Re: RF Tennis News 2019

by **Cromar** Sat Aug 03, 2019 4:57 am

Some Mexican media recently reported that Roger would play an exhibition in Mexico this November (location and date confirmed), and that it would probably also include a tour to South America (Argentina, Chili...). However, I have been very guarded in taking this as 'big news', as no confirmation could be found in any 'reputable' English media. And this may be the reason for it - from the King himself - everything is still up in the air!

Brian met Roger in Switzerland on August 1st (see his tweet above):

Asked Roger especially for @norinchi_df what exactly the plans and schedule are for his South America exho announced on some media channels for November, he said everything is basically still hanging in the balance.. nothing concrete he could tell me...#federer
— Brian (@camerlengo73_2) August 1, 2019

by norinchi Sat Aug 03, 2019 11:40 am

^^

For me, what is uncertain is Argentina, Chile and Colombia. Mexico seems to be true.

Así se verá la Plaza México para #FEDERERenMEXICO.
Son imàgenes de las pruebas que se han estado haciendo para el magno evento del 23 de noviembre. pic.twitter.com/3fC4ADznzm
— EDUARDO VARELA :flag_mx: (@1LaloVarela) July 31, 2019

Eduardo Varela is one of my ESPN commentators

by **Cromar** Mon Aug 05, 2019 4:58 am

From Croation player Victor Galovic, who trained with Roger this week. He lives in Northern Italy though, which is not very far from Valbella, where Roger lives.

by Steerpike60 Thu Aug 08, 2019 4:30 pm

It's all over the tennis news that Roger, Rafa, and Jurgen Melzer have been elected to the ATP Player Council.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/atp-player-council-announcement-august-2019

This is what the current board now looks like:

- 1-50 Singles: Kevin Anderson (VP), John Isner, Rafael Nadal, Sam Querrey
- 51-100 Singles: Yen-Hsun Lu, Vasek Pospisil
- 1-100 Doubles: Jurgen Melzer, Bruno Soares
- At Large: Novak Djokovic (P), Roger Federer
- Alumni: Colin Dowdeswell
- Coach: TBD

by striker Thu Aug 08, 2019 5:54 pm

^^ What does AT Large mean? Embarassed

by Steerpike60 Thu Aug 08, 2019 7:30 pm

striker wrote:^^ What does AT Large mean?

In general terms, it means you are elected to serve/represent the whole body of an organization rather than a subset. So in this case, it probably means that Roger is serving/representing all the players rather than just a sector of the players based on rankings like the other guys are.

by norinchi Thu Aug 08, 2019 7:37 pm

Steerpike60 wrote:
striker wrote:^^ What does AT Large mean?

In general terms, it means you are elected to serve/represent the whole body of an organization rather than a subset. So in this case, it probably means that Roger is serving/representing all the players rather than just a sector of the players based on rankings like the other guys are.

Stolen from twitter Embarassed

"The Council is structured such that each member's job is to represent the interests/concerns of a segment of players by ranking. To be sure at every level someone's focusing on them. RF and ND have a broader mandate: to advocate for all players."

by **Cromar** Fri Aug 09, 2019 2:06 am

I was somewhat surprised to see Roger rejoining the Players council after spending 8 years at the elm of the Council (2008-2014), although he did express, earlier this year, some form of frustration at not being kept in the loop of what was happening with the ATP governing body, making me think that he did miss not being involved.

However, seeing that the big 3 did set aside their rather public feud and joined together for the good of tennis is reassuring and shows their maturity and leader skills.

Federer, Nadal Elected to ATP Player Council

By Tennis Now
Thursday, August 8, 2019

RF Tennis News 2019 - Page 8 RafaRogernet

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have been elected to the ATP Player Council after a tumultuous political season that saw several players resign their posts.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are stepping back into the ATP political arena.

The rivals were elected to the ATP Player Council along with veteran Austrian Jurgen Melzer after a tumultuous political season that saw several players resign from the board. The trio join the council immediately and will serve through the end of their existing terms which run through to the 2020 Wimbledon, the ATP announced.

The ATP Player Council imploded at Wimbledon as four members—Robin Haase, Sergiy Stakhovsky, Jamie Murray and Daniel Vallverdu—tendered their resignations after the election of Weller Evans to fill the departed Justin Gimelstob's spot on the ATP Board of Directors following a contentious seven-hour meeting.

The Player Council was reportedly split down the middle on which candidate to hire to take Gimelstob’s vacated post, Evans or Nicolas Lapentti, but the board eventually settled on Evans in a temporary rather than permanent role.

@rogerfederer @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/izRQ5kistJ
— Jamie Murray (@jamie_murray) August 8, 2019

There has been both discussion and dissension among prominent players after the board declined to renew ATP president Chris Kermode's contract in March. Kermode's tenure ends at the conclusion of this year and his status prompted public sniping between the Big 3 back in March (video).

ATP Player Council president Novak Djokovic and Gimelstob were among those opposing extending Kermode's contract, while Nadal and Stan Wawrinka have been vocal supporters of Kermode. Nadal was upset he was not consulted on the Briton's ouster.

"I am disappointed that nobody came and explained why. What's the real reason we don't have Chris continuing running our sport?" Nadal told the media in Indian Wells. "Probably the guys who are running the council, they didn't make the right job, because when they are there is they are there representing us, so normally they have to ask what's our opinion."

In Indian Wells, Djokovic pointed out communication is a two-way street suggesting Nadal could speak to him anytime.

Djokovic later said Federer and Nadal are iconic champions whose "opinions are extremely important to everyone" and emphasized he welcomed their input into ATP politics.

"They have been icons on our sport for so many years and their opinions are extremely important to everyone," Djokovic said in Miami in March. "So if they want to be active and part of it in some way, officially or unofficially, I think it’s only a positive."

Among the ongoing issues is the search for a replacement for Kermode and bridging the revenue gap between players and tournaments.

Critics of the current political structure say ensuring that the future stars of the ATP gain a larger percentage of revenues and have more say in how the sport is operated is vital to the future of the ATP.

Feliciano Lopez, who occupies the unique position of being both active player and tournament director of the Mutua Madrid Open, conceded the ATP's political structure is in disarray and predicted change is coming.

"There is many things going on right now in the ATP as an organization," Lopez told the media at Wimbledon last month. "There is probably many changes coming up. I cannot tell you obviously in detail, but everything is falling apart.

"I think we still have time, so by the end of the year, we will hopefully, you know, have everything sorted out and we will have the player council again and everything's gonna be hopefully in the right direction again. For the moment, it's kind of a mess."

World No. 1 Djokovic, who has his supporters on the council, including Vasek Pospisil, asserts the structure of ATP governance is the root cause of the issue.

“Unfortunately the governing structure is structured in such a way that it does not allow us to make any significant changes at our will,” Djokovic said.

The Player Council is scheduled to meet again this month shortly before the US Open.

by HeartoftheMatter Fri Aug 09, 2019 2:55 am

"Significant changes at our 'will'?' That is, at the Players' will, or most likely what Djokovic wants it to be. We know Roger got the monies for the low ranked players in the first few rounds increased when he was president: that is very important, as it is important for those players to be able to afford to hang on and play and not drop out due to lack of funds.
As for who talks to whom, it would have been up to Djoke, one person, to approach Nadal and Federer, two people. And at any rate, Roger tried, but Djokovic did not have time.
It is concerning, and I am glad that Roger and Nadal are there now. Frankly, I don't have total trust in Djokovic, He is about the money, which is important, but then he already has earned huge amounts, along with other players. Tennis is still expanding, to build a bigger audience for the sport worldwide, and that is where a lot of the money may go. Tournaments are expensive things to run too. Also, we see that players can have longer careers in the sport, then in some other sports, like football, North American, and so that makes a difference too.
I don't know all the many aspects at all, but Djokovic, though he may be smart, may not grasp tennis in its full magnitude, its operational and growth and player aspects either, perhaps comparing it to other sports. Then, the question is whether some would want changes in the game itself, which he may. That would be a mistake, and a sacrilege. The integrity of the sport has to be maintained: that is one of its strong attractions. It's like a sonnet, which has its distinct rules that must be followed, but it can vary a number of things, such as the rhyme system, etc. and that restriction, or rule, is what in fact brings out the great creativity.
He is not the top authority, and clearly he is not ever going to be quite satisfied. It was already a real mistake not to approach Nadal and Federer.

by Steerpike60 Fri Aug 09, 2019 2:20 pm

Nadal said that he is only on the Council because Roger said he would be too. If Fed wasn't there, he wouldn't be either. They agreed to join the Council together.

by Márcia Fri Aug 09, 2019 2:32 pm

How could they imagine Djokovic would be a good leader, when the only thing that interests him is himself?

by norinchi Fri Aug 09, 2019 2:49 pm

Fully agree !

by Marly 103-20 Fri Aug 09, 2019 2:56 pm

I think that with Nadal and Roger, Djokovic will no longer be able to do what he would like to do as chair of the board.

by Hefty Sat Aug 10, 2019 2:08 pm

The most disappointing thing to me in all of this is that Novak would not have spoken with Roger and Rafa to get their input before parting with Kermode. That shows a real lack of respect. To put the onus on Roger and Rafa to contact him is an abdication of his responsibilities as a leader. Roger even reached out to him and he didn't make time to discuss it. It's good to see Roger and Rafa are involved again because being the giants of tennis that they are their voices are important and need to be heard.

As much as Rafa has been a thorn in Roger's side on the tennis court, I have grown to respect him immensely. It's obvious he and Roger have a great regard and liking for each other. Two true sportsmen.

by Márcia Sat Aug 10, 2019 7:04 pm

For me, what is really important is that Roger and Nadal are respected by, if not all, the majority of the tennis players and tournament directors. I don't believe it is the case with Novak.

I agree with Hefty: not talking with Roger and Nadal when he decided to say "thank you" to Kermode was a lack of respect. And saying that "they should approach him" a second lack of respect. And being so busy he could not have time to talk with Roger, the ultimate lack of respect.

I cannot imagine the anger he is feeling now that Roger will share his responsibilities, and he will not be "The King" of the ATP Council.

by **Cromar** Mon Aug 12, 2019 8:05 pm

Considering the all-important issues that need to be resolved within the ATP, Djokovic may welcome stronger voices on the Council. It may take some weight off his shoulders. With Roger and Nadal, the two most influential members amongst the elite players, the Council's future decisions will most certainly get greater support amongst the tennis world and are likely to quiet down the rumors and criticism within the media.

And with this development, Kermode may not be out yet?!

This from The Guardian - Aug 8, 2019:

The Guardian wrote:

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have rejoined the ATP players’ council in surprise twist

• Chief executive Chris Kermode’s contract expires at end of year
• Novak Djokovic rumoured to want Mark Leschly as replacement

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have rejoined the ATP players’ council, an intriguing twist to the power struggle at the top of the men’s game.

The unexpected development, confirmed on Thursday, will complicate the rumoured ambitions of the council president, Novak Djokovic, to replace the ATP’s chief executive, Chris Kermode, with Mark Leschly, CEO of Universal Tennis Rating, a rival to the ATP’s long-established ranking system. Leschly is the son of the millionaire Danish businessman, Jan Leschly, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in 1966.

Federer and Nadal have joined Jürgen Melzer as replacements for Jamie Murray, Robin Haase and Sergiy Stakhovsky, who left the council just before Wimbledon this year. Djokovic complained during the tournament that a “one-sided agenda” was being leaked to “certain media”. He said: “It’s a very complex process … the vote to decide if we want Chris to stay or someone else to come in.”

The latest move will further complicate lobbying on the 10-member council, who voted at their last meeting, in Indian Wells in March, not to renew Kermode’s contract, which expires at the end of 2019 after five years. However, Kermode is understood to be preparing a rebuttal to his critics at the players’ next mandatory meeting, which will take place in New York at the end of the month before the start of the US Open.

Other members of the council are Kevin Anderson, John Isner, Sam Querrey, Bruno Soares, Lu Yen-hsun, Vasek Pospisil and Colin Dowdeswell.

Federer and Nadal, the two most influential voices among the elite players who have dominated tennis for the past 15 years, will “begin their roles with immediate effect and will serve until the end of the existing term which runs through to Wimbledon 2020”, the ATP announced on Thursday.

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