De Minaur not happy with AO official

[Tennease]

Alex de Minaur isn’t happy with officials just days out from the Open

JANUARY 12, 2019 5:45PM

De Minaur makes Sydney final

news.com.au

Teenage tennis sensation Alex de Minaur has accused Australian Open organisers of punishing local players who perform well in home tournaments after failing to have his opening-round clash at the grand slam pushed back.

De Minaur was forced to play two matches in one day at the Sydney International on Saturday, after rain washed away his semi-final against Gilles Simon on Friday night.

Victory over Simon meant the 19-year-old had just a five-hour gap between that match and his final against Andreas Seppi, before flying to Melbourne on Sunday and starting his campaign on Monday afternoon.

De Minaur said it left him disadvantaged ahead of his clash with Portuguese outsider Pedro Sousa on Monday, and into the rest of the tournament. “What is more annoying is me having to play Monday at the Australian Open and not getting helped out as a fellow Aussie at your home slam,” de Minaur said.

“I think they are punishing Aussies for playing deep in their home tournaments and I think that’s not what they should be doing.”

The Demon isn’t happy. De Minaur is one of the few big names playing in the Sydney tournament the week before the Open, with only four of the world’s top-30 playing at the event and another six playing in Auckland.

Australia’s top-ranked men’s player as world No.29, de Minaur’s opening match in Melbourne is the third scheduled at Margaret Court Arena. Asked if he had asked to have the match pushed back, de Minaur replied: “Yeah.” “They came out with the schedule before they even saw the halves or saw who was in the final in the weeks prior. I think that is pretty poor.”

The reality is though that any change would have forced further complications with the draw. De Minaur was drawn on the bottom half of the schedule, the side of which all matches are set for Monday. Moving the Australian’s match to Tuesday would have meant that the winner between he and Sousa would have been forced to play two days straight in Melbourne.

The schedule is a complex challenge which also includes prioritising television opportunities for marquee players and adequate rest opportunities.

Tennis Australia have been contacted for comment but are yet to respond.

https://amp-news-com-au.cdn.ampproj...n/news-story/a50da3f86fec55b5cc259cfc6f513239

 

[Red Rick]

Well maybe he's an idiot for playing Sydney if he wants to do well at the Australian.

He's literally ******** about not getting preferential treatment.

@Shank Volley we might have a case of NOT GOOD ENOUGH FROM DE MINAUR

 

[Tennease]

He has to defend his last year's finalist point. Not playing the final would be a disrespect to tennis and the fans.

 

[Subway Tennis]

The schedule did come out early. In that regard Demon has a point.

I wonder if they tried to arrange something once they knew of his predicament and just couldn't get a change made. I'd think there would have been plenty of players keen to do a straight swap and start on monday (I know it is more complicated than that).

It would be interesting to get further clarification from the tournament as to what lengths they went to.

 

[Gary Duane]

Without more info seems like Demon has a legitimate point. But if he does well in the opener, it could work out well for him later if he gets a bit of extra rest. The kid is a fighter, so no surprise if he is a bit outspoken.

 

[True Fanerer]

They should look at the late tournaments and schedule any Aussie's that are still playing on Thursday for a Tuesday start just in case.

 

[Tshooter]

You need to have won at least 20 Majors before they will accommodate your scheduling preferences at a Major.

 

[Red Rick]

You need to have won at least 20 Majors before they will accommodate your scheduling preferences at a Major.

Fed's treatment last year was a bit prematurely then, no?

 

[Forehand_Slice]

It is what it is, if you choose to play right before a Slam.
In return for playing in a weaker field , it might even end up being worth it if he wins Sydney.

 

[Tennease]

He's happy with the title though, even though he had to play two matches in one day. What a fighter.

 

[oldmanfan]

So De Minaur is basically saying...

Favoritism is NOT OK when favoring the biggest draw.

Favoritism is OK when favoring him and his courtrymen.

Cool story bro.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

those evil monsters also scheduled bernie after 7PM... yet again !

 

[Bukmeikara]

This is such a bullcrap from Alex:
1. There is zero logic for the australian tennis federation to punish local players for deep runs. They look good when locals win.
2. Local favorism is seen from time to time but asking an entire section of the draw to be delayed just because of him ... its too much. Even its only their match, if that guy Sousa wins he would have no rest before the next round. Not to mention that Alex is a 1.05 favorite, playing a 30 years old with career high of 102 .. even if there is some kind unfairness(which is not the case) you should be good enough to win with little effort. Its even better for him because he has an easy match for starters and could finish it quickly and rest more.

Alex is a perfect example for a spoiled young athlete that thinks that everybody should center their world around him.
Not to mention that he blatanly asks to gain advantage over Sousa and thinks that he is the victim.

 

[G4P45]

He wrong

 

[Deleted member 763691]

whiner alert

 

[tennisaddict]

Did ADM expect his match to be deferred to Tuesday ? Sometimes finishing college helps in understanding how business works

 

[tennisaddict]

And his R1 is not even against the better Sousa !

 

[merlinpinpin]

You need to have won at least 20 Majors before they will accommodate your scheduling preferences at a Major.

Having an influencial uncle seems to help quite a bit in the draw and surface choice departments, too.

 

[TennisaGoGo]

It’s a lot of tennis so early in the season. I’m sure he’s getting pressure to support as many as he can from all those who helped him be where he is. I can understand his frustration. He’ll learn to say no.

 

[Meles]

Alex de Minaur isn’t happy with officials just days out from the Open

JANUARY 12, 2019 5:45PM

De Minaur makes Sydney final

news.com.au

Teenage tennis sensation Alex de Minaur has accused Australian Open organisers of punishing local players who perform well in home tournaments after failing to have his opening-round clash at the grand slam pushed back.

De Minaur was forced to play two matches in one day at the Sydney International on Saturday, after rain washed away his semi-final against Gilles Simon on Friday night.

Victory over Simon meant the 19-year-old had just a five-hour gap between that match and his final against Andreas Seppi, before flying to Melbourne on Sunday and starting his campaign on Monday afternoon.

De Minaur said it left him disadvantaged ahead of his clash with Portuguese outsider Pedro Sousa on Monday, and into the rest of the tournament. “What is more annoying is me having to play Monday at the Australian Open and not getting helped out as a fellow Aussie at your home slam,” de Minaur said.

“I think they are punishing Aussies for playing deep in their home tournaments and I think that’s not what they should be doing.”

The Demon isn’t happy. De Minaur is one of the few big names playing in the Sydney tournament the week before the Open, with only four of the world’s top-30 playing at the event and another six playing in Auckland.

Australia’s top-ranked men’s player as world No.29, de Minaur’s opening match in Melbourne is the third scheduled at Margaret Court Arena. Asked if he had asked to have the match pushed back, de Minaur replied: “Yeah.” “They came out with the schedule before they even saw the halves or saw who was in the final in the weeks prior. I think that is pretty poor.”

The reality is though that any change would have forced further complications with the draw. De Minaur was drawn on the bottom half of the schedule, the side of which all matches are set for Monday. Moving the Australian’s match to Tuesday would have meant that the winner between he and Sousa would have been forced to play two days straight in Melbourne.

The schedule is a complex challenge which also includes prioritising television opportunities for marquee players and adequate rest opportunities.

Tennis Australia have been contacted for comment but are yet to respond.

https://amp-news-com-au.cdn.ampproj...n/news-story/a50da3f86fec55b5cc259cfc6f513239

Just typical ITF arrogance with their rules. Both Demon and Seppi thrown right back out on Monday; this rarely happens at ATP events. With Nadal looming R16 they've really given him no chance to peak for that match. Heads should roll at tennis Australia if this was actually a choice.

 

[Meles]

He has to defend his last year's finalist point. Not playing the final would be a disrespect to tennis and the fans.

Based on his trophy speech De Minaur sounds like he want to play both warm up events in his home country ongoing for years to come.

 

[reaper]

He shouldn't have his match pushed back because he's Australian. Players should be treated equally irrespective of nationality. Theres certainly an argument that a player who wins a tournament shouldn't have to back up and play on the first day the following week.

 

[Fridge]

Should have tanked sydney if he plans on going deep at the AO. should have his priorities straight at this point.

 

[Gary Duane]

So De Minaur is basically saying...

Favoritism is NOT OK when favoring the biggest draw.

Favoritism is OK when favoring him and his courtrymen.

Cool story bro.

More like saying that there is some amount of favoritism at each slam, so it's logical for Americans to protect their own, and the same for Great Britain, Australia and France. It's only logical for the AO to protect a promising young player by scheduling him on Tuesday, shortsighted not to keep open a strategy to prevent a player from facing so little rest.

I would assume most Australians would agree with this.

 

[duaneeo]

Players should be treated equally irrespective of nationality.

Tennis isn't an all-equal society.

 

[oldmanfan]

More like saying that there is some amount of favoritism at each slam, so it's logical for Americans to protect their own, and the same for Great Britain, Australia and France. It's only logical for the AO to protect a promising young player by scheduling him on Tuesday, shortsighted not to keep open a strategy to prevent a player from facing so little rest.

I would assume most Australians would agree with this.

Oh, I understood what De Minaur said. But ADM doesn't understand a few things:

1) ATP (Sydney/Auckland) =/= ITF (slams)
2) AO19 had already decided that the bottom section were to play on Monday shortly after the draw on Friday, local time. They should change that on Sunday bc ADM made it to Sydney's finals?

Spoiler: link

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1083292649140830208

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1083313932801069056

3) The fact that the bottom half is to play first on Monday was decided before ADM has even won his SF, only the OOP was new.

So, ADM suggesting to have him play on Tuesday in essence is changing the whole AO19 schedule. Like it or not, I think part of the reason that the bottom section was to play first, decided right after the draw, was bc Fedr/Nadl is older, and the organizers want them to have the best shot in the finals if one makes it there (any of Fedal = ratings/$$). This is a business, and they want to maximize profits. If they cater to ADM, then by default they are penalizing those much bigger draws. Plus, what if there was a different Aussie (that's in the AO19 top half) that was in Auckland's finals as well, along with ADM in Sydney? Scrap Monday start altogether, and push the whole AO19 back by a day since Aussies are in both finals?

There were choices, and they were made.
Maybe ADM should start winning slams first, then the favors will fall more his way, and I doubt he'll complain then.

 

[Boom-Boom]

Alex de Minaur isn’t happy with officials just days out from the Open

JANUARY 12, 2019 5:45PM

De Minaur makes Sydney final

news.com.au

Teenage tennis sensation Alex de Minaur has accused Australian Open organisers of punishing local players who perform well in home tournaments after failing to have his opening-round clash at the grand slam pushed back.

De Minaur was forced to play two matches in one day at the Sydney International on Saturday, after rain washed away his semi-final against Gilles Simon on Friday night.

Victory over Simon meant the 19-year-old had just a five-hour gap between that match and his final against Andreas Seppi, before flying to Melbourne on Sunday and starting his campaign on Monday afternoon.

De Minaur said it left him disadvantaged ahead of his clash with Portuguese outsider Pedro Sousa on Monday, and into the rest of the tournament. “What is more annoying is me having to play Monday at the Australian Open and not getting helped out as a fellow Aussie at your home slam,” de Minaur said.

“I think they are punishing Aussies for playing deep in their home tournaments and I think that’s not what they should be doing.”

The Demon isn’t happy. De Minaur is one of the few big names playing in the Sydney tournament the week before the Open, with only four of the world’s top-30 playing at the event and another six playing in Auckland.

Australia’s top-ranked men’s player as world No.29, de Minaur’s opening match in Melbourne is the third scheduled at Margaret Court Arena. Asked if he had asked to have the match pushed back, de Minaur replied: “Yeah.” “They came out with the schedule before they even saw the halves or saw who was in the final in the weeks prior. I think that is pretty poor.”

The reality is though that any change would have forced further complications with the draw. De Minaur was drawn on the bottom half of the schedule, the side of which all matches are set for Monday. Moving the Australian’s match to Tuesday would have meant that the winner between he and Sousa would have been forced to play two days straight in Melbourne.

The schedule is a complex challenge which also includes prioritising television opportunities for marquee players and adequate rest opportunities.

Tennis Australia have been contacted for comment but are yet to respond.

https://amp-news-com-au.cdn.ampproj...n/news-story/a50da3f86fec55b5cc259cfc6f513239

WHAT?? An scandal, a outrage !!

They didn’t move half of a GS draw for Alex...wait, er Alex who??

 

[Deon Sanders]

Add him to the list of complainers I hope lose first round now

 

[oldmanfan]

WHAT?? An scandal, a outrage !!

They didn’t move half ALL of a GS draw for Alex...wait, er Alex who??

LoL
And ftfy. Can't move 1/2 without moving the other, no?

 

[Boom-Boom]

LoL
And ftfy. Can't move 1/2 without moving the other, no?

Aha fair point

 

[helterskelter]

So he has no more grace than he does talent.

 

[prairiegirl]

This is such a bullcrap from Alex:
1. There is zero logic for the australian tennis federation to punish local players for deep runs. They look good when locals win.
2. Local favorism is seen from time to time but asking an entire section of the draw to be delayed just because of him ... its too much. Even its only their match, if that guy Sousa wins he would have no rest before the next round. Not to mention that Alex is a 1.05 favorite, playing a 30 years old with career high of 102 .. even if there is some kind unfairness(which is not the case) you should be good enough to win with little effort. Its even better for him because he has an easy match for starters and could finish it quickly and rest more.

Alex is a perfect example for a spoiled young athlete that thinks that everybody should center their world around him.
Not to mention that he blatanly asks to gain advantage over Sousa and thinks that he is the victim.

I quite agree.

 

[True Fanerer]

They could change it for the 1st round and just swap it out with a no name match from the other half and get back on schedule afterwards for the 2nd round. Would give the no names some extra rest that won't benefit them anyway in the 2nd round lol unless it's another no name they meet which doesn't really matter either because they are going to lose in the 3rd lol.

 

[Rogfan]

They could change it for the 1st round and just swap it out with a no name match from the other half and get back on schedule afterwards for the 2nd round. Would give the no names some extra rest that won't benefit them anyway in the 2nd round lol unless it's another no name they meet which doesn't really matter either because they are going to lose in the 3rd lol.

But Alex was going to be put on #2 court because he’s an Aussie. Which no names should the organiser swap for day 1 #2 court?? And the winner of this pair would have no play until Thursday which breaks their momentum. The winner of Alex/Sousa would have no rest for their Wednesday 2nd round. For a 19 yrs old, he should have no problem having the Sunday off and play on Monday. Having said that, surely they could have put Alex as the last match on Monday instead of Tomic/Cilic

 

[True Fanerer]

But Alex was going to be put on #2 court because he’s an Aussie. Which no names should the organiser swap for day 1 #2 court?? And the winner of this pair would have no play until Thursday which breaks their momentum. The winner of Alex/Sousa would have no rest for their Wednesday 2nd round. For a 19 yrs old, he should have no problem having the Sunday off and play on Monday. Having said that, surely they could have put Alex as the last match on Monday instead of Tomic/Cilic

Yeah you've got a point. I'm not sure if it's worse for him recovering from a tournament run or playing back to back days. Either way isn't ideal. He's young though.

 

[NuBas]

So De Minaur is basically saying...

Favoritism is NOT OK when favoring the biggest draw.

Favoritism is OK when favoring him and his courtrymen.

Cool story bro.

Yeah I don't get why De Minaur would come out saying such a thing. Being from Australia doesn't guarantee you preferential treatment. Maybe this is why you should consider playing a tournament that is hosted the week prior to a grand slam.

 

[dnguyen]

He sound like a Leyton Hewitt to me. I know he's heading to where he will be like him arrrgghh.

 

[NuBas]

He sound like a Leyton Hewitt to me. I know he's heading to where he will be like him arrrgghh.

Lleyton probably told him to say so.

 

[AtomicBernie]

But Alex was going to be put on #2 court because he’s an Aussie. Which no names should the organiser swap for day 1 #2 court?? And the winner of this pair would have no play until Thursday which breaks their momentum. The winner of Alex/Sousa would have no rest for their Wednesday 2nd round. For a 19 yrs old, he should have no problem having the Sunday off and play on Monday. Having said that, surely they could have put Alex as the last match on Monday instead of Tomic/Cilic

Hang on there mate, I'm a blockbuster material stuff and they can't afford to lose prime time TV rating by putting me on earlier match.

 

[Bartelby]

He was talking about equality before the law or, more precisely, national-blindness in scheduling.

Tennis isn't an all-equal society.

 

[Bartelby]

That was the last Sydney International (for men, at least) so the problem won't arise again.

Yeah I don't get why De Minaur would come out saying such a thing. Being from Australia doesn't guarantee you preferential treatment. Maybe this is why you should consider playing a tournament that is hosted the week prior to a grand slam.

 

[Tshooter]

Having an influencial uncle seems to help quite a bit in the draw and surface choice departments, too.

Yes, no ?

VAMOS !

 

[NuBas]

That was the last Sydney International (for men, at least) so the problem won't arise again.

Huh? First Hopman Cup now Sydney is going away is what you're saying?

 

[dnguyen]

Lleyton probably told him to say so.

Then he will be like him. Don’t think deminaur will win due to his height.

 

[helterskelter]

They could change it for the 1st round and just swap it out with a no name match from the other half and get back on schedule afterwards for the 2nd round. Would give the no names some extra rest that won't benefit them anyway in the 2nd round lol unless it's another no name they meet which doesn't really matter either because they are going to lose in the 3rd lol.

Every round matters for most players in the draw, so the difference between losing in round 2 and round 3 DOES benefit them and DOES really matter. Actually, it's probably more important for them than any results are for the top players.

 

[True Fanerer]

Every round matters for most players in the draw, so the difference between losing in round 2 and round 3 DOES benefit them and DOES really matter. Actually, it's probably more important for them than any results are for the top players.

Individually yes. Australia itself and the rest of the world.. Not really.

 

[prairiegirl]

This is absolutely absurd. Alex can ask all he wants, but IMO, he doesn't deserve, nor has he earned any special treatment whatsoever. If he didn't want to be tired for the AO, he didn't have to enter Sydney. But he did, and he played well enough to win. That's the way it is now. He's 19 years old FFS, and he shouldn't have an issue with being tired so early in the season.

 

[helterskelter]

Individually yes. Australia itself and the rest of the world.. Not really.

True, but the claim would have to be that the schedule should treat the players fairly, regardless of whether that's best for TV.

Anyway, whether Federer or Nadal wins also doesn't really matter to Australia itself or the rest of the world. Not in the grand scheme of things.

 

[am1899]

Then don’t play Sydney. Someone play the whiner a tune on the violin!

 

[GregN]

They don't have any issue giving FED all night matches as well as some special treatment for the Final last year