2021 ATP General News

[tennisville]

The Victorian Government has taken this stance as I have quoted before Tennis Australia had to agree to their protocols,because Victoria had a 'second wave of COVID-19 and had complete lockdown with a curfew.
In Australia we have handled COVID-19 much better I believe than other countries as our numbers have been low and we have taken tough decisions when needed.,unlike other countries in the world that have not had any protocols in place and have had no idea have to handle this pandemic,I am in the medical profession by the way.,taking hard stances is one way of trying to get a handle on this pandemic,I have worked in the ICU with patients struck down with this virus and it is most confronting.Saying this event should not have taken place is Australia because of their 'hard stances' regarding a pandemic is such a uneducated and a unwarranted comment.

I agree with you, their hard stance is what has caused them to have almost 0 daily cases. I admire that you are in the medical profession and pray that you remain safe during the pandemic and help lots of people.

I just saw social media where players travelled in the flight without a mask. I just think they should have been in Australia a bit earlier allowing them to train after the 2 week hard quarantine. Right now many players are complaining about the lack of fitness just before a slam. If the slam had happened a couple of weeks late, there might have been more warm-up events allowing the players to be match fit. I should be happy that we are having the Australian open in the first place

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I agree with you, their hard stance is what has caused them to have almost 0 daily cases. I admire that you are in the medical profession and pray that you remain safe during the pandemic and help lots of people.

I just saw social media where players travelled in the flight without a mask. I just think they should have been in Australia a bit earlier allowing them to train after the 2 week hard quarantine. Right now many players are complaining about the lack of fitness just before a slam. If the slam had happened a couple of weeks late, there might have been more warm-up events allowing the players to be match fit. I should be happy that we are having the Australian open in the first place

I just posted that Craig Tiley said Tennis Australia would supply the 47 players that have to go into strict 14 day lockdown with exercise equipment in their rooms to maintain some type of fitness in that period.
There are 2 WTA tournaments and 2 ATP tournaments to be played before the AO, at least these players will get some match play before the AO starts.

 

[tennisville]

Djokovic le exige a Tiley igualdad para todos los jugadores

El número uno del mundo le mandó una carta al director del Open de Australia exigiendo un mínimo de requisitos para todos los jugadores presentes en el torneo.

www.puntodebreak.com

I think that reads that Djokovic demands some conditions for the players. Although I do agree that some of the demands are not practical at all and not in the control of the Australian Open, I like that initiative.

I will of course try and search for what the players council which includes Murray, Roger, Nadal and Anderson which "represents the players" is doing about that

 

[tennisville]

While you're in it, try and read the room.

I've had enough. If you have followed me for a little while, you will know that when most of the world deserts a tennis player for their behaviour, I am generally there looking for the silver lining as to why a player has behaved in a certain way. I died on the Bernard Tomic hill a few years ago,

acetennispreviews.com

This is a fantastic article on how the players behaviour over the past 48 hours is not reasonable based on conditions in Australia. Health officials in Australia know more about Covid that any player

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

A third AO charter flight produced a positive COVID-19 case on Sunday requiring all passengers aboard Qatar Airways flight from Doha (including 25 players) forced into a 14 day hard quarantine.There are now 72 players serving hard quarantine after 3 of the tournaments charter flights featured positive Coronavirus cases.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sunday 17 January 2021,

Australian Open statement regarding COVI9-19 tests,

One positive COVID-19 test has been returned from a passenger on a charter flight into Melbourne from Doha which arrived at 5.30am 16 January.The passenger is not a member of the playing contingent and had tested negative before the flight.
There were 58 passengers on the flight,including 25 players.All are already in quarantine hotels.
The 25 players on the flight will not be able to leave their hotel room for 14 days and until they are medically cleared.They will not be eligible to practise.

 

[Front242]

Saw that and what a joke of a tournament it'll be with all these players not match ready.

 

[Moxie]

Saw that and what a joke of a tournament it'll be with all these players not match ready.

Come on, @Front242, you're such a grump! You're against the vaccine, because of a few suspect reactions. Now you want to say it will be a crap AO, because they're not match-ready. They're trying to play some tennis, and they won't be rolling straight into the AO, you get that, right? There are tune-ups and an exhibition. They are professional athletes, and if they don't know how to keep themselves in some kind of shape, then that's on them. It's not like they're going to sit around in their hotel rooms and just get fat and lazy. Or if they do, I have nothing to say about their professionalism. The USO and the FO managed to pull off a Major. Tennis Australia has clearly put a lot of thought and preparation into this one. It's worth remembering that, while the top players could happily live off of their past-earnings, a lot of players need to keep playing to stay in the game. I, personally, appreciate how hard the Aussies have worked to get tennis players there, to organize events in a consolidated way, and keep tennis going in the midst of this pandemic. Is this the best of circumstances? No, it is not. But the options are to give up, or keep moving forward. Which would you prefer?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Come on, @Front242, you're such a grump! You're against the vaccine, because of a few suspect reactions. Now you want to say it will be a crap AO, because they're not match-ready. They're trying to play some tennis, and they won't be rolling straight into the AO, you get that, right? There are tune-ups and an exhibition. They are professional athletes, and if they don't know how to keep themselves in some kind of shape, then that's on them. It's not like they're going to sit around in their hotel rooms and just get fat and lazy. Or if they do, I have nothing to say about their professionalism. The USO and the FO managed to pull off a Major. Tennis Australia has clearly put a lot of thought and preparation into this one. It's worth remembering that, while the top players could happily live off of their past-earnings, a lot of players need to keep playing to stay in the game. I, personally, appreciate how hard the Aussies have worked to get tennis players there, to organize events in a consolidated way, and keep tennis going in the midst of this pandemic. Is this the best of circumstances? No, it is not. But the options are to give up, or keep moving forward. Which would you prefer?

It is unfortunate that the 3 charter flights into Melbourne had positive COVID-19 cases which has affected 72 tennis players.These are our strict COVID-10 restrictions into Australia,that is one of the reasons that we are third in the world in managing this pandemic.Tennis Australia Tournament Director Craig Tiley, has said they will put exercise bikes etc in the players in strict lockdown.These players will at least have match play with 2 WTA events and 2 ATP events before the AO starts on February 8.,which they will be able to play.

 

[Moxie]

It is unfortunate that the 3 charter flights into Melbourne had positive COVID-19 cases which has affected 72 tennis players.These are our strict COVID-10 restrictions into Australia,that is one of the reasons that we are third in the world in managing this pandemic.Tennis Australia Tournament Director Craig Tiley, has said they will put exercise bikes etc in the players in strict lockdown.These players will at least have match play with 2 WTA events and 2 ATP events before the AO starts on February 8.,which they will be able to play.

It's unfortunate, but not completely unexpected. You can only do what you do. Tennis Australia is making a big effort, and everyone is also making sacrifices. If you want to play tennis, this is what is on offer. John Isner didn't want to travel without his young family, and that is his choice. Carlos Moyà made his own decision, too. To some extent, I think everyone's choices have to be respected, and the protocols have to be not just adhered to, but respected as an effort to keep playing tennis. All you have is an exercise bike in your hotel? Tough shit. Make the most of it, then come out and play good tennis. It's what we have, for now. At the very least, it seems that everyone will be at the same level of short on fitness.

 

[Ricardo]

At the very least, it seems that everyone will be at the same level of short on fitness.

Everyone? Obviously not.

 

[Jelenafan]

Novak’s demands requested for the AO rejected.

Novak Djokovic's Australian Open quarantine demands are rejected

Djokovic's reported list of demands included a shorter quarantine period, permission for players to visit their coaches, and access to courts where they could train for the tournament in Melbourne.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Novak’s demands requested for the AO rejected.

Novak Djokovic's Australian Open quarantine demands are rejected

Djokovic's reported list of demands included a shorter quarantine period, permission for players to visit their coaches, and access to courts where they could train for the tournament in Melbourne.

www.dailymail.co.uk

I think these tennis players are becoming a tad 'too precious'., we are in a world wide pandemic.Tennis Australia has paid for private charter flights,accommodation,and quarantine to come to Australia,it was their choice to come,also we do have strict COVID-19 restrictions....as the saying goes 'when in Rome?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Official draw of the ATP Cup will be made in Melbourne on Wednesday January 20th, 12pm local time

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Davis Cup Finals approved changes.,

11 day event-November 25 - December 5th in 2021
Reduce teams 18 to 16 (from 2022)
Now consultation over introduction of multi-city format-for 2021.2 European cities joining Madrid to host group stages and quarters.Semis and final in Madrid.

 

[Front242]

Come on, @Front242, you're such a grump! You're against the vaccine, because of a few suspect reactions. Now you want to say it will be a crap AO, because they're not match-ready. They're trying to play some tennis, and they won't be rolling straight into the AO, you get that, right? There are tune-ups and an exhibition. They are professional athletes, and if they don't know how to keep themselves in some kind of shape, then that's on them. It's not like they're going to sit around in their hotel rooms and just get fat and lazy. Or if they do, I have nothing to say about their professionalism. The USO and the FO managed to pull off a Major. Tennis Australia has clearly put a lot of thought and preparation into this one. It's worth remembering that, while the top players could happily live off of their past-earnings, a lot of players need to keep playing to stay in the game. I, personally, appreciate how hard the Aussies have worked to get tennis players there, to organize events in a consolidated way, and keep tennis going in the midst of this pandemic. Is this the best of circumstances? No, it is not. But the options are to give up, or keep moving forward. Which would you prefer?

Well obviously it's better to have the tournament than not at all like Wimbledon which was cancelled, but 72 players unable to do SFA is not good and doesn't bode well. I'll watch the final as that's probably all I'll be able to see with work and the time difference here. It's not about fitness, they're being given exercise equipment if they want it and I'd imagine most will opt for this unless they're insane It's about the lack of practice for 14 days which is a long time to be without the rhythm of playing. No, I'm not against the vaccine because of suspect reactions, I'm against it because it's killing people and hasn't been tested properly at all, Pfizer's being the worst one. Norway have reported 23 deaths from the "vaccine" and I admire their transparency. Other countries reporting tons of old people dying might want to look at why numbers have suddenly gone even higher since this supposed miracle cure was introduced end of December and I don't think they need to look too hard tbh. Killing the very people they're trying to protect through the vaccine is working really well. Take a bow once again, Pfizer.

"The Norwegian Medicines Agency linked 13 deaths to the corona vaccine’s side effects. Those who died had two things in common – they were old and frail. A total of 23 deaths have been reported in connection with the corona vaccination."

Many old people are frail but that's no reason to give them something that's going to kill them sooner than if they ever got covid19.

https://norwaytoday.info/news/norwe...de-effects-those-who-died-were-frail-and-old/

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I had to post this hard news story from a couple self isolating in quarantine in Melbourne,

Bernard Tomic's girlfriend who apparently has 'Never Washed Her Own Hair Ever' (she is a model apparently) it's not something I do? has whinged that is the worst time of her life in isolation and she cannot wait to get out and get it washed......my suggestion to her is to get Tomic to wash it for her,in between his endless hours of playing games on his IPAD ................this is too precious for words

 

[Front242]

First world problems are the best

 

[Moxie]

Well obviously it's better to have the tournament than not at all like Wimbledon which was cancelled, but 72 players unable to do SFA is not good and doesn't bode well. I'll watch the final as that's probably all I'll be able to see with work and the time difference here. It's not about fitness, they're being given exercise equipment if they want it and I'd imagine most will opt for this unless they're insane It's about the lack of practice for 14 days which is a long time to be without the rhythm of playing. No, I'm not against the vaccine because of suspect reactions, I'm against it because it's killing people and hasn't been tested properly at all, Pfizer's being the worst one. Norway have reported 23 deaths from the "vaccine" and I admire their transparency. Other countries reporting tons of old people dying might want to look at why numbers have suddenly gone even higher since this supposed miracle cure was introduced end of December and I don't think they need to look too hard tbh. Killing the very people they're trying to protect through the vaccine is working really well. Take a bow once again, Pfizer.

"The Norwegian Medicines Agency linked 13 deaths to the corona vaccine’s side effects. Those who died had two things in common – they were old and frail. A total of 23 deaths have been reported in connection with the corona vaccination."

Many old people are frail but that's no reason to give them something that's going to kill them sooner than if they ever got covid19.

https://norwaytoday.info/news/norwe...de-effects-those-who-died-were-frail-and-old/

I get why Wimbledon cancelled...it was early in the pandemic, they had a short window to pull off the tournament, and they had the insurance, which they were able to spread out to players. All-in-all, wise decisions on their part. Australia has had a long time to plan this, with two successful Majors before them to model after, and I think they're doing a good job of protecting players/teams and their own citizens. I can't figure out what "SFA" is, because I'm a dummy. I get that it'll be hard to do without enough practice, and match-play, but my point (above) was that everyone is in the same boat. (Which @Ricardo didn't seem to get.) This was also somewhat true when sanctioned tennis resumed in August. Sure, some had played exhibitions, and some played Cincy/USO and others didn't. But those that played what was left of the 2020 season all started back up in the unusual position of not having played much "real" tennis for 4+ months. This will be similar. They'll have to rely on their fitness discipline. They young ones will have their youthful resilience, and the older ones their sang-froid and experience.

As to the vaccine, I image that the Admins might prefer that we take that conversation to the World Affairs section. I'm happy to start it a thread, as it is a very interesting topic.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Further distractions for Alexander Zverev.Not long ago he has a resolution after a bitter legal battle with his former manager,allegations of abuse from a former girlfriend,split with his coach David Ferrer,now he and his current management Team8,have parted company after two years.