[Pmeidstc]

Tennis Masters Cup - Shanghai

Place: Shanghai, China
Date: November 9-16, 2008
Draw Size: 8 Singles, 8 Doubles
Surface: Indoor Hard
Prize Money: $4,450,000
Tournament Director: Brad Drewett

Website: www.masters-cup.com

Singles
1 Nadal, Rafael ESP
2 Federer, Roger SUI
3 Djokovic, Novak SRB
4 Murray, Andy GBR
5 Davydenko, Nikolay RUS
6 Roddick, Andy USA
7 Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried FRA
8 del Potro, Juan Martin ARG

Alternates
IN Simon, Gilles FRA
2 Blake, James USA
3 Nalbandian, David ARG
4 Ferrer, David ESP

Doubles
1 Nestor, Daniel CAN/Zimonjic, Nenad SRB
2 Bryan, Bob USA/Bryan, Mike USA
3 Erlich, Jonathan ISR/Ram, Andy ISR
4 Bhupathi, Mahesh IND/Knowles, Mark BAH
5 Bjorkman, Jonas SWE/Ullyett, Kevin ZIM
6 Dlouhy, Lukas CZE/Paes, Leander IND
7 Coetzee, Jeff RSA/Moodie, Wesley RSA
(WC) Cuevas, Pablo URU/Horna, Luis PER

Alternates
1 Fyrstenberg, M. POL/Matkowski, M. POL
2 Melo, M. BRA/Sa, A. BRA
3 Aspelin, S. SWE/Knowle, J. AUT
4 Damm, M. CZE/Vizner, P. CZE

[jimbomaxf]

Rafa is out. I am very sorry, Rafa fans. This is really sad. I hope he gets better soon and will be able to play Davis Cup

from his website:

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

Dear fans and media reps,

It has been a long and difficult year where I managed to obtain great results, both on a professional and on a personal level. I have mentioned on various occasions that the tennis calendar has been extremely hard with practically all weeks playing and where it forces players to compete week in week out, making it impossible for a top level player to be 100% on each event.

On a personal level I had as one of my goals to become #1 during this year and competing at so many events might have harmed, specially at the end of the season, my physical condition, taking away the freshness needed to play at the top level of the game on these last events. I don´t know if this has been a mistake or not but the fact is that with the goal achieved I also have to take one of the most difficult and painful decisions.

I have decided not to compete on the Masters Cup in Shanghai. As I say this is one of the most difficult decisions in my career due to the importance of the event and above all, due to the fact of not making possible my will to be with the fans in China and the tournament organizers that always treated me in such special way.

I am deeply sadden and disappointed for my fans around the world that expected to see me in Shanghai fighting in every match. I do expect to be there again in October 09 for the ATP Masters 1000 event in Shanghai.

I know that many people where speculating with this news and even though I have yet not done any test, I can say I take the right decision. I want to recover and be ready for the important Davis Cup final with my country that will be played in Mar del Plata, Argentina. That is also another reason for not coming to Shanghai.

Many thanks to all for your support and understanding.

Rafa (link: http://www.rafaelnadal.com/nadal/en/home)

[Pmeidstc]

Totally expected Tinamarie. I think it's the best thing for him to do. He has nothing else to prove this year. Hope he gets to go fishing and hang out with his crew before going to Mar del Plata for DC.

Do Fed fans know if he's definite? I ask because I understand Blake has also made noises about not making the trip as an alternate. That would put Ferrer in if there's another withdrawal.

Ehrlich and Ram have withdrawn so Frystenberg and Matkowski are in.

[+++Poguru+++]

We don't know for sure, but it will be a big surprise to me if he doesn't play. Those courts are just perfect for him and he has a title to defend,

[jimbomaxf]

Swiss newspapers say Federer is scheduled to leave for Shanghai today, Ti-Amie. According to blick.ch, federer said the pain in his back started during the söderling-match and wouldnt get better the next days. He thinks the cold weather worsened the condition, but he expects to be ready to play in Shanghai.
(http://www.blick.ch/sport/tennis/wie...rklich--104179)

[Phassetus]

Totally bummed about this. Rafa is so right about the grueling schedule and the toll it takes on players bodies.

We can say whatever we want, but constantly travel, practice sessions and matches can never be easy.

Foxy

[MasTaBlau]

Totally expected Tinamarie. I think it's the best thing for him to do. He has nothing else to prove this year. Hope he gets to go fishing and hang out with his crew before going to Mar del Plata for DC.

Do Fed fans know if he's definite? I ask because I understand Blake has also made noises about not making the trip as an alternate. That would put Ferrer in if there's another withdrawal.

Ehrlich and Ram have withdrawn so Frystenberg and Matkowski are in.

I'm sure if Fed wasn't definite before, he's in now.

Is Erlich injured? Ram's been playing with other people last couple weeks. It's too bad, their year started so well.

[Pmeidstc]

I'm sure if Fed wasn't definite before, he's in now.

Is Erlich injured? Ram's been playing with other people last couple weeks. It's too bad, their year started so well.

I read that one of them was injured and that was why they pulled out.

[RooxiaNof]

Erlich has shoulder injury.

[Abofedrorobox]

Well, to be honest, I suffered so much when he played last year in Shanghai and even more at US Open that I think it is much better that he learns to say no when the body is not able to follow. Also he cares a lot about DC, so let's hope he'll be 100% then.

[Nglvayhp]

When was the last time the #1 men's player didn't play in the year end tournament?

[Nglvayhp]

Totally bummed about this. Rafa is so right about the grueling schedule and the toll it takes on players bodies.

We can say whatever we want, but constantly travel, practice sessions and matches can never be easy.

Foxy

OK, I know I'm going to get bashed for this, but it sounded to me like pathetic whining when Rafa was complaining to the trainer in the Davydenko match about the pains of being an ATP player. Many of the other players, including Roger, Nole, Davydenko, Nalbandian, have been going through pretty much the same schedule. True, Rafa might be injured (mostly because he hasn't been able to successfully able to translate his game to extended play on hard courts) but is this the ATP's fault? Other players have played the same amount in previous years without demanding that the ATP change schedules or change court surfaces. The life of the pro tennis player might not be easy, but this is what you get paid for...the number of matches Rafa is playing is not like extraordinary for the #1 player.

[MasTaBlau]

OK, I know I'm going to get bashed for this, but it sounded to me like pathetic whining when Rafa was complaining to the trainer in the Davydenko match about the pains of being an ATP player. Many of the other players, including Roger, Nole, Davydenko, Nalbandian, have been going through pretty much the same schedule. True, Rafa might be injured (mostly because he hasn't been able to successfully able to translate his game to extended play on hard courts) but is this the ATP's fault? Other players have played the same amount in previous years without demanding that the ATP change schedules or change court surfaces. The life of the pro tennis player might not be easy, but this is what you get paid for...the number of matches Rafa is playing is not like extraordinary for the #1 player.

Actually, they all complain all the time about the schedule and the surface changes.

But not to the trainer, yeah, that´s too much. But, knowing Rafa doesn´t like to retire, he probably needed to give himself an excuse for his own peace of mind.

[QQQQQ-Trek]

Major bummer about Rafa but, as m8 says, he doesn't like to retire so it can't be good when he does. He's wise to rest it now before Davis Cup and he's still ending the year on top so all things considered, he's earned the break.

Sorry to hear about Erhlich and Ram too...I think just about everyone is ready for some serious time off, brief though it may be in the tennis world.

[Phassetus]

OK, I know I'm going to get bashed for this, but it sounded to me like pathetic whining when Rafa was complaining to the trainer in the Davydenko match about the pains of being an ATP player. Many of the other players, including Roger, Nole, Davydenko, Nalbandian, have been going through pretty much the same schedule. True, Rafa might be injured (mostly because he hasn't been able to successfully able to translate his game to extended play on hard courts) but is this the ATP's fault? Other players have played the same amount in previous years without demanding that the ATP change schedules or change court surfaces. The life of the pro tennis player might not be easy, but this is what you get paid for...the number of matches Rafa is playing is not like extraordinary for the #1 player.

Actually, they all complain all the time about the schedule and the surface changes.

But not to the trainer, yeah, that´s too much. But, knowing Rafa doesn´t like to retire, he probably needed to give himself an excuse for his own peace of mind.

I was speaking for all the players in my post, and not just Rafa, including of course the WTA.

I think every country/tournament want to be in the mix, without putting much thought into the wear and tear on the bodies of the players. I've read that some posters think the WTA players should just suck up road map and play. Yet if we were in their position I'm sure we would complain if we felt it was unjust.

And I did not know Rafa, complained to the trainer. I guess he was probably just frustrated.

Foxy

[Pmeidstc]

Rafa played the Chennai final on no legs whatsoever even though everyone thought he'd give Mikhail Youzhny the walkover for the Final. Rafa doesn't withdraw unless he's got to. I know a lot of people don't believe this but it's true.

Don't forget this was an Olympic year so there was one extra event in the mix.

[wmtravelservice]

What are the chances of Del Potro skipping TMC in favor of preparing for Davis Cup?

[zlopikanikanz]

What are the chances of Del Potro skipping TMC in favor of preparing for Davis Cup?

Not likely. This was an objective of his and his team.

[Pmeidstc]

Even with the toe Drop-Shot?

[Salliter]

Actually, they all complain all the time about the schedule and the surface changes.

But not to the trainer, yeah, that´s too much. But, knowing Rafa doesn´t like to retire, he probably needed to give himself an excuse for his own peace of mind.

How do we know they don't complain to the trainer? Because it was not caught on video? There are too many assumptions that are made based on what we see and don't see.

Honestly, I am happy to see that he is skipping Shanghai. He was only defending 200 pts there. He'll be in better shape for DC which is a bigger goal for him. Also, he'll have a better off season and be more prepared for the first part of year. I think he is looking ahead/beyond 2008 at this point and this decision factors into that.