i have not seen general masterclass and archer princess arkulari the great since the last great biblical flood.
i hope they are doing well.
Hi all in the Castle. I've alternated between being pretty busy and taking some last few days of summer fun at the beach lately but I hope everyone is healthy and as happy as can be.
Meanwhile, thanks everyone for keeping the fire going at the castle. Thanks general hercules for the info on Nadal and Murray.
We are in the post slam doldrums after the last major of the year, but now the indoor season is upon us and it and the year end championships - the London World tour finals where the best of the best play only each other could decide the player of the year as for the first time since 2003, each major was won by a different player in the top 4.
So the scheduling strategy for the last part of the year for the top 4 will be very interesting. Unfortunately, current #4, Rafael Nadal looks like he will not return this year. From the latest reports, even the Australian Open may be in jeopardy for him. But Lady Mimi and General Hercules, his domination on clay this year pretty much guaranteed that he can't fall in the rankings too far. He's likely to remain in 4th, or possibly 5th if he misses the 2013 Australian Open and David Ferrer plays very well (he has to defend most of his points through the AO to go ahead of Rafa).
In a way, it might be the best thing for Nadal health-wise. I think the slow hard court of the Australian Open has been one of the most damaging to him over the years. He should skip it. Then he should play the Latin American clay swing, skip or strategically exit the slow American hard courts of IW and Miami, then continue on the European Clay, playing Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, skip Madrid, play Rome and Roland Garros. Then go directly to Wimbledon and get some grass practice there and that's it. Don't mess around with Halle or Queens. If he is still in good health, return to the summer clay and that's it. If he plays his usual dominating tennis on clay and makes at least the semis at Wimbledon, he can capture 6000+ points, which will probably guarantee him a top 4 position. He can skip the AO and US Open hard court majors and stay away from the masters hard court tourneys and save his knees to play 4 or 5 more years if he wants.
Ok, enough of Mr. Nadal. What's going on with #1 Roger Federer? He was quoted as saying he was "wounded, tired and needed a holiday..." after his surprisingly poor play versus Tomas Berdych at the US Open where Federer's form took a holiday. Well, the written word can make things appear worse than they are. If you listen to a recording of that statement, he chuckled after using the word "wounded", so I think it was a slight exaggeration. So will he play in Shanghai? Probably yes, if this press release from the Shanghai event that was published Juss Event Reuters on Monday the 24th this week is any indication:
久事赛事网讯 十月，申城进入秋高气爽的季节。伴随着浓浓的秋意，2012年上海劳力士大师赛即将于10月6日在旗忠网球中心盛大揭幕。日前，上海劳力士大师赛主办方确认，费德勒团队一行人已经完成了中国签证申请和酒店预订的工作，将与10月4日抵达上海。本次参赛，费德勒还带来了庞大的家族后援团，包括他的一双小女儿也会一同前来，为父亲的上海之行加油、助威，由此可见费天王对于本次上海劳力士大师赛的重视程度。
上海劳力士大师赛属于全球九站ATP1000系列赛事之一，也是亚洲唯一的一站。按照规则，ATP排名前20位选手强制参赛，如退出赛事将会被扣除一定积分以示惩罚，除非该选手享有豁免权。但要获得豁免权并不容易，符合以下三个条件之一可以豁免一站比赛：一是年满31岁，二是参加职业比赛超过600场，三是成为ATP巡回赛的职业选手超过12年(而且第一年必须参加12场以上巡回赛并夺得积分)。如果三个条件全部满足，则可以豁免参加ATP1000赛事，目前排名前20位选手中只有费德勒满足全部三项条件。
费德勒在参加戴维斯杯时曾经坦言伤病和疲劳让自己必须停下来休息，将会视情况调整接下来的赛程。但日前，费德勒已经通过其经纪人向上海劳力士大师赛致函，表示自己非常期待参加上海劳力士大师赛，为此将养精蓄锐，全力以赴，因为他对中国对上海球迷有特殊的感情。
“上海是我非常喜欢的城市，我享受在这里的每一次比赛。我非常高兴今年又能在这里与我的热情粉丝相聚，感谢他们对我的支持!”
32岁的费德勒，今年一直保持着稳定的高水平竞技状态。在辛辛那提大师赛夺得冠军后，费德勒已经把自己ATP1000大师赛的冠军头衔增加到了21个，追平了纳达尔所保持纪录，更可能在上海大师赛创下新纪录。同时，由于费德勒去年因伤缺席上海大师赛，使他今年在此项赛事中有可能获得1000净积分，这对于他力争年终排名第一有至关重要的作用，可以预见他将为此全力拼搏，发挥出最佳竞技状态。
费德勒此次出行上海还带来了庞大的家族后援团，其中包括他的一对双胞胎女儿还有妻子、丈母娘等至亲好友，这是费德勒第一次携如此庞大的团队来上海参赛。他已经专门向上海劳力士大师赛组委会申请准备家庭专用包厢。
Rough English Translation:
Shanghai is entering the autumn season. Accompanied by a deep sense of autumn, the 2012 Shanghai Rolex Masters upcoming grand opening at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 6. A few days ago, Shanghai Rolex Masters organizers confirmed the the Federer team has completed work visa application and hotel reservations, and will arrive in Shanghai on October 4. For the competition, Federer also will bring a huge family backing group, including his pair of little daughters will come together to cheer for the father's trip to Shanghai, cheer, can be seen Federer for the Shanghai Rolex Masters the degree of attention.
Shanghai Rolex Masters is a global the nine stations ATP1000 Series tournament, is one of the only Asian stop. In accordance with the rules, the ATP top 20 players forced entries, such as exit the tournament will be deducted from certain points as a punishment, unless the player is entitled to immunity. To obtain immunity but not easy, to be exempted from a race meet one of the following three conditions: First, at least 31 years old to participate in the professional game over 600 games, three ATP Tour pros more than 12 years (and the first year must participate in the Tour more than 12 games and won integral). If all three conditions are met, the exemption participate in ATP1000 tournament, the top 20 players, only Federer to meet all three conditions.
After participating in the Davis Cup, Federer admitted to some injury and fatigue must be stopped to rest, and would adjust his schedule. But a few days ago, Federer through its broker sent a letter to the Shanghai Rolex Masters, very much looking forward to participate in the Shanghai Rolex Masters, this will recharge your batteries, go all out, because his Chinese fans in Shanghai have a special feeling. .
"Shanghai is a city that I really like, I enjoy every game here and I am very pleased to meet here together with my enthusiastic fans and thank them for supporting me!"
31-year-old Federer, this year, has maintained a stable high level of competitive state. Cincinnati Masters champion, Federer has of their own ATP1000 Masters titles increased to 21, tying the record of Nadal maintained, are more likely to set a new record at the Shanghai Masters. Federer absent through injury last year, the Shanghai Masters, the year 1000 net points in this event, which strive for his year-end ranking first have a crucial role, can be predicted that he would do this to struggle play the best competitive state.
Federer this trip will also bring a huge family backing group, including his twin daughters, wife, mother-in-law and other relatives and friends, this is the first time Federer is to bring such a large team competition in Shanghai. The Organizing Committee of the Shanghai Rolex Masters will prepare a family dedicated box.#3 Andy Murray has been deservedly basking in the glory of winning his first major at the US Open. But he can't afford to enjoy it too much. He won a lot during the Asian swing last year, so he is under some pressure to defend his Tokyo and Shanghai titles. Shanghai conditions last year looked like they were significantly faster from the year before. In 2010, Federer said they had become brutally slow. So I guess the tournament listened and sped them up in 2011. Federer didn't take advantage because he took a prolonged break last year and skipped Shanghai, but Murray did take advantage. Let's see what the conditions will be like this year.
#2 Novak Djokovic is resting after his loss to Murray at the US Open, but he is due to come back next week at the China Open in Beijing. None of other top 4 players will be there, but Ferrer, Tsonga, and John Isner are among the top players likely to play. Djokovic will then go to Shanghai Masters in what should be a critical tournament in how the players will schedule the rest of the year. The winner might be able to afford missing or exiting early at either Basel or the Paris-Bercy masters that this year takes place immediately after Basel, and immediately before the World Tour Finals (no rest days between those 3 tournaments). It looks like Novak will not go to Basel, but will try to play Paris and the World Tour Finals back to back.
I think the players will take it step by step and adjust their scheduling as necessary according to how they feel, or additionally in Djokovic's and Federer's case, perhaps to increase their chances of being year end #1. By the start of the World Tour Finals this year we should have a much better idea. It will certainly be exciting for the fans of those players and tennis in general if the top ATP event of the year will decide who is year end #1.
Have a good day and evening all!
Respectfully,
masterclass
