was wearing and it's not as bad as you're trying to make it out to be.

Yes, it does look bad on Spiz... It is foolish to think otherwise.

The idiosyncrasies of tennis once again displayed…one guy gets a 250Q WC and another higher ranked player of a college in the same state can’t even get in 15K Q...

According to @andfor, tennis is a meritocracy but @jcgatennismom says otherwise.

 

[jcgatennismom]

Yes, it does look bad on Spiz... It is foolish to think otherwise.

According to @andfor, tennis is a meritocracy but @jcgatennismom says otherwise.

For the most part tennis is a meritocracy esp at the higher levels but there is wiggle room with the WCs. Some WCs are well deserved-some are just at discretion of TD. Certainly the ITA accelerator program is a good use of WCs. I will say that the lowest level of pro tourneys-the Future Qualis would feature stronger competition if either WTN or ITA ranking etc were used to order alternates after ATP and ITF rankings are exhausted rather than a randomized computer generated list. There are 30-40yo 3.5s and 4.0s that sign up for Futures and it bugs me if they are listed ahead of ITA players who haven’t played a future before or they went a year without playing and their points dropped off

 

[scmyers]

Buckeye NCAA Dubs Champs Cash and Tracy into the Newport doubles final. New Buckeye transfer Aidan Kim got to the semis in college heavy East Lansing 25K.

 

[tennisfan17]

Collegians are doing well this summer! Watched Cash Tracy play in the NCAA doubles final. Crazy they made a 250 final!
JoMo getting the title in East Lansing is great. He is fun to watch.
August Holmgren (former San Diego player) won his first Challenger title in Pozoblanco, Spain.

Looking forward to seeing if Fernley can qualify for Chicago. A B10 battle in qualies as Trotter will play Maloney. Notable players in the draw (That I can remeber as college players current and former) are Tien, Broom, Basavareddy, Jubb, Diallo, Galarneau, Fenty, Holt, and M. Braswell. Such a fun draw!

 

[tennisfan17]

And of course, the M25 in Champaign is loaded with college players

 

[anindit gopalakrishnan]

Tien vs Bonzi R1. Time for Tien to show if he's more than just a 15k merchant, I believe in him

 

[scmyers]

Interesting preview of Buckeye position battle for upcoming season as new transfer Aidan Kim plays Jack Anthrop in the first round of Qualies at M25 Champaign.

 

[andfor]

Yes, it does look bad on Spiz... It is foolish to think otherwise.

According to @andfor, tennis is a meritocracy but @jcgatennismom says otherwise.

Must be nice to be the self appointed Paco Rabanne of the TT board.

As @jcgatennismom said, tennis is for the most part a meritocracy, including WC distribution. Adding to her post, for the most part WC's at the ATP level are handed out to the highest ranked players asking for them who are not auto entries to the MD or qualies, or formerly highly ranked players coming back from an injury, maybe a retired pro wanting to play a one off event, etc. At the challenger level it's much of the same. Could the TD at a Futures give a WC to one of his high performing junior students, sure, but that's the exception. Point is, even the WC are typically given out to players that have won a **** ton of matches.

 

[bobleenov1963]

Must be nice to be the self appointed Paco Rabanne of the TT board.

As @jcgatennismom said, tennis is for the most part a meritocracy, including WC distribution. Adding to her post, for the most part WC's at the ATP level are handed out to the highest ranked players asking for them who are not auto entries to the MD or qualies, or formerly highly ranked players coming back from an injury, maybe a retired pro wanting to play a one off event, etc. At the challenger level it's much of the same. Could the TD at a Futures give a WC to one of his high performing junior students, sure, but that's the exception. Point is, even the WC are typically given out to players that have won a **** ton of matches.

This is what you said you post #193: "Last time I checked tennis is a meritocracy." If I read that, it means absolute.

Now it is "for the most part", which means it is not as meritocracy as you think it is, and you just pointed that out. It doesn't have to be even high performing.

All I am saying is that in the age of social media, image matters if Spiz needs to look good if he wants to monetize it via social media.

 

[anindit gopalakrishnan]

for sure. i think tennis has a lot to learn from both GS and JPM about how to best institute a meritocracy.

 

[anindit gopalakrishnan]

Tien routines bonzi who is in decent form, very very impressive. Watching his game infuriates me and causes PTSD from playing those guys in the juniors who just never missed. But he's doing it at the pro level

 

[andfor]

This is what you said you post #193: "Last time I checked tennis is a meritocracy." If I read that, it means absolute.

Now it is "for the most part", which means it is not as meritocracy as you think it is, and you just pointed that out. It doesn't have to be even high performing.

All I am saying is that in the age of social media, image matters if Spiz needs to look good if he wants to monetize it via social media.

As I’ve pointed out before, you’re not one for nuance. While WC’s may seem like a bypass to get entry into the draw over higher ranked players, they as explained are nonetheless earned. You want to parse words and interpret to fit your narrative to live in your “make yourself feel better world”, help yourself, in the face of common sense you alway do.

 

[andfor]

Tien routines bonzi who is in decent form, very very impressive. Watching his game infuriates me and causes PTSD from playing those guys in the juniors who just never missed. But he's doing it at the pro level

Kinda reminds me of a lefty Brookby.

 

[Wild Card]

Jake Fearnley (Q) gets a chance to avenge last weeks defeat to Tu!

Draws | ATP Tour | Tennis

Official singles, doubles and qualifying draw from the tournament archive in men's professional tennis on the ATP Tour.

www.atptour.com

 

[jcgatennismom]

Jake Fearnley (Q) gets a chance to avenge last weeks defeat to Tu!

Draws | ATP Tour | Tennis

Official singles, doubles and qualifying draw from the tournament archive in men's professional tennis on the ATP Tour.

www.atptour.com

9 other collegians will play today. Diallo vs Trotter should be a good one. Trotter crushed Maloney 1,2 yesterday in final round of Q. Trotter needs to do well at this Challenger to get his ranking closer to 250 for US Open Qs.

Questions today:,1) can Nikesh play his match without injury 2) can Zheng who already has USO Q WC win his 1st rd? He lost 1st rd in his last CH so he signed up for Lansing Future. Unfortunately he drew eventual winner JoMo in 1st rd. Hope Zheng does better in Chicago and gets good prep for USO

 

[jcgatennismom]

There are 9 collegians in ATL MD. All but Shelton (has bye) play today. LL Wolf plays Rindernech. Wolf has had a tough year-hope he can earn wins in ATL like he did last year (QF). Walton of TN also got in as LL. One of the most interesting matches will be Kovacevic vs the recently returned to Tour Opelka. Two US collegians will battle: Nakishima vs Mackie. Vukic who was a finalist in 23 plays Italian Qfier Bellucci. WC Andres Martin played Qfer Jerry Shang who easily beat Wolf in Qs. Shelton will play winner of that match in R16

 

[Gemini]

There are 9 collegians in ATL MD. All but Shelton (has bye) play today. LL Wolf plays Rindernech. Wolf has had a tough year-hope he can earn wins in ATL like he did last year (QF). Walton of TN also got in as LL. One of the most interesting matches will be Kovacevic vs the recently returned to Tour Opelka. Two US collegians will battle: Nakishima vs Mackie. Vukic who was a finalist in 23 plays Italian Qfier Bellucci. WC Andres Martin played Qfer Jerry Shang who easily beat Wolf in Qs. Shelton will play winner of that match in R16

Unfortunately, I'm scheduled to fly to AZ today but this would have been the best day to take off from work and catch some of the tournament. I live 3 miles from the event. Somewhat sad that I'm not going to be able to see any live matches at the ATL Open this year given that it's the event's last occurrence.

 

[jcgatennismom]

Unfortunately, I'm scheduled to fly to AZ today but this would have been the best day to take off from work and catch some of the tournament. I live 3 miles from the event. Somewhat sad that I'm not going to be able to see any live matches at the ATL Open this year given that it's the event's last occurrence.

I hope ATL can get a Challenger host spot in the near Future. Savannah is too far. ATL is such a tennis hot spot that I hope some of the former sponsors of the 250 would back a CH

 

[Gemini]

I hope ATL can get a Challenger host spot in the near Future. Savannah is too far. ATL is such a tennis hot spot that I hope some of the former sponsors of the 250 would back a CH

I continues to amaze me that with a much passion as ATL has for playing tennis that it can't sustain a main tour event or even host a challenger event.

 

[Larry Duff]

I am watching fearnley right now in the Chicago challenger.

 

[bobleenov1963]

I continues to amaze me that with a much passion as ATL has for playing tennis that it can't sustain a main tour event or even host a challenger event.

Don’t listen to what people say, watch what they do. The fact that it can’t even sustain an ATP 250 tour says something. Even CitiOpen has better attendance and sponsorship. CitiOpen used to be a 250 level event, but gained 500 when it combined with SV WTA to become the only 500 event in both men & women.

 

[andfor]

Don’t listen to what people say, watch what they do. The fact that it can’t even sustain an ATP 250 tour says something. Even CitiOpen has better attendance and sponsorship. CitiOpen used to be a 250 level event, but gained 500 when it combined with SV WTA to become the only 500 event in both men & women.

The Atlanta Station is not a good location. Washington DC is bigger than ATL.

 

[bobleenov1963]

The Atlanta Station is not a good location. Washington DC is bigger than ATL.

How is ATL not a good location? Atlanta has over 6M in population vs. less than 1M for Washington DC. Even if you include Fairfax, Arlington, Loundon, and Montgomery County from both MD and VA, it is still less than 6M.

All the post I read from @jcgatennismom sound like ATL is a tennis hot bed, and yet it can't sustain an ATP 250 level tour. I wouldn't call Washington DC a tennis hot bed.

 

[andfor]

How is ATL not a good location? Atlanta has over 6M in population vs. less than 1M for Washington DC. Even if you include Fairfax, Arlington, Loundon, and Montgomery County from both MD and VA, it is still less than 6M.

All the post I read from @jcgatennismom sound like ATL is a tennis hot bed, and yet it can't sustain an ATP 250 level tour. I wouldn't call Washington DC a tennis hot bed.

ATL is a tennis hotbed, the venue, Atlantic Station is not ideal. DC is larger than ATL according to the latest census.

 

[optimaltennis]

How is ATL not a good location? Atlanta has over 6M in population vs. less than 1M for Washington DC. Even if you include Fairfax, Arlington, Loundon, and Montgomery County from both MD and VA, it is still less than 6M.

All the post I read from @jcgatennismom sound like ATL is a tennis hot bed, and yet it can't sustain an ATP 250 level tour. I wouldn't call Washington DC a tennis hot bed.

Atlanta is a great location for tennis. However, there are several details working against a pro tournament there:

1) it is massively hot and muggy in the summer. Average daily high in the 90s with 75% humidity makes is unbearable for the players/fans
2) tournament site is only temporary. They need a permanent location. Logistics for players during the tournament are difficult, to put it nicely

IF I was in charge of ATP, they should have tried to get Atlanta a date in March, if only there was a week between Indian Wells and Miami.

 

[anindit gopalakrishnan]

What a win for nishesh over Mark Lajal who just played Alcaraz at wimbledon. Still looked a bit tentative while moving laterally and fell over a few times and i dont know what's up with that. But front/back movement looked good. Down match point at 6-7 in the tiebreak he played one of the most aggressive ballsy points i've ever seen. Hope he can keep rolling LFG

 

[jcgatennismom]

Atlanta is a great location for tennis. However, there are several details working against a pro tournament there:

1) it is massively hot and muggy in the summer. Average daily high in the 90s with 75% humidity makes is unbearable for the players/fans
2) tournament site is only temporary. They need a permanent location. Logistics for players during the tournament are difficult, to put it nicely

IF I was in charge of ATP, they should have tried to get Atlanta a date in March, if only there was a week between Indian Wells

Agree with all of the above. Those metal temporary bleaches are bum burners. I used to go with my son some when he was a junior, but in 23 I turned down free tickets to SF and F to watch on TV instead bc it was just too hot and humid. The other issue for ATL is limited parking and poor transportation options. Many tennis fans live 10-20 miles N of the closest Marta station.

There are 80k ALTA players and with cross promotion, a tennis event held between Oct and mid May could have great success. There are many possible venues for a CH level event. Lifetime Fitness in Peachtree Corners has one big stadium court outside, 4 indoors and probably 20 other courts. It hosts a junior ITF and used to host the Australian Open WC tourney 12 years ago when the facility was Racquet Club of the South. We need to get a tennis event there before the picklers take over as they have hosted national p-ball events.

Of course UGA at Athens is a possibility for a CH now that they have 6 indoor courts but event would have to schedule on a non football weekend.

 

[bobleenov1963]

Atlanta is a great location for tennis. However, there are several details working against a pro tournament there:

1) it is massively hot and muggy in the summer. Average daily high in the 90s with 75% humidity makes is unbearable for the players/fans
2) tournament site is only temporary. They need a permanent location. Logistics for players during the tournament are difficult, to put it nicely

IF I was in charge of ATP, they should have tried to get Atlanta a date in March, if only there was a week between Indian Wells and Miami.

1- It is also hot and muggy in the summer here in Washington DC, and not any better than ATL,
2- Tournament site here is in DC Rock Creek Park, which is owned by the Federal government so the site is not permanent; however, CitiOpen has enough leverages to get it done for the past 30+ years,

Agree with all of the above. Those metal temporary bleaches are bum burners. I used to go with my son some when he was a junior, but in 23 I turned down free tickets to SF and F to watch on TV instead bc it was just too hot and humid. The other issue for ATL is limited parking and poor transportation options. Many tennis fans live 10-20 miles N of the closest Marta station.

There are 80k ALTA players and with cross promotion, a tennis event held between Oct and mid May could have great success. There are many possible venues for a CH level event. Lifetime Fitness in Peachtree Corners has one big stadium court outside, 4 indoors and probably 20 other courts. It hosts a junior ITF and used to host the Australian Open WC tourney 12 years ago when the facility was Racquet Club of the South. We need to get a tennis event there before the picklers take over as they have hosted national p-ball events.

CitiOpen also has bleachers as well and it is not comfortable. That's what you get for hosting ATP events in late July, early August. Parking in DC is even more restricted than in ATL, and it costs more to stay in DC than in ATL. The point is that you can't be a hot bed and yet can't even sustain an ATP 250 level event . DC is not a tennis hot bed and yet it has an ATP 500 level event .

Anyway, PB will become an official high school varsity sports at all 25 HS in Montgomery County, the largest county in the state of Maryland starting in Fall '24. It did a pilot at 11 HS in '23. I am sure Fairfax County of Virginia will soon make PB the official HS sport in Fall '25: https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/...sity-sport-at-all-montgomery-co-high-schools/

 

[optimaltennis]

1- It is also hot and muggy in the summer here in Washington DC, and not any better than ATL,
2- Tournament site here is in DC Rock Creek Park, which is owned by the Federal government so the site is not permanent; however, CitiOpen has enough leverages to get it done for the past 30+ years,


CitiOpen also has bleachers as well and it is not comfortable. That's what you get for hosting ATP events in late July, early August. Parking in DC is even more restricted than in ATL, and it costs more to stay in DC than in ATL. The point is that you can't be a hot bed and yet can't even sustain an ATP 250 level event . DC is not a tennis hot bed and yet it has an ATP 500 level event .

Anyway, PB will become an official high school varsity sports at all 25 HS in Montgomery County, the largest county in the state of Maryland starting in Fall '24. It did a pilot at 11 HS in '23. I am sure Fairfax County of Virginia will soon make PB the official HS sport in Fall '25: https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/...sity-sport-at-all-montgomery-co-high-schools/

I don't usually respond to trolls, but I will here to inform the masses. I've been to both tournaments as a coach of players and I can say without a silver of doubt that DC is way easier on the fans. I'll give you that temperature are relatively similar, but humidity felt a lot worse in Atlanta during the times I've been there. I believe this is due to the nature of the setup: Atlanta's site is a parking lot that has been converted for the event, thus no natural or built up shaded structures. You are surrounded by nothing by urban construction and concrete/asphalt. Every where you go, you feel like you are inside of an oven with no shade. Rock Creek Park is inside of an actual park with trees and greenery. The tennis facility is permanent as they have programming there year round, only some of the stands are not. For fans, there is shade from trees as well as shade in some of the temporary structures.

From a fan experience, Atlanta is definitely lacking because there is little interaction between players and fans due to the layout. I recall having to be driven from the player area (in a hotel) to the courts with no ability to mingle with fans after practice/matches. Every other 250/500 I've been to (10+ and counting), players will often walk among fans, setting up opportunities for chance encounters that increases the experience

 

[tennisfan17]

ATL is a tennis hotbed, the venue, Atlantic Station is not ideal. DC is larger than ATL according to the latest census.

I did not like going to the ATL Open when I lived in Georgia. Atlanta is really nice but where the tournament is held is not great.

 

[tennisfan17]

I don't usually respond to trolls, but I will here to inform the masses. I've been to both tournaments as a coach of players and I can say without a silver of doubt that DC is way easier on the fans. I'll give you that temperature are relatively similar, but humidity felt a lot worse in Atlanta during the times I've been there. I believe this is due to the nature of the setup: Atlanta's site is a parking lot that has been converted for the event, thus no natural or built up shaded structures. You are surrounded by nothing by urban construction and concrete/asphalt. Every where you go, you feel like you are inside of an oven with no shade. Rock Creek Park is inside of an actual park with trees and greenery. The tennis facility is permanent as they have programming there year round, only some of the stands are not. For fans, there is shade from trees as well as shade in some of the temporary structures.

From a fan experience, Atlanta is definitely lacking because there is little interaction between players and fans due to the layout. I recall having to be driven from the player area (in a hotel) to the courts with no ability to mingle with fans after practice/matches. Every other 250/500 I've been to (10+ and counting), players will often walk among fans, setting up opportunities for chance encounters that increases the experience

Agree with this. When I went I felt like I was in a glass bowl and the place was sweltering, even in the few shaded parts. I was not a fan of the seating, especially for the second court they had. It did not feel like it was super easy to watch. The stands for center court were a challenge as well because unless you paid for the nice seats, you were left out in the sun on metal bleacher or folding chairs baking.

 

[andfor]

I don't usually respond to trolls, but I will here to inform the masses. I've been to both tournaments as a coach of players and I can say without a silver of doubt that DC is way easier on the fans. I'll give you that temperature are relatively similar, but humidity felt a lot worse in Atlanta during the times I've been there. I believe this is due to the nature of the setup: Atlanta's site is a parking lot that has been converted for the event, thus no natural or built up shaded structures. You are surrounded by nothing by urban construction and concrete/asphalt. Every where you go, you feel like you are inside of an oven with no shade. Rock Creek Park is inside of an actual park with trees and greenery. The tennis facility is permanent as they have programming there year round, only some of the stands are not. For fans, there is shade from trees as well as shade in some of the temporary structures.

From a fan experience, Atlanta is definitely lacking because there is little interaction between players and fans due to the layout. I recall having to be driven from the player area (in a hotel) to the courts with no ability to mingle with fans after practice/matches. Every other 250/500 I've been to (10+ and counting), players will often walk among fans, setting up opportunities for chance encounters that increases the experience

Thanks for your first hand experience and from a coaches perspective at the ATL open. I know those who run the tournament have done the best they can to make the experience there the best they can. It's been around since 2010 so a 14 year run is not bad. I never understood why they didn't just move it elsewhere in the area that's more fan and player friendly.

Regardless, I don't think the tournament is necessarily ending due to lack of success. I believe it's being retired by the ATP. Someone who knows more ATP insider detail feel free to chip in. But I think the ATP is trying to trim back and remove the number of 250 tournaments worldwide in favor of more support the the 500 level tournaments.

 

[jcgatennismom]

Thanks for your first hand experience and from a coaches perspective at the ATL open. I know those who run the tournament have done the best they can to make the experience there the best they can. It's been around since 2010 so a 14 year run is not bad. I never understood why they didn't just move it elsewhere in the area that's more fan and player friendly.

Regardless, I don't think the tournament is necessarily ending due to lack of success. I believe it's being retired by the ATP. Someone who knows more ATP insider detail feel free to chip in. But I think the ATP is trying to trim back and remove the number of 250 tournaments worldwide in favor of more support the the 500 level tournaments.

I think 500s are more popular because there are more known names. For those of us who follow college tennis, we know the collegians who are moving up from Challengers and are excited to see them play better known players. The average tennis fan may know only a couple guys in the 250s and may hesitate to buy tickets ahead in case those guys pull out. I hope with the reduction in 250s there will still be a path from CH to Tour events besides the 128 draw Slam Qualis

 

[optimaltennis]

Thanks for your first hand experience and from a coaches perspective at the ATL open. I know those who run the tournament have done the best they can to make the experience there the best they can. It's been around since 2010 so a 14 year run is not bad. I never understood why they didn't just move it elsewhere in the area that's more fan and player friendly.

Regardless, I don't think the tournament is necessarily ending due to lack of success. I believe it's being retired by the ATP. Someone who knows more ATP insider detail feel free to chip in. But I think the ATP is trying to trim back and remove the number of 250 tournaments worldwide in favor of more support the the 500 level tournaments.

I agree with your sentiment about the people running Atlanta. The organizers were phenomenal and did all they can with what they had. At DC, unless you were a "big name" they kind of treated you and your team like crap. E.g. my credential got damaged and had a hard to scanning. I asked to see if I could get a new one or something, usually not a problem elsewhere, to which I got an earful by some female about how irresponsible I am and that all the players/coaches can't do anything right

As for the reasons why the tournament was ending: ATP wanted to make all the 1000 to 2-week events as well generate more 500s. I won't get into all the details, but it was something to the extent of getting more money to the people in the top 100. In actuality, it probably will only be for top 70 while players 70-100 likely make less money since they can't get entry into 500s.

 

[jcgatennismom]

@bobleenov1963 Does Citi open still run a 128 draw tourney for WC into Qualis? One of the kids from the local HS team who played for Navy reached the QFs one year pre pandemic.

 

[andfor]

I think 500s are more popular because there are more known names. For those of us who follow college tennis, we know the collegians who are moving up from Challengers and are excited to see them play better known players. The average tennis fan may know only a couple guys in the 250s and may hesitate to buy tickets ahead in case those guys pull out. I hope with the reduction in 250s there will still be a path from CH to Tour events besides the 128 draw Slam Qualis

250's notoriously have less budget to work with for appearance fees. Often that factor along with the smaller points available, many top players outside the U.S. when playing a 250 seem to do so near their homebase often leaving some tournaments looking like a souped up challenger.

When Memphis was a 500 we got most all the good Americans and a few internationals inside the top 25, but never Fed, Djoker or Nadal, they would play Amsterdam or Dubi, which ever tourney was the same week. When the tournament changed to a 250 we had Monfils pull out injured (probably) was 2 times. Again at the 250 level Sock never played Memphis due to the apprearance money he demanded. Anyways, point is the 250 seem to have this same problem with the exception being if they are 1 or 2 weeks before a major. If the ATP is trimming back the calendar a little bit to boost up the fields in the rest of the tournaments, that's a good thing. Wonder if the calendar will be a little shorter, that another thing players have been calling for but another topic all together.

 

[bobleenov1963]

I don't usually respond to trolls, but I will here to inform the masses. I've been to both tournaments as a coach of players and I can say without a silver of doubt that DC is way easier on the fans. I'll give you that temperature are relatively similar, but humidity felt a lot worse in Atlanta during the times I've been there. I believe this is due to the nature of the setup: Atlanta's site is a parking lot that has been converted for the event, thus no natural or built up shaded structures. You are surrounded by nothing by urban construction and concrete/asphalt. Every where you go, you feel like you are inside of an oven with no shade. Rock Creek Park is inside of an actual park with trees and greenery. The tennis facility is permanent as they have programming there year round, only some of the stands are not. For fans, there is shade from trees as well as shade in some of the temporary structures.

From a fan experience, Atlanta is definitely lacking because there is little interaction between players and fans due to the layout. I recall having to be driven from the player area (in a hotel) to the courts with no ability to mingle with fans after practice/matches. Every other 250/500 I've been to (10+ and counting), players will often walk among fans, setting up opportunities for chance encounters that increases the experience

The humidity is DC is just as bad as ATL in late July, early August. No, Rock Creek Park is an actual park but the tennis facility is right next to a crowded 16th Street. Transportation to Rock Creek park is not that good either. There is NO subway to Rock Creek park and very little parking there unless you have VIP where you can park on the grass next to the entrance (If it happens to rain that day, those parking spots will be closed). Otherwise, you have to park somewhere else and take the shuttle to Rock Creek park. They also close street parking during the tournament so if you drive, you have to park very far away. Yes, there are a few trees here and there but not enough. That being said, it is still a good CitiOpen experience. Because it is an ATP 500 level event, I got to see Andy Murray in 2015 and Nadal in 2021. Those guys will never show up at an ATP-250 event in their prime.

@bobleenov1963 Does Citi open still run a 128 draw tourney for WC into Qualis? One of the kids from the local HS team who played for Navy reached the QFs one year pre pandemic.

I don't know. I normally go on Saturday and Sunday to watch qualifying matches before the MD on Monday. My complain about the about Qualis is that every year it seems like every year Andrew Fenty receives WC into Qualis even though the dude is not that good and he got to play in the stadium court. He got in because of his last name. Nepotism is at its finest. The phrase "tennis is a meritocracy" does not work in this situation.

 

[jcgatennismom]

The humidity is DC is just as bad as ATL in late July, early August. No, Rock Creek Park is an actual park but the tennis facility is right next to a crowded 16th Street. Transportation to Rock Creek park is not that good either. There is NO subway to Rock Creek park and very little parking there unless you have VIP where you can park on the grass next to the entrance (If it happens to rain that day, those parking spots will be closed). Otherwise, you have to park somewhere else and take the shuttle to Rock Creek park. They also close street parking during the tournament so if you drive, you have to park very far away. Yes, there are a few trees here and there but not enough. That being said, it is still a good CitiOpen experience. Because it is an ATP 500 level event, I got to see Andy Murray in 2015 and Nadal in 2021. Those guys will never show up at an ATP-250 event in their prime.


I don't know. I normally go on Saturday and Sunday to watch qualifying matches before the MD on Monday. My complain about the about Qualis is that every year it seems like every year Andrew Fenty receives WC into Qualis even though the dude is not that good and he got to play in the stadium court. He got in because of his last name. Nepotism is at its finest. The phrase "tennis is a meritocracy" does not work in this situation.

Fenty got a WC into MD of Chicago Challenger this week and lost in 1st rd so doesn’t deserve a Citi WC but we’ll see what happens. Host universities get WCs for Futures and Challengers-many on the teams deserve the WCs and win their matches but when the bench guys get them too it’s a bit too much.

 

[anindit gopalakrishnan]

27 in a row for tien. I watched parts of the match and he finally seems somewhat flapped, double faulted a ton in the 2nd set and some weird misses

 

[andfor]

Fenty got a WC into MD of Chicago Challenger this week and lost in 1st rd so doesn’t deserve a Citi WC but we’ll see what happens. Host universities get WCs for Futures and Challengers-many on the teams deserve the WCs and win their matches but when the bench guys get them too it’s a bit too much.

At least Fenty is a ranked player and local to DC. Pretty sure he's getting the tournament directors WC. They usually have 1 or 2. Give 1 to a local player, the 2nd WC is used for a player that wins a WC tournament. I think the the USTA, ATP, ITF have the rest. My guess is the TD puts him on center court for the locals who come to see him play. This often happen as most tournaments, but for just one player, maybe a doubles team and again although the player may not be the caliber of the rest of the field, they most often have a ATP ranking.

 

[bobleenov1963]

At least Fenty is a ranked player and local to DC. Pretty sure he's getting the tournament directors WC. They usually have 1 or 2. Give 1 to a local player, the 2nd WC is used for a player that wins a WC tournament. I think the the USTA, ATP, ITF have the rest. My guess is the TD puts him on center court for the locals who come to see him play. This often happen as most tournaments, but for just one player, maybe a doubles team and again although the player may not be the caliber of the rest of the field, they most often have a ATP ranking.

Your statement of "tennis is a meritocracy" doesn't work here. Do you know who Andrew Fenty is and why they put him on center court when there are much better players that have to play on outside courts? There are better than Fenty and didn't receive the Quali WC and Fenty did. Once you figured it out, you can respond here. It is not as "meritocracy" as you think it is.

 

[jcgatennismom]

Ben Shelton vs Jerry Shang about to start in ATL. Ben lost to him in 1st rd of ATL last year. Hope Ben can get the win tonight. 19yo Shang is at a career high of 86. There were 6 American collegians in MD; Ben is the last one left. Rinderknech is the only other remaining collegian and has won 2 matches to reach QFs. Vukic who made finals last year lost in 1st rd. Shang also beat Ben in DC last summer.

 

[andfor]

Your statement of "tennis is a meritocracy" doesn't work here. Do you know who Andrew Fenty is and why they put him on center court when there are much better players that have to play on outside courts? There are better than Fenty and didn't receive the Quali WC and Fenty did. Once you figured it out, you can respond here. It is not as "meritocracy" as you think it is.

You’re trying to turn spilled milk into a bar fight, and use the TD’s 1 or 2 discretionary WC’s he has to entirely defame the meritocratic system. Your argument is dumb at best. Fentey is an atp ranked pro. Go ask the TD your questions, you’ll learn what we've been trying to tell you.

 

[andfor]

Ben Shelton vs Jerry Shang about to start in ATL. Ben lost to him in 1st rd of ATL last year. Hope Ben can get the win tonight. 19yo Shang is at a career high of 86. There were 6 American collegians in MD; Ben is the last one left. Rinderknech is the only other remaining collegian and has won 2 matches to reach QFs. Vukic who made finals last year lost in 1st rd. Shang also beat Ben in DC last summer.

For those who might be there, I’ll be there all day Saturday.

 

[bobleenov1963]

You’re trying to turn spilled milk into a bar fight, and use the TD’s 1 or 2 discretionary WC’s he has to entirely defame the meritocratic system. Your argument is dumb at best. Fentey is an atp ranked pro. Go ask the TD your questions, you’ll learn what we've been trying to tell you.

You still didn't answer the question who Andrew Fenty is. Do you know who Andrew Fenty is and his tie to CitiOpen? He has been given WC for the last five years, starting in 2018.

 

[andfor]

You still didn't answer the question who Andrew Fenty is. Do you know who Andrew Fenty is and his tie to CitiOpen? He has been given WC for the last five years, starting in 2018.

Doesn’t matter. He has the most all time wins as a #1 at Michigan is an atp ranked pro, only 24 and from DC. There are worse examples of players getting WC’s. Name a player that protested his WC that’s more deserved and I might acknowledge your argument. You’re picking pepper out of flyshit and fighting for .001% what happens with draws of the tour.