When it rains, nothing happens - at tennis anyway

12-08-09 - TORONTO, ONTARIO - Rain drops clinging to the glass in the upper levels of the Rexall Centre says it all for the day of tennis.

 

Rick Madonik, Staff Photographer, @RMadonik

Today, it finally rained all day. The farmers will be happy. The forest fire crews will be happy. The power grid people will be happy. But the folks who run Tennis Canada, and the Rogers Cup, probably not so happy.

When it rains, tennis comes to a halt. If the rain stops, there has to be enough time to dry the court, get the crowd in, get the players warmed up, and the match to start. Two or three times today, the court crew prepared the court, only for the all day drizzle/rain to return, further postponing the schedule. It's now close to 8 pm and not one match has been played. (Although doubles competition was moved to a Mayfair facility close by and the competition continued indoor.)

In the afternoon, newly crowned Olympic Champion Andy Murray (GBR) withdrew due to a knee injury. Last week, Roger Federer announced he wasn't coming. Before that, Rafael Nadal cancelled his appearance. So the "names" which draw the attention aren't here which, I have to think, has also caused some distress among organizers.

Tomorrow's (Friday) weather is slated to be worse than today's. So, it could prove to be some long days Saturday and Sunday trying to get this tournament finished on time. We'll just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings.

 

12-08-09 - TORONTO, ONTARIO - Jyimena Puorent, one of the many people hanging around waiting on the rain delay. Rogers Cup tennis is on hold as inclement weather moves through the area causing an indefinite rain delay at the Rogers Cup tournament at the Rexall Centre at York University.

 

12-08-09 - TORONTO, ONTARIO - Centre court stands empty as Rogers Cup tennis is on hold as inclement weather moves through the area causing an indefinite rain delay York University.

 

12-08-09 - TORONTO, ONTARIO - London 2012 Olympic Champion, Andy Murray, (Tennis, singles men) pulls out of the Rogers Cup with a knee injury.

 

12-08-09 - TORONTO, ONTARIO - Canadian Milos Raonic speaks to the media at Rogers Cup.

 

12-08-09 - TORONTO, ONTARIO - Rain soaked Centre Court at the Rexall Centre.

 

12-08-09 - TORONTO, ONTARIO - Two lone fans check out the upper deck, during a lull in the rain.

 

12-08-09 - TORONTO, ONTARIO - Two fans sit in the upper deck, during a lull in the rain.

 

12-08-09 - TORONTO, ONTARIO - A man sits in the upper stands with his umbrella and book waiting out the rain.

 

12-08-09 - TORONTO, ONTARIO - Court crews begin to prepare Centre Court for the revised schedule.

 

12-08-09 - TORONTO, ONTARIO - Court crews use dryers to make the surface ready for action on Centre Court for the revised schedule.

 

12-08-09 - TORONTO, ONTARIO - Court crews use dryers to make the surface ready for action on Centre Court for the revised schedule.

 

12-08-09 - TORONTO, ONTARIO - Court crews begin to prepare Centre Court for the revised schedule.

 

12-08-09 - TORONTO, ONTARIO - Novak Djokovic (SRB) comes to Centre Court to hit a few balls in the rain and at one point used his umbrella to catch a ball.

 

Comments

[Jody]

Love the beautiful captures created with such passion through the eyes of the photographer...I applaud to this art of expressions...A professional all the way...I believe everyone should learn this art and express what they see through their eyes...Yes equipment can get epensive but also affortable...My daughter took pictures of her schools track and field day..And wow I was impressed and she picked up a good little d80 nikon through SwopN and wow never seen such passion in her eyes.