ATP 2012 World Tour Finals 11/5 - 11/12/2012

[Scotty]

I also think Federer is likelier to have done this by mistake, but where was Lars Graff?

He had the umpire version of senioritis?

[mmmm8]

Wait, are we saying this is a written rule? I was interpreting it as an informal tradition.

I don't know actually. I just assumed, because shouldn't there be SOME sort of a rule about how the sides are decided?

[Woody]

I don't know actually. I just assumed, because shouldn't there be SOME sort of a rule about how the sides are decided?

I always figured it was randomly done ahead of time. I never looked closely but don't the players typically sit on the same side as their entourage seats? Maybe not.

[ptmcmahon]

Well since the higher ranked player walks in second then that would be the person who would sit to the left of the chair.

Then how do they know how to walk out first? Is this on the schedule for them somewhere? Do they ask each other before they walk out? "Hey...what's your number?"

[skatingfan]

Then how do they know how to walk out first? Is this on the schedule for them somewhere? Do they ask each other before they walk out? "Hey...what's your number?"

I don't think the players organize that - I would think that tournament organizers are responsible - especially since the announcer would have to know who to introduce first and such.

[mmmm8]

Typically, the higher-ranked player enters second - but I'm not sure it's always.

I don't think there are any universal rules on sitting on the side of your entourage (it would be the other way anyway, the entourage would sit on the player's side) - there are different arrangements at tournaments about where player guests sit. And on smaller courts, it's free for all in terms of sitting in the stands.