Masters Cup needs image repair after players' exodus

By Bill Scott Nov 15, 2005, 9:20 GMT

Andre Agassi of the USA returns the ball against Nikolay Davydenko of Russia during their match at the Shanghai Tennis Masters Cup, Monday 14 November 2005. Agassi lost 2-6, 4-6.

Shanghai - Disappointed Chinese organisers have laid down the law to the ATP after ankle and foot injury pullouts from Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal transformed the end-of-season elite extravaganza into a sorry spectacle.

'We feel like we bought a Mercedes-Benz only to find 60 per cent of the auto parts are no longer the original ones we paid for,' thundered Wang Liqun, deputy director of the organising committee.

'I certainly hope the ATP will turn this situation around to make it better and in this way to be responsible for the public,' he said as the subject of ticket refunds was raised.

'We certainly would like to have this branded product. If so, the public will be happy.'

With local government footing much of the bill for a minimum three-year run for what is touted as a battle among the year's tennis best, the ATP's reputation - and Chinese 'face' - is on the line.

Only Roger Federer remains in the field as a global name, with the rest of the players less than well-known among the general public.

'We feel sorry for our endorsers, media and fans. It's kind of difficult for us to explain to them,' said Wang. 'The product was supposed to be a quality one.

'Therefore, we expected the delivery right there. In other words, we expected this product to be perfect or to be good.

With Chinese prestige in the balance, he added: 'Right now, the product itself leaves a lot to be desired.'

With bills from what was reported as a 200-million-dollar stadium project still coming in, officials are keen to insure that a public relations disaster on this scale is never repeated at the Qi Zhong arena.

Before the event began, pullouts included Andy Roddick (back), Marat Safin (knee) and Lleyton Hewitt (impending fatherhood).

That leaves Federer - whose ankle is still tender after ligament damage a month ago - as the only member of the ranking Top 5 still playing.

Embattled tournament director Brad Drewett, who competed in the first men's professional event held in China nearly two and a half decades ago, put down the misfortune to simple bad luck.

'Both Raf and Andre being injured in one day is extraordinary. In many ways it's the perfect storm -- or the imperfect storm. It's just incredibly unfortunate.'

The former player cited the pure physical exertion of the modern game as part of the problem. He called for 'vigorous debate' on ways to halt the worrying trend.

With calls going out for months on shortening the season, that option seems unlikely due to the 'Balkanisation' of the games - ATP, ITF and dozens of sanctioned tournaments all have their own agendas.

'The nature of the sport -- one-on-one battle, there are going to be injuries,' said Drewett. 'However, we do need to look at addressing some of the issues in terms of schedule.

'I don't think it's as simple as saying if the season was shorter, if the guys played less, that these injuries wouldn't occur.'