Ram left off US Davis Cup Team

[joshuayuan]

More criticisms arrive at Mardy Fish. Sandgren: 'I'm good enough to take players who were at the ATP Finals in doubles'

The controversy is set to remain for Team USA. Rajeev Ram's absence continues to be talked about and several tennis players publicly criticize Mardy Fish's choice to exclude the world number 3 doubles player and recent ATP Finals champion. Last was Tennys Sandgren.





“Okay, I accept the Davis Cup captaincy. The first thing I would have done? To have the world number ones in my squad,” he replied, sharing footage of Italy's victory over the United States.

However, Canadian Brayden Schnur replied by ironically asking if Sandgren was good enough to take Fish's place: The answer was clear: "I'm good enough to take the players who were at the ATP Finals in doubles", he replied, also alluding to Austin Krajicek.

Arrivano altre crtitiche a Mardy Fish. Sandgren “Sono abbastanza bravo da prendere i giocatori che erano alle ATP Finals in doppio”

La controversia è destinata a rimanere per il Team USA. L’assenza di Rajeev Ram continua a far parlare di sé e diversi tennisti criticano pubblicamente

www-livetennis-it.translate.goog

 

[joshuayuan]

"My guy don’t call us out for our “egos” like u know how the team was picked if ur gonna personally insult us and proceed to skate around it with no further explanation. Btw if Ram wanted to celebrate our team qualifying/winning at any point we would all be PUMPED to have him", wrote Fritz.

It has been an odd tournament for the US, who have courted controversy on several occasions this week. First, Frances Tiafoe was seen wearing headphone during the US national anthem, which some viewed as disrespectful. He then indicated that he'd be happy for the US to lose the tie, as it would mean they could go home and spend Thanksgiving with their families.

It's been a disappointing showing on the court, and one that the US team will want to draw a line under.

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[travlerajm]

Someone please interpret Fritz’s quote for me.

 

[jindra]

His headphones are off his ears and he's got his hand over his heart and clearly into it. But let's talk about the black athlete and the anthem again...

 

[atatu]

Someone please interpret Fritz’s quote for me.

He was actually responding to a tweet from Canadian player Brayden Schnur

"If you are gonna take shots at me and my team's character, I do actually deserve some explanation" - Taylor Fritz gets into war of words with Canadian tennis player Brayden Schnur over Davis Cup saga

American No. 1 in singles Taylor Fritz also became involved in the Davis Cup controversy involving Team USA, the root cause of which was ATP doubles no.

www.sportskeeda.com

 

[ktx]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1595947572891627520

 

[ktx]

@atatu post is more informative than mine - I was trying to link to the tweet chain.

 

[BumElbow]

Ram's omission from the final round competition of the U.S. Davis Cup team is graceful. And, it cost them big time. Austin Krajicek was also overlooked. There is just no excuse for these exclusions when a Davis Cup team can have 5 players and Mardy Fish's team only consisted of 4 players. Fish MUST be fired.

 

[jeroenn]

Must confess that Tommy Paul never was on my radar until I saw his Match against Nadal recently. I remember thinking that I liked his style and demeanor on the court. But now having looked into it, seeing his tweets - deleted included, reading about his antics at the USO doubles, another one hits the s***list. What an a-grade doorknob.

 

[ohplease]

Best commentary I've seen on this is that for the fifth and final spot on the roster Fish could have chosen from two players who made the tour doubles finals, the #1 (or #3 depending on the timeline) player in the world who just won that event and also the us open, or the #10 player in the world - or literally air.

And Fish chose air.

But wait - maybe there wasn't much to choose from? Except there are 6 american men in the singles top 40 this week and 3 in the doubles top 40. And yet we've got someone outside the doubles top 100 and in the bottom half of that top 6 in singles * playing doubles * with a guy who's got all 3 of the americans in the doubles top 40 ahead of him.

 

[ktx]

Another twitter theory is that there is more prize money take-home if you only have 4 players.

 

[smalahove]

Deleted tweet by Tommy Paul.

Paul struggled against Bolelli, who ironically is not even ranked in singles anymore (he was ranked around 1400 in April this year).

Leaving out both Ram and Krajicek, knowing you have the über successful big-title-collecting Croatian pairing of Pavic and Mektic, the current Wimbledon dubs champions Purcell and Ebden, an Australian team with other solid dub players (Kokkinakis who won the AO this year), or even the dutch pairing Koolhof and Middelkoop, is beyond incompetent.

Sock is a very good in doubles when paired with a solid specialist like Mike Bryan or Ram. When paired with a baseliner, he's def not good enough to pull the specialist role on his own.

 

[McGradey]

Time to Ram the Team USA clique into shape and put a Sock in Paul’s pontificating.

 

[onehandbh]

“I love Raj and his DC career with me isn’t over.…But this time, Jack will be playing with Frances or Tommy or Taylor. As DC Captain, it’s my job to listen to the players as well. Ultimately, it’s my choice and I make the calls, but I do listen to their thoughts and ideas.”
-Mardy Fish

So apparently, he listened to Tommy Paul's thoughts

Happy Thanksgiving... or not? U.S. Davis Cup team members join Twitter squabble after elimination | Tennis.com

A decision not to fill the fifth roster spot with doubles standout Rajeev Ram backfired in more ways than one against Italy Thursday.

www.tennis.com

 

[2ndServe]

Marty has got to be the worst fantasy football player. How do leave that spot empty. Pick anyone , he’s acting like he’s personally picking up the tab and penny pinching on his hotel and air miles for traveling with less players.

imagine an nba lineup with 4 players vs 5 , loading then saying it didn’t matter who he played.

 

[big ted]

Another twitter theory is that there is more prize money take-home if you only have 4 players.

thats the only reason i can think of. what does fish have to gain bringing 4 instead of 5 players???

 

[BanerjeeS]

deleted

 

[onehandbh]

thats the only reason i can think of. what does fish have to gain bringing 4 instead of 5 players???

His last name 'Fish' has four letters.

 

[BanerjeeS]

deleted

 

[onehandbh]

Meanwhile, ex singles World #8 Sock is best known for dumping singles because he couldn’t give up pizza.

But was it Gino's pizza in Chicago?

 

[Subway Tennis]

This whole situation is now starting to go “nuclear” with a whole heap of other dramas sparking off from tweets and retweets.

Hopefully the original issue can stay at the forefront so we can get a decent explanation from Fritz about what his reasoning was, and the US players who lost the tie quieten down a bit, because they should have absolutely nothing to say after such an appalling performance.

 

[onehandbh]

Mardy Fish & Tommy Paul.

Bromance comes to a head.

 

[Bodhi312]

Meritocracy in tennis is not about results, it's about selling tickets and making money because sports is entertainment and nothing more. The four players were chosen because they would sell more tickets. The reason top tennis players are millionaires is not because they are good at tennis, it's because people want to watch them play tennis (which often correlates but not always). This is why sponsorships also have little to do with results and more to do with your image, where you live (US will pay more money) and how well you can entertain a crowd. Results matter, but are only a portion of what matters in any sport. God doesn't provide the prize money, it's businessmen running a business.

Are you under the impression that Mardy Fish is concerned with selling tickets when he picks his team or that anybody on the current US Davis Cup team is a major draw for ticket sales?

Any of them would be fun to watch if they happen to be playing, but I doubt anybody’s buying tickets to specifically watch any of this team.

 

[onehandbh]

Are you under the impression that Mardy Fish is concerned with selling tickets when he picks his team or that anybody on the current US Davis Cup team is a major draw for ticket sales?

Any of them would be fun to watch if they happen to be playing, but I doubt anybody’s buying tickets to specifically watch any of this team.

By this reasoning, he should have picked KanYE West to be the 5th player or a Kardashian.

 

[Moose Malloy]

Interesting that this thread has 125 replies but the actual thread on the DC finals(which has been going on since Tuesday) only has 55 replies! While Fish and Paul do seem to be asshats, it's clear that most in this thread could really care less about DC and if the US won today no one would have batted an eyelid about Ram's absence. Very easy to be a Monday morning QB.

Along those lines - did anyone here happen to watch Australia-Croatia SF today? Of course you didn't! Check out what Hewitt decided to do - he had the current Wimbledon doubles champs in Purcell/Ebden and he substituted Ebden for singles player Jordan Thompson. Get a load of how bad Thompson is in doubles - currently #466, with a career high of 77! So Purcell/Thompson faced the #4 team in the world Mektic/Pavic as massive underdogs to say the least. And guess who won? I can't find any articles saying the decision was based on an injury to Ebden. If Australia lost, I'm sure idiots on twitter would be so aghast. But they didn't, so Hewitt is a genius I guess. Picking doubles teams can be pretty tricky.

 

[jindra]

Interesting that this thread has 125 replies but the actual thread on the DC finals(which has been going on since Tuesday) only has 55 replies! While Fish and Paul do seem to be asshats, it's clear that most in this thread could really care less about DC and if the US won today no one would have batted an eyelid about Ram's absence. Very easy to be a Monday morning QB.

Along those lines - did anyone here happen to watch Australia-Croatia SF today? Of course you didn't! Check out what Hewitt decided to do - he had the current Wimbledon doubles champs in Purcell/Ebden and he substituted Ebden for singles player Jordan Thompson. Get a load of how bad Thompson is in doubles - currently #466, with a career high of 77! So Purcell/Thompson faced the #4 team in the world Mektic/Pavic as massive underdogs to say the least. Guess who won? I can't find any articles saying the decision was based on an injury to Ebden. If Australia lost, I'm sure idiots on twitter would be so aghast. But they didn't, so Hewitt is a genius I guess. Picking doubles teams can be pretty tricky.

US-based forum is more interested in discussing why US team lost than on how rest of competition is going??? Please tell me more about this most unusual phenomenon!

 

[Moose Malloy]

US-based forum is more interested in discussing why US team lost than on how rest of competition is going??? Please tell me more about this most unusual phenomenon!

Bro, barely anyone posted on the Italy-US tie in real time. If this was such a big deal, why was no one watching?

2022 Davis Cup QFs/SFs/Final; 22-27 November

Format: Bo3, 2 Singles & 1 Doubles 22 November 1. Netherlands vs Australia 23 November 2. Spain vs Croatia 24 November 3. Italy vs USA 4. Germany vs Canada 25 November SF #1: Winner #1 QF vs #2 QF 26 November SF Winner #3 QF vs #4 QF 27 November Final: Winner #1 SF vs Winner #2 SF All...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

I've been a poster here since 2005, and the forum consistently has given 2 ****s about DC(whether or not the US was involved) for the most part that entire time. Unless of course the big 3 was involved.

 

[Bodhi312]

Interesting that this thread has 125 replies but the actual thread on the DC finals(which has been going on since Tuesday) only has 55 replies! While Fish and Paul do seem to be asshats, it's clear that most in this thread could really care less about DC and if the US won today no one would have batted an eyelid about Ram's absence. Very easy to be a Monday morning QB.

Along those lines - did anyone here happen to watch Australia-Croatia SF today? Of course you didn't! Check out what Hewitt decided to do - he had the current Wimbledon doubles champs in Purcell/Ebden and he substituted Ebden for singles player Jordan Thompson. Get a load of how bad Thompson is in doubles - currently #466, with a career high of 77! So Purcell/Thompson faced the #4 team in the world Mektic/Pavic as massive underdogs to say the least. And guess who won? I can't find any articles saying the decision was based on an injury to Ebden. If Australia lost, I'm sure idiots on twitter would be so aghast. But they didn't, so Hewitt is a genius I guess. Picking doubles teams can be pretty tricky.

The US losing only highlights the sheer idiocy of what Mardy Fish did; even if he was counting on both singles lines winning, why wouldn't he have had a backup plan in case he needed a doubles win? Even if the US would have won, any reasonable person would realize the risk Fish was taking employing this strategy. What if Jack Sock was unavailable (ie food poisoning, freak injury), then what?

 

[big ted]

Bro, barely anyone posted on the Italy-US tie in real time. If this was such a big deal, why was no one watching?

2022 Davis Cup QFs/SFs/Final; 22-27 November

Format: Bo3, 2 Singles & 1 Doubles 22 November 1. Netherlands vs Australia 23 November 2. Spain vs Croatia 24 November 3. Italy vs USA 4. Germany vs Canada 25 November SF #1: Winner #1 QF vs #2 QF 26 November SF Winner #3 QF vs #4 QF 27 November Final: Winner #1 SF vs Winner #2 SF All...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

I've been a poster here since 2005, and the forum consistently has given 2 ****s on DC(whether or not the US was involved) for the most part that entire time. Unless of course the big 3 was involved.

ever since DC changed their format i don't follow it anymore. i dont even understand the format. i like laver cup better

 

[Nostradamus]

Ram and Sock would have gone undefeated thru the davis cup final, giving USA the davis cup

 

[Moose Malloy]

The US losing only highlights the sheer idiocy of what Mardy Fish did; even if he was counting on both singles lines winning, why wouldn't he have had a backup plan in case he needed a doubles win? Even if the US would have won, any reasonable person would realize the risk Fish was taking employing this strategy. What if Jack Sock was unavailable (ie food poisoning, freak injury), then what?

So do you also think Hewitt was an idiot for what he did today? Again I can find no mention of an injury to Ebden in any post match press conference. I have a feeling he is being saved for the final. The Davis Cup now being a week long event with multiple ties etc has made strategy much more of an issue than it was in the past(in regards to resting players etc)

But be clear, I do think Ram should have been on the team.

Edit - found this. Pretty sure this means Ebden will be ready on Sunday, if needed.
“We had a small injury concern for one of our players but I had no concerns about the chemistry of these two [Thompson and Purcell],” Hewitt said.

 

[Curtennis]

His headphones are off his ears and he's got his hand over his heart and clearly into it. But let's talk about the black athlete and the anthem again...

Because every white guy who does it doesn’t get blasted for it? Just the other day John Mellencamp sat during the NFL’s anthem playing and conservative outlets had a field day with him. You don’t get whiter than the Cougar.

 

[jindra]

Because every white guy who does it doesn’t get blasted for it? Just the other day John Mellencamp sat during the NFL’s anthem playing and conservative outlets had a field day with him. You don’t get whiter than the Cougar.

You keep telling me you got me on ignore but keep replying to my posts? How is this happening?

 

[Curtennis]

You keep telling me you got me on ignore but keep replying to my posts? How is this happening?

Clearly I didn’t put you on ignore. That’s how. You manage to make some halfway decent posts sometimes, more than when you first joined at least. So I’m glad I didn’t.

 

[jindra]

Clearly I didn’t put you on ignore. That’s how. You manage to make some halfway decent posts sometimes, more than when you first joined at least. So I’m glad I didn’t.

Anyway, I thought you guys were all for free speech and the constitution? What happened? Is there an anthem amendment?

 

[Curtennis]

Anyway, I thought you guys were all for free speech and the constitution? What happened? Is there an anthem amendment?

Not sure who you’re referring to. I personally think it’s more than a bit silly to pledge a flag, however, I don’t mind standing for the singer themselves. They should get respect for putting themselves out there like that especially for little to no pay.

 

[ppmishra]

Someone please interpret Fritz’s quote for me.

Trying to be a bro "ham". Pretty ham handed tweet considering he lost in glassgow and it was Ram and sock doubles win in the decider that sent the US to the davis cup final

 

[onehandbh]

"My guy don’t call us out for our “egos” like u know how the team was picked if ur gonna personally insult us and proceed to skate around it with no further explanation. Btw if Ram wanted to celebrate our team qualifying/winning at any point we would all be PUMPED to have him", wrote Fritz.

It has been an odd tournament for the US, who have courted controversy on several occasions this week. First, Frances Tiafoe was seen wearing headphone during the US national anthem, which some viewed as disrespectful. He then indicated that he'd be happy for the US to lose the tie, as it would mean they could go home and spend Thanksgiving with their families.

It's been a disappointing showing on the court, and one that the US team will want to draw a line under.

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www.yardbarker.com

Fritz might go to Standford to get his degree after he retires from pro tennis.

 

[Fabresque]

I was just reminded that Tommy Paul showed up drunk at the 2017 US Open doubles against Fognini/Bolelli and lost 60, 60 in 35 minutes with Steve Johnson, very professional.

Oh yeah but they get mad when they get called “frat boys”. Losers.

 

[onehandbh]

Oh yeah but they get mad when they get called “frat boys”. Losers.

I once heard this defense:
"It's a fraternity. Don't call it a frat. Woud you call your country a c*nt?"

 

[JanMijer]

I was just reminded that Tommy Paul showed up drunk at the 2017 US Open doubles against Fognini/Bolelli and lost 60, 60 in 35 minutes with Steve Johnson, very professional.

Oh wow is that true?



Edit: smh

 

[Nostradamus]

Oh wow is that true?



Edit: smh

Poor Steve Johnson. Althought steve isn't a great volleyer, he is pretty good doubles player, he won ton of doubles matches at USC. this just goes to show you that if your partner totally suck, there is not much you can do as good doubles guy against 2 solid opponents

 

[Aussie Darcy]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1595947572891627520

Just saw this, if anyone knows anything about the inside world of tennis, it's fellow tennis players. Very clear that there is an issue in American tennis if other countries recognise that there is drama in another nation. Fritz, Paul and Opelka are all part of a gang and wouldn't surprise me if Fish is in it. USA has serious issues, and this highlights it.

 

[Subway Tennis]

Poor Steve Johnson. Althought steve isn't a great volleyer, he is pretty good doubles player, he won ton of doubles matches at USC. this just goes to show you that if your partner totally suck, there is not much you can do as good doubles guy against 2 solid opponents

Would a good college coach be able to juggle Davis Cup captaincy and college coaching commitments at the same time, or would it be too difficult to have both roles?

I agree with your nomination of Paul Goldstein. He would be amazing in the role. I’m just not sure whether these college coaches would be able to keep their very lucrative college coaching roles and can’t do both, so they don’t want to get involved with DC.

 

[jeroenn]

Interesting video

 

[ichaseballs]

most important thing is chemistry and sadly ram is not part of team usa. perhaps jack and him dont get along?

 

[Nostradamus]

Would a good college coach be able to juggle Davis Cup captaincy and college coaching commitments at the same time, or would it be too difficult to have both roles?

I agree with your nomination of Paul Goldstein. He would be amazing in the role. I’m just not sure whether these college coaches would be able to keep their very lucrative college coaching roles and can’t do both, so they don’t want to get involved with DC.

I think Goldie can do both. Now with this limited davis cup schedule, it shouldn't take away too much time from college coaching duties

 

[ND-13]

So do you also think Hewitt was an idiot for what he did today? Again I can find no mention of an injury to Ebden in any post match press conference. I have a feeling he is being saved for the final. The Davis Cup now being a week long event with multiple ties etc has made strategy much more of an issue than it was in the past(in regards to resting players etc)

But be clear, I do think Ram should have been on the team.

Edit - found this. Pretty sure this means Ebden will be ready on Sunday, if needed.
“We had a small injury concern for one of our players but I had no concerns about the chemistry of these two [Thompson and Purcell],” Hewitt said.

Most here are appalled at the vindictive nature of the selection and the tweets of Paul and justification by Fish that they would have lost even with Ram. If Ram was taken for the event but not chosen to play, dont think there would be this much noise.

And Ram has more credentials than Ebden. Ebden was part of the team, like you say was injured and was supporting team vociferously from the stands.

Hence nothing compares in scenario between USA and Australia.

Fish and Paul need to face the consequence. Who in their right mind plays someone who lost 0-6. 0-6 to the very same pair instead of someone who beat them straight sets every time just this year.

 

[atatu]

Interesting that this thread has 125 replies but the actual thread on the DC finals(which has been going on since Tuesday) only has 55 replies! While Fish and Paul do seem to be asshats, it's clear that most in this thread could really care less about DC and if the US won today no one would have batted an eyelid about Ram's absence. Very easy to be a Monday morning QB.

So, did you notice that I started this thread before the match (tie) even started ?

 

[norcal]

I don't think anyone watched the dubs match, the US lost because of Sock, not Paul.

Fish made a poor decision, should have had Paul as the 5th player but the way Sock played I doubt Ram could have carried him in the dubs. Sock was that bad.

Not sure what relevance Paul losing a 1R dubs 5 years ago while hungover has now...guy has had a really good year.