Is Indian Wells the biggest Masters Series tournaments

[McEnroeisanartist]

Lets be real, even though, all four Grand Slams have the same ranking points, they are probably not equal in the eyes of players and fans.

Is the same thing true of Masters Series tournaments? Is Indian Wells the biggest Masters Series tournament?

 

[reaper]

I don't see anything about it that makes it more prestigious than the others.

 

[Backspin1183]

It is the biggest Master Series like how the US Open is the biggest Grand Slam.

 

[tennis_pro]

I don't think any MS tournament stands out from the rest right now.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Masters are basically just ranking points and a pay cheque these days.

 

[bluetrain4]

Miami and IW are "biggest" in terms of participants (96) while the other Masters have 56.

I believe IW is the biggest in terms of stadium capacity, fan attendance (though Miami might win here) and total financial commitment (prize money, sponsor money, etc.).

But, I don't think it's "biggest" in terms of prestige.

 

[jg153040]

Only if Rafa wins it.

 

[NatF]

IMO...

Indian Wells ~ Miami ~ Rome > Cincinnati > Everything else

 

[MichaelNadal]

IW is probably my favorite master. It kicks off the heavy part of the tennis season, it's an awesome venue, and everyone is usually playing their best.

 

[beast of mallorca]

IW is probably my favorite master. It kicks off the heavy part of the tennis season, it's an awesome venue, and everyone is usually playing their best.

Have you been to IW Mike ? We'll visit em for the first time.

 

[President]

IMO...

Indian Wells ~ Miami ~ Rome > Cincinnati > Everything else

Cincinnati? It may be an old tournament, but in the current day and age I think Montreal and maybe even Madrid have a better vibe and level of play as well as being hosted in much more prestigious cities. And this is coming from someone who used to live 2000 feet away from the tournament and went every year for about 8 years. The Cincy Masters aren't even hosted in the city, its like 20+ miles away in a pretty dead suburb across the street from an amusement park.

 

[Boom-Boom]

Nope.

Historically Miami was bigger / most prestigious it was even played over 15 days at some point I think.

So Miami is the biggie on HC, Monte Carlo on clay and Paris-Bercy indoor.

 

[NatF]

Cincinnati? It may be an old tournament, but in the current day and age I think Montreal and maybe even Madrid have a better vibe and level of play as well as being hosted in much more prestigious cities. And this is coming from someone who used to live 2000 feet away from the tournament and went every year for about 8 years. The Cincy Masters aren't even hosted in the city, its like 20+ miles away in a pretty dead suburb across the street from an amusement park.

Madrid is probably the least prestigious clay masters though. I find the shuffling between cities for the Canadian master unappealing. I just feel as a tournament Cincy is most prestigious. I may be wrong, perhaps I'm just being influenced by the 5th slam thread lol.

 

[mellowyellow]

in my eyes, Miami is as it had the best of 5 final format...

 

[mellowyellow]

also the conditions seem to favor better tennis, IW can be very error prone.

 

[President]

Madrid is probably the least prestigious clay masters though. I find the shuffling between cities for the Canadian master unappealing. I just feel as a tournament Cincy is most prestigious. I may be wrong, perhaps I'm just being influenced by the 5th slam thread lol.

I don't see why it would be, because its right before the US Open many players don't play at a high level there. It's also probably the smallest Masters in terms of stadium size and attendence(maybe Monte Carlo is smaller, but in a much better location) in a no name area.

 

[Midaso240]

Yes,easily the best tournament outside the slams. Wuck the Filliams Sisters

 

[bluetrain4]

Nope.

Historically Miami was bigger / most prestigious it was even played over 15 days at some point I think.

So Miami is the biggie on HC, Monte Carlo on clay and Paris-Bercy indoor.

For a few years back when Miami was the "Lipton Championships" the men played best of 5 sets every round and the draw was 128. it really was the "5th Slam" and people would say that - not meaning that it was really the equivalent of the other 4, but meaning that it was the 5th tournament that was really set apart from the rest of the tournaments on tour. Sort of like commentators will call golf's Player's Championships the "5th major" to denote how prestigious it is, not because it's actually the equivalent of the other 4 golf majors.

I always preferred Miami to IW, though I've been to IW and it is a great tournament.

 

[Antonio Puente]

Is Indian Wells the biggest Masters Series tournaments

Depends on whether Fed wins it again or not.

 

[Sid_Vicious]

I don't see why it would be, because its right before the US Open many players don't play at a high level there. It's also probably the smallest Masters in terms of stadium size and attendence(maybe Monte Carlo is smaller, but in a much better location) in a no name area.

Yup, I agree. Sureshs should get some payment from Cinci Masters because he single handedly raised the reputation of that tournament with his troll thread.

But yeah, Cincy can't be the most prestigious. Safin once said that he got depressed being in Cincinnati.

But, I agree with NatF, Madrid is garbage and I haven't bothered tuning in for it except the finals for years now. At least Cincy has a good camera angle to make up for the mediocre stadium .

 

[Talker]

The attention to details is immaculate.

 

[imajica77]

OK, IW has the biggest pay out, the largest stadium, the largest attendance, and the most courts outside of the grand slams. Plus is the players favorite. Also add in that every single court has shot spot (not even the grand slams do that). You do the math and tell me if that doesn't add up to being the best Masters Tournament.

 

[Mainad]

OK, IW has the biggest pay out, the largest stadium, the largest attendance, and the most courts outside of the grand slams. Plus is the players favorite. Also add in that every single court has shot spot (not even the grand slams do that). You do the math and tell me if that doesn't add up to being the best Masters Tournament.

Not according to the way they vote. They again selected Shanghai as their favourite Masters tournament for the 5th year on the trot:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/Moet-ATP-Awards/2013-ATP-Awards-Tournaments.aspx

 

[insideguy]

I dont know it does have the largest prize money and the biggest stadium and the best overall attendance and the tied for the biggest draw. So yea. Someone said Madid? Someone is doing some good drugs. Madrid is by far the worst. I dont even think its close.

 

[President]

Yup, I agree. Sureshs should get some payment from Cinci Masters because he single handedly raised the reputation of that tournament with his troll thread.

But yeah, Cincy can't be the most prestigious. Safin once said that he got depressed being in Cincinnati.

But, I agree with NatF, Madrid is garbage and I haven't bothered tuning in for it except the finals for years now. At least Cincy has a good camera angle to make up for the mediocre stadium .

Madrid's surface wasn't great for a couple years and the high altitude makes for some less than great playing conditions, but the stadium, vibe, and location as well as its important place on the calendar still make it a decent Masters series IMO. Obviously IW, Miami, and Rome are the best Masters series, the latter probably being the most prestigious Masters event in my books. Monte Carlo, Montreal, Madrid and Cincy (although the last two are definitely less prestigious than the first two) are the middle tier. Shanghai and Paris are both dismal events in terms of quality.

 

[sam_p]

Nope.

Historically Miami was bigger / most prestigious it was even played over 15 days at some point I think.

So Miami is the biggie on HC, Monte Carlo on clay and Paris-Bercy indoor.

Rome is bigger and more prestigious than Monte Carlo. It dates back to 1930 and has always been huge. The clay court gods of the pre open and open era always played there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Open_(tennis)

 

[insideguy]

Rome is bigger and more prestigious than Monte Carlo. It dates back to 1930 and has always been huge. The clay court gods of the pre open and open era always played there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Open_(tennis)

Ya to me Rome has always been the best clay masters.

 

[insideguy]

Madrid's surface wasn't great for a couple years and the high altitude makes for some less than great playing conditions, but the stadium, vibe, and location as well as its important place on the calendar still make it a decent Masters series IMO. Obviously IW, Miami, and Rome are the best Masters series, the latter probably being the most prestigious Masters event in my books. Monte Carlo, Montreal, Madrid and Cincy (although the last two are definitely less prestigious than the first two) are the middle tier. Shanghai and Paris are both dismal events in terms of quality.

Shanghai does get good props from players but its fan turn out sucks. At least for now. Maybe that will change. Paris doesnt appear to important at all. But its sort of at a weird spot in the season. Everything is winding down.

 

[insideguy]

Madrid's surface wasn't great for a couple years and the high altitude makes for some less than great playing conditions, but the stadium, vibe, and location as well as its important place on the calendar still make it a decent Masters series IMO. Obviously IW, Miami, and Rome are the best Masters series, the latter probably being the most prestigious Masters event in my books. Monte Carlo, Montreal, Madrid and Cincy (although the last two are definitely less prestigious than the first two) are the middle tier. Shanghai and Paris are both dismal events in terms of quality.

Madrid has no vibe. Fans are not even in the stands until the semi finals and even then there are not many.

 

[Agassifan]

The only MS that stands out now is Monte Carlo. Because it is not a regular masters.

 

[imajica77]

Mainad I stand corrected about being players favorite. I guess I misunderstood one of the announcers today. But I stand by everything else. The stadium holds over 16,000 (second to US Open). All in all the garden seats 41,485. They offer over $11 million in prize money. And this year they will surpass the 500,000 paying fans for this year. (although some say only 420,00) All that adds up to some mighty stuff.

 

[Mr.Lob]

Cincy was great. Not a bad seat in the stadium. Of course I was in a corporate suite with free food ,beer and hard liquor... so that may have something to do with my high opinion.

 

[slice bh compliment]

I think you go back to when these were historic tournaments in their own right...long before the atp.

Canadian open, italian open, monte carlo...those carry prestige....and always have.
Key biscayne and iw are awesome. I liked hamburg and paris bercy, too. Love to see a stuttgart 1000 or similar on grass.

For me, even though i am an american and i sometimes to go iw or key biscayne, the spring season here is sort of a void until the clay season and roland garros.

Now, in the modern sense, i do agree, it is about pt$, attendance, Atmosphere and how players value the title. For that, i am saying paris, monte carlo, Montreal/toronto and rome. Because i like clay, i am saying rome. But the first few days are poorly attended.

Some care about having both genders there. I do not, but i get it. Makes it more like a slam.

I liked roberto carretero, so i am saying hamburg. Haha. And it is not a 1000 anymore is it?

Ok, i will say indian wells because they get top guys to play dubs. Somehow. Hopp Schwiiiiz!

 

[TMF]

Indian Wells, Miami compete for ‘Fifth Slam’ status

Here are some articles that consider Indian Wells the "Fifth Slam" status

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/03/fifth-major/46785/#.UxlY_s6PJEY

http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2...dal-roger-federer-novak-djokovic-andy-murray/

http://tennis.si.com/2012/03/29/the-toss-indian-wells-miami-compete-for-fifth-slam-status/

 

[NEW_BORN]

Not in my eyes.

Rome and Miami takes the cake for me.

The Canadian Open and Paris Indoors also rank higher than IW imo.

 

[insideguy]

I think you go back to when these were historic tournaments in their own right...long before the atp.

Canadian open, italian open, monte carlo...those carry prestige....and always have.
Key biscayne and iw are awesome. I liked hamburg and paris bercy, too. Love to see a stuttgart 1000 or similar on grass.

For me, even though i am an american and i sometimes to go iw or key biscayne, the spring season here is sort of a void until the clay season and roland garros.

Now, in the modern sense, i do agree, it is about pt$, attendance, Atmosphere and how players value the title. For that, i am saying paris, monte carlo, Montreal/toronto and rome. Because i like clay, i am saying rome. But the first few days are poorly attended.

Some care about having both genders there. I do not, but i get it. Makes it more like a slam.

I liked roberto carretero, so i am saying hamburg. Haha. And it is not a 1000 anymore is it?

Ok, i will say indian wells because they get top guys to play dubs. Somehow. Hopp Schwiiiiz!

I still say that if Hamburg moved to grass and got put in front of wimby that it could get its mojo back. Right now its out in tennis wasteland a 500 clay tournament in the middle of hardcourt season.

 

[Murrayfan31]

I would say Miami is the best Masters.

 

[Ico]

Pour one out for Hamburg.

 

[TMF]

Best Master Series to date

1. India Wells Masters
2. Miami Masters
3. Rome Masters
4. Canada Masters
5. Paris Masters
6. Monte Carlo Masters
7. Cincinnati Masters
8. Madrid Masters
9. Shanghai Masters

Monte Carlo is tricky to rank because it's not a mandatory anymore. Players are free to opt out for an ATP500 event. Shanghai there's no excitement at all because of the empty seat and awfully quiet.