Weeks 26 & 27: Wimbledon (grass) - Andy Murray matches

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

RE: Weeks 26 & 27: Wimbledon (grass) - Andy Murray matches

steven · Tennis legend

I think there's a lot to be said for a day off in the middle of a slam - it gives everyone involved a chance to recharge a bit before the 2nd week.

Should the day off be a Sunday though, one of the days when most people are likely to be able to watch? Probably not.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Spectator wrote:
From a fan's point of view, no days off may well appear a good thing. And if one's primary aim is to boost the economy, perhaps the same (though would it overall? Arguably the number of people who would go along would be offset by the much larger number of people who would not do other, revenue-generating activities because they were sat at home in front of a TV screen) But broadly speaking, when I have heard players speaking, they seem to be in favour of the day off ... and they've certainly been quite vocally unhappy about the extension of Roland Garros to fifteen days. Perhaps there's more to this "day of rest" idea than meets the eye ....

Yes, fair point, but I don't really see how it makes a difference to the players. After all, they only play the same number of matches i.e. they never have to play 'more'.

If they play on Sunday then they don;t play on Saturday or Monday. The players will get their day of rest whatever.

(There may be a case where they have a doubles match on a separate day from a singles match so there would be no 'day of rest' but equally no day with two matches. That could be largely avoided if it were unpopular and, anyway, there are only 16 players left in the singles, not all play doubles anyway and some/most will have been knocked out already).

I can see that it certainly is an extra day of work for the groundstaff (although the courts are open for practice so they have a certain amount of work whatever), the officials, the bar staff (!) etc. etc. Although again, you're only spreading the matches out, not creating extra matches. And the AELTC certainly has the funds to pay extra staff.

Steven's idea of having Monday as your day of rest (if you absolutely HAVE to have one) seems very sensible. (I really don't buy off on the idea that the residents can't deal with a couple of busy Sundays). But Test Match cricket used to have no play on Sundays - it worked wonders for them when they changed it.

Overall, I think Ratty' reaction is very typical and very understandable. The Sports Council and LTA want more public support for and involvement in tennis. For the first time in yonks, GB has two players left in the main draws. Tons of hype. Both due to play on Sunday (well, they would have been if there were Sunday play).

But, no, you have to wait till Monday when the vast majority of people are at work or at school.

And all because of a Sunday 'day of rest' (which has rather religious overtones which aren't really suitable these days either). And the LTA wonders why tennis is perceived as a high-brow sport not open to the masses.

NB The Sunday start is a different issue/argument and Justin's quote is fair - I've noticed too how it's gone from a few key matches to practically a full day.

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Monday 1st of July 2013 07:49:12 AM

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Monday 1st of July 2013 07:50:23 AM

Spectator · All-time great

From a fan's point of view, no days off may well appear a good thing. And if one's primary aim is to boost the economy, perhaps the same (though would it overall? Arguably the number of people who would go along would be offset by the much larger number of people who would not do other, revenue-generating activities because they were sat at home in front of a TV screen) But broadly speaking, when I have heard players speaking, they seem to be in favour of the day off ... and they've certainly been quite vocally unhappy about the extension of Roland Garros to fifteen days. Perhaps there's more to this "day of rest" idea than meets the eye ....

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Spectator wrote:
and they've certainly been quite vocally unhappy about the extension of Roland Garros to fifteen days.

I haven't heard about there being a change when did/will it happen?

Spectator · All-time great

Roland Garros now starts on the Sunday. This was Justin Gimelstob on the subject earlier this year

Our biggest lingering concern with the French Open remains the Sunday start, Gimelstob said. The players reluctantly supported a Sunday start under the premise of it being a handful of matches to help the event because of their lack of a night session and a smaller venue to generate revenue. However, we have been very disappointed in how Sunday has become a full day and the event has become a 15-day event."

(New York Times, 29 May: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/30/sports/tennis/at-french-open-increasing-prize-money-for-those-far-from-the-top.html?_r=0)

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Well, that one wasn't quite as stress-free - the second set was hide-behind-the-sofa-time. Still he came through in straight sets - can't be bad.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

QF: Fernando Verdasco (ESP) WR 54 vs (2) Andy Murray WR 2

philwrig · Hall of fame

No sets dropped so far, the only thing that worries me is that pesky Pole name beginning with J and of course Novak.

RJA · Hall of fame

philwrig wrote:
No sets dropped so far, the only thing that worries me is that pesky Pole name beginning with J and of course Novak.

If Andy can't beat Janowicz he doesn't deserve to be in the Wimbledon final. The Pole does have some talent but the notion that he is a serious threat to Murray in a Wimbledon Semi final is an absurd one.

Spectator · All-time great

So del Potro v Djokovic for the other semi. That should be a cracker. Would love del Potro to win ... hope he can be fit.

-- Edited by Spectator on Wednesday 3rd of July 2013 02:31:32 PM

MiloTheCat · Lower Club Player

Spectator wrote:
Who is the person interviewing Andy Murray after the match? Delaying him for a long time and asking some genuinely silly (if not offensive) questions.

It was Garry Richardson, he's smarter than most, not a tennis specialist, I like him but he does have a habit of being rather impudent.

-- Edited by MiloTheCat on Wednesday 3rd of July 2013 07:14:22 PM

RJA · Hall of fame

Hmmm

Not a good first set, not good at all.

seagull · Hall of fame

At least he has a break but playing that horrible passive game again.

Spectator · All-time great

Well ...

Still hoping.