World Tour Finals - Would Wildcards Work?

First topic message reminder :

Another year and same old same old.

The top 4 un-moved. Little change in the perils below. The WTF is coming up and I am now feeling meh. I think the formula is too rigid and for me it isn't working anymore. Though I did think maybe something might work that might not just spice things up, but could also lend massive experience points to future champions of the game.

I think that the WTF should introduce wildcards. I think the top 6 should qualify. I think the ATP should then reward 2 up and coming players or those who have demonstrated a rich vein of form. I think if a Raonic or a Cilic for example were exposed to the top 4 in such a format, maybe just maybe they could show their metal. Let's look at those who have qualified:

Djokovic
Federer
Murray
Nadal - Withdrawn
Ferrer
Berdych
Del Potro
Tsonga/Monaco/Isner/Tipsarevic

Now looking at that list could I see Ferrer winning it? Nope. Berdych? Hmmm maybe. Tsonga/Monaco/Isner/Tipsarevic? No chance.

I think for things to remain fresh, maybe the WTF and ATP may look at wildcards which could be the catalyst for future champions.

bogbrush wrote:

Born Slippy wrote:That would be twice Valencia winner; former WTF finalist and last year's SFist Ferrer? It does frustrate me when people downplay his abilities like that. Suggesting that a guy as limited as Isner, reliant solely on his serve, would do better kind of sums it up. A court where Isner can do better than Ferrer is a bad court for tennis.

Where are the young players? Kei has won a 500 this year. Dimitrov has started to put together some impressive victories. Janowicz is closing on the top 50. Berankis is coming back to form. Tomic is class if he ever gets his head in order. Raonic is on the edge of the top 8. Kuznetsov has made massive strides this year. Saville is inside the top 400 and moving up nicely.

You lost me at Nishikori being called a young player; he's 23 in a few days, and parted completely at "Tomic is class".

The guy is a waste of time.

Slight exaggeration. Kei is 22 for a while yet and were it not for injuries would have been higher earlier. My point really was maybe we do have to look at 21-22 being the point most players will come through from now on. Is that such a bad thing if it means they play longer?

Agree that Tomic is a waste of time but that's an attitude thing. When he can be bothered he has some skills. Movement is his main weakness. Despite the bad attitude he cruised into the top 30 last year as a teenager. Not many players do that.

A while yet? He's 23 in December.

Also I don't get this idea that players can't come through young nowadays; didn't stop Nadal, Djokovic & Murray did it? I think it's a myth that's grown up to explain why there's nobody any good genuinely young; as Lydian points out, one under 19 in the top 400!!!

Indeed, as you point out, Tomic made it to the higher end as a teenager.

That's more than a few days . However, for most sports 22-23 would still be considered young. Why should tennis be so different?

I think it is harder for an average to good player to come through with today's physical strength in depth. Also, the change in points distribution a few years ago to make the points distribution more top heavy does not help. That said, I do agree that there are no world beaters coming through at present - although i think Tomic is potentially the guy who could fulfil that role. Where I'd disagree is that it is any more than a statistical quirk. I just don't see a good justification for that.

Not in tennis becase Wilander, Becker, Chang, McEnroe, Nadal,Murray, Sampras, Djokovic etc etc all showed that teenagers can do it.

And some of these guys show its not changed today.

Yes, but how do we know the likes of Tomic/Nishokiri won't do it... just later.

Sooner or later we will get a number 1 out of the top 4, right?

Born Slippy wrote:That's more than a few days . However, for most sports 22-23 would still be considered young. Why should tennis be so different?

I think it is harder for an average to good player to come through with today's physical strength in depth. Also, the change in points distribution a few years ago to make the points distribution more top heavy does not help. That said, I do agree that there are no world beaters coming through at present - although i think Tomic is potentially the guy who could fulfil that role. Where I'd disagree is that it is any more than a statistical quirk. I just don't see a good justification for that.

Lets not forget that returning serve being so valuable on today's tour that it is very difficult in year first year or two to have any comfort returning a big league serve. I think your post is on point here BS. Certainly, the group of players 18-22 has not played at the level would like and when compared to past periods of time. I do think that it does take a bit more time with rigors of tour and the fitness requirements and the premium placed on returning in the modern game.

legendkillarV2 wrote:Another year and same old same old.

The top 4 un-moved. Little change in the perils below. The WTF is coming up and I am now feeling meh. I think the formula is too rigid and for me it isn't working anymore. Though I did think maybe something might work that might not just spice things up, but could also lend massive experience points to future champions of the game.

I think that the WTF should introduce wildcards. I think the top 6 should qualify. I think the ATP should then reward 2 up and coming players or those who have demonstrated a rich vein of form. I think if a Raonic or a Cilic for example were exposed to the top 4 in such a format, maybe just maybe they could show their metal. Let's look at those who have qualified:

Djokovic
Federer
Murray
Nadal - Withdrawn
Ferrer
Berdych
Del Potro
Tsonga/Monaco/Isner/Tipsarevic

Now looking at that list could I see Ferrer winning it? Nope. Berdych? Hmmm maybe. Tsonga/Monaco/Isner/Tipsarevic? No chance.

I think for things to remain fresh, maybe the WTF and ATP may look at wildcards which could be the catalyst for future champions.

It's a really interesting idea legend, and for my part I would much prefer to see Raonic offered a WC than see Monaco totally outclassed in the competition. As you say, it would be tremendous experience for an up and coming champion and might just be the springboard to greater things. Apart from Raonic, I don't really think anyone else has shown the future championship potential to be considered above guys who have earned their place by being No 7 or No 8 in the rankings.

I do think that it would rather defeat the object of the end of year championships though.