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It's The Shiny Show at Masters Cup launch

Masters Series
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There were so many shiny suits at the Masters Cup opening ceremony here in Shanghai today, we could have been at one of those 80s pop nostalgia nights.

As the players strode into the room, all metallic-grey and baggy trousers, one half-expected neon lights and a collection of ABC’s greatest hits.

Sadly for those desperate to hear Novak Djokovic sing “Poison Arrow”, an event not totally beyond the realms of possibility given the Serb’s karaoke fetish, it wasn’t to be.

They received gifts, shook hands, smiled politely and answered questions about the traditional season finale which starts here on Sunday, before a mad dash back to the hotel to change into something more sensible.

But dressing up is part of the fun of the Masters Cup - a couple of years ago everyone appeared in full traditional Chinese garb -and it emphasises how this isn’t your average tournament.

The VIP treatment is up to the max.

When the players entered their rooms at the official hotel, they found their names embroidered into the pillows and dressing gowns.

“Nice touch,” said Andy Murray, “not something I’m used to!”

One of the player lounges at the tournament venue is done up like a chic boutique hotel, all classy couches and bijou touches.

This is where the players, only eight of them for the singles event, get to truly feel like the superstars they like to think they are. They even get to dress like Martin Fry - what a treat.

Of course one man is missing; the fatigued Rafael Nadal.

Is Roger Federer missing him, one Chinese reporter enquired?

“We’re not dating, so no!” replied the top seed, before being asked to pose next to an ornamental ostrich by a photographer.

Federer finds himself in the Red Group with three men who have beaten him during 2008, Murray, Andy Roddick and Gilles Simon.

The Gold Group has Djokovic, who failed to win a match on his debut here last year, the omni-present Nikolay Davydenko, plus “The Future” in the form of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Juan Martin Del Potro.

“I think it’s great to have new players,” says Federer. “I think they all have different temperaments, they’re all very nice people. Times are good for men’s tennis.”

Times are also changing.

Lurking in the wings on opening ceremony day was Etienne De Villiers, outgoing Chairman and CEO of the ATP, plus several of the executives interested in succeeding him, including Shanghai Tournament Director Brad Drewett.

“I think it’s important to get the right person,” says Federer. “There are many candidates so let’s get it down to a handful, then I will probably get involved a little bit, give my opinions and maybe meet a few of them.

“It’s always been one of my dreams to have the players involved and interested in the sport of tennis, not just cashing the cheque.”

Next year is a big one for the ATP with a new calendar, culminating with this event moving to London, rebranded as the ATP World Tour Finals.

The men’s top 10 could be the strongest for many years and there will be a new Chairman and CEO of the governing body, no doubt with Roger Federer’s stamp of approval.

Changing times and exciting times, but while the number one player in the world stays away from the season-finale, citing fatigue, the land of ATP utopia remains some way off.

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comment by pottiella (U7028587)

posted Nov 8, 2008

andy_66666 - "There is really no similarity between the two, whether in personality or style of play. Andy Murray, has a bad attitude, anger management issues and he's a bad loser. Federer is respectful to his opponents and rarely loses his temper. Federer is not someone who would be described as playing from the baseline. He is an all rounder. "

have you watched any tennis at all?

I don't intend to get wound up by you, but maybe I could educate you a little:

1. Federer had a foul temper in his early days, very much like Andy used to be. He got in trouble with umpires, would shout and smash and it was just downright ugly. Sampras looked like an angel in comparison...much like I'm sure Federer has seemed to the new Tennis fans.

2. Perhaps you should try watched Andy play nowadays, or listen to his winner's acceptance speeches, read his interviews, or watch/listen to his interviews. He is nothing but humble, overly modest, grown a reputation for being dangerously ice cool on court such that his calm gets to his opponents heads - and maybe you should listen to Federer himself, or even Borg (forget all other players past and present who have also commented on Andy) about Andy's impeccable temperament on and off court now. Even journalists have hailed his change in attitude towards handling media and PR commitments, which are growing by the minute...

I don't know what you're problem is, but maybe you shouldn't be wasting time commenting on things you clearly don't know anything about.

And btw, I agree - nothing wrong with Jonathan's article; people are being petty now just because they might not like him. This is BBC's site and they have the right to put it as a highlight article...get over it.

Always good to inject a bit of dry humour into proceedings...it's sport, its not life-and-death politics. Lighten up people...

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comment by Lydian (U13373500)

posted Nov 8, 2008

"but while the number one player in the world stays away from the season-finale, citing fatigue, the land of ATP utopia remains some way off".
-----------------

That sounded a little cynical about Rafa's reasons for not entering to me...you didnt have to use the word "citing"....simply the world number one is staying away due to fatigue.

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comment by pottiella (U7028587)

posted Nov 8, 2008

FairPlayMotty - 'i-ron-y'? is that what's used for making shirts smooth? smiley

Anyway, off the back of the criticism this article is getting; I like the fact TMC is a little bit of theatre and not taking it all too seriously...but at the same time giving the players this level of respect that reflects their status earnt as the best 8 players of the year. It's what the WTA championships are seriously lacking, all very one dimentional.

In that respect, its great that reporting on the tournament reflects that mood - take the tennis seriously, but everything else as a lighthearted extravaganza put on to pamper the players and treat fans to a big noticeable season finale.

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comment by noleisthebest (U11043469)

posted Nov 8, 2008

"but while the number one player in the world stays away from the season-finale, citing fatigue, the land of ATP utopia remains some way off."

what a ridiculous finale!
Nadal had no chance even if fully fit, hed' probably look better in the shiny suit then Potro, though...

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comment by singhsta2006 (U5339860)

posted Nov 9, 2008

hopefully we get to see a great final,i reckon it will be federer vs murray/djokovic final and as its best of 3 sets it favours murray and djokovic for me rather than over 5 sets it would favour federer,but davydenko and simon might spoil the final we want to see

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comment by spdocoffey (U2312061)

posted Nov 9, 2008

"There is really no similarity between the two, whether in personality or style of play. Andy Murray has a bad attitude, anger management issues and he's a bad loser. Federer is respectful to his opponents and rarely loses his temper. Federer is not someone who would be described as playing from the baseline. He is an all rounder."

I am sorry but as has already been muted by other members of the board, this is simply fantasy.

Federer is a poor loser. A man who complains every time he loses to Murray, firstly saying that it was frustrating tackling a player who was very defensive a couple of years ago, whilst in Madrid he received an ace show a the hands of Murray and then complained the court was too fast. He struggles to be graceful in defeat. On the other hand even in his earlier volcanic years, Murray was almost always gracious in giving the opponent credit.

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comment by ithinkthis (U12779465)

posted Nov 9, 2008

singhsta2006

"Davydenko and Simon might spoil the final we want to see"

we???

Please speak for yourself. I'd be delighted if I could see Simon in the final !!

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comment by World Number Three (U3982700)

posted Nov 10, 2008

spdocoffey is on the money when it comes to Murray: the guy has nothing but compliments for his opponent, regardless of the result.

I'm not sure whether I'd agree with him that Federer is a bad sport, but recently he's had a few more defeats to deal with, so maybe he's lost a bit of grace.

I've always found his post-match comments to be fairly objective. He is a genius and it is unsurprising that he sees to the heart of the matches he has been involved in. His comments after the Murray matches might not have seemed particularly courteous, but they certainly rang true. Murray, for one, seems to have taken Federer's comments on-board.

After what Federer has achieved in the game, I think he should be allowed to say what he wants!

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comment by Every day is red nose day (U10993370)

posted Nov 13, 2008

comment by U11654298 (U13665704)

posted 4 Days Ago

Hi Jonathan, just ignore all the people criticise you and give you 1 star. They're probably jealous! I really enjoy and appreciate your broadcasting and look forward to hearing you and the rest of the 5Live Sports Extra Team commentating on the Masters Cup. Keep up the good work! PS. I gave your article 5 stars!

===============================

Well said!

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comment by AJ fae Fife (U3822700)

posted Nov 14, 2008

Overends,

How daft do you feel now Scotland's No1 is a true tennis superstar? You've slagged him off every step of the way, with the Melzer match at the US open a perfect example!

You're a complete disgrace to the sport of tennis!

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