Offline
funches, what's your take on the whole Indian Wells pay increase issue? Something strange for the ATP to vote down, something needed to keep the Master's more or less equal?
I'm sure we'll talk about the tournament when it starts, but I figure we can talk about some of the other tennis issues (though maybe it belongs in the Asylum).
Offline
The whole thing was asinine and apparently related to the agencies running the tournaments and the Miami tournament not wanting to take a back seat monetarily to Indian Wells.
At least sanity finally prevailed, but there are so many competing interestings within tennis that an absurdity like declining a pay increase does not surprise me. The sport is killing itself from within.
As for Indian Wells, I'm fascinated by the race between Ferrer and Nadal for No. 4. I want Ferrer to hold on to it going into Roland Garros just to create drama around where Rafa ends up in the draw. As long as Ferrer continues to play well, he should be able to hold on to it considering all the points Rafa has to defend, but if Ferrer loses early in Indian Wells and Miami, you know Rafa will take advantage.
Offline
Ferrer's defending a Round of 32 at Indian Wells and a QF at Miami, while Nadal is in Federer's quarter and defending semis at both. With clay season, the only place Nadal can gain is Madrid (round of 16 for blue clay). I think we'll have to see how Djokovic's confidence holds out; if he plays like it's 2011, then Nadal might drop a couple more places before the French Open.
Offline
Well, I wasn't expecting Del Potro to make it to the final. I know his wrist isn't 100%, but I think he's got a good chance against Nadal, at least, I hope so.