Anyone else thinking this Barclays ATP World Tour Final will be theater of the highest order (read: EPIC?)
Here's how the boys have been grouped:
Group A
Roger Federer (SUI)
Andy Murray (GBR)
Juan Martin del Potro (ARG)
Fernando Verdasco (ESP)
Group B
Rafael Nadal (ESP)
Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)
Robin Soderling (SWE)
Of course the big story here is the down-to-the-wire showdown for the year-end top ranking (and the strangely titled ATP World Tour Champion honors) between Roger Federer + Rafael Nadal.
The Matador trails Fed by 945 points and could usurp the top spot in three ways (via ATP):
1. If Rafa is an undefeated champion at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals (winning all-three round-robin matches, a semi-final and final) he will earn the maximum 1,500 points. If that happens, the Swiss would need to either win all three round-robin matches OR reach the final to beat out Rafa for the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion title.
2. If Rafa goes 2-1 in round-robin play and wins the title he will earn 1,300 points. If that happens, Fed would need to either win two round-robin matches OR win one round-robin match and reach the final to beat out Rafa for the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion title.
3. If Rafa goes 3-0 in round-robin play, wins his semi-final but loses the final he will earn 1,000 points. If that happens, Fed would need only to win one round-robin match to beat out the Spaniard for the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion title.
Novak Djokovic will be a big obstacle in their way. He's been playing like the top baller for a few weeks now capturing Basel, the Paris Masters and defeating Fed + Rafa in consecutive weeks. Andy Murray is looking to put an exclamation point on his best year and remove some of the disappointment of going Slam-less this season.
Juan Martin del Potro hasn't been playing well since shocking Fed to capture his maiden major at Flushing Meadows so he'll be hungry for a strong end to his career season. Last year's finalist, Nikolay Davydenko, and first-timers Fernando Verdasco + Robin Soderling (who got in after and injuryed Andy Roddick pulled out) round out the elite eight.
Click here to visit the official site.
(image via Julian Finney/Getty Images, CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images)
I like how Nadal crosses his legs. Classy.
ReplyDeleteQuestion:
ReplyDeleteCan someone please explain more the whole "ATP World Tour Champion" thing? What does that exactly entail?
"ATP World Tour Champion?" What is it with the tours and a horrible use of semantics? Do they seriously think they're tricking us into believing something that's not?
ReplyDeleteI must say though, I really like the suits and the way they've been styled (even if this reminds me of "there's been a murder on this train" kind of traveling mystery actors.)
Yeah the whole ATP World Tour Champion thing is all about branding but it's completely unnecessary and confusing. Plus it takes away the importance of what it really is: the year-end no.1. Now THAT is saying something.
ReplyDelete@ Jason....
ReplyDeleteNadal is probably crossing his legs so that we can't see the outline of his balls. His pants were probably too tight ;)
RAWR @ the photo. Look at our top ballers all elegant and handsome!
ReplyDeleteRafa does look so classy here. Also like Muzz a lot in that pic.
So I'm very excited about WTF (love the abbreviation, haha), it will be such a SHOWDOWN!!
I like the first pic a lot. Nice to see the guys in those suits.
ReplyDeleteI also think that Murray looks great there.
here's my order of who looks the best (i've seen quite a lot of pics and have finally come to a conclusion)
ReplyDelete-soderling (i just wanna rip that suit of him yummmy!!!)
-murray (pains me to say it)
-verdasco (excuding the hair)
roger should have looked good her normally looks shaggadelic in a suit.
rafa, as much as a i love him, only looks good in the pic where he's crossed his legs
-del potro looks the worst!!
nikolay and nole? meh