From TennisReporters.net
TUESDAY, OCT. 13 — With the top guys constantly complaining about the length of the season (and really, this week’s bitch session is about the Americans and Euros having to play a mandatory event in Asia in the fall before heading over to Europe for Paris and then London), how about the announcement that Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Nikolay Davydenko, Fernando Verdasco and Robin Soderling will begin the 2010 season in Abu Dhabi by playing in a six-man, $250,000 winner-takes-all exo, where huge guarantees are also paid out. It’s utter hypocrisy to complain about the length of the season and then add to it by playing exos.
This pattern has been going on for at least two decades, somewhat similar to the pattern of constant winging by Lleyton Hewitt when it comes to all things in Aussie tennis that don’t celebrate his career. Now Hewitt is backing a man he used to complain about, Paul McNamee, over Geoff Pollard in the upcoming election for Tennis Australia president, a post that Pollard has held for 20 years. Hewitt said he gets along with Pollard, but “I strongly believe that change is needed at Tennis Australia and what better place to start than right at the top!! In my opinion tennis in Australia and the way it is being administered needs addressing, as we are falling behind many other nations in the world, as well as other sports in our own country… Geoff has been in this position for 20 years and I for one have to question his strength and passion at this crucial time, when he has been the person ‘in charge’ whilst the sport has been declining into its current position. Paul McNamee, on the other hand, I believe has the attributes needed to change things around.”
This is the same Hewitt who has complained about the Aussie Open’s court speed, Davis Cup selections, scheduling of matches, choice of coaches, the TA’s lack of support for him, and on and on into eternity. It’s nice to see a player having actual opinions about his sport and how well its doing in his nation, but it isn’t out of the realm of possibility had Hewitt been a slightly better role model over the years that more Aussie kids would have picked up rackets. McNamee also has the support of former player and announcer John Alexander who told the Australian: “I’m delighted that Paul is interested in the presidency. I think his contribution in making the Australian Open the best of the Grand Slams and his organization of the Hopman Cup has been outstanding. This is a time where tennis in Australia is in crisis and we need dynamic leadership and we need someone who cares about the sport, someone who is passionate.” The election will be held on Monday. Pollard has been unchallenged since succeeding Brian Tobin in 1989.
Speaking of Hewitt, he took down John Isner at Shanghai on Tuesday, while Andy Roddick suffered a knee injury and forced to retire against Stan Wawrinka. That makes the US’s top player 0-2 in Asia and if he’s unable to recover to play at the last the Paris Indoors, his spot in the YEC in London could be at risk “Trust me, as frustrated as (the fans) are that we’re not here, I promise you we’re more frustrated,” Roddick said, referring the his injuries and the Shanghai absences of Roger Federer (diaper rash) and Andy Murray (wrist).
Hewitt plays Gael Monfils after he beat fellow Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-2, 6-2. Nikolay Davydenko took down Igor Kunitsyn 6-4, 6-2 and will play Fernando Gonzalez, who beat Thomaz Bellucci 6-3, 6-4. The Russian and the Chilean are chasing the final spots in London, as is Soderling, who took a 6-3, 6-4 win over Victor Hanescu. Thomas Berdych eliminated Marin Cilic and will face Marat Safin. See ya.
Win of the day in Linz goes to Julia Goerges over No. 6 Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 6-3. Sorana has been slumping since mid-August. Other notable winners were Iveta Benesova, Lucie Safarova, Flavia Pennetta and Anna-Lena Groenefeld …Win of the day in Osaka in an oldie but sort of goodie match goes to Jill Craybas over Kimiko Date Krumm 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. Seeded winners were Caroline Wozniacki, Marion Bartoli and Samantha Stosur. Japan’s Akiko Morigami, who plans to retire in November due to injuries, also won….Austrian teen Tamira Paszek is planning on returning in January and claims she wasn’t sanctioned by an Austrian anti-doping agency… The Sydney Daily Telegraph is reporting that Mark Philippoussis is shopping the rights to his engagement and wedding to American actress Jennifer Esposito to various magazines. The Scud was once engaged to Miami hotel heiress Alexis Barbara, while Esposito was briefly married to actor Bradley Cooper.
