Why did they put James Blake and Lindsay Davenport on Court 3 today?

Question

No respect at all for the American players.

Answer 1

Myopic question indeed. Why don't you apply this across the board to all other nationalities out there that are lucky enough to play on court 14? What has Blake ever done at Wimbledon to be granted the honour of court 1 or Centre Court? Davenport is well past her best these days and there are many more capable and exciting players to watch in the women's draw. Given that she withdrew, perhaps you could do the same with this question.

Answer 2

Well Davenport has retired anyway and pulled out of the tournament due to her knee problem.

As for Blake, he doesn't exactly pull in the crowds, even if he is in the top 10, and he never does too well at Wimbledon anyway. And there are 3 British players playing today so they will be on the show courts. This is a British tournament after all with a high percentage of British viewers so they will put British players on the big courts to maximize their TV audience.

But I don't see how you can make the assumption that there is no respect for the American players, Venus Williams is on centre court right now and she played her first round match there. Andy Roddick is also playing on that court later today. Plus there have been numerous features by the BBC on the American players (they even did one about Serena's coat!). There has been no lack of respect for anyone, just enjoy the tennis.

Answer 3

I don't know, but they got both Williams sisters on Court 2 today....and they got Jankovic on Court 9....and she's the number 2 seed.  I just don't understand it!

Answer 4

well james hasnt had good results a wimbledon and his seeding isnt in the top 4 or 5

and lindsay just retired from the tournament due to a knee injury but if her seeding was higher she wud totlly be playing on centre court or court 1

Answer 5

when have you ever seen Blake on a centre or 1st court? He usually flops out in the round of 16 anyway if he even gets that far. If Blake wants to be on the centre court it's time to make it to the semis for a change. I really do hope he makes it further this year. I root for him more Roddick to represent our country. Davenport isn't really considered a top U.S. tennis player right now. She only got court three because of her history, not her current ranking. And in my opinion, it's not about respect for the American players, it should be respect for the top ranked players but thats not how it works. You have top ranked players playing on court 14 and court 17. It's all about who they believe the fans want to see.