Fat Nalby wants to lead weak wristed DelPo..I cannot imagine it.

Both with such talent going wanting. DelPo has a better looking future though.

Davis Cup Schedule

World Group Semifinals

Argentina wins tie over Serbia 3-2
David Nalbandian defeated Viktor Troicki 6-4,4-6,6-2,6-3
Jusn Martin Del Potro defeated Janko Tipsarevic 7-5,6-3,6-4
Viktor Troicki/Nenad Zimonjic(S) defeated Juan Ignacio Chela/Juan Monaco 7-6(4),6-4,6-2
Juan Martin Del Potro defeated Novak Djokovic 7-6(5),3-0(retired)

Spain wins tie over France 4-1
Rafael Nadal defeated Richard Gasquet 6-3,6-0,6-1
David Ferrer defeated Gilles Simon 6-1,6-4,6-1
Michael Llodra/Jo-Wilfried Tsonga(F) defeated Feliciano Lopez/Fernando Verdasco 6-1,6-2,6-0
Rafael Nadal defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-0,6-2,6-4

World Group Playoffs

Czech Republic wins tie over Romania 5-0
Stepanek defeated Ungur 6-3,6-2,6-0
Berdych defeated Crivoi 6-3,6-3,7-6(4)
Berdych/Stepanek defeated Copil/Tecau 3-6,6-3,6-0,6-2

Russia wins tie over Brazil 3-2
Youzhny(R) defeated Mello 6-0,6-2,6-1
Bellucci(B) defeated Andreev 6-4,6-3,6-3
Melo/Soares(B) defeated Kunitsyn/Tursunov 6-4,7-5,6-2
Youzhny(R) defeated Bellucci 2-6,6-3,5-7,6-4,14-12
Tursunov(R)defeated Mello 6-1,7-6(5),2-6,6-3

Canada wins tie over Israel 3-2
Pospisil(C) defeated Sela 7-6(4),6-7(6),6-1,6-7(2),6-3
Weintraub(I) defeated Raonic 5-7,7-5,6-3,6-1
Nestor/Pospisil(C) defeated Erlich/Ram 4-6,6-3,6-4,6-4
Sela(I) defeated Polansky 6-3,6-3,6-3
Pospisil(C) defeated Weintraub 6-2,7-6(3),6-4

Croatia wins tie over South Africa 4-1
Anderson(S) defeated Dodig 6-3,6-4,3-6,7-6(5)
Cilic defeated Van Der Merwe 6-0,6-0(retired)
Cilic/Dodig defeated De Voest/Klassen 6-2,6-4,3-6,6-1
Cilic defeated De Voest 6-4,6-2,6-4

Italy wins tie over Chile 4-1
Starace defeated Capdeville 6-3,6-3,2-6,7-6(5)
Fognini defeated Gonzalez 6-2,4-6,2-1(retired)
Bolelli/Fognini defeated Aguilar/Massu 6-4,6-4,6-4

Japan wins tie over India 4-1
Sugita defeated Devvarman 6-3,6-4,7-5
Nishikori defeated Bopanna 6-3,6-2,6-2
Bhupathi/Bopanna(I) defeated Ito/Sugita 7-5,3-6,6-3,7-6(4)
Nishikori defeated Vardhan 7-5,6-3,6-3

Austria wins tie over Belgium 4-1
Haider-Maurer defeated Malisse 6-4,6-4,7-5
Darcis(B) defeated Melzer 7-6(3),6-7(4),6-4,6-3
Marach/Peya defeated Darcis/O Rochus 4-6,6-3,6-4,6-4
Melzer defeated Rochus 6-4,6-4,6-3

Switzerland wins tie over Australia 3-2
Tomic(A) defeated Wawrinka 4-6,6-4,6-3,6-3
Federer(S) defeated Hewitt 5-7,7-6(5)6-2,6-3
Guccione/Hewitt(A) defeated Federer/Wawrinka 2-6,6-4,6-2,7-6(5)
Federer(S) defeated Tomic 6-2,7-5,3-6,6-3
Wawrinka(S) defeated Hewitt 4-6,6-4,6-7(7),6-4,6-3

"When was the last time a Davis Cup tie was decided by a retirement due to injury?"

Uhhh . . . Djokovic, flu, 2008
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3239439

Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day.

Ye scallywags not be postin' here t'day lest ye be speakin in Piratese!

Tuesday Order of Play

WTA: Seoul at 10 PM(Monday) - King vs Date-Krumm, Benesova, Tanasugarn vs Shvedova, Voskoboeva vs Makarova, Suarez Navarro, Schiavone vs Dushevina, Hercog, Llagostera Vives vs Bartoli, Goerges and Martinez Sanchez vs Falconi scheduled
WTA: Guangzhou at 1 AM - Sevastova vs Scheepers, Jovanovski, Rybarikova vs Craybas, Rezai, Gajdosova, Pervak vs Chan, Minella and Kirilenko vs A Bondarenko scheduled
ATP: Bucharest at 4 AM - Montanes, Serra, Hanescu, Berlocq vs Haider-Maurer and Andreev scheduled
ATP: Metz at 5 AM - To Be Announced
WTA: Guangzhou at 5:30 AM - Brianti vs Zheng
ATP: Bucharest at 8 AM - Copil vs Crivoi
ATP: Bucharest at 9 AM - Machado vs Volandri and Prodon vs Seppi scheduled
ATP: Bucharest at 10:30 AM - Ungur vs Rosol

"an astonishing show of either superiority or hubris, the Serbs decided that even at "50 or 60" per cent effectiveness, Djokovic had a better chance of beating Delpo than did Troicki"

wow, that's harsh.

Let's give credit to the work-ethic, conditioning, and "drive" of these great players in the Davis Cup. Yet with the USA long-gone from the current Davis Cup, it occurred to me that there are few Americans in sight on the circuit this week. Where are they all? Where were they in last week's tournaments? (Where were they in the second week of the US Open, for that matter?)
While the world's best players speak out about the grueling schedule and the toll it takes on them, physically as well as mentally, the Americans seem to have found a solution: don't show up. Where's the logic in this? Even if they've been training vigorously for the past three weeks, how can this substitute for paying one's dues and benefiting from the rewards of tournament competition?
The competition is international and most tournaments are not in the USA. Is the reluctance of US players to compete in foreign venues a symptom of Homeland [In]Security?
Before you all jump on me for my questions and observations, I AM an American, and nothing would please me more than to see American tennis players shine in the international arena. The current rankings of many American players only partly rates talent; it is also an indicator of how often they compete. Again, my recommendation: show up.

"That was an understandable question, given the way Djokovic yelped and went down in a heap while trailing Juan Martin del Potro 7-6 (5), 3-0 in the decisive match of the Davis Cup semifinal."

It wasn't the decisive match.

Posted by Nam1 09/19/2011 at 12:09 PM
"an astonishing show of either superiority or hubris, the Serbs decided that even at "50 or 60" per cent effectiveness, Djokovic had a better chance of beating Delpo than did Troicki"

wow, that's harsh.

Really? Right out of Retireovic's own mouth:

http://www.itfteamevents.tv/dcvideo/20110918/djokovic-interview-rubber-4_2275641_2455228

Obviously, Nole thought he could make it through the match, or he wouldn't have tried it. It would take a pretty gutsy/stupid DC captain to say no to his participation.

So Nole said the back trouble started early in the USO? Will he now be criticized the way Rafa would be if he said something like that? :)

Maybe Viktor wasn't exactly fit himself? Otherwise, ouch, he's not 150 in the world.

I think the only thing out of the whole thing is that Novak has still to figure out how much he can push his body and to what extent.

Its one bad decision, but if he can recover in 4 weeks, then the repurcussions are not too bad. Whether Troicki could have stretched Del Potro, we will never know now.

However, next year is going to be very demanding on him...especially because he has to defend all the titles, along with olympics. Whatever rest he gets this year, to make sure he dosen't carry injuries from this year into the next, will only make his task easier.

Viktor said as much after Djokovic-Delpo match:

http://www.mondo.rs/s218082/Sport/Tenis/Viktor-_Novace_hvala_ti.html

"Thank you, Novak." reads the title

Some quotes as translated by me:

"I thank him that he even came to be with us and especially for going out there. I know he wanted to win. He had strong pain & couldn't go on..." said Troicki, who agreed that even a weakened Djokovic was a better choice than him.

"We were all behind the decision that Novak plays, we talked amongst ourselves what was the best. At the end, he was the hero, he wanted to win and I'm extremely grateful to him. I did not have success against Del Potro and it would have been extremely hard to beat him this time as he's in great form, and I'm not. He (Djokovic) knew that and gave it his all." added Troicki and said that everyone will be back on the team in 2012.

"For sure we'll be back" Troicki said without a doubt.

Well, obviously Djokovic, Nadal, and Fed all had it tough for DC this past weekend. Djokovic and Nadal played the USO final on Monday then had to fly to Europe, but at least it was 'home' ties. Fed didn't play the USO final, but he had to fly half-way around the world to Australia for an 'away' tie. Then he had to play Fri/Sat/Sun whereas Nadal got to avoid playing the doubles, and Djokovic didn't play Friday or Saturday.

Should Djokovic have played Sunday? Probably not. And I sure wouldn't agree that a 60% Djoker is better than a 100& Troicki... especially if you can't finish the match.

Still, it was a big win for Argentina and I would like nothing more than to see them finally win a DC. Still, it probably won't happen since it will be in Spain on clay.

After the Swiss lost the doubles, I thought there was virtually no chance they would win the tie. Sure, Fed could still beat Tomic, but I didn't see any way that Stan would beat Lleyton on grass. Stan could not have been feeling too confident after losing the singles and doubles. And Lleyton had to be feeling very confident. He wanted that 5th rubber and they had geared everything towards beating Stan (that's why they chose grass!). I was shocked when I saw that it went 5 sets and Stan had the lead when it was stopped for darkness. I didn't watch either Sunday rubber because I figured the tie was lost already.

I guess there is a reason they say "never say never". Unbelievable effort by the Swiss team to win that tie. Finally beating Australia in DC and getting the Peter Carter Trophy. That had to mean so much to Fed.

blah, blah, blah.....

add some more pepper....blah, blah, blah....and chilly, hot!.....blah....and loads of salt......blah.....and tons of cheap potatoes.....blah.....

Sherlock - no - because he won the USO.... its only when there is a loss and injury reports gurgle to the top, that eyebrows are raised and sniffs are heard. ;-)

And Hey! Where the heck have you been!!?? Leaving me to suffer through the Red Sox re-arranging the decks chairs on the Titanic all by myself. Soooo frustrating that they are ending the season as they began...horribly...which well may negate all that great play in the middle. :-(

Oh, btw, did you see the long piece in yesterday's NY Time about Teddy Ballgame's 406 record? Fascinating stuff...including photos of a skinny kid showing wearing the 1940s version of a Speedo demonstrating his swing. The factoid that really jumped out for me from the article was how in over 600 at bats he struck out only 27 times. UnFREAKING believable...

Sherlock wrote: "So Nole said the back trouble started early in the USO? Will he now be criticized the way Rafa would be if he said something like that? :)"

Novak played pretty darn well at the USO for having a 'back' issue then. And if that's how he plays with a back issue, then no wonder the Serbian team thought he would be fine on Sunday. And since when is Rafa criticized for saying stuff like that? Certainly not by the media. Now if Fed said that.. well, we know exactly what the media would say.

It's not as if I know Djokovic personally, but he's never appeared to me to be the type to insert himself in the lineup unless he truly believed he could deliver a competitive match. Nonetheless, this can be seen as a cautionary tale: always be on guard against believing your own press.

As regards Richard's comments above:

a) I looked at the draws for both Metz and Bucharest. Between the main draw singles *and* the qualifying there are a total of 4 (!) players entered not from Europe. It's safe (and more fair) to ask where's everyone who's not from Europe this week, to which the answer is: they're staying home to get some rest. All of them, not just the Americans. Europeans are playing tourneys in Europe 'cause it's convenient.

b) As for "where were the Americans in the 2nd week of the US Open?", well, on the ATP side there were 4 of them in the last 16. Is that the result the USTA or American fans want? No. Is it failing to show up? Hardly.

I watched the Delpo and Nole match and it was painful to see him go down like that. This late in the season the players are looking like the walking wounded. I know the Williams Sisters and Kim get criticized for not playing much and focusing on slams but no one can say it hasn't served them well. At what point do the players have a right to be selfish?

I think about the NFL players leading up the the 80's. They played without pensions and when their careers ended, all the injuries they accumulated over time took its toll and they had no benefits or retirement. One player because of numerous cortisone injections to his ankle ended up losing his lower leg and was not getting any help from the organization.

I know the more successful players have made or are currently making millions that they will be able to live comfortably on for the rest of their lives but what about the ones who don't. That is why I on board with the whole union idea regardless of what a player may have said or done in the past regarding the tennis calender.

Change is needed.

Spain/France : 4-1. That was not tennis, that was not a show, that was even not a corrida with its strong feelings and dead shudders, and the ladies wildly flapping their fans didn't hope to get the ears and the tail of the bull. There were five bland matches, if I except maybe Ferrer/Simon where Ferrer's efficient perseverance prevailed on Simon's stereotyped game. Nadal, tired, didn't have any difficulty to upset Gasquet (beforehand paralysed with the prospect to be in front of him) and Tsonga (beforehand stifled by his own self-importance). The double won by the Frenchies was pretty much the same, with a Spanish pair completely passive, unable to rally more than two or three shots without putting the ball in the net or out.
Actually, I didn't spend my time watching these pathetic sequences, and my attention was turned to some more interesting Plays off ties as Belgium/Austria (nice tennis, floating and varied, played in an impeccable indoor and well lit site), and over all the Australia/Switzerland thriller and its unendurable suspense that went on 'til Monday. Superb matches where winners and losers played a full of bravery tennis and where the tough contest between them didn't succeed in disguising their friendship and deep mutual esteem. On the video, I saw that after Stan won, Roger was talking with Pat Rafter and Tony Roche, nodding his head as to apologize for the Swiss victory. Touching...
I have regrets not to have watched Israel/Canada where Pospisil played very well as it seems.
Djoko just said that the injury was not serious. He need only rest...

"And since when is Rafa criticized for saying stuff like that?"

Rafa criticized on TW? Never.

Don't give up hope yet, CL. :) Despite the recent slide, they're still up by 2 with 10 to go. Though having to get help from the Yankees against Tampa turns my stomach. :)

Didn't read the Williams piece yet. The strikeout number really is incredible. I also love that he could have sat out the last day's doubleheader and finished right at .400, but instead played both games and finished at .406. That deserves one of Lucy's old warrior badges. :)

He needs only rest. J'oublie toujours les "s"...ou j'en mets trop.

Eri: The union is not going to work because of the nature of the sport and the inconsistency in the player's views. In addition the life of a top player is vastly differently from one ranked outside the top 100. Do you think a low ranked player is going to agree to drastically cut the calendar? I think not.

"Rafa criticized on TW? Never."

Sherlock, :)

At this moment, Nalbo is in the Gym. Expect him to be King David come december, there is no shortage of motivation. Delpo will be same as usual, only fine tuning his comeback. Argentina has a chance for payback.

I will admit to having enjoyed DC over the weekend. Yes, the Spain-France tie was rather underwhelming and Serbia v Argentina, though dramatic, ended in a sour note but there was some good play in between and a great atmosphere at both venues.
In addition, the drama of Australia v Switzerland, Pospisil's effort for Canada and the long match between Bellucci and Youzhny made it worth my while and I say that as someone who's never followed DC closely.
Could it be that I'm becoming a 'softie' in my old age? and find myself all of the sudden enjoying WTA and DC matches more and more? :)))

Jai, he he. :)

That's going to be a heck of a DC final. Maybe being away from home will allow Delpo and Nalby to play more freely. If Nalby is rested and healthy, look out. Who is Argentina's doubles team? I didn't see that Serbia match.

X-fan, lol. Age always gets the best of us. :)

I struggle sometimes with the over-the-top patriotism, especially as we're so used to overlooking that throughout the non-DC calendar. But there's a lot to like about it too. Weekends like Popsicle's are what it's all about.

Argentina's doubles team was Monaco-Chela. And yes, if both Nalbandian and Delpo play in December, I'd say Argentina definitely have a chance. Even if Rafa plays and wins both his matches.

Morning, all.

Djokovic took an MTO, as I recall, for back problems early in the 4th set of USO F 2011.

Then he retired with an acute injury in his next match.

In these circumstances, journalists will listen sympathetically if a player says "I've been feeling sore for a while."

Similarly, in USO 2009, Nadal went down to defeat against Del Potro in the SF, having earlier in the tournament had treatment for an abdominal muscle injury. Having praised Del Potro's play, and having insisted that the injury did not determine the result, Nadal was not deemed by journalists to have committed a breach of etiquette by discussing the extent of the injury in his press conference.

After beating Melzer in Wimbledon R16 2010, Federer assured journalists that he was feeling fine:

Q. Any concerns about fitness at all? There was a photograph with some strapping on your thigh the other day. Is that just precaution?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, it was after my first-round match. MY thigh was hurting a little bit, which already was the case in Halle. In the finals it was hurting me as well.

But honestly now I have no more problems, no more strapping. I'm happy I recovered that.

But after losing to Berdych in the QF, Federer himself brought up soreness:

Q. You beat him almost every time you played him. Was he any different?

ROGER FEDERER: Like I said, I think he was a bit more consistent than in the past. I lost to him in Miami this year, where it was a really tight match as well.

But from my end, obviously, you know, I'm unhappy with the way I'm playing. I couldn't play the way I wanted to play. You know, I am struggling with a little bit of a back and a leg issue. That just doesn't quite allow me to play the way I would like to play.
So it's frustrating, to say the least. Looking forward to some rest anyway.

Q. How do those physical things affect you the most?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, when you're hurting, it's just a combination of many things. You know, you just don't feel as comfortable. You can't concentrate on each and every point because you do feel the pain sometimes. And, uhm, yeah, then you tend to play differently than the way you want to play.

Under the circumstances I think I played a decent match, you know. But I've been feeling bad for the last two, three matches now. It's just not good and healthy to play under these kind of conditions, you know.
So if there's anything good about this it's I'm gonna get some rest, that's for sure.

Had Federer taken an MTO during the Berdych match, or acknowledged the extent of his twinges earlier, he would likely not have been criticized for these comments.

Sherlock,
I can't say I've been a fan of Davis Cup really and I come from Spain, go figure :)
But I think now I look at it more from the perspective of playing as part of a team which I think players in general enjoy.

I think the doubles is probably Spain's weakest link and could give Argentina an opening but if both Nadal and Ferrer are healthy come December, it's hard to imagine they'll lose three matches on the red clay but I guess anything is possible.

Wilson75,

What is so unique about tennis that it can't support a union? Serious question. Its hard for me to rebut your statement without a complete picture of why. However I would say you may have assumed that my statement regarding the calender was to shorten it because I didn't clarify. I believe reasonable expectation of what should be demanded of each players has to be taken into consideration. (i.e. mandatory events)

Unions are not designed to only support certain members but all. If the lower rank player, whose numbers are larger the the top tier take what little power they have and unify it they will benefit as well. I was a unionized worker and that union leveraged their worth to the max. We always came to the table winning. The players can do the same. Not that I'm proposing they form just to strike, but they need leverage and right know they don't.

X-fan, he he. A tennis fan from Spain....DC was just a matter of time. :)

Good point on the team concept. That must be fun for athletes so used to the one-on-one competition.

Because of the disparity in earnings, ranking points and access to tournaments it is impossible to get all the players on the same page. It may be better for the top ranked players to have their own union and the lower ranked to seek their own interests.

Eri: If Rafa and crew do decide to strike, at least the lower ranked players will get an opportunity to earn more money and ranking points.

No individual makes any decision alone on this team; some have remarked that this shows a lack of leadership that led to the loss. So be it. I think it's kind of nice that in last year's final tie with France, it was this same kind of group decision to play Troicki in the deciding fifth rubber.

They all agreed that Novak had the best chance of keeping the tie alive. One might also surmise that by Sunday they thought they might be leading 2:1 instead of trailing 1:2 - and wouldn't involve Novak at all. This team will remain strong in Davis Cup for the next few years, and personally, I like their brand of unanimous teamwork.

As for "believing [his] own press", skip - which press would that be? He might, to his own detriment, be a people-pleaser, but his self-belief comes from within.

Nalbandian is not fat anymore ... He just can't ... By now he is on shape ...

I've just seen a dead horse come to life:) Yee-ha, it's presser-gate all over again.....

If players could band together and get more power there could be benefits from that to low-ranked players too. If players get a bigger share of the revenues they will have more to give for pensions and other sorts of security which could help those who are struggling more.
JMac brought up this idea at USO. Feel free to rip it apart but just a thought.

Andrew, may I ask you a serious question? Do you think that the reaction of the press ...‘Low rent’, ‘shabby’, ‘surly’ building to a crescendo in ‘he was sour, sarcastic, self-pitying, the portrait of an ungracious loser’, ‘legacy threatening’, ‘…it's statistically incontrovertible, but Roger Federer beat a long list of not-quiters, has-beens or youngsters in those finals. Look them up if you don't believe me. The only thing golden about Federer's era was the appalling No 15 he wore on his tracksuit after last year's smug Wimbledon triumph.’ ... was proportionate to the breach of etiquette?

And do you think the recent reaction to the presser after the US Open was proportionate?

Wilson75,

Ahh, that is what I was thinking you meant in regard to the player rankings. Are you suggesting 2 seperate unions? How about one union, 2 set of rules based on ranking points? This is how it worked when I was apart of two unions. In one I belonged to it was broken down between salaried and hour. And the other ranked and un-ranked.

Can't believe I'm talking tennis politics! LOL... I just can't wait to the beginning of the year. For me its the most enjoyable part of the game for me as a fan. For the most part everyone in healthy and lately how the season will shape out is the big unknown. Love the suspense. This time of the year everyone is worn out and injured. Right now its about as exciting as the cloudy skies that are gracing my window at this moment.

Djokovic was under enormous pressure to perform for his country. People simply wouldn't understand his hiatus, given the performance he gave at the USO. For Serbia to move forward, it was an imperative for Troicki to win, and he failed. Not to blame him for the final result, Argentina played with a mission and fully deserved to advance.

"JMac brought up this idea at USO."

CWATC: Unfortunately nobody on the ESPN panel asked him why they were unable to do more for the players during his time. I'm guessing it was because the top players were only concerned about their welfare and not the lower ranked players.

wilson75, that certainly wasn't the impression I got from JMac's comments, more that the players got the best deal they could get at that time. but expert in all this stuff I am not.

Davis Cup weekends are fun, with lots of drama, though matches can vary from one sided blow-outs to five set dog-fights and quality of tennis can vary, still it's great to see so many players put in their best efforts.
And thumbs-up for the free live streams, dodgy though some may be :)

Regarding Serbian team, so they made a wrong decision, but they have made many right ones over the past few years, they are all obviously very close.
And yes, Novak could have said no, but there was the pressure to get a win, if he could, for the team and also not to disappoint people who had come to see him play. I suppose there is still the kid in him, in part wants to please and in part brash enough to believe it's all possible.
And as well as DelPo played, Novak still could have taken the first set, he only needed to be little better to make a match of it. But yeah, not being able to finish the match and potentially aggravating an injury, not a great decision.

Bodo, you had another stupid comment: And the big question right after the Serbia vs. Argentina Davis Cup semifinal ended yesterday is, "Will it all end right there where it began nine months earlier?"
In Serbia, we have a saying: an old woman always dreams about something she wants.

Why shouldn't he have had number 15 on his jacket? Any good reason?

I have to wonder if the nature of tennis has changed to such an extent that the schedule really does need rethinking. These guys and (and to a lesser extent the women) play the game in a way that is much harder on their bodies. I think we need a tennis season, like we have basketball, baseball and soccer seasons, and give the players a much longer off season. I think it is time but an adjustment needs to be made in the pay scale so that the working class of players can make a living playing less often.

IMO, Djokovic was in a no win sitruation.

If he hadn't played, citing his injury, he would be criticized.
Now that he did play, with his injury and lost, he is being criticized.

I think what Nole can take away from this is, that he needs to say no when he is hurting.

I do think his desire to please everyone may be what caused the trouble.

I am always surprised by how easily Nole falls into the trap of people pleaser and media pleaser, then I remind myself, he is only 24.
Given time, he will learn hopefully.

There's absolutely no reason that a players' union couldn't be designed to benefit and protect ALL players, regardless of rank. There are MANY models for unions, not just the simplistic model wherein all principles apply the same to all members.

nam, narrgh is not harsh that scallywag Pete is being, but dead-eye accurate.

"In an astonishing show of either superiority or hubris, the Serbs decided that even at "50 or 60" per cent effectiveness, Djokovic had a better chance of beating Delpo than did Troicki. Maybe Serb captain Bogdan Obradovic and his crew were just throwing numbers around loosely, but if I were Troicki I would have been more than a little bummed out by that analysis."

Exactly what I was thinking/saying all day yesterday. There is a lot of season left and Novak made the wrong decision based on his arrogance and the pressure from the team/country. I hope they're happy now and as much as I have always disliked Novak (from day one; nothing new)I still hope he hasn't caused worse injury. But then, maybe he will think more clearly next time if he has.....

Nam1,

Haven't we seen this time and again with Rafa. The pressures of number one is immense. Rafa and Nole play very physically demanding brand of tennis. I'm not surprised his body cried 'uncle'.

That is why I question his ability to maintain this level through 2012. Its not a dig at his game or his ability but the heart may be willing but the body sometimes isn't. I think we will see a more balanced 2012 in regards to the slams and the Masters.

What Roger achieved was only possible because of his style of play and some would argue the competition, which I will not speak on because up until Rafa's emergence I wasn't watching closely.

Nalbandian could play in doubles and the last single avoiding Nadal the first day, I think it will be the best decision.

My main issue is that that I'm only hearing about the top players' grievances but not the low ranked players.

"If he hadn't played, citing his injury, he would be criticized."

Nam1, as I wrote on the other thread, I cannot believe that if he had announced that he had a torn muscle he would be criticized for not playing.

I'm confused as to whether he had the MRI before or after his match, but he really should have had it before, there was certainly time.

That said, I believe he thought he had a better chance than anyone else to win. That's fair enough, if foolhardy.

Djokovic was either stupid or has such an enormous ego to have decited to play knowing his injury and pain. He must of been taking a whole lot of pills at the USO to keep playing the way he did and here at Davis cup. Or are his tactics just are getting bigger and better now. Which is it? It looked to me that he went down in a lot of pain and to say now that it is not serious can't be true. I would like to know which is true. He has also quit in the past when he was losing.

I like this link on the tennis.com home page. Are the two related somehow? :)

"Djokovic: Back injury not serious; may marry soon?"

To clarify, I mean not criticized by the fair-minded Serbian public, not by internet snarks who will criticize anything.

Wilson75,

Amir Weintraub posted on a popular tennis forum more or less a journal about the plight of lower ranked players. It was very insightful. It was well received by the members of said forum who tend to act like 15yr juveniles who lack parental supervision.

The main issue he had was of course funding, the ability to get into main draws, travel difficulties and the hardship of trying to defend what little points they have.

I wish more of players who are struggling through the challengers would let us in on the realities of the game the higher ranked players no longer face if they ever did.

I saw the title "Cult Of Personality," read the piece and
nowhere is Fabio Fognini, Radek Stepanek or Marion Bartoli
mentioned. What gives?

Sherlock,
I had typed a reply but I'd leave it to Bored Poet, Lump or whatever moniker he is using right now. :))

wilson, I think that unfortunately the low-ranked players don't have the same access to the press that the top players have. And as you said earlier, they don't have the same grievances. Actually I don't know if they have grievances at all. Essentially they are very young men making a good living for their age and travelling the world with a bit of glamour. I wonder if any of them think of it as anything other than something to do when they're young and have no responsibilities.

Lol, x-fan. Should we alert the moderators in advance? :)

" Actually I don't know if they have grievances at all. Essentially they are very young men making a good living for their age and travelling the world with a bit of glamour."

Caroline: A player ranked 200 doesn't live this lifestyle. Eri just posted @ 2.40 pm an example of how a low ranked player navigates the tour.

Djoko and his team took a risk, and it wasn't to be in the end. Davis cup is a team sport, and even though any team will struggle without their best player by a mile, people like Troicki just don't have it. Trociki's record against top ten players is awful if I'm not mistaken, I really don't rate hims as a top player at all. I still think that the 60% djoko better chance comment w harsh though. Fed would have been slated if he had said that about Wawrinka.

In terms of his injury it was only natural that it ws gonna happen sooner or later. Right now I don't think its much, but we'll need to see how next year pans out. However, people always said that Nadal's style of play would cath up with him, and in 2009 it did. Surely if Djoko keeps playing on hard coursts so much then he will get hit t some point badly.

Eri, my post looks as if I'm saying the opposite to you, but I'm probably not because I didn't mean players who for example might need to qualify for the bigger M1000s, though the 118th ranked player Rui Machado has made over $200,000 in prize money this year. That is quite a lot of money when taken with per diems, etc.

wilson, I think your post and mine crossed. Unfortunately, I have to go now. The whole issue is really interesting and I think very difficult to resolve for the players, the ATP and the ITF.

Caroline,

The only player that I can think of who probably feel that way is Gulbis. His family has the money to sustain him even as he slips and slides through the tour. Maybe you were referring the players ranked in the top 100 who are making six figures annually?

For the most part these Journeymen/women are struggling. They are playing for the love of the game. Its not all glamorous. As I stated above to Wilson75, Amir has posted a journal about the life of a lower ranked player.

I don't think forfeiting most of your prize money just to get to the next tournament and sleeping on the floor of another players hotel room is glamorous at all.

Again, it would be interesting if a lower ranked player would be willing to invite us into their world with a regularly updated blog. He/she would gain tons of fans and that support could go a long way. Some are just in need of funding to get proper coaching and training that could possibly propel them to the next level.

Caroline,

LOL, post are crossing left and right. I see we are on the same page. Sometimes its so hard to manage a conversation in the typepad format. I wish they had an instant update structure but I understand why not. It couldn't be monitored and it would be nightmare when the fan bases clash.

Eri, yes you guessed what I meant from my rather badly worded post:)

By the way, Stan has announced on his website that he and Peter Lundgren won't be working together any more.

Eri, this getting ridiculous with crossing posts:))

See everyone later.

Djokovic may end up winning more matches than anyone in the history of the universe, but in my opinion he will never be a true champion.

I'm a Rafa fan, but I think the criticisms that Nole retired because he knew he was going to lose a little incredible. I think he was clearly in pain, and back injuries, according to my brother, aren't much fun. Should he have played? No, probably not. But I hope he recovers quickly, and takes care of himself.

The lower ranked players do not play the 1000 events, or whatever they're calling it now. So a reduction in the calendar will not affect them. They will continue to play challenger events and try to qualify for the slams, if their ranking is high enough.

There's a BBC article where Murray dosen't rule out a strike to get the demands accepted. The Shanghai meeting will bring something i guess.

I do think the schedule is a bit long...but there are numerous breaks in between. There are six weeks after AO until the next mandatory tourney. There are four weeks after Wimbledon. Four weeks after USO till the next mandatory tournament.

The problem is that there are other commitments like DC etc. Some restructuring is definitely needed to accomodate that. Also, there is one MS too many in the whole year. They can go the MC way...give 1000 points, but don't make it mandatory. Players who need the points will play anyway.

I don't think all players will join the top players for a strike. Its a knockout competition and the top players go deep and win, but lower ranked players don't play 5 matches in a week every time there is a tournament. They need more match play, more tournaments to participate in than the top 10.

I think what is needed is just a bit of restructuring the rules for the top 10. Not all the 200 players who have a hard time earning their way on the tour.

Someone just quoted Pete's piece from ESPN.com where he says some very nice things about Rafa. I haven't read the whole article yet but just wanted to alert folks.

I agree that Nole was in a no win situation. When he sat out Friday's matches I was grumbling to myself that he was acting like a prima donna. (I did not know he was carrying an injury at that point). Then he decides to play on Sunday and retires in agony. But imagine what he must have being feeling: They are the defending DC champs. He is number one in the world. He has to TRY, no? - very difficult situation for him. I wouldn't be surprised if he skips the whole Asian swing citing injury. Frankly, I wish Rafa could do the same.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to see any of the Aus/Swi tie but by all accounts it sounds like a thriller. Congrats to Roger and Stan for such a great effort.

Question for any DC experts out there: Canada, Japan and Switzerland are now in the World group? So which countries have been demoted?

Sherlock - lol!! I saw that interesting juxtaposition, (so to speak), as well. As I wrote a couple of days ago, if that young lady is half as nice and smart as she is lovely, Novak would be a fool not to take the plunge. (But be careful about kids or his testosterone will plunge too!! Just ask Fed!)

Andrew - you're kidding? YOU, of all people bring up Sore Leg/Loser Gate???!! WHY??? For Pete's sake, the whole discussion was around whether Novak should or should not have played given his injury...not, with a few highly borderline and or funny posts exceptions...whether he was right or wrong to talk about the injury. When you fall on the court screaming in pain, it is kinda hard not to, no? Honestly, sometimes I think that is what you want to happen to Fed just so he justifies YOUR version of tennis etiquette! Pffft! AND FEH!!!!

Also, its not easy being Stan -

http://www.tennis.com/articles/templates/news.aspx?articleid=14451&zoneid=25

Annie: Initial word is that Djokovic may be out 4 weeks so I think is safe to say that he will miss the Asian swing.

re. DC the teams which have been demoted are those that lost over the weekend- Belgium, Chile, Israel, India, Australia, Romania, South Africa.

Rafa plays a very physically demanding brand of tennis and Djoker has tore up his body in the hard matches he was forced to play againt Nadal to win what he did. I'm not surprised his body cried 'uncle' or is it "uncle toni". Just goes to show you what is needed to beat a Great Champion like Nadal!!!!!!

OT: Looks like Rafa is parting with Tony?

http://goo.gl/G5lje

Emma - where did you read that Rafa criticized Novak? doesn't sound like him.

One point that Fed has raised in the past w/ regard to the calendar, aside from injury/burnout considerations, is that without a longer off-season it's extremely difficult for top players to make serious adjustments / improvements in their games.

It's at least arguable that if the players had a full two months off between seasons they could spend at least one entire month really practicing and perhaps we'd see an overall higher level of play.

That's assuming they don't fritter away that time w/ silly exo's of course.

This is actually a well-written and fair article. If I'm Nole, I'll probably rest and not play a single tournament until I'm healed completely. Not just 90%, but 100%. However, he might be tempted to continue his stellar season, but that would be stupid I think, because injuries can come up with a vengeance if you don't take care of it properly.

Annie: demotions for Israel, Australia, and India.

I didn't see what the big deal was about not playing Friday, though. Even without any injury he played the USO final Monday, made the media rounds on Tuesday, maybe got back to Belgrade Wednesday morning, where the rest of the team had already been practicing....

Mrgastix: there have been a couple of articles recently hinting at this. The first was by a Nigel Clarke and I have no idea who that is. I think it's people taking some quotes and taking a stab there might be something to it. Time will tell. Now that Rafa is being more vocal and standing up to toni both privately and in public, I don't know if Toni will be able to handle that shift.

wilson, thanks for the DC info. So the 8 teams in the World Group are now, Spain, Argentina, France, US, Canada, Switzerland, Japan and Russia?

Good Morning Everyone,

Well after Nam 1 posted that video of Nole on the floor rolling in pain

I hope he dosent come back to the tour until he is 100% fully fit.

Novak and his team have to look at the "big picture".

Annie, just because Serbia lost in the semifinals, it doesn't knock them out of the world group. I'm certain Croatia's win over South Africa promotes them back up to the WG, too.

Wow. So much nonsense in this post and on this thread, it's astonishing.

Djokovic simply had to play. It's was nobody's "decision". It was something that simply had to happen. If he could get out of bed, he had to play. If he could walk he had to play. If he could lift a spoon, he had to pick up the racquet. I'm amazed it's even being discussed.

As for the things which are optional, and a matter of decision: Djokovic should absolutely skip Beijing, and should play Shanghai only if he is really 100% ready.

In regards to Australia getting back into the world group?

Well its going to be a long road

AA I also agreed with your post I too was surprised that Paul Hanley a top dubs players wasnt asked to represent Australia in this tie.Though our Aussie team played well.

Annie: There actually 16 teams in the World Group. In addition to those you mentioned the World Group memebers are US, Germany, Kazakhstan, Austria, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Italy, Croatia.

Speaking of injuries and exhaustion, Rafa posted on his facebook a picture of him receiving treatment in an 'air bubble'. It gave me flashbacks of the movie "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble."

Completely OT - but this is a sensational side show... well, sensational for those who get the view from the safety of way up -

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/erupting-volcanoes-1316210022-slideshow/volcano-photo-1316209658.html

I see the rumours of Rafa and Uncle Toni have surfaced again?

Well I would be 100% shocked if there was a parting of the ways.

First the language barrier.

When I was in Europe I got a great chance to watch Rafa and Toni together up close.Though I have seen them in practice before.Rafa has a lot of input in his practice sessions like most players.

Eri

lol! I saw those and thought the same

When are you moving by the way?

Rafa parting with Toni...

umm, how do you fire your uncle? Toni is not paid by Rafa so how could he fire him?

I don't believe a word in those articles.

It sounds like he was probably answering to a question about talking back to Toni when Toni was rather strict with him as a child.

Listening to Pat Rafter and his thoughts on Tomic after the DC tie

Pat said Tomic has to have more consistant results on the tour and he has to be prepared to work hard.Pat spent time with Bernards team at Wimby and the USO.

OOPS, I left out half the world group. my bad. Wilson listed the rest but I had already said US and he left out Serbia.

CL, I think Andrew only dropped in to see if he could still make you and me blow a gasket even after all this time. He's teasing us:)))

Jelena, be careful of tennis players with bad backs - remember what Roger did to Mirka even though he had a bad back .......Given that it's superhuman Nole she'll probably end up with quintuplets.