[Rollo]

Agassi and Roddick go on at night almost every match early at the Open-It's as sure as the sun rising.

Their fans are happy, TV is happy.

But I'll tell you this- night matches are bad for Agassi-Roddick.

It sets them up to lose when these vampires finally see the light of day.
A fan wrote of night matches, "It conserves energy." That's true, but it's like preparing for the hottest conditions by playing in air conditioning.

The MOST important men's matches (the semis and finals) will be played during the day.

If I were Agassi or Roddick I'd say no at some point to constant night play. It's cost Agassi in the past, and it could hurt Roddick here at the Open this year.

This is less of issue for the ladies. Their final will be under the lights.

 

[Legends]

Agassi and Roddick go on at night almost every match early at the Open-It's as sure as the sun rising.

Their fans are happy, TV is happy.

But I'll tell you this- night matches are bad for Agassi-Roddick.

It sets them up to lose when these vampires finally see the light of day.
A fan wrote of night matches, "It conserves energy." That's true, but it's like preparing for the hottest conditions by playing in air conditioning.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

classic

 

[Gowza]

i agree.

 

[irma]

didn't petey play all his matches in the night last year too?

and andre didn't play his first match in the night

 

[Bella]

It also doesn't help prepare a stadium full of big-star loving fans for the grueling heat they'll endure in those stands for the semi's and finals. They'll enjoy the matches less and then they'll be less likely to come back the next year. Bad marketing strategy.

Oh, wait…that's who fills the stadiums. It's so confusing.

I've been enjoying those matches and becoming a bigger fan of men's tennis. I just wish they weren't preceded by women's blowouts. Would it be impossible to choose some of the closer matches? The big names that follow are already filling the stadium/selling the tickets. If fans came to know the US Open picked what they thought would be the tight, tough matches in the early rounds, they might all be interested in coming early instead of just staying late.

 

[Rollo]

Irma-Last year Agassi played

1R:Ginepri-at night.
The USTA did him a favor in rounds 2 and 3-day matches. Round 3 they like big names during the day for TV (CBS).
4R-night
QF-night-vs Max M.

Agassi was toast after Hewitt ran him around for 4 sets in the semis. It was the second semi of a long hot day. THEN he had to turn around and face Sampras the next day.

That's the second problem with the men's draw at the US-the back to back semis then final are murder and hurt the quality of the final.

But that's a different problem.

I'm not saying Andre and Roddick should play no night matches-but come round 4 or quarters time I'd demand one of those matches be during the day. Otherwise they often pay for it later.

 

[alfajeffster]

I'm not so sure the night matches hurt Agassi, or even Roddick if he gets far into the draw. In fact, they are both supremely conditioned athletes, and a few night matches would save the gas tank coming into the second week of play, and especially the later rounds. True, the men's final starts during the day, but the lights are usually on by the time the match is finished, and if they had not played under the lights at all, that could be distracting. Tim Henman suffered (in my opinion) for having to play Roddick under the lights- he was obviously not used to it, and it showed- flashes if brilliant play and then inexplicable errors where he was there for the ball, but apparently lost focus- I think because of the lights.

 

[Rollo]

At Agassi's age you could be right Alfa-but it's bad news for A-Rod. The most vulnerable time(s) for both will be when they have to play their first day matches this weekend.

And fitness is relative. Roddick was done in by his 5 setter with the Moroccan in Oz.

 

[moby]

but that 5 setter was like an 8-setter or something

 

[SanTaureau Fan]

Agassi usually doesn't play a lot of night matches. Usually only 1 or 2.

 

[Experimentee]

It wont affect Andre. As someone said he is very well conditioned, he loves the heat and humidity. Thats why he always does so well in australia, he is always able to outlast his opponent in the heat. Hes said himself that he actually prefers playing in the day than in the night. At Andres age i think having more night matches can help to preserve his energy for later rounds, and he is accustomed to the heat anywya so it wont be a shock to him to have to play in the day.
I'm not as familiar with Roddick but he seems fit, he looked fresh till the end and outlasted Younes in that match at the AO. He is young and I'm sure playing in the heat wont bother him much either.

 

[Rollo]

Backhand-he often doesn't play more than 2 because he doesn't usually last that long. As I've said-the day matches following night have often done Andre in.

Bingo Experimentee. Andre HAS won more Aussie Opens. And I'd be willing to bet Andre plays LESS night matches at Oz too.

Oh well. It may be just my wacky theory and no one has to buy it, but I think I'm on to something.

 

[Rollo]

If you check the Aussie site for 2003 Agaasi played NO night matches UNTIL the semis.

That's one night match at Oz compared to 4 at the US Open when he got to both finals.

I rest my case.

 

[Tennis Canada]

Backhand-he often doesn't play more than 2 because he doesn't usually last that long. As I've said-the day matches following night have often done Andre in.

Bingo Experimentee. Andre HAS won more Aussie Opens. And I'd be willing to bet Andre plays LESS night matches at Oz too.

Oh well. It may be just my wacky theory and no one has to buy it, but I think I'm on to something.

It could also have to do with:

1) Andre lost 3 finals to a guy named Sampras at the US Open. Last I heard, he's pretty good.

2) Rebound Ace is a better surface for Andre, and he admits it.

 

[i heart backhand]

I would hardly call a set that went 21-19 in the 5th set a "five setter."

Personally, I think it's more of a concern for Andre than Andy. Andy is a good 10 years his junior and it shows in his movement and stamina. Not to say that Andre is out of shape, but if he has to play a 5 setter in his semifinal and then turn around and play a Sunday final against someone like Roddick or Federer, he's pretty much done for.

 

[Rollo]

Good points Tennis Canada

I would argue that night play is still a factor though. Andre doesn't go on under the lights as often at Oz, hence his OPPONENTS have the disadvantage in that regard there.

And at the US Open Agassi has lost quite a few matches before the finals (and before Sampras) during the day after a night match.

My basic point is you want conditions as close to possible as they will be in later matches. I've seen this first hand-as Agassi was always put under the lights here in Washington. It's no way to prepare for a day final.

Pardon the pun-The difference is night and day