Why is it that top seeded tennis players never play on the first day of a grand slam?

Question

Why is it that top seeded tennis players never play on the first day of a grand slam?

Answer 1

It's a good thing that they do not play on the first day of a Grand Slam because some eager young player might get lucky and knock them out of the tournament .

I believe it happened to Andy Roddick two years ago .

Answer 2

What then would you suggest Novak playing on Sunday (Day 1) of the French Open 2008 is?

What about the first match at Wimbledon (mens and womens) each year being played by the respective defending champions?

Have a look at the French Open 08 first day list - a number of top seeds were out playing...also depends on your definition / cut off number for a "top seed"...

http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores...

Krav

Answer 3

Top seeds often draw in more crowd and sell more tickets. In the case of slams, tournament organizer allow them to choose the time that they want to play because of that (with the exception if Wimbledon, where it is a tradition for defending champions to play the first match.) They often choose to play later because it allows to them more preparation time and let them get used to the atmosphere so they can avoid an early upset. Some players do not think that this is necessarily, preferring to play early as possible.

The user who said first round bye is not correct. Seeded players do not get first round byes in a grand slam.

Answer 4

because they get something called a first round bye... and that takes the pressure off them for a certain extent so they do not have to worry about a first round upset..

Answer 5

in the first day of a grandslam only SOME seeded players play.. the next few days will be the others... like ivanovic and djokovic play last sunday.. but still sharapova and nadal haven't play their 1st round match.. i think the grand slam organizers rumble the schedule so that they can attract more people everyday...