Summer Season 2011

[ImmzB]

It looks like Richard will go up a seed in Montreal due to Ferrer's injury.

[blazer]

I swear Richard's the only player in the top 20-30 who isnt playing if there fit. Its so frustrating seeing less deserving players overtaking him becasue theyve played 2-3 tournaments to Richard's 0.

[Puschkin]

[blazer]

nice, oh ok so he will be seeded in the top 16? Doubles with gilles? Doesnt strike me as a good doubles player. A average serve with a average volley. Tsonga would be better. Have yiou seen the videos i posted of a young richard?

[Puschkin]

[civ3]

The second Gasquet believes 100% in himself will be the day he will win a grand slam and be world number 1

[EdbergEdberggogogo]

Since he had 150 points to defend in Gstaad, I thought Richard should have played Hamburg and gamble he could do better there. Simon won the event, so Richard could have possibly won it.

The playing conditions are so extreme in the US in summer. Playing Hamburg would have allowed Richard to just play Montreal and Cincinnati, possibly skipping Washington if he had done well in Hamburg.

Playing too much in extreme heat could do Richard much more harm than good regarding preparation for the US Open. Temperatures will be down a lot by the start of the Open, anyway.

Playing hardcourt tennis in 95 degree heat isn't good for one's career. It could do lasting damage. I'd try to avoid it if I could.

[blazer]

But he is missing washington so he isnt going to be playing much US open series tennis. He should be playing Hamburg from a fans perspective because he could be ranked inside the top 10 now guaranteeing better draws in Cincy and Rogers and the US open. But if he feels he needs a break to mentally and physically prepare though i'm dissapointed and frustrated i accept it because it will probably do him wonders in the long run.

[kohu]

It did KILL me to see Simon and Almagro in the final of Hamburg but rankings do change quickly and often a "good" draw ends up being a "bad" draw so things might work out in the end. We (and that includes me) can analyze and criticize all year but Richard and his team probably know a lot more about what is best for Richard so guess no point in being "armchair quarterbacks" as we say in the U.S. after our favorite football team does something stupid.

AS for playing in hte heat. I'm not a doctor or trainer but I've lived and played tennis in a very hot and humid part of the U.S. for YEARS and seen kids and professionals play hard for hours a day in the heat all summer with never any ill effects. As long as one stays well hydrated and cools down between work outs I really doubt playing 5 -6 weeks in the heat is going to damage a career. In fact the only people I've seen have any adverse effects from playing in the heat were those who were not used to it. So I'm not going to complain about his choice of tournaments BUT I will suggest it would be a VERY GOOD idea to spend at least 7-10 days training in the U.S. oven before playing Montreal which means he should be somewhere in the US sauna now (and not on the West Coast cuz it not that hot there). Wonder what he is doing?

[civ3]

With a bit of luck :S I think that it is JUST possible that Gasquet Keeps his 13 ranking. Stan is out of Gstaad. Alamagro gets 0 points. Lets hope Youzhny loses to him. Washington, there are no real threats, maybe Troicki or Melzer, but it is just possible that he can stay 13, go up to 12 with Ferrer's withdrawal.

Never doubt in the staff of Reeeesssshaard Gaaasqueet!

[ImmzB]

It looks like in the Masters aswell the Top 1-4 seeds play the 13-16 seeds in R3 so hopefully Granollers beats Youzhny tomorrow therefore Richard will keep his number 13 ranking and then go up 1 seed in Montreal due to Ferrer's withdrawal.

[ImmzB]

So with Granollers beating Youzhny beating today, Richard will be the 12 seed in Montreal. No 1-4 seed before the QF (But he has to get there first lol)

[blazer]

I dont think he can be seeded 12 youznhy will just overtake him and almagro will be higher by 5 points. Unless others retire. Unlucky.

[chrisfan]

As Ferrer will not play in Montreal (or Toronto ?) this year, Gasquet, n°13 ATP, will be seed n°12 (almost sure of that)

[ImmzB]