Seeds at the upcoming World Tour Finals were finalized on Saturday when David Ferrer lost to Andy Murray in the semis of the BNP Paribas Masters. Ferrer will move up inconsequentially from No. 8 to No. 7 but could have climbed all the way to fifth with the Paris title.
Seeds
1) Novak Djokovic
2) Andy Murray
3) Roger Federer
4) Stan Wawrinka
5) Rafael Nadal
6) Tomas Berdych
7) David Ferrer
8) Kei Nishikori
Draw format
1) Novak Djokovic – in pool A
2) Andy Murray – in pool B
3) Roger Federer – cannot be with Wawrinka
4) Stan Wawrinka – cannot be with Federer
5) Rafael Nadal – cannot be with Berdych
6) Tomas Berdych – cannot be with Nadal
7) David Ferrer – cannot be with Nishikori
8) Kei Nishikori – cannot be with Ferrer
These are the 8 possible draws for the WTF. Which one do you think is the right one.
Djokovic……………………………………………Murray
Federer……………………………………………Wawrinka
Nadal……………………………………………….Berdych
Ferrer…………………………………….…..……Nishikori
Djokovic……………………………………….…..Murray
Federer……………………………………………Wawrinka
Nadal……………………………………………….Berdych
Nishikori…………………………………….…..….Ferrer
Djokovic…………………………………………..Murray
Federer………………………………………..…Wawrinka
Berdych…………………………………….…….Nadal
Nishikori……………………………………… ….Ferrer
Djokovic…………………………………………..Murray
Federer……………………………………………Wawrinka
Berdych……………………………………………Nadal
Ferrer………………………………………………Nishikori
Djokovic…………………………………………..Murray
Wawrinka…………………………………..…….Federer
Nadal………………………………………..… ..Berdych
Ferrer…………………………………….………Nishikori
Djokovic…………………………………….……..Murray
Wawrinka………………………………………….Federer
Nadal……………………………………………….Berdych
Nishikori…………………………….…….……… Ferrer
Djokovic…………………………………………..Murray
Wawrinka………………………………………….Federer
Berdych…………………………………….……..Nadal
Ferrer…………………………………….………..Nishikori
Djokovic…………………………………………..Murray
Wawrinka………………………………..……….Federer
Berdych…………………………………………..Nadal
Nishikori………………………………….………Ferrer
What?
So Ricky, what is your prediction of the likely draw?
Djokovic…………………………………………..Murray
Wawrinka………………………………………….Federer
Berdych…………………………………….……..Nadal
Ferrer…………………………………….………..Nishikori
Not sure about Ferrer, Berdych and Nishi but pretty certain on the rest.
Haha that’s cuz fed never gets bad draws right lol
Not never. But rarely. 😉
Oops, didn’t mean to have Rafa and Fed in the same half given that Rafa gave the Federazzi a serious scare in Basel, no?
Correct My predictions to:
Djokovic…………………………………………..Murray
Wawrinka…………………………………..…….Federer
Nadal………………………………………..… ..Berdych
Ferrer…………………………………….………Nishikori
Some statistics:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CTcv_pJWEAMSYVZ.png
http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/hand-gestures/hand-clapping-smiley-emoticon.gif
Not quite, but almost. 29.6 . We’ll see. average age will go over 30 by next year if the same ones are there. Nishikori is questionable, so, say Tsonga or Gasquet? yes…over 31, But hoping a new face can make it – Nick Kyrigos age 21, and in the same group as Stan at World Tour Final.
This would be my preferred draw for Rafa:
Djokovic…………………………………………..Murray
Federer……………………………………………Wawrinka
Berdych……………………………………………Nadal
Ferrer………………………………………………Nishikori
Which one is your preferred draw for your favourite player? @nadline10
November 9, 2015 at 9:06 am
Nativenewyorker, there is nothing wrong with being a Novak fan. You sound like one to me. Who is your favourite player?
this. I can never understand why it matters whom someone is a fan of.
What about Philly fans? You don’t include them obviously.
Do you? Or don’t you.
Ricky,
Then why bring it up in the first place?
what?
nor is calling someone a fan of someone an accusation
Mmmmm again…. same question. 🙂
Ricky,
I asked why bring up that I am a Novak fan if it’s not important!
what date/time did the discussion you are referring to start? Right now I have no idea what you are referencing.
Reblogged this on Tennis Abides.
Ricky,
This person also said that I was guilt of writing Rafa off. You may say that none of this matters, but my point is that if it doesn’t matter, then why bother to say it in the first place? It’s not about tennis. I think it’s kind of an odd first comment for someone to make. It doesn’t matter, so then why even mention it. That’s my point.
Perhaps Ricky and said other person differ on that opinion.
?
Ricky,
I am referencing Orchid’s post today @ 2:58 pm and your replies @ 2:59 pm.
I am not sure Ricky is getting these as I reblogged this on my site.
?
I am confused as well
about what?
The comments from earlier
The reason the prize money and points for the WTF are so high is to force the top players to turn up. They should just pay them appearance fees with no points. For a RR format where you can lose a match and still win the trophy 1,500 points is far too much. In all other tournaments, you don’t get a second chance. If you lose in the first round, that’s it.
I don’t think players should play a whole year to get into an eight-man tournament and then be out if they lose just one match. This isn’t baseball.
No, they can keep the RR format just not award it so much prize money and points.
I’m with Ricky here.
Have points that decide year end rankings from 1-8 only and then drop the points Jan. 1.
Let them play IPTL rules or added bonus for skills competition for all I care so long as the points drop off at year end.
I don”t think the players play a whole year just to get into WTF. They play to win slams, Masters, other titles and get a ranking as high as possible. Qualifying for WTF is incidental to being in the top 8, not the primary motivation for being in the top 8.
I agree, but it would still be awful to play and lose one match and be out of the YEAR-END CHAMPIONSHIP. Also, in an 8-man regular tournament, only SEVEN matches would be played. Now there are 15. I don’t think there is an ideal way to do it, but it’s far better than the alternative.
^^ That.
#QuackQuack
#MooMoo
#MewMew
RR format is ok for a 8 man field. Surfaces should be rotated between clay and hardcourt.
it should not and cannot rotate
Top 16 instead would give same number of matches and best of five would reduce chances of upset (like in grand slams).
Losing two matches (let alone one) and being year end champion would also be awful.
And no reason that there can’t be indoor clay now that there is a week off between Paris and WTF.
If they dropped the points on Jan. 1 as you suggested, I don’t care what they do.
Otherwise, the current format is a joke and gives Top 8 an unfair buffer over the rest in rankings for the whole year.
ATP Launches ‘Finals Club’ In Honour Of Season Finale’s Past Champions
NOV 10, 2015
Barclays ATP World Tour Finals
Stan Smith
Groups are named in honour of past singles and doubles champions
The ATP launched a new initiative on Tuesday, aimed at celebrating the former champions of the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, as well as recognising all singles players and doubles teams to have qualified for the Tour’s season-ending tournament since the inaugural event in Tokyo in 1970.
The Finals Club initiative will see many of the game’s former greats from the past 45 years return to the season-ending tournament, where they will be able to reconnect with the sport, their peers, as well as the world’s best players of today.
While players from subsequent decades will be celebrated in future years, the launch of the Finals Club this year will be highlighted by the renaming of Groups A and B for both the singles and doubles in honour of players that made an indelible mark on the tournament in the 1970s.
In singles:
– Group A will be renamed in honour of Stan Smith, winner of the inaugural tournament in Tokyo in 1970.
– Group B will be renamed in honour of Ilie Nastase, a four-time winner of the event from 1971-1973 and ’75.
In doubles:
– Group A will be renamed Ashe/Smith, in honour of Arthur Ashe & Stan Smith, winners of the inaugural tournament in Tokyo in 1970.
– Group B will be renamed Fleming/McEnroe, in honour of Peter Fleming & John McEnroe, seven-time consecutive winners of the tournament.
“This tournament has such a rich and unique history, and the Finals Club will provide us with a great way to celebrate that moving forward,” said Chris Kermode, ATP Executive Chairman & President. “Qualifying for this tournament is an incredible achievement in itself. The Finals Club will keep our former players involved with our season-ending event, and we look forward to welcoming players from the 1970s at The O2 this year, as well as players from subsequent decades in years to come.”
For Smith, the chance to witness the world’s best at The O2 is something to relish. “I look forward to returning to the season finale and to joining many of my fellow competitors from the 1970s in the gallery,” said Smith. “As we marvel at the performances of the likes of Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, I will also reflect on the incredible growth of men’s professional tennis and reminisce with rivals turned friends. I’ll forever remember winning the very first singles and doubles event in Tokyo in 1970, and I’m truly honoured that the ATP has chosen to celebrate its history by renaming the groups in this way for 2015.”
The singles and doubles draw ceremony for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals will take place on Thursday evening at City Hall in London.
absurd
This sounds remarkably like a desperate attempt to big up the WTF as the date approaches for renegotiating the O2 contract. If so I doubt this flaccid window dressing will cut much ice.
..
The team names (apart from McEnroe) will mean precious little to the general public other than the tennis cognescenti. Why call it The Finals Club which smacks of a Members Only enclosure from which the hoi polloi are excluded.
The ATP is in dire need of a good speech writer to pen the statements attributed to Kermode and Stan Smith. The two quoted above are dreadful examples of the genre.
Kermode has done a great job so far at the O2 so I am surprised this is the best that could be thought up for breathing fresh life into the WTF.
.
this is so ridiculous. I wonder if I will actually stoop so low as to call them “Group Smith” and “Group Nastase” in my articles….
Possibly you won’t be put to the test. I know there is pressure for it to go to Asia, presumably Shanghai, and Kermode made a somewhat cagey remark earlier this year which had me wondering if the decision is already fait accompli.
“this is so ridiculous. I wonder if I will actually stoop so low as to call them “Group Smith” and “Group Nastase” in my articles….”
hahaha…please do call them that. it’s too precious — it’s your blogger’s duty now.
i may just make up names. Maybe poll the tenngrand audience.
Do it! My thinking cap is ON.
What about group Roger and group Rafa lol
Group No1e
The Others
;p
LOL!!!
I LOVE Benny’s idea. Even if they are in the same half lol.
How about Group Monfils and Group Gulbis.
Or Group Gulbis and Group Boring.
How about Group Hawkeye!!!!
Group Ricky
Group Hawkeye
lol
Or Group NiceGuys and Group NastyGuys
or simply
Group Winners and Group Losers
talking of Nasty guys, since when did the ATP re-brand Nastase?
He was such a thorn in the flesh for tournament directors he earned the nickname Nasty and the ATP introduced the 25sec rule to curtail his delaying antics on court.
The crowds loved him of course.
Eureka!!!
Group Do You? and Group Don’t You.
Have you got anything up on the draw ceremony. I’m seeing nothing at all.
ed, am listening to boris johnson waffle on…extraordinary combination with andrew castle and chris kermode….
I cracked up at the Boris Johnson performance when he sent the proceedings up!
Andrew Castle was plain inept throughout while Gerry Anderson managed to look shifty and embarrassed at the same time. I noticed they quickly changed the ritual of the draw before they got to the singles. ROFL
Interesting facts can be found on the Internet:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CTgutHRWwAAUxMC.png
That’s what I call the GOAT.
The seedings should be based on the lifetime h2h of the 8 players against each other:
Win/Loss
1. Nadal —————————–123-53
2. Djokovic————————–125-66
3. Federer—————————- 96-66
4. Murray—————————– 57-69
5. Wawrinka—————————36-72
6. Ferrer———————————35-85
7. Berdych—————————–29-81
8. Nishikori——————————18-27
maybe they should be based on the indoor hard-court H2H between the 8 players…..
Will you collate that info, Ricky? I am not sure they have enough matches against each other to make it meaningful.
I will at some point, yes
That’s not a simple thing to do. You would have to look up 28 head to head combinations and filter on indoor hard.
Can’t even do that on tennis abstract.
So no I doubt that you’d bother.
some of these are off by a little bit
Which ones are off, Ricky?
Berdych and Ferrer both off by 1. Havent looked at all of them.
The WTF is looming and what are we talking about? Rafael Nadal.
Site full of OTT Rafans. Nothing new.
Nadal:
“I am not sure if it is 100 per cent fair that we qualify for the World Tour Finals playing on grass, hard, clay and indoors, and since 2005, when I qualified [for the first time], it is already 11 years that every single time [it has been] on indoor hard,’ says Nadal.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-3312691/Rafael-Nadal-clay-O2-courts-knees-break-Spaniard-returns-England-rediscovered-joy-sport.html#ixzz3rCGfRdzm
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Barry Cowan:
“What would be the perfect draw for Murray?
Stan Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych, and I would say Kei Nishikori, because he’s not fit. Ideally Nishikori first match.”
that draw would be a joke
Best indoor career records:
Roger Federer 0.805 – 260-63
Novak Djokovic0.781 – 121-34
Andy Murray
0.773 – 116-34
Kei Nishikori
0.742 – 49-17
Rafael Nadal
0.679 – 72-34
David Ferrer
0.627 – 101-60
Tomas Berdych
0.620 – 116-71
Stan Wawrinka
0.550 – 66-54
For a guy who seems to favour choosing indoor tournaments with the second highest number of indoor matches, you’d think that Berdych would have a better record.
My bad, Berdych’s career W-L record is just 63.5% over all so negligible difference.
Couldn’t someone in charge slow down that indoor hc and find proper balls to increase Rafa’s chance of winning this thing?
the London surface is already very slow. As slow as Paris.
Good point.
I repeat what I have written several times.
The Paris Masters website: ¤¤ The BNP Paribas Masters is played on GreenSet – resin on wood – which is absolutely identical to the surface at the ATP World Tour Finals in London which will be held from 15 – 22 November 2015.¤¤
The courts in Basel, Paris and London have been identical since at least 2013.
Looks like your sarcasm got lost. :p
Cool table of career h2h vs Top 10…
http://tennisabstract.com/reports/h2hMatrix.html
All the big servers have a negative h2h against the top 15.
What would be the best draw to maximize anyone but Djoko win? Nadal in Djokovic’s half. Federer and Nishikori in Murray’s half. Not sure about the rest. Idea is the two with the best chance of defeating Djoko should meet be in the semi and Finals i.e Murray and Fed. The others in Djoko’s group should be good enough to give Djoko some trouble, the others in Murray’s group should just roll over.
Djokovic is a lock to make the semifinals, so to answer the question we must only consider what might happen AFTER Djokovic makes the semifinals. It does not matter if he gets put in the hardest possible round robin group, as he would still advance.
I would say Djokovic-Wawrinka in same group and Federer with Murray. Most importantly, it would make a Djokovic-Fed semi a possibility. It also gives Djokovic a chance of losing a round-robin match (Stan is the only player other than Fed who can beat him), which would build others’ confidence heading into the semis and final.
Then probably Nadal with Federer and Berdych with Djokovic, as Nadal could beat Fed, making Fed the No. 2 seed from Group B and playing Djokovic in the semis.
Nishikori-Ferrer placement irrelevant
Assuming Rafa can beat everyone but Djoko, this also maximizes his chances of being a WTF finalist or winner as he can afford to lose one RR and he is assured of not meeting Djok in the semis. If the semi finalists from the other half cannot take out Djoko, Rafa will only be a finalist, if they can take him out, Rafa will win.
Why do you think Nadal can’t beat Djokovic but Murray can? Murray’s h2h with Djoko is 9-21.
who thinks Murray can beat Djokovic?
Mary says:
November 11, 2015 at 4:49 pm
Idea is the two with the best chance of defeating Djoko should meet be in the semi and Finals i.e Murray and Fed. The others in Djoko’s group should be good enough to give Djoko some trouble, the others in Murray’s group should just roll over.
Murray has no chance of beating Djokovic. I would say of all the WTF contestants only Ferrer has a worse chance of beating Djokovic than Murray.
Chances are Muzz is going to tank his matches.
But whether we think Muzz has the best or worst chance of beating Djok, he has to be in the other half.
They should rotate from one surface to another. The whole thing is a farce, it’s just one last bash of the ATP to get in some cash. As usual, no thoughts for the players. If indoor was Roger’s worst surface, they would have done something about it.
they can’t, and they shouldn’t
if Nadal was a six-time champion of this event, you would love it
I agree with Ricky’s comment @ 5:58 pm. Murray hasn’t shown that he can beat Novak at all, the lone exception being Montreal. I can’t see him beating Novak on this court at all. Yes, Murray has the least chance of beating Novak with the exception of Ferrer. Novak has nothing to fear from either of them. Stan would be much more of a challenge, but would have to be at his best. Fed has the capability to do it on this court, but that doesn’t mean it will happen.
They’ve already done a lot of ‘tinkering’ with Roger’s surfaces. Leave Indoor Hard alone!