Mark Fischl opines on what to do with backdraw defaults

Mark Fischl had some thoughts…..

“One of the many topics of conversation at the 2000 Nationals was on what to do about those all too familiar backdraw defaults. The question arose after the teams of Conklin/Kinney and Cosimano/Haller each had to pull out due to injuries following their round of 32 losses. While these injuries were legitimate and ail four players have a proven track record for attending backdraw events (i.e. Chicago and Short Hills), many other players choose not to bother once they are out of the main draw. Backdraw defaults have long been a concern of the APTA. After the 1994-1995 season players were penalized by having to forfeit any points won in the event if they chose not to play the backdraw matches. This was deemed to be an insufficient deterrent due to the fact that the points revoked were generally insignificant if the loss was in an early round. As a result, the following year a rule was passed that, in national ranking tournaments, players who default for reasons other than injury or emergencies would be prevented from playing in that tournament the following year. This sanction was in addition to the loss of any points earned in the event. Considering the fact that post-match injury is subjective (from an officiating standpoint), the APTA is reluctant to enforce this rule.

One possibility that might eliminate the issue of questionable injuries would be a rule mandating playing in the backdraws unless a retirement had occurred in the main draw loss prior to the conclusion of the match. In other words, if you can finish one match, you can play the next match. A similar rule is in effect in United States Tennis Association tournaments. Being that the majority of backdraw matches are from early round losses, this problem is one that faces all tournament players. The next APTA meeting is in May and this issue is on the agenda.

A particularly noteworthy item occurred at the Nationals, when two seeded teams lost in the round of 64 and played the reprieve to its conclusion. Another notable performance this season was that of the number three team in the country, Scott Bondurant and Bill Fiedler, at the Short Hills Invitational. After losing in the first round, Bondurant and Fiedler played four matches in the round of 32 reprieve and won the backdraw tournament. Thanks guys for providing extra integrity to our sport.”

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Issue 5, May, 2000