How long should the off-season be
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As long as any individual player wants it.
Wait! Omygod! That's the system we have now!
Nobody MAKES the players start play January 1st and go til Pattaya. Many of the best take LONG breaks. None of the multiple GS winners plays even 20 tournaments a year. NONE of them.
So the length of the season does not adversely affect the elite. And why should the lesser players have opportunities taken away from them.
And, lest we forget, no one makes the elite players play exhibitions in December. They COULD go home and rest.
The length of the season is fine, because unlike football (USA) or basketball, you don't have to play every tournament. In a team sport, you'd have to show up to every game. A tennis player only plays when she wants to.
Wait! Omygod! That's the system we have now!
Nobody MAKES the players start play January 1st and go til Pattaya. Many of the best take LONG breaks. None of the multiple GS winners plays even 20 tournaments a year. NONE of them.
So the length of the season does not adversely affect the elite. And why should the lesser players have opportunities taken away from them.
And, lest we forget, no one makes the elite players play exhibitions in December. They COULD go home and rest.
The length of the season is fine, because unlike football (USA) or basketball, you don't have to play every tournament. In a team sport, you'd have to show up to every game. A tennis player only plays when she wants to.
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LOLgriffin said:Commie
Great post Volcana...I agree, nobody forces the players to play week in and week out.
Really, a number of Top 50 players could have better rankings if they cut their schedule by 25 percent. But it's their choice to play as much as they do.
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Theres a balance thats gotta be reached.
If the season is very long and there are high tier events during the year, if the top players play only 15-17 tournaments no matter how long the season is, this will result in diluted draws, meaning lower ranked players who play a lot will get lots and lots of points, maybe enough to nearly catch some of the top ones?
But if the season is too short, then tournaments will be packed closer together, players will be flying round maybe more than they are now, possibly leading to more injuries etc. Also, if there are fewer tournaments, it'll become more and more difficult for lower ranked players to earn enough money to keep everything afloat, as they will have less chances to get a pay cheque.
I'd say 2 to 2 and a half months, with the beginning and the end of the season lower tiered events. That way the lower ranked players can get a lil bit more dosh, and the high ranked players can either slowly play themselves into the year (or out of it), or can take a longer rest if they wanted to.
If the season is very long and there are high tier events during the year, if the top players play only 15-17 tournaments no matter how long the season is, this will result in diluted draws, meaning lower ranked players who play a lot will get lots and lots of points, maybe enough to nearly catch some of the top ones?
But if the season is too short, then tournaments will be packed closer together, players will be flying round maybe more than they are now, possibly leading to more injuries etc. Also, if there are fewer tournaments, it'll become more and more difficult for lower ranked players to earn enough money to keep everything afloat, as they will have less chances to get a pay cheque.
I'd say 2 to 2 and a half months, with the beginning and the end of the season lower tiered events. That way the lower ranked players can get a lil bit more dosh, and the high ranked players can either slowly play themselves into the year (or out of it), or can take a longer rest if they wanted to.
As a confirmed fan I like to see somthing going on year round, but to be practical, maybe it should be more defined and longer. Not just to give players a rest, but also to give players a chance to tinker with their games and change stuff without feeling that they are going to lose next weeks vital ranking points cos they are trying out a new shot.
With respect to no one forcing the players to play week in and week out, well, im not sure I agree with that. The current system requires players to play 14 events, but it rewards players who play MORE as they are more likely to score a better 14 if they play more tournaments. In terms of qualifying for Tier 1 events and getting seeded, this is a really big deal, so not surprisingly some players try to do too much.
the tour is a business. In terms of drawing the fans, its better for the tour to have the best players play as much as possible, although of course this is tricky, as too much exposure will make fans jade ove rthe longer term.
And exposing fans all over the world to to the tour pros is hard to compress into a shorter season.
its a question of striking the right balance, I'm not sure that they have yet. I think that more of an off season would be better.
With respect to no one forcing the players to play week in and week out, well, im not sure I agree with that. The current system requires players to play 14 events, but it rewards players who play MORE as they are more likely to score a better 14 if they play more tournaments. In terms of qualifying for Tier 1 events and getting seeded, this is a really big deal, so not surprisingly some players try to do too much.
the tour is a business. In terms of drawing the fans, its better for the tour to have the best players play as much as possible, although of course this is tricky, as too much exposure will make fans jade ove rthe longer term.
And exposing fans all over the world to to the tour pros is hard to compress into a shorter season.
its a question of striking the right balance, I'm not sure that they have yet. I think that more of an off season would be better.
I think the year should officially end with the US Open, with the Tour Championships a week after that. Players can then choose to contest the European indoor season if they want to. The pay-off is bigger prizemoney and bigger points. The drawback is playing a longer season and foregoing their off-season. The tour would then start properly in January again. So yes, the players get to choose an off-season, but the placement of the Championships gives them the impression that the year doesn't officially end until November.
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Fantastic said:
I'm with you. Ideally, the Austrian Open should be moved to early March and the season should officially end with the WTA championships in September. That's a 7 month season, which is long enough.
Keep in mind that the players bodies rise and fall. They need down time and gear up time. There just isn't enough of that currently. With this scenario they can start getting in shape in January and start peaking out around the French, by Wimbledon they should be charged and by the US Open (as they usually are) pooped.
The current scheduling is a big-ole-mess. I can't stand watching a fat butt venus and serena. They are usually (characteristically now) out of shape by the Australian Open and totally in shape by wimbledon - and ready to hang up their racquets after the Open. Which, ideally, is all they play for.
Therefore, I'm with them. March - September. Leave the rest of those months for the scrubs.
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I like the idea of holding the WTA Champs in September. It would be a lot easier to get a good broadcast deal in September when people are still actually thinking about tennis.
The tours could then create a circuit of off-season tournaments. They could hold a tournament like Linz or Philadelpia, give prize money but award zero ranking points. Therefore nobody could complain that a player was being robbed of a chance to make a living. Many players WOULD show up (look at all the players who play extra tournaments), but others would take the time to rest.
The tours could then create a circuit of off-season tournaments. They could hold a tournament like Linz or Philadelpia, give prize money but award zero ranking points. Therefore nobody could complain that a player was being robbed of a chance to make a living. Many players WOULD show up (look at all the players who play extra tournaments), but others would take the time to rest.
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doesn't matter
tennis still will continue in shape of Challengers
and there will be MORE bigger ones if season does end earlier.
even this yr the rankings will change every week of the year..... even thru Xmas.
tennis still will continue in shape of Challengers
and there will be MORE bigger ones if season does end earlier.
even this yr the rankings will change every week of the year..... even thru Xmas.
If you increase the off-season, you are increasing the number of exhibitions these top players who are always complaining of fatigue can play.
They really are greedy. If you are tired, pack in the year, and stop trotting around the exhibition circus because it is only for the money!
They really are greedy. If you are tired, pack in the year, and stop trotting around the exhibition circus because it is only for the money!
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