The break between AO and RG

[Deleted member 716271]

Love it or hate it? It's almost 4 months , barely shorter than the break between USO and AO

OTH, there is something charming in the slow build up I guess.

The clay season is my favorite particularly Rome into RG, not because clay is my favorite surface (like them all equally), but just all the anticipation, with the next 3 slams so close together, particularly RG and Wim. It makes for a jam packed late spring.

But anyone else feel a bit bummed after AO? It is almost like another off season.

 

[BVSlam]

Yes, but also because it takes quite a long time until the next big tournament (Indian Wells).

 

[tennisaddict]

AO comes about two weeks early and FO comes two weeks late.

There is no momentum building into AO while the 3 master events almost make all players except the thugs ,worn out by FO

 

[MasturB]

Well I mean the OZ is in local summer time... while it's winter in the other 3 slam areas.

Just go ahead and make Indian Wells a 5th slam. So there isn't as much layover. Or ma

 

[MasturB]

AO comes about two weeks early and FO comes two weeks late.

There is no momentum building into AO while the 3 master events almost make all players except the thugs ,worn out by FO

Well I mean Monte Carlo isn't mandatory. So it's just two majors back to back a week before the slam like Toronto-Cinncy is a week before USO.

 

[Steve0904]

Like BVSlam said. It's not totally about the break between majors for me. It's more to do with the fact that February is a slow month for the top players. I love the IW/Miami part of the season

 

[vanioMan]

Like BVSlam said. It's not totally about the break between majors for me. It's more to do with the fact that February is a slow month for the top players. I love the IW/Miami part of the season

Same here. I love the March Masters and then the clay tournaments in April/May, because they usually provide great tennis and also because spring/summer is comming, weather is getting nice and sunny and everything feels fresh. That's also my favorite time of the year.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Same here. I love the March Masters and then the clay tournaments in April/May, because they usually provide great tennis and also because spring/summer is comming, weather is getting nice and sunny and everything feels fresh. That's also my favorite time of the year.

Its my favorite as well, also my birthday is in early May haha

 

[Deleted member 716271]

AO comes about two weeks early and FO comes two weeks late.

There is no momentum building into AO while the 3 master events almost make all players except the thugs ,worn out by FO

Yeah i agree it seems a bit overly greuling before FO.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Well I mean the OZ is in local summer time... while it's winter in the other 3 slam areas.

Just go ahead and make Indian Wells a 5th slam. So there isn't as much layover. Or ma

Yeah I realize that but if it was in say March or Late Feb it would still be good weather.

 

[vanioMan]

Its my favorite as well, also my birthday is in early May haha

 

[reaper]

Yeah I realize that but if it was in say March or Late Feb it would still be good weather.

Australia has a holiday period from Christmas to around January 26. Move the tournament dates and it's outside those holidays.

 

[ArcspacE]

There is no momentum building into AO while the 3 master events almost make all players except the thugs ,worn out by FO

Who are the thugs?

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Australia has a holiday period from Christmas to around January 26. Move the tournament dates and it's outside those holidays.

AH interesting, thanks

What would people think if they moved the slow hc into clay season forward a bit had FO a couple weeks earlier when Rome is now? I Assume weather wouldnt be too cold since it seems fine in April in MC or Rome. Doubt Paris is much colder than either.

Would also give a couple more weeks between RG and Wim, maybe they could finally throw in a grass masters!

 

[Feather]

Love it or hate it? It's almost 4 months , barely shorter than the break between USO and AO

OTH, there is something charming in the slow build up I guess.

The clay season is my favorite particularly Rome into RG, not because clay is my favorite surface (like them all equally), but just all the anticipation, with the next 3 slams so close together, particularly RG and Wim. It makes for a jam packed late spring.

But anyone else feel a bit bummed after AO? It is almost like another off season.

February and December are the worse months to be here, in this forum. See the number of threads about Roger's win coming repeatedly. It would have been the same even if someone else has won it.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

February and December are the worse months to be here, in this forum. See the number of threads about Roger's win coming repeatedly. It would have been the same even if someone else has won it.

Agreed, its just odd to have a slam then like nothing of not for over a month. Then 2 masters not even on the same surface that the next slam is on.

 

[Shaolin]

Clay is my favorite surface to play on but I enjoy the season from Halle to Newport the best for watching

 

[Steve0904]

Like BVSlam said. It's not totally about the break between majors for me. It's more to do with the fact that February is a slow month for the top players. I love the IW/Miami part of the season

To extend on this, I like IW more than Miami, and I also really look forward to MC and Rome in particular, and every tennis fan loves the slams. After that, I can't say I'm a huge fan of Toronto/Montreal masters or even Cincy tbh. I know Federer is great there and I like watching his game on that surface given it really suits him, but I don't get that big venue/big match feel like I do at the March HC masters, IW in particular. After the USO I usually zone out until the WTF. I keep track of course, but I'm not following religiously like I do for the other masters. The end of the USO is basically the unofficial end of the season for me.

 

[Steve0904]

Agreed, its just odd to have a slam then like nothing of not for over a month. Then 2 masters not even on the same surface that the next slam is on.

Yeah. Always found this strange. As you know now, I think the events are great, but they do look a little out of place on the calendar for sure.

 

[Rafa the King]

IW-Wimbledon has always been my favorite stretch, besides the two weeks of not a lot between Miami and MC, and one week between Barca and Madrid and one week before RG and one week before Wimbledon, we have amazing tennis every week for almost 20 straight weeks.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

By the time AO rolls around, I am so ready for the return of big time tennis. I hear you on the aggravation with the "lapse" until RG... but for me, it's nice that the ball gets rolling not too deep into the new year. If AO were to get pushed back further--even a few weeks--all of the majors would be within a six-month stretch. Then, save for YEC, half of the calendar would have no big tournaments.

 

[Rafa the King]

By the time AO rolls around, I am so ready for the return of big time tennis. I hear you on the aggravation with the "lapse" until RG... but for me, it's nice that the ball gets rolling not too deep into the new year. If AO were to get pushed back further--even a few weeks--all of the majors would be within a six-month stretch. Then, save for YEC, half of the calendar would have no big tournaments.

How about pushing back IW and with that the whole calender 2 weeks. If we didn't wanna push back the whole calender we could easily use those 2 weeks for a longer grass season

 

[StrongerThanAll]

I always found it interesting that AO feels closer to the previous season, than the season it's actually in, if that makes sense.

On the plus side for this year, more time to talk about Federers triumph.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

How about pushing back IW and with that the whole calender 2 weeks. If we didn't wanna push back the whole calender we could easily use those 2 weeks for a longer grass season

By "pushed back," I meant held later in the year. Are you talking about moving IW to an earlier point in the season? Grass expansion is long overdue, of course, but it doesn't even come along until the middle of June.

I think any acceleration is gonna help. Hope that tournies follow AO's lead with that. IW is still "American clay."

 

[JMR]

Well I mean the OZ is in local summer time... while it's winter in the other 3 slam areas.

Yes, that's the real issue. The sport has to wait for the weather in the Northern Hemisphere to become more tennis-friendly. If other slams after the AO were held in South America or South Africa, there could be a shorter wait.

 

[Rafa the King]

By "pushed back," I meant held later in the year. Are you talking about moving IW to an earlier point in the season? Grass expansion is long overdue, of course, but it doesn't even come along until the middle of June.

I think any acceleration is gonna help. Hope that tournies follow AO's lead with that. IW is still "American clay."

Agreed, the AO tourney also made the top players more upset-prone. But AO, IW and Miami are supposed to be slow HC, they just shouldn't be mud. Tournies like WIM and USO should speed up more than any other as they are supposed to be fast. It is ridiculous that the AO condition was faster than any slam in 2016 and is only second to Shanghai in terms of big tournies when looking at speed (big tournies being Slams, Masters and WTF)

 

[Deleted member 743561]

Agreed, the AO tourney also made the top players more upset-prone. But AO, IW and Miami are supposed to be slow HC, they just shouldn't be mud. Tournies like WIM and USO should speed up more than any other as they are supposed to be fast. It is ridiculous that the AO condition was faster than any slam in 2016 and is only second to Shanghai in terms of big tournies when looking at speed (big tournies being Slams, Masters and WTF)

There was really good drama at much of that tournament!

Not sure what you mean by they "are supposed to be slow HC." AO only went to the slog in '08, I think. Seemingly over after an eight-year miscalculation. A shame that the malaise affected much of the tour... fingers crossed that a recovery is in sight.

 

[Rafa the King]

There was really good drama at much of that tournament!

Not sure what you mean by they "are supposed to be slow HC." AO only went to the slog in '08, I think. Seemingly over after an eight-year miscalculation. A shame that the malaise affected much of the tour... fingers crossed that a recovery is in sight.

They AO was already relatively slow when Fed started winning it in 04, RA was medium-slow, but with mud conditions such as the ones in Miami the definition of slow court has been changed. But in this century, AO has always been slower than Wimbledon and USO

 

[Deleted member 743561]

They AO was already relatively slow when Fed started winning it in 04, RA was medium-slow, but with mud conditions such as the ones in Miami the definition of slow court has been changed. But in this century, AO has always been slower than Wimbledon and USO

Fortunately for fans of slow courts, nearly one-third of the tour's tournaments are still played on clay.

 

[Red Rick]

I don't mind Februari that much. Lots of tournaments, plenty of tennis to see if you don't mind the top 5 playing a little less.

On the other hand, I do think that the Australian Open is too early in the season. You're having a GS when the season has barely started. On one hand it's a very big kick off to the season, but on the other hand it feels distant from the rest of the season. The major problem is that the Australian Open has to be in the Ozzy summer. So it's kinda stuck there.

There's a few parts of the season that don't work really well, and one problem is that top players need different things than lower ranked players, and all the players want different things compared to the fans. Add in that the slams seem very much fixed in their place, and that you swings tend to be so cohesive that the courts on which most tournaments in a period are played are also kind of fixed.

There needs to be plenty of volume in tournaments, but tournaments can't be depleted because top players don't want to play too much, and that makes for a something of a conundrum. Also, on the highest level there's a need to end every series of tournaments or swing of tournaments that belong together with a huge tournament.

My proposal would be to shift the off season, and not have seasons start and end at the new year. Put WTF a lot closer to the USO, like one month after. Have the season start in december, and have 1000's before the Aussie Open kicks in. Whether you do an indoor swing, or whether you just say **** it and do SA first with Rio 1000, I don't know.

 

[MichaelNadal]

It's the calm before the storm I like it, builds anticipation like a bomb-ass movie trailer

 

[PDJ]

Don't mind it at all. Probably because of the time zones. I enjoy the clay court season because of:
A) time zone
B) beginning of spring/summer

This would feel less so if RG was earlier.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Don't mind it at all. Probably because of the time zones. I enjoy the clay court season because of:
A) time zone
B) beginning of spring/summer

This would feel less so if RG was earlier.

The buildup to the FO is everything. Part of the reason I call it the Wrestlemania season of tennis

 

[ollinger]

Love it or hate it? It's almost 4 months , barely shorter than the break between USO and AO

OTH, there is something charming in the slow build up I guess.

The clay season is my favorite particularly Rome into RG, not because clay is my favorite surface (like them all equally), but just all the anticipation, with the next 3 slams so close together, particularly RG and Wim. It makes for a jam packed late spring.

But anyone else feel a bit bummed after AO? It is almost like another off season.

.....and this is the problem with tennis fans -- some only seem to care about major tournaments, and in this sense, aren't really fans at all, just as somebody who only cares about the Super Bowl isn't really a football fan, or somebody who only watches the World Series isn't really a basefall fan (there especially, what with the grind of a 162 game regular season.) I've been watching tennis the past few weeks, from Europe and South America, perfectly enjoyable, the OP should try it.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

.....and this is the problem with tennis fans -- some only seem to care about major tournaments, and in this sense, aren't really fans at all, just as somebody who only cares about the Super Bowl isn't really a football fan, or somebody who only watches the World Series isn't really a basefall fan (there especially, what with the grind of a 162 game regular season.) I've been watching tennis the past few weeks, from Europe and South America, perfectly enjoyable, the OP should try it.

Always some wise guy like this...i specifically mentioned masters tournaments...sorry i have a job and cant watch every little 250 year round. Im a huge fan and try to watch every tournament top players are in.

The fact I can't watch more is practical for me. Thanks for letting me know what's "wrong" with me as a fan though.

 

[-NN-]

I don't mind Februari that much. Lots of tournaments, plenty of tennis to see if you don't mind the top 5 playing a little less.

On the other hand, I do think that the Australian Open is too early in the season. You're having a GS when the season has barely started. On one hand it's a very big kick off to the season, but on the other hand it feels distant from the rest of the season. The major problem is that the Australian Open has to be in the Ozzy summer. So it's kinda stuck there.

There's a few parts of the season that don't work really well, and one problem is that top players need different things than lower ranked players, and all the players want different things compared to the fans. Add in that the slams seem very much fixed in their place, and that you swings tend to be so cohesive that the courts on which most tournaments in a period are played are also kind of fixed.

There needs to be plenty of volume in tournaments, but tournaments can't be depleted because top players don't want to play too much, and that makes for a something of a conundrum. Also, on the highest level there's a need to end every series of tournaments or swing of tournaments that belong together with a huge tournament.

My proposal would be to shift the off season, and not have seasons start and end at the new year. Put WTF a lot closer to the USO, like one month after. Have the season start in december, and have 1000's before the Aussie Open kicks in. Whether you do an indoor swing, or whether you just say **** it and do SA first with Rio 1000, I don't know.

I also propose that we call 1000 events official exhibition tournaments.

 

[ollinger]

Thanks for letting me know what's "wrong" with me as a fan though

You're welcome. Unless I misread your opening post you describe the period after the AO as "almost like another off season" when in fact it's packed with lots of tournaments. This, to me, is a dilettante fan.

 

[ollinger]

watch every tournament top players are in.

Further evidence. As if only the top players are worth watching, like someone who won't watch a basketball game unless the Cavs and the Warriors are playing. All well and good, but I wouldn't call that person a basketball fan.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Further evidence. As if only the top players are worth watching, like someone who won't watch a basketball game unless the Cavs and the Warriors are playing. All well and good, but I wouldn't call that person a basketball fan.

I disagree with that elitist mess. People have other things to do if they aren't interested in who's playing. I love food, but I won't sit and watch anyone cook

 

[Rafa the King]

Further evidence. As if only the top players are worth watching, like someone who won't watch a basketball game unless the Cavs and the Warriors are playing. All well and good, but I wouldn't call that person a basketball fan.

No not watching 250s with **** all good players is like watching a lower division. Passing up on a Zverev-Dimitrov R3 match at IW would maybe make you a lesser fan but not watching the Lorenzi-Vinolas semi in Equador really doesn't make you any lesser of a fan.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Further evidence. As if only the top players are worth watching, like someone who won't watch a basketball game unless the Cavs and the Warriors are playing. All well and good, but I wouldn't call that person a basketball fan.

Horrible analogy.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

No not watching 250s with **** all good players is like watching a lower division. Passing up on a Zverev-Dimitrov R3 match at IW would maybe make you a lesser fan but not watching the Lorenzi-Vinolas semi in Equador really doesn't make you any lesser of a fan.

Exactly but this guy is obviously someone with a chip on his shoulder trying to prove a point, so doubt hell budge off his position

 

[Deleted member 716271]

I disagree with that elitist mess. People have other things to do if they aren't interested in who's playing. I love food, but I won't sit and watch anyone cook

Dem ribs

 

[smoledman]

I see the tennis season in 6 big stages:

Australian swing
Rotterdam to Miami swing
clay court season
grass season
US Open series
indoor season

I love all of it.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

Well I mean the OZ is in local summer time... while it's winter in the other 3 slam areas.

Just go ahead and make Indian Wells a 5th slam. So there isn't as much layover. Or ma

But Cincy is the "real slam" though.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

I disagree with that elitist mess. People have other things to do if they aren't interested in who's playing. I love food, but I won't sit and watch anyone cook

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

I love IW to Wimbledon as well. I love the feeling and look of clay and grass particularly as I used to watch this a lot with my family as a child. I love Roma, RG, CC, MC. All the classics. Another cute court I like is Nice. I think all this is colored by my background and have been to these places from I was a child.
Of the HCs I simply love IW, it means more to me than AO and maybe even more than USO.
After Wimbledon its sort of a down time for me. I used to live in Wimbledon for the love of tennis. Everything feels like a build up to Wimbledon.
WTF and indoors, China, I don't like that much.

 

[PDJ]

I love IW to Wimbledon as well. I love the feeling and look of clay and grass particularly as I used to watch this a lot with my family as a child. I love Roma, RG, CC, MC. All the classics. Another cute court I like is Nice. I think all this is colored by my background and have been to these places from I was a child.
Of the HCs I simply love IW, it means more to me than AO and maybe even more than USO.
After Wimbledon its sort of a down time for me. I used to live in Wimbledon for the love of tennis. Everything feels like a build up to Wimbledon.
WTF and indoors, China, I don't like that much.

I lived in Wimbledon to. No greater place on earth during the Fortnight.
I remember being ridiculously excited when I'd write my postcode!

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

I lived in Wimbledon to. No greater place on earth during the Fortnight.
I remember being ridiculously excited when I'd write my postcode!

Me too! SW19- I thought of it every time I had to write it down somewhere-- That is was the coolest postcode on this planet.
Wimbledon is so much fun those two weeks. The days not having a ticket-- Henman Hill fun. No one knows how to have fun and party like the brits. good times!

 

[PDJ]

Me too! SW19- I thought of it every time I had to write it down somewhere-- That is was the coolest postcode on this planet.
Wimbledon is so much fun those two weeks. The days not having a ticket-- Henman Hill fun. No one knows how to have fun and party like the brits. good times!

And it's even better when you own a house there and then sell it!