"Deregulation" Is Not a Word You Want Attached To Your Candidacy.

Joel Drucker's take on McEnroe Sr.'s potential move to become the ATP's new CEO.  I wrote about this a little bit yesterday and while I applauded Big Mac's comments about the players' being the engine that drives the tour, there were a few comments that I didn't quote in my post that freaked me out a bit, namely the implication that he wants the players to run the tour and for there to be no rules regarding what tourneys they play:

A letter McEnroe has sent to the ATP spells out the crux of his vision, right down to the selected deployment of capital letters lest his point go misunderstood: "The rules for participation on the Tour are an abomination. My own view is that NO player should be required to play in ANY TOURNAMENT if he doesn't wish so to do. Also, as long as a player's ranking entitles him to entry, he should be able to enter any tournament without requiring a minimum of tournaments each year. This is a position I have held for over thirty years."

Yeah, that ain't gonna work.  As per usual, I totally agree with Cliffy Drysdale's comments:

"Back in the '80s it was a free-for-all, with variations in prize money, inconsistent depth in player fields, exhibitions cutting into the tour. The days of playing wherever and whenever were a disaster."

It's all about balance, and while extreme positions may get you attention and ultimately elected, they don't work in practical application.