First

Wonder if Becker would have been so blase if he'd caught the 155 mph'er I saw MR hit in San Jose last week (a fault, but nonetheless...)

Where is everyone? Watching the WTA final in Memphis and it is pretty good. Both girls hitting the ball well and moving the other player around the court. Hard to predict the winner at this stage.

Congrats to Aggi for her win in Dubai, watched a few games but went to bed. Happy that Melzer is in the final at Memphis as well.

Okay off to watch Ferru and Nico, but I need to find a livestream.

Sunday Order of Play

ATP: Marseille at 9:15 AM - Juan Martin Del Potro vs Michael Llodra
ATP: Buenos Aires at 2 PM - David Ferrer vs Nicolas Almagro
ATP: Memphis at 4 PM - Jurgen Melzer vs Milos Raonic
WTA: Monterrey at 5 PM - Arn or Cadantu vs Timea Babos

Bring back MJ vs. Dominique.

Griffin would be a good substitute.

Sunday Order of Play

ATP: Marseille at 9:15 AM - Juan Martin Del Potro vs Michael Llodra
ATP: Buenos Aires at 2 PM - David Ferrer vs Nicolas Almagro
ATP: Memphis at 4 PM - Jurgen Melzer vs Milos Raonic
WTA: Monterrey at 6 PM - Alexandra Cadantu vs Timea Babos

Dunno why the NBA dumbass honchos keep holding the ASG on the same nite as the Oscars. Haven't they got the memo that they're competing against the 2nd-highest rated show in the business?

This is what makes Milos so dangerous:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUaMzsNKR7Q

And this, 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLOUsXu-wwI

Hi everyone

I attended the semis at Copa Claro in Bs As today. Unfortunately my favorites for the day were on the losing side. Stan vs Nico was a very good match, funny because they have almost an identical brand of tennis and only a couple of points set them apart. Nalbi Ferrer was a mismatch, Nalbi made too many unforced errors and David was his usual self, he is number 5 of the world for a reason and Nalbi is no longer a top ten and you can see the difference between both. Nalbi is in great physical shape and has an excellent technique but he still has to get used to playing against top players like Ferrer. Beating a Simon or Berloq as he did these past weeks is not the same as beating David. For sure after this match Nalbi knows that he needs to reach some milestones before challenging the top 5.

Notwithstanding the above, I have to say that in the second set Nalbi improved his level but a rain delay in an inappropriate moment did not help his cause neither.

Hahahah NP,that was a bomb serve,hey have you enjoyyed the all star tonight?I tape it,will probably watch in later on when I get a minute!

Thanks Bobby for making us picture what's up in Memphis,good job!

Just got back from the movies and

Denzel Washington?"Sensationellement votre!"

His name is Frosty and he bites as much as frost bites in Winter,haha and the calm within which he operates,never shaken is amazing...

Everything that's been said about SAFE HOUSE is such and more,simply fabulous...

Now if you're a softie like me and can not sustained violence,horrendous killings and bang bang scenery go with a strong Human Teddy Bear you could cling on to and enjoy the movie,I did watch though very bravely,yeah!

I think that tomorrow when I watch the Awards I could may be comprehend a little bit why this one takes home this or that oscar,still haven't watch a bunch but the ones I was most curious about I did manage to see..

Go Milos!!

Has anyone looked at the men's draw for Dubai yet?

I know I will be accused of "hate" and "bias" by the Djokovic KADs, but I think it is quite appalling that Marko Djokovic, Novak's younger brother, got a wildcard into the tournament. Marko is ranked No.867, and has only ever won one (!) match at the Challenger level.

The player who was originally supposed to get the wildcard, and who now got snubbed, is Malek Jaziri from Tunisia, the Arab No. 1 player. He is currently ranked No. 104, some 700 places ahead of Marko Djokovic. He has won a Challenger tournament and a bunch of Futures. Now, he is denied a wildcard at the most important tournament of his home region.

It's clear where the tournaments priorities are - doing favours to the family of the world No. 1 instead of supporting players who really deserve it. I think it's extremely disappointing.

I have nothing but respect for Novak Djokovic's awesome tennis, but his brother should have to earn his way into tournaments like everyone else, instead of getting favours from the powers-that-be.

**yeh theres no way djokovics brother should be playing unless about 800 players ranked above him arnt available...maybe novak told the dubai organisers if his brother dosnt get a wildcard then the world no1 wont turn up.

And he gets a qualifer in his first round. How's that for helping the kid out?

quiet. I have a hangover.

Scary picture of the Raonic snout. If he advances in the rankings the photographers need to work on getting more favorable camera angles.

Speaking of Marko Djokovic, isn't a wildcard meant to be just that? The tournament is given the freedom to grant it to whom they choose. Marko may get bounced with a bagel and a bread stick, that's fine.

I hear youngest brother Djordje is pretty good. Maybe he gets to play next year.

@ nehmeth: "Speaking of Marko Djokovic, isn't a wildcard meant to be just that? The tournament is given the freedom to grant it to whom they choose."

Normally, wildcards are given to players from the home nation / region of the tournament, or to players who deserve them in light of good recent performances. Neither is the case with Marko Djokovic. If he weren't Novak's little brother and didn't have that political weight behind him, there is no way he would get a wildcard to Dubai - an ATP 500 tournament, no less! - with his kind of record.

The whole affair just smacks of nepotism, and that is not good for tennis.

If the younger Djokovic brothers play great tennis and earn their way into pro tournaments, I will be the first to applaud and welcome them. But they should have to earn their way in like everybody else, not get a free ride because of their family connections.

Good morning all

May I say that I'm glad that Ferru and Nico are playing the finals in Buenos Aires? yeah, I'm very glad and hope they make a good match

I agree with Mister L, there are a bunch of players better than Nole's brother but who knows how they could get it, maybe the "name" can bring more crowd? I don't know

Also I agree with NP (maybe for the first time? lol) how NBA can organize that event on the same nite as the Oscars? very silly

"Speaking of Marko Djokovic, isn't a wildcard meant to be just that? The tournament is given the freedom to grant it to whom they choose. Marko may get bounced with a bagel and a bread stick, that's fine."

Djokovic Minor has been given WCs to five Challenger tournaments, and failed in the first round at each.

He *once* managed to qualify for a Challenger and then actually won a match in the main draw.

The highest ranked player he has ever beaten was 405.

I think the decision to award a WC to the talentless younger brother of the world number one tells you a lot about Dubai as a place. The country is run by patronage from top to bottom. I for one am pleased to live in a democracy, where sucking up is less de rigeur.

By contrast, Albano Olivetti - who just has a ranking 300 places higher than Jokevic - just won two rounds at Marseille (having qualified), one against a top 100 player and one against a top 10 player. His reward for this was a WC into the Cherbourg challenger (unfortunately injury will prevent from taking it up)

All the qualifiers for Dubai are top 200, so I hope that despite being dealt a qualifier in round one (no doubt from the bottom of the pack) M.Djokovic still gets the thrashing he deserves.

If I was in his shoes, I would be utterly embarrassed by the favouritism shown him. I trust that the tennis community will give him the ridiculing that he deserves.

Oh for pity's sake, don't try and defend the dumb decision. Its favouritism full stop.

The two-for-one sales approach, Cotton Jack?

Good afternoon,
Delpo-Llodra on my screen. Just in time.

Great win by Almagro. Over David never in doubt. Nalby isn't in top form. He had a good tournament anyway.

And Melzer in a Final. Yay. Take care with Milos'serves, Jurgen.

Igor Sijsling in the Final of Wolfsburg. A break down already 2-3.

morning all,

even though I may not be able to watch the whole match,have to take the kids to Qu'ran school soon...

care to share any links pretty please?

Hey Aube,
I found the best kind of stream for you. No commentators. Enjoy.
http://lsh.lshunter.tv/static/popups/83717342276330.html

I won't fight a captcha every time.

Thanks zenggi,I sure will

And this time I will hear the ball spanked as says CL...thanks!

Hi people!! Anyone think Llodra can get a set?
I don't really think so. Although i'm sure stranger things have happened.
JMDP would hav to be having a bad night & ML a very good one.

Still can be a competitive straight setter tho!

it looks like llodra's on fire this tournament.

at 4-all on serve, I don't see any reason this far that Llodra can't get a set.

I also laughed when I saw that Marko Đ had gotten a wildcard for Dubai, but I assume he'll lose early. I did see him play doubles once; he and his partner surprisingly beat Zimo/Nestor. On clay in Belgrade.

Carol, if you're still here, and all other Rafa fans who might be interested, Rafa will be on TVE's Los Desayunos tomorrow morning (9-10.15 CET). It was recorded today. Ana Pastor who did the interview tweeted that what a joy it was to interview someone who understands the work of the reporters, who accepts difficult questions and doesn't try to shy away from them, who is straightforward and answers.

http://www.imagebam.com/image/f41136176857262

I expect this interview will be kinder for my poor head than the 2 and a half hour extravaganza on the Balearic Islands tv this week... very little of that was in Spanish and my brain was hurting from the effort of trying to understand all the rest, lol.

Hi jodiecate,Llodra has just been broken so may be he's not going to get the first set but he can still pursue the second,no?
UnfortunatelyI'm heading out and probably want be back till it's over

hey manixdk,did you do the hair of the dog,how's the hangover?lol!

Thanks Milos for putting Canadian tennis on the map...

As for the few who have commented on Novak's brother getting a wild card: relax folks; Martina Navratilova's wild card at the French a few years back was strongly criticized by many who felt the criteria should have favored a french national or a promising junior(imagine that) ...If the organizers want to "recognize" Nole's support for the tourney over the years...why not? The whole wild card process is all about favoritism anyway...On the plus side, the kid's first round match might draw more people in the stands than an unknown Tunisian #1 anyway...How far again is Tunisia from Dubai? All together now: wild cards are by definition unfair; we can't pick and choose when that "unfairness" is ok or not. even the criteria of who enters the qualifications is seldom based on ranking points in its entirety...

That he draws a qualifier in the first round; that, gets me a little perplexed, though Federer's US open draws a few years back are more likely to have me scratch my head, but...

In the end, is Prince William more deserving of the throne than Prince Harry???????????

Maybe it's a combination of Djokovic being the 2-time Dubai champ, and the fact that the younger brothers have gotten less parental attention as the whole family has made sacrifices for the eldest's career.

If Marko receives a WC to his Serbian family-owned tournament, I would just smile wryly, maybe shake my head a little. But this WC to Dubai makes me hold my nose -- tightly; the action stinks to high heaven.

@ tina: Actually, Novak has won Dubai not two, but three times. Since when are you selling your boy short? :-)

@ Nica JB: Yes, wildcards per definition involve a degree of favouritism, but this affair takes it to new levels. A player who has achieved absolutely nothing on the Futures and Challengers tour getting a wildcard into an ATP 500 tournament based on family connections is just ridiculous.

Marko Djokovic's first round opponent will be Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan, currently ranked 133, so he seems to have a good thrashing coming.

I knew three times, Mister L - but this year he's the 2-time defending champ, going for a potential 3-peat.

Easy peasy for Juan Martín. 6-4, 6-4. Congratulations! Commisserations to Michael Llodra.

Well, from the event point of view, Nadal hasn't played in Dubai for years, Federer missed it in 2009 & 2010, Murray hasn't been a regular here either, last time he showed up, he made a half-hearted attempt and lost in round 2 or 3.
Novak on the other hand has always shown up here with best attitude, done whatever promotion they asked him off-court and done his best On-court. So, yes obvious favouritism and perhaps their way of thanking Novak for his support, but giving wild card is anyway as per organisers/ TD discretion, so don't care all that much.

Even if Marko doesn't get thrashed in his first match, he'd have to meet the winner of Del Potro/Dolgopolov in the subsequent match.

Surely, if Federer had a tennis-playing sibling, they'd do the same.

@ tina: "Surely, if Federer had a tennis-playing sibling, they'd do the same."

And in that case, I would criticise it just the same.

It doesn't matter who is doing it. The point is that it sends a bad signal for the sport of tennis: "Family connections are more important than performance on the court." It's a slap in the face for other young players who are more deserving in light of performance but don't have the connections.

Tina I watched Marko Đ. in Serbian open singles vs an Italian guy, can't remember his name, never won a title 150 in the world, 33 or something... and Marko ALMOST won. He had 4 match points 5-4 in the second, lost the tiebreak and then 6-0 third. He was copying Nole on everything, clothes, drop shots...

Nick Bollitieri coaches youngest bro Đorđe in the academy and recently said that he was mad at Đole because he was trying too much to be like Novak. Nick said some things very very harsh. I'll try to find an interview, it was couple of days in the press

Thanks Tuulia, hope to be able to see that interview, it has to be interesting and I'm sure you can understand it

I can't wait to see the Oscars even that I will be watching two events on the same time:-)
we'll see at the end who actor and movie get the big Award

Wildcard supposedly give to a.) a well known or top player where his/her ranking plummented due to injuries (i.e. Venus Williams in Key Biscayne this year)
b.) a player away from the game for various reasons (i.e Kim Clijsters at 2009 USO)c.) a local promising players d.) a player having a good run of late yet his/her ranking ain't enough to qualify for the main draw (i.e Sabine Lisicki at 2011 Wimbledon)

None of these suits Marko to give him wildcard. So the logical reason for this is, his connection to Novak. I respect Novak a lot though his not my fave but a little common sense would help for the organizers.

Mister L - complain to the Dubai organizers? Given the existence of outrageous appearance fees, why not sell more tickets to curiosity-seekers, people potentially hoping to see Marko get thrashed?

Family connections can never help a player win. Emilio and Javier Sanchez didn't benefit from their little sister.

At this point, I'm hoping he does win that first-round match, it would be hilarious.

Here are Nick's words:
“The worst thing in the world for Djordje is to spend the whole time trying to copy his brother – I’ve told him: ‘don’t do that s—’. There’s no point doing that. No two individuals are the same,” Bollettieri told thetennisspace.com, but his words are unlikely to stop the comparisons.

He actually thinks little Đole has a nice career ahead of him but is struggling now:
“What Djordje has to do now is go out and play a lot of matches, get some exposure, and get tough. He’s 16, but he can’t think that he’s a young boy anymore, he has to grow and he has to grow up – if he wants to become a good player, he needs to become a man. He’s not finding that easy, he’s finding that a bit of a struggle. He is growing very quickly and it’s important that he keeps getting bigger and stronger, as he could be one heck of a player.”

Agree with Tina, the boy is not his fault the organizers are well organizers... only pleasing the stars who give them publicity and money. It is their fault for not giving a WC to the promising youngster from their own region.

Pony, you sexy beast...first indoor title of your career, #9 in the rankings, #5 in the race, and a great straight-sets win over Llodra in the final! Now work on your "challenge" behavior, it's pathetic to see you look at your coach like a lost little girl looking for her Daddy before you challenge...and pull out of Dubai, for Pete's sake! It's enough tennis already!!

On a different note..
http://gulfnews.com/gntv/sport/burj-al-arab-welcomes-federer-and-djokovic-1.986592

"So the logical reason for this is, his connection to Novak. I respect Novak a lot though his not my fave but a little common sense would help for the organizers."

------------

No, masharaf, the logical reason for this is to sell tickets - the goal of any and every tournament.

Big big congratulations to Juan Martin Del Potro. Vamos big guy keep it going, the tennis at the very top is been missing you a lot.

Sorry for LLodra as he is a great guy and a wonderful player, a pity could not be a title but final is a good result for him

jita65 - thanks for the video. Damn that Dubai looks like closest thing to paradise, it is beautiful

Also nice words from both Nole and Fed about each other. It is like a passing of a torch, Agassi and Fed in 2005 and now Fed and Novak.

I always thought of Novak like a long term successor of Fed at the top of the game, not Nadal or Murray. (Nadal is no matter the age almost like in Fed's generation in my mind). Nice moment

yes, tina because of the fans' curiosity of how HIS little brother play.

At the practice courts in Serbia people are gathering to look at Marko and Đorđe. It is not easy on them either to have that kind of heavy pressure right away.

Hope Marko wins, who he plays?

I can't imagine anyone who pays even slightest attention to WCs handouts would still think "fairness" has anything to do with them. It's an inherently unfair system and while Marko receiving a WC is gonna come down as one of the most flagrant abuses of it, it's hardly uncharted territory (see Elke Clijsters, Jaslyn Hewitt, Torrey Gambill and, I'm sure, many more).

A bit surprised Marko went for it, though. Recently, there were some pretty strong hints at retirement from various members of family. Maybe, this'll be his one last attempt but, even then, he would've been much better off trying to win couple of matches at futures and challengers first. Just inviting ridicule on himself like this. Then again, what's new? ;)

So Golubev def. Jaziri 6-3 0-6 6-3 and will play younger Đoković tomorrow. Winnable match?

I know when I was leaving it was going to be Del Po's victory,indeed well deserved and camein handy,Del Po needed a "tremplin" to jump better,forward Del Manno,congrats to Anne me and your other friends too,lol!

Commiserations to you and your fans Llodra,better luck next time!

Hi to all,

Happy with Delpo's win nice that he dedicated the win to the victims of the train tragedy in buenos aires.

As to Dubai I guess that if he is fit he will travel he knew beforehand that he could be playing 3 weeks in a row. At least this final was not a long match. Of course that he will need to save energy for indian w and miami. But you need to take advantage of your confidence while it lasts ...

Congrats to Juan Martin, it's really good to see him working his way back to the top. At this rate he should be in the top 5 soon, but I'm sure Ferru will have something to say about that. Too bad, they are on opposite ends, I'd like to see a JMDP v Muzzah match...finals? (Not rooting for it this time though. He he)

If Dubai can come up with the world's only 7 star hotel, I guess they can give a WC to whoever they want:)

In my opinion Nole even his 2011 great year still he has to show if he can keep it longer.
All players know that they have to improve year by year like Nole has done , mentally and physically and that is exactly what they are doing. I think 1012 is gonna to be a very interesting year and a furious competition

Its very unlikely for Marko to beat Golubev. The ucranian was nº 30 or some two years ago, though he is now outside the top 100. However it would be fun for him to reach the second round so as to get absolutely destroyed and dismantled by Delpo, or the Dog, depending on Delpo´s fitness after so much tennis played on previous weeks.

Golubev - Marko Đ. on Center court first match 11h CET.
Novak Đ. plays Stebe around 16h CET.

Tomas - Golubev is Russian but now plays for Kazakhstan. But he is a good player, the toughest from qualifiers Marko could get. It will be tough to get a set, a win would be a miracle. But I would watch it for sure to see what Marko can bring to the table now

Mentally I think Marko should have taken the high road and tried to qualify. And if he had made it he would have felt better about himself. Isn't he only 16...too young to be out in this situation by his family.

Zeljana, thank you for correcting me. Now that I get confused with players from the former Soviet Union(Ucraine, Belarus, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and so on), and now that you mentioned it I recall when Argentina played host to Kazakhstan in Davis Cup in Quarters, I think it was last year, after they pulled the upset against the Czechs. And Golubev was the best player for them, but had to pull out shortly before the series due to injury, and we eventually crushed them.

I guess there's something not quite right about me, since the idea of nepotism/favoritism in giving wildcards doesn't make me fear for the future of the sport, or make me want to hold my nose.... I wouldn't be surprised if Chris Evert's sisters Clare and Jeanne, both tennis players, got wildcards along the way, and somehow tennis has survived about 40 years since then. The Austins all played tennis, too. But there's only one PMac, who wasn't a crap player, but still kinda owes his career to big Bro. If Marko Đ becomes a tennis commentator in Serbia, will anyone give a damn?

Such drama, when the guy will be out after one or two matches!

Considering the lifelong shadow both Marko and Đorđe have to live in, I don't see the harm in tossing one of them a bone, even if it's to keep Novak happy.

Jaziri should be given a wildcard for Serbia Open.

jita65 - thanks for the link of Fed and Novak on the top of the world...so to speak.

Did anyone watch this link on the same page?

http://gulfnews.com/gntv/news/sandstorm-hits-dubai-1.986462

Looks like the WTA got out of Dodge just in time. And I hope that nothing like this happens during the ATP tournament. Has a match ever been postponed on account of sand?

Everybody needs to leave poor Marko alone. It can't be easy to be in Djoker's shadow all the time, that is one BIG shadow. And I find him to be the most attractive of the Djoker brothers anyway ;) (The other one is still a bit young, in the "jailbait" stage, so I won't comment on him). For Marko's sake, I hope he at least makes the match against Golubev competitive tomorrow, or even pulls off the win. But then he will get demolished in the next round by either DelPo or Dolgopolov :(

And for all the people crying "nepotism"...have you ever searched for a job? The world is a very harsh and cruel place. Life is oftentimes more about "who you know" than about "what you know." Why would tennis WC's be any different? Running a tournament is, at the end of the day, a business, and a very successful one at that.

Mister L.

The idealist in me doesn't like it anymore than you do; however, Tina and I (and others) were merely trying to point out that this is much more standard practice than you imagine.

Yes, tennis is an athletic context but it is also a business. Novak's record there, promo work has helped put this tourney on the map and his brother is likely to draw fans to that first round match...so...

I've seen wild cards given to "un-ranked" players, aside from the last name involved, this is a non story...

Why do top seeds get "byes" whilst others don't...how fair is that?

How random are the draws, specifically in smaller more obscure tournaments?

Isn't your "outrage" a bit selective here? I'll leave it to you to answer that question.

Eeek ...new thread already. It never rains but it pours.

@ Nica JB: Two wrongs don't make a right, and "The others are doing it as well!" has always been a very poor excuse.

I realise full well that this is not the first abuse of the wildcard system, or the first case of nepotism in tennis. But that does not make it any better, does it? I also realise that business trumps sportsmanship, every time, all the time. But it is still sad.

No, I don't think it is going to destroy tennis, either. Tennis will be fine. But this affair still stinks.

I guess it shows once again that, if you want to watch "pure" sports, you might be better off watching amateur sports, where there are no corporations, sponsors and big paycheques involved.

The arguments I've just read in support of Marko Djokovic's wild card are universally pathetic.

Be ashamed of yourselves.

"Mentally I think Marko should have taken the high road and tried to qualify. And if he had made it he would have felt better about himself. Isn't he only 16...too young to be out in this situation by his family."
-------------------

No, Dallas, Marko is 20, Djordje is 16 and training with Bolletieri.

Man, it must be hard to live in the 21st Century world, dreaming of amateurism, whites-only tennis, grass courts and wooden racquets....

Watching camogie by the side of a road in County Galway is fun, or local high school lacrosse, but even things like that have sponsors.

@ tina: "Man, it must be hard to live in the 21st Century world, dreaming of amateurism, whites-only tennis, grass courts and wooden racquets...."

Thank you for your concern, but I am managing okay in the 21st century. :-) I like today's tennis well enough, even though I miss the finesse and variety of the old days, when it wasn't just a power game. But hey, I can always go back and watch the old matches on video...

Del Pony I most definetely agree with you on the theory of social distance when looking for a job,hey I'm from Africa where it's absolutely the un-doer of the system because over there they don't care to put people needed on the position offered,you certainly know by now what my point is,just ack at times!

hopefully in the case of sports no damage will be done as in tennis either you perform well or you sink:)

Besides I agree also on the truth that if he choses to make tennis his carreer it's going to be tough for him unless he surpasses his bro because yes, even if unwarranted,avoiding comparison with his bro will be a mighty tall task!

I'm not ashamed, I just thing it's much ado about nothing.

*think*

let's hear it for democracy, shame and the highest of horses.

can't believe the flustered knickers over that wildcard. almost as strange as marko even going for that WC (then again, nice week with his bro in dubai, i guess, can't blame him).

"Family connections can never help a player win. Emilio and Javier Sanchez didn't benefit from their little sister."

Emilio was an excellent player himself who didn't need any help to win. Emilio was ranked as high as 7th in the world and won 15 tournaments. He was the world's number 1 in doubles and won 50 titles and several majors. Javier wasn't as good but still won 4 singles and 26 doubles titles and ranked 9th. He was also the Junior US Open champion.

Contrast that with Marko Djokovic who, up to this point, has done absolutely nothing and certainly needs all the help in the world to win.

You might be better off not defending the un un-defendable.

Bismark: "let's hear it for democracy, shame and the highest of horses....can't believe the flustered knickers over that wildcard"

words remembered

Surprised with Novak here, actually: to waste a favour on such a lost cause that is Marko as a tennis player. What's the point? The competition in Dubai is too steep.

Maybe Novak just enjoys to throw his weight around.

I've posted this in so many places... People seem really outraged that Marko Djokovic got a WC for Dubai.

Let me remind people that WCs are there to be used by the tournament directors to make their events more profitable and enjoyable for the fans. They are not for "deserving" players. Qualies are there for the deserving players.

Last year Thomas Muster ( then ranked 1078) was given a WC to the Erste Bank Open in Vienna. Not only that, as luck has it, his first round opponent was another WC, Dominic Thiem, then ranked 1890. What are the odds of the 1078th ranked player facing a lower ranked opponent on an ATP 250 tournament? Another example is Chvojka getting a WC to a Masters 1000 MD, when he usually plays Futures. The reason the tournament directors did it was to make their events more attractive to the people in their countries. Nothing wrong with that.

The people in Dubai are very cosmopolitan and they want to see the #1 player in the world, rather than the many ;) promising tennis players from Dubai. What's wrong with the tournament director giving Marko a WC to make that happen? Is it much worse than giving it to O. Awhady, like they did last year? Marko will lose in the first round, like Awhady did last year. No harm done. The tournament wins.

The fact that Novak has the clout to get a WC for his brother may be what's bothering some people, but WCs going to "undeserving" players has always happened. They are discretionary, for tournament directors to award as they see fit.

So please spare me the selective outrage. A WC is not a big deal.

It is for Jaziri, to whom the WC had been apparently promised, and who had the opportunity to break into top 100 for the first time in his career by participating here.

Are you serious with this: "The people in Dubai are very cosmopolitan and they want to see the #1 player in the world, rather than the many ;) promising tennis players from Dubai." ??

Does this mean that Novak Djokovic threatened not to participate unless his brother gets WC? Why would he issue such a threat for such an unimportant thing (Marko is a bad player without future, he will lose quickly, WCs are no big deal)?

Why are people surprised by this? The Djokovic family is known for doing this sort of thing. That family is full of classless scumbags who will stoop to any means to get ahead. This is just more of the same.

And if Marko wants to make it in tennis he should have to earn it like everyone else. The WC awarded to him should have gone to a more deserving player. I really hope Golubev hands Marko his sorry a** tomorrow.

Hm...daresay it's not the first time wild cards have been used to hand out favours and daresay it won't be the last, but doesn't mean I have to like it much - no, I don't think this one instance will ruin tennis, but it does point up flaws in the WC system generally, and the way in which smaller tournaments court the top players, that don't reflect particularly well on the sport. And it really shows up the power structure too, something we mostly don't think about.

I could live with Marko getting a WC in itself (although given he's not a home player here and has done practically nothing in tennis, it would be a bit eyebrow-raising), if the way it was given was not unfair to the player who was promised one and did not get it at the last minute because a top player asked for and was granted a favour. That is just poor behaviour on the part of the tournament, and "they're being practical" or "business-like" is not an excuse.

And just for the record I thought Murray's last-minute WC for a tournament last year - eventually scotched by his buttock injury - was unfair to the player he would've replaced, too.

To suggest that not liking that WC decision is akin to wanting some sort of old-fashioned whites-only tennis is as laughable & ridiculous as suggesting that the WC reflects on Dubai society and lack of democracy generally, or that asking for a WC makes the Djokovics classless as a family.

Wildcards have their uses, allowing for the participation of players who are worthy, but their worth is not expressed by ranking.

1. Wildcards can be used to bring past champions etc back. As an ex-finalist Goran's WC in 2001 to Wimbledon brough pleasure to many people

2. Wildcards can be used to encourage youth, to give them an opportunity to let their talent be exposed to top-level play, as part of the learning process.

Marko Djokovic is outside the top 800, and 20 years old: this is not a promising player. He has already been given five wildcards to challengers, and failed in all five.

All discretionary powers are open to abuse, and giving this talentless player, who has proved himself to be incapable of benefitting from helping hands in the past, a Wildcard is an abuse of the system.

Let's be clear: Djokovic's little brother has not been given a wildcard to to help sell tickets to the first match on Monday. This is an ATP500 tournament with a relatively strong field, especially amongst the seeds.

Marko Djokovic's WC will have been part of the discussion's between Djokovic's management and the Dubai tournament, discussions which will have also been about Djokovic's attendance fee.

In essence, Djokovic has bought his brother a place at an ATP500 event.

If you are comfortable with that, you deserve scorn.

A few facts on the unfolding of this whole WC-for-Marko saga could be gleaned from these articles:
http://www.sport360.com/article/arab-no1-malek-jaziri-given-wild-card-snub-dubai-duty-free-tennis-championships
http://www.sport360.com/opinion/malek-jaziris-disgraceful-wildcard-snub-dubai-slap-face-arab-tennis
http://www.sport360.com/article/arab-no1-malek-jaziri-suffers-disappointing-loss-dubai-duty-free-tennis-championships

My problem really is with selective outrage.

People seem to be outraged by Marko getting a WC, but it doesn't seem to bother them that Sergei Bubka also got one, probably due to his being his father's son... WCs everywhere are used discretionary by tournament directors. For decades we have seen many WCs being awarded to talentless players with a sense of entitlement, probably due to their personal connections...

Why the sudden outrage? Spare me the double standards, please...

And don't worry, a WC will not change anything...If WCs really had any effect, the US and Australia would be tennis power houses. ;)

Yolita - there's no reason for you to know this but I have been very rude on the subject of widecards being given over enthusiastically to suspect British players at Nottingham / Queens / Wimbledon over the last few years, so there's no double standards from me, let alone "selective outrage".

Given that was impossible for you to know what I might have said on the subject of wildcards before, it was foolish of you to talk about the "double standards" that you felt the need to be spared.