[Neely]

one day longer, probably for marketing purposes

 

[Fee]

What? Where did you read this?

Booooo! Hisssssssssssssssssss! I don't want the other slams to get US Open disease (doing everything for money and only money).

 

[alfonsojose]

If that would mean no Super Saturday at USO, i'd be happy but ..

 

[vogus]

What? Where did you read this?

Booooo! Hisssssssssssssssssss! I don't want the other slams to get US Open disease (doing everything for money and only money).

Maybe they're doing it because it's better for the fans as well as the tournie? Sunday is a heck of a lot more convenient day for people to attend an afternoon session. God forbid they should make more money AND provide a better value to the fans, right?

 

[ezekiel]

I think it's great to cram more matches on weekend and less during the week

 

[Beforehand]

But Wimby's scheduling is already PERFECT.

**whines**

 

[BigboyDan]

Nope.

Roland Garros starts Monday 29 May 2006 and ends 11 June 2006 (Prochain rendez-vous du 29 mai au 11 juin 2006).

http://www.fft.fr/rolandgarros/fr/Frame_RG.html

 

[ClaycourtaZzZz.]

WTF??!! I want it to be for the AO... would be nice for the people in europe.

 

[Action Jackson]

http://go.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=tennisNews&storyID=9684260

French Open to start on Sunday from next year

PARIS, Sept 18 (Reuters) - The French Open will start on a Sunday instead of a Monday from next year as part of a general plan to stage all grand slams over 15 days instead of 14, French Tennis Federation (FFT) president Christian Bimes said on Sunday.

"The tournament will last 15 days from 2006, which is great news for the promotion of tennis," Bimes said after this weekend's Fed Cup final between France and Russia at Roland Garros which set an attendance record.

The centre court's 15,000 seats were packed on Saturday and Sunday for a tie Russia won 3-2.

The idea of an extra weekend day at grand slam events is to boost ticket sales and television audiences.

 

[Action Jackson]

These clowns have also given into giving the women equal prizemoney, at least that's one thing I will give Wimbledon and good for them.

Yes, the website needs to be updated if this is the case and 15 days for a Slam is crap and it's not needed, next it will be Super Saturday for Roland Garros.

From what I also read it's only 12 matches will take place on the three showcourts on the first Sunday. Yay! it's all about the fans.

 

[MariaV]

Yeah right, it's all about the fans. What next?
And what about attention for the tournaments ending before the GSs start, some of them already have finals on Saturday, don't they need more spectators and coverage at the weekend?
I don't like it one bit.

 

[basil333]

These clowns have also given into giving the women equal prizemoney, at least that's one thing I will give Wimbledon and good for them.

Yes, the website needs to be updated if this is the case and 15 days for a Slam is crap and it's not needed, next it will be Super Saturday for Roland Garros.

From what I also read it's only 12 matches will take place on the three showcourts on the first Sunday. Yay! it's all about the fans.

Interesting...
You have just described this year's "new" format to Charity day... - matches only took place on the showcourts... so thats what their plan was....

IMHO French Open already has 15 days of tennis - as they have the Benny Barthuei (sp) Charity day on that Sunday. NO real change then.

 

[Action Jackson]

Yeah right, it's all about the fans. What next?
And what about attention for the tournaments ending before the GSs start, some of them already have finals on Saturday, don't they need more spectators and coverage at the weekend?
I don't like it one bit.

Well it's not like the clay doesn't need extra attention and yes the best thing is probably the winner and finalists in St Pölten and Düsseldorf will play their 1st round matches on Sunday.

basil, I wonder if they still will have Charity day, instead of it actually being serious.

 

[TheBoiledEgg]

so whats next

the previous weeks tournaments now have to finish on a Friday

and then guess what.......

"oh look the Saturday is free as well"

what great thinking by the idiotic money men.

 

[MariaV]

so whats next

the previous weeks tournaments now have to finish on a Friday

and then guess what.......

"oh look the Saturday is free as well"

what great thinking by the idiotic money men.

Exactly.

 

[vincayou]

It's good to be able to see one more day of tennis. Some tennis fan are working during the week. I'm happy about it.

 

[BigboyDan]

Sigh.

Relax.

There still will be no ATP or WTA players scheduled on that first Sunday.

 

[Action Jackson]

Sigh.

Relax.

There still will be no ATP or WTA players scheduled on that first Sunday.

Actually it said 12 matches will be scheduled on the first Sunday and it won't be juniors or exhibitions.

 

[BigboyDan]

Actually it said 12 matches will be scheduled on the first Sunday and it won't be juniors or exhibitions.

You're right - and those matches will not be with ATP players either.

 

[Action Jackson]

You're right - and those matches will not be with ATP players either.

How can they be when the ITF run the Slams? If it's not juniors, wheelchairs or exhibition events then what are they then?

They won't be qualifying matches either.