{"id":654,"date":"2012-02-08T19:58:13","date_gmt":"2012-02-09T00:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/heavytopspin.wordpress.com\/?p=654"},"modified":"2012-02-08T19:58:13","modified_gmt":"2012-02-09T00:58:13","slug":"better-players-in-smaller-tournaments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/blog\/2012\/02\/08\/better-players-in-smaller-tournaments\/","title":{"rendered":"Better Players in Smaller Tournaments"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last week, Jurgen Melzer entered the qualifying draw of the ATP Zagreb Indoor event. \u00a0Melzer is ranked about #40 in the world; players ranked at least #116 earned direct entry into the main draw. \u00a0Melzer decided long after the entry deadline that he wanted some matches in advance of this week’s Davis Cup, so he took the only route remaining open: qualies.<\/p>\n

This precise scenario is not a common one. \u00a0Because tournament entries must be submitted so early, top players err on the side of entering too many. \u00a0If they ultimately decide not to play, there’s usually a convenient injury and an apologetic withdrawal. \u00a0When top players do make last-minute decisions, like Melzer did, tournament organizers often have a wild card to spare, giving the star direct entry.<\/p>\n

It’s tempting to say that there’s a problem with the early deadlines for tournament entries. \u00a0Surely, if players didn’t have to decide so early, they might choose to enter more 250s and 500s. \u00a0But the early deadlines are there for a reason. \u00a0Not only do they allow players and their entourages to make travel arrangements, but they also lock players in so that tournaments can advertise their lineups.<\/p>\n

The problem may not be with early deadlines, but we do have a sub-optimal arrangements. \u00a0Players enter tournaments they may not play (and tournaments advertise players who won’t show up), players don’t enter tournaments they may want to play (and events can’t advertise those players), and tournaments have less direct control over their field than they would prefer. \u00a032-draw events only get three wild cards, and they want more.<\/p>\n

Here’s my solution: Every withdrawal turns into an additional wild card.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Almost every tournament sees a player or two withdraw after the entry deadline but long before the start of qualifying. \u00a0Currently, those openings go to the highest-ranked entrant not yet in the main draw. \u00a0It’s not uncommon to see a half-dozen alternates in a main draw, sometimes including guys far down the list, after other alternates have opted for challengers or other ATP events.<\/p>\n

Here are some benefits of my proposal:<\/p>\n