US Open final moved to Monday; ATP furious but the Defending Champion pleased – Tennis Special
United States Tennis Association (USTA) have decided to extend the fourth Grand Slam event of the season in to the third week’s play for the 2013 edition. The vital decision of shifting the men’s singles final on Monday has gathered
mixed reviews from different quarters and the debate for the viability of this verdict is getting hotter.
The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) appeared furious about the changes proposed by USTA and has condemned the decision strongly. The ATP officials are asking for the US Open organizers to fall in line with the schedule
of other three Grand Slam tournaments and not to break the pattern which has been carried out since the last 30 years.
“By modifying the schedule to allow a rest day between the semifinals and the final, the US Open has recognized the incredible physical demands of men’s tennis,” the ATP said on Monday. “However, the ATP and its players have made
it clear to the US Open that we do not support a Monday final. We strongly believe the US Open should keep a similar schedule to the other Grand Slams, with the men’s semifinals completed by Friday and the final on Sunday. It is unfortunate the US Open response
did not reflect our views on this issue and the ATP and its players will continue to pursue this matter in its discussions with the USTA.”
No individual response from any ATP top players has been seen against this alteration to the US Open. However, the current US Open champion, Andy Murray, cited that he is really pleased to play the final on Monday, as it will give
extra time to the finalists to rest before playing the big match. The world number three believes that such alteration in the playing schedule was necessary to uplift the quality of competition in the final of the Grand Slam event.
Now on one hand, Murray is favouring the proposed change at the Grand Slam event and on the contrary, ATP has claimed that ‘it’s players’ have made it clear to USTA that this decision needs to be reversed. More dimensions of this
matter will unfold once the negotiation starts between ATP and USTA but I think more players will vote in favour of the Monday’s final. A vital day of rest before a Grand Slam final is something desirable by top players, as it will certainly help to revitalize
their energy level and raise the bar of the competition.
The reigning world number one, Novak Djokovic, and the Swiss maestro, Roger Federer, are yet to say a word on this matter and their opinion will surely hold great value to USTA. The US Open has been interrupted with heavy downpours
since the past few years, resulting in delayed matches. Even this year, the final of US Open was shifted to Monday due to heavy rain on Sunday. USTA aims at eliminating this delaying factor due to bad weather and wants the men’s final on Monday’s eve.
It appears to be a good decision by USTA but since it breaches the regular tradition of other three Grand Slam tournaments, the ATP seems furious about it. It should lie with the players to decide whether they prefer to play the
big final after a day’s rest or straight away after finishing the semi-final rounds. The likes of Federer, Djokovic and Nadal need to cite their views on this issue, as they will truly represent the voice of all players. ATP shouldn’t be so hasty on opposing
the decision and take a moderate way around it, so that the players are facilitated the most.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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