Topic: Top 4 Ranking Watch

[williamchung7]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/285550/djokovic-and-nadal-but-no-federer-for-monte-carlo

Djokovic and Nadal but no Federer for Monte Carlo
Published: 23/03/2012 at 12:32 AM Online news: Sports Share Tweet
World number one Novak Djokovic and seven-time consecutive title holder Rafael Nadal will head the field for the April 15-22 Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo, but Roger Federer will be missing.

"We're keeping a wild card to one side for Roger," tournament organiser Zeljko Franulovic said of the Swiss world number three.

"You never know, even if he has played a lot since the start of the season. He's decided in the past to come at the last minute."

Should Federer be absent, the six

[swish]

Interesting, has Djokovic played there before?
 
 

[FedFanForever]

Djokovic has played in 2007-2010, getting to the final in 2009.

[tennisfan78]

I think it is a good move by Federer, considering how busy he has been so far.

[Alex]

I think it is a good move by Federer, considering how busy he has been so far.

busy with what? I don't know why Djokovic is playing MC... let me think ... I think I'm turning into a mean fan but here we go

ABBA - Money Money Money (Abba-dabba-doo)

[FedFanForever]

Federer ducking tough competition in Monaco - nothing new there. What a coward and oh ZERO Monte Carlo titles for the "Great" RF. 

[swish]

Djokovic is making a smart move by playing.
 
Djokovic has little to lose but if he can stop Nadal from getting a win at a tournament he's owned....
 
 
 
Fed should skip this one, he's played a lot and the upcoming schedule this year is very heavy with the olympics in the mix.
 
He's letting the others use up their energies and possibly having problems later due to being overworked.
 
He can still get in as a wild card if he wants.
 

[swish]

Federer ducking tough competition in Monaco - nothing new there. What a coward and oh ZERO Monte Carlo titles for the "Great" RF. 

 
 
He's also giving up points so there must be a good reason. 

[pawan89]

Federer ducking tough competition in Monaco - nothing new there. What a coward and oh ZERO Monte Carlo titles for the "Great" RF. 

 
 
He's also giving up points so there must be a good reason.

The points are actually not as much an issue. He has a huge lead over Murray and then the gap between Murray and number 5 is even larger, Federer's not dropping out of the top 4 anytime unless his performance drops significantly. On the flip side, he is not going to move up the rankings significantly and hold on to them for any duration unless he wins 1-2 Grand Slams this year, so a few points at MC doesn't really mean much.

I really want Fed to win Rome though. Rome and RG.

[swish]

Federer ducking tough competition in Monaco - nothing new there. What a coward and oh ZERO Monte Carlo titles for the "Great" RF. 

 
 
He's also giving up points so there must be a good reason.

The points are actually not as much an issue. He has a huge lead over Murray and then the gap between Murray and number 5 is even larger, Federer's not dropping out of the top 4 anytime unless his performance drops significantly. On the flip side, he is not going to move up the rankings significantly and hold on to them for any duration unless he wins 1-2 Grand Slams this year, so a few points at MC doesn't really mean much.

I really want Fed to win Rome though. Rome and RG.

He's very close to #2 and is defending little so could pick up enough points to get past #2 comfortably.
 
If he can make it to #2 and keep it till RG a lot could change in his favor, like Nadal being in Djokovic's side of the draw.
That would greatly improve his chances of another RG title as Djokovic has a chance to beat Nadal there insuring Fed won't meet him.
 
 

[hercules]

no-djok will get spanked in the final if he gets there.

[swish]

no-djok will get spanked in the final if he gets there.

Hi CD.
 
Djokovic is one cunning fella.
 
I just have the feeling he wants to take away from Nadal as much as he can, maybe it's just my suspicious nature at work here or maybe he's just pushing his advantage for as long as it lasts.
 
 

[Tennis4you]

Would be interesting to see Fed skip the entire clay court season in preparation for the Olympics on grass. 

[Alex]

MC courts play very similar as the courts at RG. I guess Djokovic is simply preparing for RG (my feeling). He skipped the tournament last couple of years. Still not sure what his plan is but I guess his team know what they are doing. RG is I'd say (based on his interviews) his 'only' priority this year so he'll try anything to win it. we'll see.

[Alex]

no-djok will get spanked in the final if he gets there.

you mean the same way he got spanked in Madrid and Rome last year 

[swish]

Would be interesting to see Fed skip the entire clay court season in preparation for the Olympics on grass. 

Don't say such things, I need my Fed fix every so often. 
 

[williamchung7]

Here is good reason for each player decision.

[hercules]

no-djok will get spanked in the final if he gets there.

you mean the same way he got spanked in Madrid and Rome last year 

this is 2012.

[Alex]

no-djok will get spanked in the final if he gets there.

you mean the same way he got spanked in Madrid and Rome last year 

this is 2012.

so what bud? I guess we are getting carried away. Go Nole, go Nadal, go Herc, go Alex 

[ashwin#1]

Here is good reason for each player decision.

thankx for the stats...i have mixed reactions on this topic..on 1 hand, i m glad fed has chosen rest as he definately need its after a long season start..
but on the other hand, he's giving a chance to nole & nadal to get ahead  in ranking points..

i hope he does not lose his current form after the rest..