By Robert Martin Photo Credit: Chris Trotman/Getty Images
(September 7, 2011) After all matches were cancelled yesterday due to the rain, the conditions remained dreary with intermittent rain continuing through much of the day postponing all scheduled matches today in New York.
Before the official announcement however, the USTA sent the men out during a dry spell to begin matches.
Only three games were played between Rafael Nadal and Gilles Muller before play had to be halted permanently due to the returning rains. After the short 15 minutes of play, Nadal and many of the other men that went on court were furious with the USTA’s decision to play in what they considered “unsafe conditions.”
Nadal, who had fallen behind 0-3 to his opponent, was the most adamant about it, saying, “For sure we cannot accept these things. I work all my life hard to be playing ... We have to fight to have the power to say we don't want to go on the court when it's raining. I think it's not fair.”
When the players actually stepped onto the court, the weather was still misting with very light sprinkles, which could very easily present a traction hazard for the players, but the USTA officials and referees said that it was not enough to prevent play.
Afterwards, the USTA stood behind its decision by saying, “Unfortunately, not all light rain and mist shows up on radar. We have experienced referees, and they decide if courts are fit for play. Conditions may be not ideal, but still can be safe.”
Andy Roddick chimed in as well, saying, “I understand that they need to put tennis on TV. I understand the business side of it. First and foremost, I think the players need to feel comfortable and safe.”
In addition, BBC journalist, David Law, reported that after his TV interview was over, Roddick also said that if a debate was being held on whether it was safe to play, it probably was not.
The implications of the weather are tremendous, as one half of the men’s draw has yet to play their fourth round matches. This means that barring a Monday final, they would be required to win four matches in four days, a feat uncommon in many slams.
The USTA originally decided that it would attempt to get the women’s quarterfinal matches in during the night session, but after another delay, the decision was handed down at 8:30 ET to cancel all matches. To add to the despair of the fans and players alike, the weather forecast for Thursday is not promising, with a 60 percent chance of rain throughout the day.