ATP Rome: Rain is forcing Federer, Thiem and Co. to work double shifts
The weather at the Italian Open 2019 is condensing the schedule. The organizers must now demonstrate creativity.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: May 15, 2019, 04:24 pm
By Jens Huiber from Rome
With all the love for a bit of precipitation: the way it poured over the Foro Italico on Wednesday can only be interpreted as a direct answer from the top. Namely, that the Italian Tennis Association, as the host of the Italian Open, has doubled ticket prices at the box office. Because of the inauguration of Grand Master Roger Federer. A few lucky people could actually watch the Swiss import before Federer also fled to the catacombs.
The Swiss could face a double shift on Thursday - just like Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem or Rafael Nadal. Thiem, Federer and Nadal would then meet rested opponents. The Swiss on Borna Coric, Thiem would be dealing with Karen Khachanov, defending champion Nadal with Nikoloz Basilashvili. Subject to the fact that the eight seats can then really be used, and probably from 10 a.m.
How will the situation be for those players who, like Dominc Thiem, are also involved in doubles? Here the creativity of the game planers is required. Maybe training places 9, 10 and 11 will be put into competition mode. Thiem, like most tennis professionals, is no stranger to the well-kept rain break. Whining doesn't help anyway.
Defending champion Svitolina already out
At least there were two winners on Wednesday: The sisters Chan confidently entered the quarter-finals of the women's doubles competition, Anastasija Sevastova and Nasty Pavlyuchenkova could not or did not want to compete, both had already blessed the timing in singles. Like defending champion Elina Svitolina, who struggled through several rain breaks on Tuesday evening - and ended up losing the third set 5-7 despite a 5-2 lead over Victoria Azarenka.
Jannik Sinner would have had to come back to the Bütt only today, the 17-year-old Italian has to fight a lot of media events after his opening win against Steve Johnson. But still comes to play tennis, at least Sinner walked off the facility with work equipment on his back around noon. Without much hope, maybe to be able to compete against Stefanos Tsitsipas.