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Roddick at the fore of absentees for Masters with Fish & Blake
Monaco, Apr 27: Roddick was playing in Houston the week before Monte Carlo and was joined on the sidelines by fellow Americans Mardy Fish and James Blake, their places also filled by qualifying flops.
Monaco, Apr 27: Roddick was playing in Houston the week before Monte Carlo and was joined on the sidelines by fellow Americans Mardy Fish and James Blake, their places also filled by qualifying flops.
"We believe that the rule which obliges players to register in a Masters Series six weeks before should be changed and we will have a meeting with the players council at the French Open next month," added Dominguez.
"We have failed to convince all of the players to support the best events. The time will come when our reaction will have to be: "We are entertainment producers," said Dominguez.
"If I did the Woodstock rock festival and I paid for ten bands and only five came, I'd pay only for five not ten.
"My proposal would be -- if the top ten players are missing, we will reduce the prize money.
"So let's make a deal. How many players should play the Masters Series? Eight? Nine? Ten out of ten is difficult. You can have a real injury, I respect that.
"But let's say seven. If the agreement was eight or nine, then we pay 100,000 dollar less.
"We always commit ourselves to put the prize money on the table; the players don't commit themselves. We have to find a fair balance to the calendar, we have to work on the format."
As well as prize money reduction, it's understood another idea discussed was to prevent a player from taking part in the highly-lucrative, season-ending Masters Cup if they have skipped three of the nine Masters events.
"Look at Michael Schumacher in motor racing," added Dominguez.
"He may be world champion in August but he still races in September and October because he has a commitment. For the money we are putting on, I think the commitment must be accepted by everyone.
"The players do whatever they want because there is no penalty. That's a pity because we should protect the best events. For TV, this is crucial."
Dominguez admitted that all of the nine Masters events, with the exception of Miami, are facing financial struggles.
He believed that this year's Monte Carlo event, won by Argentina's Guillermo Coria on Sunday, would just about break even. One suggestion is to reduce the prize money in the doubles.
"This is a reality and we have to face the situation. That's why we have to find a good commitment with the players, a good balance between their wishes and our problems."
Bureau Report
"We believe that the rule which obliges players to register in a Masters Series six weeks before should be changed and we will have a meeting with the players council at the French Open next month," added Dominguez.
"We have failed to convince all of the players to support the best events. The time will come when our reaction will have to be: "We are entertainment producers," said Dominguez.
"If I did the Woodstock rock festival and I paid for ten bands and only five came, I'd pay only for five not ten.
"My proposal would be -- if the top ten players are missing, we will reduce the prize money.
"So let's make a deal. How many players should play the Masters Series? Eight? Nine? Ten out of ten is difficult. You can have a real injury, I respect that.
"But let's say seven. If the agreement was eight or nine, then we pay 100,000 dollar less.
"We always commit ourselves to put the prize money on the table; the players don't commit themselves. We have to find a fair balance to the calendar, we have to work on the format."
As well as prize money reduction, it's understood another idea discussed was to prevent a player from taking part in the highly-lucrative, season-ending Masters Cup if they have skipped three of the nine Masters events.
"Look at Michael Schumacher in motor racing," added Dominguez.
"He may be world champion in August but he still races in September and October because he has a commitment. For the money we are putting on, I think the commitment must be accepted by everyone.
"The players do whatever they want because there is no penalty. That's a pity because we should protect the best events. For TV, this is crucial."
Dominguez admitted that all of the nine Masters events, with the exception of Miami, are facing financial struggles.
He believed that this year's Monte Carlo event, won by Argentina's Guillermo Coria on Sunday, would just about break even. One suggestion is to reduce the prize money in the doubles.
"This is a reality and we have to face the situation. That's why we have to find a good commitment with the players, a good balance between their wishes and our problems."
Bureau Report