ANDY MURRAY FACES SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES IF HE SKIPS LONDON ACCORDING TO CEO CHRIS KERMODE

Written by: Staff on 22nd September 2015

ANDY MURRAY FACES SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES IF HE SKIPS LONDON ACCORDING TO CEO CHRIS KERMODE

epa04940152 Britain's Andy Murray in action against Australia's Bernard Tomic during the Davis Cup semi final tie between Britain and Australia at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Britain, 20 September 2015. EPA/ROBERT PERRY |

Chris Kermode, the ATP World Tour’s Executive Chairman and President is prepared to get tough with Andy Murray if the Scot follows through his promise to not play the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in order to lead Great Britain in the Davis Cup final.

If Britain’s final opponent, Belgium, decided to play the final (November 27 thru 29) on an indoor clay court in Ghent, Murray admitted to the BBC he is prepared to by-pass the Tour Finals at the London 02 Arena and instead concentrate getting used to the surface he normally only plays in the European spring before the French Open.

However the world no.3 was warned of the financial consequences and a possible ban from even competing on the top flight of men’s tennis next year if he is serious about his threat. Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper speculated the cost to Murray could be in the area of £1.3 million (more than $US 2 million).

Kermode reminded Murray of his obligations in a carefully worded statement released by the ATP World Tour. “The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals is a mandatory event on the ATP World Tour. All players who qualify, unless injured, are required to compete in the event.

Andy Murray of Britain in action against Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia during their Davis Cup singles match Britain vs Australia in Glasgow, Britain, 18 September 2015. EPA/ROBERT PERRY

“Andy Murray has had a fantastic season and earned his place among the world’s top eight players to compete at the season finale. We are aware of the comments made after the Davis Cup tie in Glasgow, however our expectations are that, if fully fit, Andy would compete in this year’s tournament. Unless we hear otherwise via an official withdrawal, he is still entered to compete at the O2.”

The ATP World Tour Rulebook was clear on the penalties for missing the most mandatory event of the tennis calendar for the leading players.

Assuming the 28 year-old Scot remains the world’s third ranked player by the end of the season, he could lose a US$880,000 share from the ATP bonus pool. However if he manages to overtake Roger Federer for second place, this figure would rise to US$ 1,450,000. He would forfeit US$155,000 as a participant at the Tour Finals and a similar figure for each round robin group victory. Last year’s champion Novak Djokovic left London with US$2,075,000.

In addition Murray would be deemed to be ‘not in good standing with the ATP’ and according to the rulebook therefore not eligible to compete as a main draw entry in any of leading events in 2016. The ATP is very mindful that ticket sales for the ATP World Tour Finals, that begin on November 15, are going extremely well and the majority of those British fans would be keen to see Murray play. Tournament sponsor Barclays is also understood to have their concerns.

The situation arose because in the immediate euphoria of Britain beating Australia on Sunday in Glasgow, to reach a first Davis Cup final for 37 years, Murray told the BBC: “The O2 would obviously be a question mark for me if we were playing on the clay. I would go and train and prepare on the clay to get ready for the final.”

The Belgian Tennis Federation is under no obligation to name the surface they intend to use for the final until next week at the earliest. Belgium has played four of the last six home ties on clay.

Murray’s management company, 77, has been contacted by the ATP World Tour but are currently making no official statement on the situation.

Story via Bob Larson Tennis News Wire

Topics: Andy Murray, Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, Chris Kermode, London, Tennis News

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September 22, 2015 at 11:48 am

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