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Roadmap still a Problem

Last post 11-06-2008, 2:35 PM by mutaman. 11 replies.
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  •  11-04-2008, 8:43 AM 383706

    Roadmap still a Problem

    Ana Ivanovic and other top players want to have a showdown with the WTA Tour's bosses in Doha.
    TENNIS Ivanovic - 0

    They want to vent their frustrations over the demands placed upon them by the revamped playing schedule.

    Under the banner of the Tour's landmark 2009 Roadmap calendar, players will now need to compete in a fewer number of tournaments from next season.

    But the trade-off is that top-10 players could be suspended if they opt to miss any event designated as "mandatory".

    They must compete in at least 10 of the 20 Premier events -- previously known as Tier I and II tournaments -- and the four Grand Slams. All top 10 players must compete at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Beijing.

    A WTA spokesman said there would be a player meeting in Doha, which is staging the season-ending WTA Championships for the first time this week, and mong various agenda items the Roadmap will be discussed with Tour chief Larry Scott.event for the first time.

    "We do have our voice and we have to come together," French Open champion Ivanovic said shortly before heading to Doha.

    "The changes were made in the middle of the season and when you're playing Grand Slams you don't really want to think about next year's schedule.

    "Many players probably didn't look deep into it and kind of let it go, and all of a sudden you're there with the change so it's a little bit hard."

    The new schedule dictates where the top players can compete and, more importantly, where they cannot.

    As part of its commitment to tournament directors, the WTA Tour has guaranteed to provide a number of players of a certain ranking for the top tier events.

    In 2007, the number of marquee players fell short at every event. In an attempt to prevent that happening in the future, there are far stricter rules and punishments directed at top 10-ranked players.

    "If players don't play the big events, there will be zero pointers (in their rankings)," Scott said during the US Open.

    "We'll have suspensions for the first time ever in tennis next year."

    Players who skip mandatory events will be given several chances during the course of the year to do some promotional work for the tournament. If they fulfil this, they will avoid any suspensions.

    "But if they don't do that, then they'll be subject to a (two-tournament) suspension the following year," said Scott.

    Although there is much more prize money on the table than before, that might not satisfy players who are already multi-millionaires.

  •  11-04-2008, 9:25 PM 384030 in reply to 383706

    Re: Roadmap still a Problem

    Just look at that language: "They want to vent their frustrations..." You can bet that patronizing assessment comes from the Association. Angry

    The notion of corporate WTA as still being anything like a representative of the players has become a damned joke.

    The players need to get themselves together and form a real union. That's what Billie Jean would have done and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see BJK throw in and help them--even against the Association she founded. Cool

  •  11-05-2008, 3:13 PM 384417 in reply to 384030

    Re: Roadmap still a Problem

    What already is a big mistake on the calender is to held the WTA Championships in Quatar !!

    No fans, no spectators !! The tribunes are almost empty. No atmosphere !!  Wrong decision WTA !!

  •  11-05-2008, 4:06 PM 384430 in reply to 383706

    Re: Roadmap still a Problem

    "If players don't play the big events, there will be zero pointers (in their rankings)," Scott said during the US Open.

    "We'll have suspensions for the first time ever in tennis next year."

    Players who skip mandatory events will be given several chances during the course of the year to do some promotional work for the tournament. If they fulfil this, they will avoid any suspensions.

    "But if they don't do that, then they'll be subject to a (two-tournament) suspension the following year," said Scott.

    Although there is much more prize money on the table than before, that might not satisfy players who are already multi-millionaires."

    HOW STUPID IS THAT!!!!!!!! Do they think the players INTENTIONALLY want to skip an event that is already PART of their schedule!!! Things happen!!! INJURIES happen!!!!

    SUSPENSION??? I thought they want to see more of the top players. Won't suspending them do the opposite?

    The WTA is trying really really hard to put its hands where it shouldn't be in the first place. They're KILLING tennis as we know it. Soon it will be joke.

    ...and Nella is right. I know they're trying to expand and all but the atmosphere is just not there! NO ONE is watching!!!!!!!!




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  •  11-05-2008, 7:17 PM 384550 in reply to 384430

    Re: Roadmap still a Problem

    Well Doha is a rich city and people there pay a LOT of money so that the tournament is held there. Everything is about money, probably tennis hasn't been always about the money but now it is. People want money,money,money,power and more money. And DOha has money ;)
  •  11-05-2008, 8:40 PM 384586 in reply to 384550

    Re: Roadmap still a Problem

    lzolumova:
    Well Doha is a rich city and people there pay a LOT of money so that the tournament is held there. Everything is about money, probably tennis hasn't been always about the money but now it is. People want money,money,money,power and more money. And DOha has money ;)
    The players are performing for themselfs and there fans / spectators !! Money or no money , this tournament means nothing without any atmosphere ! We are talking here about the world championships !!!!!!!!!!!   Sad, isn't it !????
  •  11-05-2008, 11:17 PM 384635 in reply to 384586

    Re: Roadmap still a Problem

    Nella:
    lzolumova:
    Well Doha is a rich city and people there pay a LOT of money so that the tournament is held there. Everything is about money, probably tennis hasn't been always about the money but now it is. People want money,money,money,power and more money. And DOha has money ;)
    The players are performing for themselfs and there fans / spectators !! Money or no money , this tournament means nothing without any atmosphere ! We are talking here about the world championships !!!!!!!!!!!   Sad, isn't it !????

    yeah Nella ,it's very sad!! those ppl don't know anything about tennis?? they coming just to watch blonde grils,believe me!!!

    and to this son of b... Scott, the players not for sell!!!coz those top players that you envy them have a rights and voices to put you in deep sh!t if they boycoott your STA tour!!!






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  •  11-06-2008, 12:10 AM 384680 in reply to 384635

    Re: Roadmap still a Problem

    Y'all are correct. The game has troubles--and WTA itself is not just part of the problems but has created many if not most of them.
  •  11-06-2008, 2:46 AM 384733 in reply to 384680

    Re: Roadmap still a Problem

    Imagine if it women's tennis didn't have the Williams and Sharapova - only a man and his dog would be interested

    Those 3 hang over women's tennis like Tiger Woods over golf...

     



  •  11-06-2008, 5:52 AM 384817 in reply to 384586

    Re: Roadmap still a Problem

    Nella:
    lzolumova:
    Well Doha is a rich city and people there pay a LOT of money so that the tournament is held there. Everything is about money, probably tennis hasn't been always about the money but now it is. People want money,money,money,power and more money. And DOha has money ;)
    The players are performing for themselfs and there fans / spectators !! Money or no money , this tournament means nothing without any atmosphere ! We are talking here about the world championships !!!!!!!!!!!   Sad, isn't it !????

    When I say it's about money I don't talk about the players but the WTA - they should get something too,right?

    Obviously Doha is not a good choice.

  •  11-06-2008, 8:50 AM 384839 in reply to 384817

    Re: Roadmap still a Problem

    What the?!?! Why would there be mandatory tournaments?!?! What if a player gets injured or sick just before that tournament? This is really stupid..Super Angry





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  •  11-06-2008, 2:35 PM 384914 in reply to 384839

    Re: Roadmap still a Problem

    i was surprised that doha held the tournament
    but what we say about money
    SHARAPOVA IS THE BEST AND TO HELL WITH THE REST
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