Tennis League All Thread

[Juggy777]

Current tennis news:
''Australian Open organisers are still unsure if defending men's champion Novak Djokovic will play at next month's Grand Slam.''
"If Novak shows up, he'll be vaccinated or have a medical exemption," said tournament director Craig Tiley.''
''Tiley said "a small percentage" of unvaccinated players and staff would be granted medical exemptions. He said he was not aware of any players informing organisers they had an exemption.''
Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/59745818

It seems to me that everything is going according to the expected scenario that Djokovic will still perform in Australia based on a medical exception.  What do you think?

''Andy Murray has been given a wildcard for the main draw of the Australian Open in January.
The 34-year-old Briton missed the 2021 tournament after he was not allowed to travel to Melbourne following a positive test for coronavirus.
Tournament director Craig Tiley added: "Andy is renowned for his fighting spirit, passion and love of the game and I'm delighted to welcome him back to Melbourne in January."

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/59770652

I believe that many sincere tennis fans will welcome this decision and the opportunity to watch his performance in Australia once again.

@Daniel91 in short isn’t Novak getting special privilege?, and doesn’t that sent out a wrong message to other player’s, because they’ll use his example to avoid the vax and continue playing in upcoming tournaments. 

Furthermore I doubt that Andy will be able to do something special in this tournament, hence I’ll only watch him play for fun but won’t have any expectations for his victory.

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[Jating]

And it seems that Novak will get special treatment in this tournament. This is my personal opinion though, whether you like it or not. For once, I'm into the notion that Djokovic is still not taken any single jab, all is speculation that he has. But based on his belief and his anti-vaccine stance, for me he has not taken anything yet. And if he gets a pass here, then I would lost all respect to him and the organisers for allowing him to play.

[Yaunfitda]

[snip]

@Daniel91 in short isn’t Novak getting special privilege?, and doesn’t that sent out a wrong message to other player’s, because they’ll use his example to avoid the vax and continue playing in upcoming tournaments. 

Furthermore I doubt that Andy will be able to do something special in this tournament, hence I’ll only watch him play for fun but won’t have any expectations for his victory.

Yes, I don't think that Andy can move further in the Australian Open because of so many great players we have right now. Sure he can win some games, but I doubt that he can go even to the quarter finals next year.

But still fun to see him complete at his stage of his career, but obviously, he is no longer in his best years and not in his prime anymore and just competing because he really loves this sports so much.

[Joca97]

And it seems that Novak will get special treatment in this tournament. This is my personal opinion though, whether you like it or not. For once, I'm into the notion that Djokovic is still not taken any single jab, all is speculation that he has. But based on his belief and his anti-vaccine stance, for me he has not taken anything yet. And if he gets a pass here, then I would lost all respect to him and the organisers for allowing him to play.

Why would you lose? Its better for everyone that Novak Djokovic plays in this tournament. Who cares if he is vaccinated or not,it will make tennis much better on the tournament and much more intresting honestly. I dont really care if he is vacinated or not i want to see him play for few more years on as much as possible tournament before he retires.

[wildan88]

And it seems that Novak will get special treatment in this tournament. This is my personal opinion though, whether you like it or not. For once, I'm into the notion that Djokovic is still not taken any single jab, all is speculation that he has. But based on his belief and his anti-vaccine stance, for me he has not taken anything yet. And if he gets a pass here, then I would lost all respect to him and the organisers for allowing him to play.

Why would you lose? Its better for everyone that Novak Djokovic plays in this tournament. Who cares if he is vaccinated or not,it will make tennis much better on the tournament and much more intresting honestly. I dont really care if he is vacinated or not i want to see him play for few more years on as much as possible tournament before he retires.

The entire tennis world naturally wants Djokovic to participate. The numbers 2,3,4 may have a different opinion about it. If Djokovic does not participate, their chances of winning the tournament will increase significantly. What I find particularly horrifying is that top athletes such as Djokovic think they are above the rules and then just want to participate without vaccination, for example. That's what you get when you have too much power in sports. I still don't know whether Djokovic has been vaccinated or not. You often hear "I'm healthy so I don't need that vaccine". Until they do get Covid, then they will talk differently.

[Joca97]

And it seems that Novak will get special treatment in this tournament. This is my personal opinion though, whether you like it or not. For once, I'm into the notion that Djokovic is still not taken any single jab, all is speculation that he has. But based on his belief and his anti-vaccine stance, for me he has not taken anything yet. And if he gets a pass here, then I would lost all respect to him and the organisers for allowing him to play.

Why would you lose? Its better for everyone that Novak Djokovic plays in this tournament. Who cares if he is vaccinated or not,it will make tennis much better on the tournament and much more intresting honestly. I dont really care if he is vacinated or not i want to see him play for few more years on as much as possible tournament before he retires.

The entire tennis world naturally wants Djokovic to participate. The numbers 2,3,4 may have a different opinion about it. If Djokovic does not participate, their chances of winning the tournament will increase significantly. What I find particularly horrifying is that top athletes such as Djokovic think they are above the rules and then just want to participate without vaccination, for example. That's what you get when you have too much power in sports. I still don't know whether Djokovic has been vaccinated or not. You often hear "I'm healthy so I don't need that vaccine". Until they do get Covid, then they will talk differently.

Djokovic is different if you didnt see.He got infected in 2020 while he hosted a exibition tournament and just said that he was healthy so even when he got infected he talked the same.With him its all crystal clear,he might be above the rules now but i think they should let most of the players participate if they cant let all players play then they should move the grandslam to another country.

[babygun]

Why would you lose? Its better for everyone that Novak Djokovic plays in this tournament. Who cares if he is vaccinated or not,it will make tennis much better on the tournament and much more intresting honestly. I dont really care if he is vacinated or not i want to see him play for few more years on as much as possible tournament before he retires.

I don't agree; nobody is above the law so everybody needs to follow the rules. I think a tournament without Djokovic can even be more interesting as the field will be more open. If Djokovic doesn't want to take the shot, I am not sure if he will get a medical exemption as it needs to be granted by an independent panel of experts...

[Kemarit]

Why would you lose? Its better for everyone that Novak Djokovic plays in this tournament. Who cares if he is vaccinated or not,it will make tennis much better on the tournament and much more intresting honestly. I dont really care if he is vacinated or not i want to see him play for few more years on as much as possible tournament before he retires.

I don't agree; nobody is above the law so everybody needs to follow the rules. I think a tournament without Djokovic can even be more interesting as the field will be more open. If Djokovic doesn't want to take the shot, I am not sure if he will get a medical exemption as it needs to be granted by an independent panel of experts...

I seconded this opinion, @Joca97 - you mean it is ok to play regardless if people around you comply with the law of getting fully vaccinated? So Djokovic can go around that rule, not only with the Tennis Federation but it was mandated by the Victorian government to get a jab before you can enter the any tournament for that matter in Australia.

[TravelMug]

So it's really up to Djokovic to really get the jab in order to play and for sure tennis federation will simply not allow him to play. The ball is on Djokovic's court and he has the pressure and not the other way around.

So totally the federation is out of the picture here. And so be it, if he doesn't want to get the vaccine then let him missed this 1st grand slam of the year.

[aoluain]

Why would you lose? Its better for everyone that Novak Djokovic plays in this tournament. Who cares if he is vaccinated or not,it will make tennis much better on the tournament and much more intresting honestly. I dont really care if he is vacinated or not i want to see him play for few more years on as much as possible tournament before he retires.

I don't agree; nobody is above the law so everybody needs to follow the rules. I think a tournament without Djokovic can even be more interesting as the field will be more open. If Djokovic doesn't want to take the shot, I am not sure if he will get a medical exemption as it needs to be granted by an independent panel of experts...

I seconded this opinion, @Joca97 - you mean it is ok to play regardless if people around you comply with the law of getting fully vaccinated? So Djokovic can go around that rule, not only with the Tennis Federation but it was mandated by the Victorian government to get a jab before you can enter the any tournament for that matter in Australia.

and I third it!
TBH I have enough of the big three dominating tennis, I want to see new winners.
Djokovic not being at the AO is only one player less and there isnt "that much"
between the top 5 players anyway so the games should be just as exciting. Anyone
of the top 10 or 20 players are capable of generating pretty exciting games.

[Jating]

And it seems that Novak will get special treatment in this tournament. This is my personal opinion though, whether you like it or not. For once, I'm into the notion that Djokovic is still not taken any single jab, all is speculation that he has. But based on his belief and his anti-vaccine stance, for me he has not taken anything yet. And if he gets a pass here, then I would lost all respect to him and the organisers for allowing him to play.

Why would you lose? Its better for everyone that Novak Djokovic plays in this tournament. Who cares if he is vaccinated or not,it will make tennis much better on the tournament and much more intresting honestly. I dont really care if he is vacinated or not i want to see him play for few more years on as much as possible tournament before he retires.

For the sake of transparency, he should come out and tell everyone that the has taken the jab or not. Of course, who wouldn't love to see Novak Djokovic plays, he is the best tennis player out there, but for sure, majority here loves him or hates him, that's a fact. However, if he plays without the jab so what will make him? His tennis career will be questionable once he retires because of this simple missteps in AO.

[Daniel91]

Current tennis news:
''Australian Open organisers are still unsure if defending men's champion Novak Djokovic will play at next month's Grand Slam.''
"If Novak shows up, he'll be vaccinated or have a medical exemption," said tournament director Craig Tiley.''
''Tiley said "a small percentage" of unvaccinated players and staff would be granted medical exemptions. He said he was not aware of any players informing organisers they had an exemption.''
Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/59745818

It seems to me that everything is going according to the expected scenario that Djokovic will still perform in Australia based on a medical exception.  What do you think?

''Andy Murray has been given a wildcard for the main draw of the Australian Open in January.
The 34-year-old Briton missed the 2021 tournament after he was not allowed to travel to Melbourne following a positive test for coronavirus.
Tournament director Craig Tiley added: "Andy is renowned for his fighting spirit, passion and love of the game and I'm delighted to welcome him back to Melbourne in January."

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/59770652

I believe that many sincere tennis fans will welcome this decision and the opportunity to watch his performance in Australia once again.

@Daniel91 in short isn’t Novak getting special privilege?, and doesn’t that sent out a wrong message to other player’s, because they’ll use his example to avoid the vax and continue playing in upcoming tournaments. 

Furthermore I doubt that Andy will be able to do something special in this tournament, hence I’ll only watch him play for fun but won’t have any expectations for his victory.

I agree with you, it is obvious that new rules and exceptions are being invented solely to allow one tennis player, Djokovic, to play in Australia.
The real question, which no one has asked so far is the following:
If it was any other, less important tennis player, would such exceptions to the strict Covid rules be made for him or her?
I think everyone knows the answer to this question and that is why the Australian Tennis Federation has lost all credibility.
One can even speak openly about nepotism and corruption in tennis because of this case, and the wrong message is being sent to other tennis players, who respect the Covid rules and have been vaccinated.

[btc_angela]

^^ No, they won't make any exceptions if that is not Djokovic. As you have said, it seems that they are making this one up just to accommodate Djokovic.

And I will echo the sentiments of the majority, everyone should be equal here and the tennis organisations should be fair and not bend the rules just to get Djokovic on board on the Australian open next year.

[Cnut237]

it is obvious that new rules and exceptions are being invented solely to allow one tennis player, Djokovic, to play in Australia.
The real question, which no one has asked so far is the following:
If it was any other, less important tennis player, would such exceptions to the strict Covid rules be made for him or her?
I think everyone knows the answer to this question and that is why the Australian Tennis Federation has lost all credibility.
One can even speak openly about nepotism and corruption in tennis because of this case, and the wrong message is being sent to other tennis players, who respect the Covid rules and have been vaccinated.

Yes, this is certainly the case. They want Novak there, and he isn't willing to get vaccinated... so they have to make up a special rule in order for him to be exempt. And yes, this means he is treated differently to other players, and it sends out the wrong message to the whole country. Why should any Australian obey the rules regarding Covid, when the government is willing to let in a non-Australian and says he can ignore the rules?

We see the same thing many times over the last two years, but it is generally politicians who get the special treatment. It is rare to see someone coming in from outside the country who gets an exemption.

[aoluain]

it is obvious that new rules and exceptions are being invented solely to allow one tennis player, Djokovic, to play in Australia.
The real question, which no one has asked so far is the following:
If it was any other, less important tennis player, would such exceptions to the strict Covid rules be made for him or her?
I think everyone knows the answer to this question and that is why the Australian Tennis Federation has lost all credibility.
One can even speak openly about nepotism and corruption in tennis because of this case, and the wrong message is being sent to other tennis players, who respect the Covid rules and have been vaccinated.

Yes, this is certainly the case. They want Novak there, and he isn't willing to get vaccinated... so they have to make up a special rule in order for him to be exempt. And yes, this means he is treated differently to other players, and it sends out the wrong message to the whole country. Why should any Australian obey the rules regarding Covid, when the government is willing to let in a non-Australian and says he can ignore the rules?

We see the same thing many times over the last two years, but it is generally politicians who get the special treatment. It is rare to see someone coming in from outside the country who gets an exemption.

Ah absolutely, it does send out the wrong message. How can authorities expect
citizens of a country to obey laws when you essentially make someone exempt
from those same laws, TBH I find it incredible that AO officials would do this.
How do other players feel about this I wonder? one rule for them, another for
the top tier.

[btc_angela]

^^ I haven't seen any drastic reactions yet. But if this is true then for sure we will hear some of them really voicing out their opinion and displeasure from the AO itself because of like the special treatment of a non-Australian being exempted from their covid-19 protocols. And it really such as shame to see this one happening as there are no check and balance within that organisation.

There are a lot of very opinionated players and who knows maybe Alex De Minaur or even Nick Kyrgios will lead the players "protest".

[Vaskiy]

^^ No, they won't make any exceptions if that is not Djokovic. As you have said, it seems that they are making this one up just to accommodate Djokovic.

And I will echo the sentiments of the majority, everyone should be equal here and the tennis organisations should be fair and not bend the rules just to get Djokovic on board on the Australian open next year.

Yes, Just because it is Novak Djokovic he have got exemption. This is unfair and the authorities should've already taken decisions on the same. The organisation is taking necessary steps to make the tournament popular. If some popular players isn't available, maybe it can experience lack of audience. Whatever the scenario bending and giving special permission isn't fair and will always destroy the sporting theory.

[rijaljun]

^^ No, they won't make any exceptions if that is not Djokovic. As you have said, it seems that they are making this one up just to accommodate Djokovic.

And I will echo the sentiments of the majority, everyone should be equal here and the tennis organisations should be fair and not bend the rules just to get Djokovic on board on the Australian open next year.

Yes, Just because it is Novak Djokovic he have got exemption. This is unfair and the authorities should've already taken decisions on the same. The organisation is taking necessary steps to make the tournament popular. If some popular players isn't available, maybe it can experience lack of audience. Whatever the scenario bending and giving special permission isn't fair and will always destroy the sporting theory.

It is very unfair that such large and well-known players get permission. You can see what power does in such a situation. Don't think that Djokovic is going to win many fans with this. In fact, top athletes should lead by example and be vaccinated. People like Djokovic only make it worse this way. Organization is looking for much audience, so yes they need Djokovic.

[aoluain]

^^ No, they won't make any exceptions if that is not Djokovic. As you have said, it seems that they are making this one up just to accommodate Djokovic.

And I will echo the sentiments of the majority, everyone should be equal here and the tennis organisations should be fair and not bend the rules just to get Djokovic on board on the Australian open next year.

Yes, Just because it is Novak Djokovic he have got exemption. This is unfair and the authorities should've already taken decisions on the same. The organisation is taking necessary steps to make the tournament popular. If some popular players isn't available, maybe it can experience lack of audience. Whatever the scenario bending and giving special permission isn't fair and will always destroy the sporting theory.

It is very unfair that such large and well-known players get permission. You can see what power does in such a situation. Don't think that Djokovic is going to win many fans with this. In fact, top athletes should lead by example and be vaccinated. People like Djokovic only make it worse this way. Organization is looking for much audience, so yes they need Djokovic.

This really hits home the fact that this all centres around money, viewerships, sponsorships
and actually really has nothing to do with player, organiser, member safety, contrary to what I
posted last week.

 

[Trofo]

To change a topic a bit from Djokovic...Thiem has now confirmed that he will not play on Australian Open, this was sort of expected after he cancelled ATP cup earlier but still another big blow for the tournament.

Medvedev and Zverev are happy at the moment, all other top players have problems and it seems they could add to their grand slam tally in Australia.
1. Djoković - vaccination problem
2. Medvedev
3. Zverev
4. Tsitispas - totally out of form
5. Rublev - Covid
6. Nadal - covid and out of form
7. Berettini - suspect form and possible injury problems
8. Ruud - not really dangerous on fast surface
9, 10 - We have Hurkacz who can surprise and Sinner who is in great form and could go far
15. Thiem - injury, he would be ranked much higher but he missed a lot of tournaments last year, so worth a mention
16. Federer - out of form but could use this opportunity well and get far, maybe even get the title with bit of luck