2023 Tennis Thread

[Erick Estrada]

Not sure what's up as the achilles injury should be healed as it was a broken toe during training last year that supposedly sidelined him from returning in 2022. That should be healed by now. He could be taking longer to get his game back as he's been gone a long time and he's got a steep hill to climb ahead of him.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Aren't all of the Majors and 1000 level master events already equal pay across the board?

Just like other pro sports, I really don't see how many of these smaller WTA events could possibly offer the same payout as some of the smaller ATP men's events that are typically far larger draws, with major TV deals.

I think it is quite obtuse of some of these players like Djokovic and Shapo to be surprised that only so many players are making a comfortable living when they are in it, living and breathing it every day. There's a reason players like Vasek have meltdowns playing on the Challenger tour for months on end and at least he has had some serious success compared to others. Unless you're part of the elite 100 or so of each tour, you're likely struggling to make ends meet.

There's only so much sponsorship money to go around at these events, and once you push past that level, you are risking the longevity of events and passing the buck onto fans to pay more to attend. Would any of these top players be willing to cut their purses by say 25% in order to pass it down the line to qualifiers and and others that are typically booted from events in R1 or R2? Doubtful.

I think it is a positive move by Denis to bring more visibility to the pay disparity between men and women pro tennis players. We need more male voices to join the discussion and continue to call for change. This announcement below is a very good development.

SAN DIEGO — CVC Capital Partners, a global private equity firm that once owned the Formula 1 racing series and has remained a major sports investor, is joining forces with women’s professional tennis.

The WTA announced Tuesday that CVC had become a commercial partner after making a $150 million investment that would give CVC a 20 percent stake in a new commercial subsidiary named WTA Ventures. The subsidiary will focus on generating revenue by managing, for example, sponsorship sales as well as broadcasting and data rights.

“Hopefully this partnership will allow us to begin addressing that valley between the commercial rights that we are able to secure and the rights that the men are able to secure,” Steve Simon, the WTA’s chairman and chief executive, said in a telephone interview from Indian Wells, Calif., where the BNP Paribas Open is set to begin this week.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/s...s/wta-cvc.html

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

I think it is a positive move by Denis to bring more visibility to the pay disparity between men and women pro tennis players. We need more male voices to join the discussion and continue to call for change. This announcement below is a very good development.

SAN DIEGO — CVC Capital Partners, a global private equity firm that once owned the Formula 1 racing series and has remained a major sports investor, is joining forces with women’s professional tennis.

The WTA announced Tuesday that CVC had become a commercial partner after making a $150 million investment that would give CVC a 20 percent stake in a new commercial subsidiary named WTA Ventures. The subsidiary will focus on generating revenue by managing, for example, sponsorship sales as well as broadcasting and data rights.

“Hopefully this partnership will allow us to begin addressing that valley between the commercial rights that we are able to secure and the rights that the men are able to secure,” Steve Simon, the WTA’s chairman and chief executive, said in a telephone interview from Indian Wells, Calif., where the BNP Paribas Open is set to begin this week.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/s...s/wta-cvc.html

Well this is certainly something, but the reality is, there is only so much demand for pro tennis and you can't just create more sponsorship dollars that doesn't exist given the demand for 250 events is nowhere near what it is for a 500 event, let alone a 1000 level event or slam, where both men and women do VERY WELL for themselves.

The WTA needs to find a way to get more butts in seats and get their lucrative TV deals back in place. With that, the sponsors will come and prize money will ultimately rise. Sadly, some of these smaller tour events are just too poorly attended that they are likely not sustainable if prize money were to rise significantly.

[dash_pinched]

Good news Girly, we get to cheer for Rinky at Indian Wells.

[dash_pinched]

Hey folks, Shauger is back at Indian Wells - Felix and Shapo are playing doubles and are taking on Shrune (Ben Shelton / Holger Rune) in their opening round match.

[dash_pinched]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1633588499709566976

[dash_pinched]

Bweh gets Lehecka who recently beat him in Doha. Pretty tough opening round match for Andrey.

[dash_pinched]

Controversy on match point earlier today - Terrific effort by Wu on the diving volley, but his racquet touched the net prior to the 2nd ball bounce. Point should have been awarded to his opponent.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1633645378770964481

[dash_pinched]

Oikos playing the Sunshine Double with a bum shoulder rather than resting up for clay season is certainly a choice.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1633869476528816129

[dash_pinched]

IW results:

Rebecca Marino lost in singles
Leylah/Taylor Townsend won in doubles

[Erick Estrada]

Man I think Shapo’s career is in real danger. He looked like a low ranked qualifier last night. His serve is a mess.

[Inglewood Jack]

What is Polansky even trying to do with him? I don't see anything other than Shapo falling further into his worst habits. I just hate all coaches of sports I cheer for now

[Nadal Fan]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1634837139090444288

[Erick Estrada]

Rune has potential to be the next great player taking over from the big 3.

[EldrickOnIce]

Andreescu draws Swiatek tonight in Indian Wells. Fernandez plays Garcia this afternoon.
The chances of either advancing are around zero, but am hoping they both play tough.

[Inglewood Jack]

and it's been 4 days since a dash update, I think we need to send out a search party

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Inglewood Jack

and it's been 4 days since a dash update, I think we need to send out a search party

All good, just had to head back home for a few days as my brother-in-law passed away, should be back to regular poating tomorrow. Let's go Felix, Leylah, and Bianca!!

[Inglewood Jack]

sorry to hear that dash, no need to feel obligated to carry this thread on your own. rest of us need to do a better job of keeping on top of things, especially with the hourglass quickly running out on hockey...

[EldrickOnIce]

Leylah playing some great tennis, winning the second set in a tie break and forcing a third set vs Garcia

[EldrickOnIce]

Leylah in tough though, as Garcia has not yet faced a break point yet in their match