[@pleeneeoh]

I know this is a really really silly question, but I actually don't know.

We all see many weird 1Rs that seem to be conveniently made up, or many repeated matchups in a short time spam (like Stan-Grigor).

Do people actually see names being randomly selected for these draws like they do at FIFA's World Cup?

Do you think this topic deserved more attention?

 

[EkVraNaamEnVan]

Money talks
:angel:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1164581401368285185

 

[Kenneth Chow]

Well...i hope yes, but the fact that there seem to be patterns every year suggests there is something fishy going on....and let's not forget the fact that the draw isn't actually done in front of the public....

 

[catgut049]

Real draw are publicly made.
Point.

 

[Shvedbarilescu]

Are tournament draws randomly made?

Yes.

That doesn't mean some players won't end up with, at least on paper, an easier run of matches than others, or that some quarters won't be more difficult than others and it neither enables or prevents matches like Serena v Sharapova taking place. Sometimes draws produce eye-popping 1st round matches and sometimes they don't. This is very much what one would expect. It is actually the nature of probability that from time to time it produces improbable results.

 

[TravisBlork]

Most draws are transparent and general public can actually see the process, like via Facebook streaming on tournament websites etc. US Open clearly is not because it's been done behind the scenes hours before the actual draw ceremony which has no point, other than 'revealing the draw' (that's the official name of it). And that in itself is beyond lame and will bring up numerous discussions about the draw being rigged. Obviously Sharapova getting Halep and Serena in 2 of the last 3 years is silly. However, if Sharapova had better ranking it would not happen. I agree - Serena vs Masha is great for ratings LOL

 

[Javi]

Honestly I don’t believe normally in conspiracy theories but how come US Open didn’t make the draw being shown live for the public like the others?
And the same Slam that play with different balls men and women and which had no issue to give Gauff a WC against the rules?

Worst Slam status confirmed each day.

 

[gonzo79]

They pick the 3-4 matches the networks, NIKE and JP Morgan order, and from there on it is random yes.

 

[Sliding Clayer]

worst slam of the year, rude overbearing crowds, tired players at this stage of the season, tired performances, silly oversized showcourt stadiums, commericialisation in overdrive, according to the players the worst run as well, when the latter rounds are vast majority of Europe/Asia are sleeping. Move it to Madrid IMO.

 

[currie84]

I stopped believing in random draws after Mahut-Isner R1 the year after their famous 5 setter.

 

[goldenlox]

They saw Serena wasnt playing well in her round 1s the last 2 majors so they rigged it for Sharapova
Its all a racket, just ask Kafelnikov.

 

[LewisCarroll]

US Open is really weird. Nadal always get cakewalk draws there, lots of coincidences.

 

[Sphrontanascier]

Draws have been rigged in all sports for quite some time. Even when made live with balls and stuff. It's a well known fact that they were playing with the temperature of the balls to actually get what they wanted while giving the picture of something hand made.

 

[iGOAT]

In theory, yes. However, US Open draws have often been sus, as is the entire tournament.

 

[goat]

U.s is not reality. Why would their sports be any different?

 

[Dawson.]

US Open the only place where Serena vs Sharapova hasn’t happened. US Open the only place where the draw isn’t public. Serena draws Sharapova round one.

I’m not normally one for conspiracy theories, but this smells very fishy.

 

[Poldo]

Well, there have been some very fishy R1 draws at the USO lately. Halep-Sharapova was already hilarious and now we get Serena vs Sharapova :lol:

 

[bobito]

To be honest though, I doubt the US open would rig the draw to all but ensure that Sharapova loses in the first round. As Shvedbarilescu said, this is entirely consistent with a random draw.

 

[danielrosario]

In 1996, the US Open was actually forced to redo the draw after widespread concerns over rigging:

https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/23/sports/officials-draw-criticism-and-redo-men-s-open.html

 

[Sliding Clayer]

It's possible it's bent, but at the same time, the odds of Serena facing Sharapova in Round 1 are 64/1, the odds of winning the Euromillions is 139,838,160/1, and someone wins that every few draws, to put it into perspective, it really isn't that far fetched. That said the fact it's not shown live is leaves it open to ridicule.