Week 14 ATP 250 Houston (clay)

paulisi · Tennis legend

Week 14 ATP 250 Houston (clay)

RJA · Hall of fame

Rotten draw. Not only a seed in round 1 but a clay court specialist.

Spectator · All-time great

Yes, Mr Ward is rather specialising in the rotten draws at this point. Very frustrating.

RJA · Hall of fame

QR1: (q4) Facundo Bagnis (ARG) WR 106 def Alex Ward WR 318 : 6-4, 6-4

A respectable scoreline if nothing else.

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Agreed. Been a bit of a tough few weeks for Alex as he dips his toes into higher levelled events.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Three wildcards - and seemingly none been given to Americans. Russell doesn't even get an answer to his query.

Even the French sites are up in arms on behalf of their American buddies (and they're not always best buddies so that's an achievement).

Michael Russell @MRusselltennis · Apr 3

Last year on tour & no WC at hometown event @mensclaycourt. Tournament director didn't even respond to emails. #pathetic #noloyalty #NoU.S.WC

RJA · Hall of fame

Oh dear these poor Americans, you really do have to have massive sympathy for them over the lack of wild cards that they receive.

Spectator · All-time great

Point taken, RJA. But if I were choosing between two players, both of whom were in their final year on tour, neither of whom made the draw on ranking, and one of whom was resident in the town where the tournament was being held, I might well choose the latter. And responding to people's emails is a basic matter of courtesy, even if you are refusing their request. I only see two WCs though ...

RJA · Hall of fame

Can't argue about responding to the e-mails. The wild cards were Lopez, Tipsarevic and Hewitt.

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Well i'd never give Tipsarevic a WC. Vile human being

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

Mervatron wrote:
Well i'd never give Tipsarevic a WC. Vile human being

Why???? What's he done??????

philwrig · Hall of fame

I've always quite liked Tipsy, certainly a character.

RJA · Hall of fame

I believe that Tipsarevic is regarded as holding views on homosexuality that some consider offensive.

Jiwan · Club Coach

I believe tennis should be treated like any other job /profession. People should go to work, be rewarded for their work and keep their personal views outside of work.

If I came to work and spouted off about beliefs that would offend others at work, I would be reprimanded or worse. Sports personalities /celebrities have some a moral responsibility. We as spectators /fans pay towards their salaries by buying tickets to watch them, buying endorsed products etc.

I'm all for sponsors /tournaments/ Davis Cup etc recognising bad behaviour (if in fact this was the reason he wasn't given a wild card). He doesn't need to be publicly flogged but perhaps a nibble on humble pie is needed by athletes from time to time. Failing that, get a job in KMART and get them to see how the real world operates / deals with that stuff

Oakland2002 · All-time great

I agree while entitled to free speech, his views as expressed in 2008 should not encourage a flurry of wild cards having alienated about 55% of the population.

I don't know how I feel about having pseudo intellectual tats, there is a certain paradox as his inner beauty is not likely to cure much!

That his views have been highlighted is a very positive thing as the reaction may induce change. Sponsors definitely don't like the reaction.

There is much to be done in changing attitudes worldwide. Tennis stands out as one of the only sports with true gender equality with a track record of openly gay champions. There are few fields outside the arts that mirror this success. More power to the tennis elbow!