Tennis: ATP boss Chris Kermode defends player withdrawals

ATP chairman Chris Kermode talks to media during the ASB Classic ATP Men's Tournament Day 2. Photo / Photosport.co.nz

ATP CEO Chris Kermode has come to the defence of the four players who have pulled out of the ASB Classic, although he admits that citing fatigue as a reason "doesn't sound great".

Kermode said he believed the withdrawals were for genuine reasons, because it wouldn't make sense otherwise for them to "travel so far" and not play

The event was hit by two further exits on Tuesday, with Ryan Harrison (fatigue) and Guido Pella (shoulder injury) both informing organisers they wouldn't be competing.

Their exit came in the wake of eighth seed Andrey Rubleev pulling the pin on Monday – citing an arm injury – while Kyle Edmund also withdrew, still battling with a right ankle sprain suffered in Brisbane last week.

The exits created an unprecedented schedule on Tuesday, with lucky losers competing in each of the four centre court matches.

It turned what was already an underwhelming day into a bit of a farce, with a whole host of unrecognizable names on centre court.

Kermode expressed sympathy for the event and the organisers, but said it was a reality of the sport.

"It's always something you don't want," said Kermode. "It's always a possibility, because with live sport it does happen. The bigger concern would be if players were pulling out before they came here. I think that would be an issue."

The ATP has imposed a US$4000 fine on players who pull out of tournaments before the event, but Kermode didn't believe that was a reason for players arriving and withdrawing hours later.

"I don't think anyone would travel this far to do that, I genuinely don't," said Kermode. "I don't think anyone would turn up on site and not play because once you are here, it's much easier to play than to not play."

"A lot of it is about wording. You can withdraw through personal reasons and fatigue and things. We need to be clear to fans about why something is happening."

"It's when there is this grey area – especially at the beginning of the year – fatigue doesn't sound that great. At the end of the year people go okay, it's been a long season so we need to clear that up."

It's an issue that continues to dog the ATP tour. There is no doubt that some of the injuries are genuine, but it's also not unknown for players to pull out of a tournament the week after having a good run, and there is suspicion about at least two of the withdrawals this week.

Under current ATP rules the four players who pulled out are entitled to their first round prize money of US$5,075 ($7,062).

That rule was altered to prevent the practice of players going on court with an injury, knowing they won't be able to finish the match, but just wanting to claim their prizemoney.

Kermode, who arrived in Auckland on Sunday, was positive about the tournament but said that redevelopment and refurbishment of the arena was a necessity for it's future.

"Karl [Budge] and Tennis [Auckland] are fully on board with this; they realise that it is something they have to invest in and will invest in. It's a big deal that we need to keep up with the times and present a world class sport," said Kermode.

"It's just like any business, you can't stand still…it has to happen and it will happen. The ambition of the tournament will make sure that it happens."