A Shorter Season Gives Some Players Opportunities to Play for Exhibition Money

Written by: Staff on 30th November 2011

Swiss Indoors tennis tournament in Basel

A Shorter Season Gives Some Players Opportunities to Play for Exhibition Money

James Blake from the USA returns the ball to his compatriot Mardy Fish during their first round match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, 01 November 2011. EPA/GEORGIOS KEFALAS |

Players may occasionally raise their voices in search of a shorter season – but once the ATP months are done, it suddenly becomes exho (exhibition) season right up until the start of Tour hostilities in January.

American James Blake is only one of dozens of players either pocketing some extra Christmas shopping money or raising funds for various charities and foundations.

The No. 59 who last played a month ago, presided over a weekend charity event in his native Connecticut in aid of Serving for a Cure, a fund-raiser in honour of his late father. “This is something I try to use my voice in a positive way for,” he told local media, “With more cancer research, hopefully we’ll hear a lot more stories of survival and a lot more stories of families sticking together through tough times.”

Blake is not the only one taking advantage of several weeks of down time. Also joining in for various motives with December outings will be compatriots Andy Roddick, Venus Williams, John Isner, Bob and Mike Bryan, Mardy Fish. Frenchman Gael Monfils and WTA No. 3 Victoria Azarenka are also involved in events.

The biggest of the big guns only just finished their seasons a few days ago at the World Tour Finals in London, won by Roger Federer for a record sixth time.

But the Swiss, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Tsonga, Monfils, Spain’s David Ferrer and Rafael Nadal are all competing for major appearance fees in Abu Dhabi at the Mubadala event from December 29, The end-of-season turnaround time will be counted in mere days for the two Spaniards, winding up 2011 with the Davis Cup final against Argentina in Seville this weekend.

“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”

Topics: Blake, exhibition money, Williams