[RafaNadal2012!!!]

The Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi starts this Thursday. Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, Ferrer, Tsonga, and Monfils and participating. Nadal and Federer were given byes to the semis and Novak Djokovic despite being ranked one will have to play Monfils to play Federer in the semis. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think it is a slap in the face to Novak, given his ranking? Or the right thing to do given the career achievements of both Roger and Rafa? Either way it's an exhibition tournament and counts for nothing other than match practice.

[Pirata.]

Originally Posted by RafaNadal2012!!!

it's an exhibition tournament and counts for nothing other than match practice.

Roger won WTF and Rafa played Davis Cup, so they've played more matches than Novak toward the end of the year.

[GSMnadal]

[theseth1119]

Two things: First is that Rafa is considered doubtful to play here because of a shoulder problem and then a virus that has limited his total practice time and he might just head to Doha. Second is that, despite being #1, it's not really a slap in the face to Djokovic and I don't think it's so much because of what Rogie and Rafa have accomplished in their careers, but rather, it's because they were the two in the finals last year (i.e. had it been say Djokovic and Rogie or Djokovic and Rafa, then they'd be the two receiving the byes).

[Gabe32]

Definitely a slap in the face.

The guy is obviously the best player in the world at the moment and had one of the best seasons of all time. He agrees to play in your tournament, and you give him the 3rd seed and no bye? Very disrespectful.

[Mateya]

The organizers are clueless Federer and Nadal fanboys. Nothing new here.

Djokovic could win all matches in 2011 and win 5 grand slams and he would still be 3rd seed. Pathetic, even if it's an exhibition.

[alter ego]

Originally Posted by Gabe32

Definitely a slap in the face.

The guy is obviously the best player in the world at the moment and had one of the best seasons of all time. He agrees to play in your tournament, and you give him the 3rd seed and no bye? Very disrespectful.

Are you for real? considering that Djokovic is the only top ten player who will not play an ATP tournament before AO, it is pretty likely that his own camp requested 3 matches.

[DrJules]

Not sure receiving a bye is an advantage; Nadal and Federer will play somebody who has already played a match.

[ApproachShot]

I am guessing that the tournament organisers approached Nadal and Federer earlier in the year and part of the terms they signed up to back then was that they would play a maximum of two matches. Under such circumstances requesting Federer to play an extra match would likely require more fees or perhaps something which Roger may not agree to if it affects his scheduling.

[zlaja777]

[zlaja777]

Originally Posted by ApproachShot

I am guessing that the tournament organisers approached Nadal and Federer earlier in the year and part of the terms they signed up to back then was that they would play a maximum of two matches. Under such circumstances requesting Federer to play an extra match would likely require more fees or perhaps something which Roger may not agree to if it affects his scheduling.

Yes, this might just be the case. Djokovic made the deal after both of them plus it's his first time in Abu Dhabi. He wasn't really in a position to set up his own terms and I'm sure he agreed to play QF's.

[HKz]

It is an exho, who really cares. It is all about the fans and popularity. The fact that Federer has been ATP fan favorite for what like 9 consecutive years I think shows this. Has nothing to do with ATP rankings, etc.

[Ash86]

It's all of the above - it's an exo so no one really cares anyway; Nadal & Federer are still top billing in terms of selling tickets and it'll take more time for Djokovic to reach their level of interest in the mind of the average tennis-goer; and it probably works out for the best for all parties as Novak isn't playing any other Aus Open warm ups so more matches is good for him whereas Nadal & Fed are both playing Doha too so this is just for the money for them.

It'd look less incongruous if they'd just not had any seedings - looks strange that 2 and 3 have byes but no. 1 doesn't so far easier to just have no seedings and set out the draw. As for the organisers being Nadal & Fed fanboys - I think it's more that money talks and they are still a much bigger draw than Novak is. If you're an avid tennis follower you'd rather see a Novak/Fed or Novak/Rafa match-up rather than a Fed/Rafa match as the latter is the most predictable (even taking into account last year's trend...) but if you're a TV exec or tournament organiser you'll always go for Fed/Rafa as it generates the most interest rightly or wrongly.

At the end of the day Novak will be getting a huge cheque and I doubt he cares at all about his no.1 status not getting enough respect!

[Johnny Groove]

2012 drama starting already in 2011.

This tennis year is wide open.

[Gabe32]

Originally Posted by alter ego

Are you for real? considering that Djokovic is the only top ten player who will not play an ATP tournament before AO, it is pretty likely that his own camp requested 3 matches.

...do you have any proof that that is the case, or are you just saying things? Nowhere in the thread does it say what you have just said.

Obviously if this is the case, it is not a slap in the face to Djokovic. But it seems like this tournament is just being biased based on ticket sales (which is their prerogative since it is an exhibition, but it is still lame).