Weeks 21 & 22 - French Open 2016 (inc. Andy) (clay)

Vandenburg · Futures level

Weeks 21 & 22 - French Open 2016 (inc. Andy) (clay)

Spectator · All-time great

Utter chaos out there from the sound of it, and not at all clear why they've kept trying when the courts often were manifestly not suitable for play. (And yes, I am particularly upset as a number of my favourite players seem to have been on the wrong end of the decision to keep playing - especially players who rely on footwork and finesse!) Murray/Gasquet now definitely postponed until tomorrow.

Miriambee · Futures level

Spectator wrote:
Utter chaos out there from the sound of it, and not at all clear why they've kept trying when the courts often were manifestly not suitable for play. (And yes, I am particularly upset as a number of my favourite players seem to have been on the wrong end of the decision to keep playing - especially players who rely on footwork and finesse!) Murray/Gasquet now definitely postponed until tomorrow.

2 hours play means there need be no refunds, that might have something to do with pushing the play when courts were unsuitable.

Spectator · All-time great

Yes, I had thought of that. But it would really be an unconscionable thing to try to get play in on those grounds when the chances of injury were so high and players couldn't play properly for fear of losing their feet. Loss of profit is relatively minor compared to people's potential loss of livelihood. And they were gambling with some of their biggest stars, too: if Novak Djokovic had gone out injured, leaving aside the loss to him, it wouldn't have done great things for the tournament.

indiana · Tennis legend

The theory is that Andy's QF vs Gasquet will begin on Chatrier at not before 2 pm local, 1 pm BST, on Wednesday.

( actually it will unquestionably begin not before then, the real question is how long after )

First due on at 11am local is the Serena vs Svitolina R4 match followed by the conclusion of the Djokovic vs Bautista Agut R4 match.

-- Edited by indiana on Tuesday 31st of May 2016 11:28:05 PM

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Personally I feel the risk of injury is massively overblown. The last time I have noticed a reported injury as a result of a damp surface was a slip in the changing rooms at the U.S. Open. The vast majority of squealing to get off court when a little moisture descends is tactical, risk of injury being the grounds for the pretence with the player in the better position desperate to play on.

Most injuries appear to be upper limb and back related to over use, despite Rafa's protests very few broken limbs or joints. Admittedly there is the odd thumping fall but I think that should be the expectation if both sides are totally committed in the heat of battle. The conditions are the same for both players. There are times when it is obvious they should come off, but I do feel that there is a chance of playing the pressure should be to play rather than delay.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I think that the chance of injury on a damp grass or hard court is not massively overblown and is sufficiently high to call off any match quickly.

However, it's true that the possibility of injury from a damp/wet clay court is extremely slim.

So I understand the authorities trying their best to get SOME play out of a lousy day.

Spectator · All-time great

I don't think the objections yesterday were simply tactical: both Goffin and Gulbis (who was 3-0 up) walked off the court together, despite being told to keep playing. Radwanska's point - that the ball was so heavy that it placed an undue strain - also seems a fair one, and not just in terms of her injury. And for me, the overriding factor is that these are people in an individual sport whose physical health is essential to their livelihood. If so many of them feel that conditions are unplayable, someone should listen.

Much has been made of the fact that Djokovic and RBA were allowed to play for 2 hours and one minute, which suggests that Miriambee's point was indeed a factor. If so, I do think it's poor.

Hope that things proceed better today.

-- Edited by Spectator on Wednesday 1st of June 2016 07:38:27 AM

Spectator · All-time great

PS: The Spanish swimmer Xavi Torres has made a suggestion that would make the best of the situation: twitter.com/xavi_torres/status/737912654191288320. Good to see a sense of humour at work!

(+ a random question for a rainy day: Xavi Torres was one of the people behind this El Pescao video: www.youtube.com/watch which featured some of the most famous Spanish Paralympians and a number of other athletes as well - does anyone recognise the woman tennis players? And is that Toni Nadal on the sidelines?)

-- Edited by Spectator on Wednesday 1st of June 2016 08:42:54 AM

indiana · Tennis legend

Is the clay court Grand Slam tournament really meant to be played on evidently such wet heavy clay ?

How bad does it have to be before you have so fundamentally changed the surface and conditions that you are almost playing a different game which more suits some than others ?

It was no doubt playable in respect that players could move and chances of injury on such a surface bear no comparison to slippery grass, but these were not players out for a Sunday afternoon hit about.

Conditions the same for both players, but the effect of such fundamentally unusual / simply bad conditions certainly not the same for different players.

There comes a time to say this tournament is not played in these conditions. The French Open seems to have crossed the wrong side of the line.

wimdledont · Challenger level

Andy, broken serving for the first set, now 5-4*, in an entertaining dropshotfest

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Drop shot not working for him today. He has had plenty of attempts, but even when it goes in, Gasquet wins the point.

*5-5

indiana · Tennis legend

I see in the papers Radwanska and Halep being utterly scathing about the conditions. Yes, they lost but as I said they were playing a different game, certainly a different surface and awful conditions.

The most apt few words in amongst a torrent came from Aga "It's a Grand Slam". She also said "The court was not very good. The balls were wet, completely wet during the match. I felt some pains in my back, in my Achilles"

So understandable for Goffin and Gulbis to mutually walk off with Gulbis 3-0 up and for Thiem to apparently unilaterally do the same.

I hope that there is a full investigation into the decision making and the motives.

IT'S A GRAND SLAM !

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 1st of June 2016 01:13:55 PM

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Muzza gone to pieces and give up another break with a DF.

5-6*

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

When Muzza dumped yet another drop shot into the net on BP, Jamie Delgado looked confused as hell. What is he doing.

First set gone. 7-5