Centre Court scheduling, Jankovic's physical frailty and more

Jon Wertheim's Mailbag Jon Wertheim will answer questions from SI.com users in his mailbag every Wednesday. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND Follow Jon Wertheim on Twitter

Hi Jon. How do the Wimbledon organizers decide the schedule of play? Specifically, what are their criteria for selecting who will play on Centre Court or Court 1? I ask this because it seems a little disrespectful to make Venus and Serena (who have six Wimbledon trophies between them) play on Court 2, while Kuznetsova-Radwanska and Vaidisova-Chakvetadze get to play on Centre Court and Court 1, respectively. These four have never gotten past the quarters at Wimbledon, and don't exactly generate the amount of interest that Venus and Serena do. So if it's not past performance or popularity, what is it?
-- Nancy Ng, Montreal

This was the topic of the day, what with the Williams sisters banished to Court 2 (and Jankovic, the second seed, on Court 18!), while lesser lights such as Kuznetova-Radwanska played Centre Court. A few points: 1) Court assignments are always going to be a source of controversy. There are obviously more matches than "show court sessions" and, strictly as a numbers game, some players are always going to feel slighted. 2) When players such as the Williams are also in the doubles draw, it makes things doubly problematic. The sisters share a coach, so I'm sure the organizers don't want to put them on court simultaneously. So they're supposed to play show courts in succession and still be available for doubles? That's a tall order. 3) Also, for what it's worth, I heard this story: in 2002 David Nalbandian didn't play on Centre Court until he reached the final. There were complaints about this and, in order to avoid a repeat, the club has tried to get all players in da Big House at least once prior to the finals. Even at the expense of bigger names and four-time winners. 4) Can't believe no one mentioned this. Barring bad weather, today was the last day for Court 2, the Graveyard court. It's being torn down after the event. If anyone had any PR savvy they would have said, "We want to honor the great champions, Venus and Serena, by letting them play the last two ladies singles matches on this esteemed court." (Take that, Dana Perino!)

Bottom line: I see why a player such as Venus would be upset, or at the very least, confused by her assignment today. But as they say in the U.S., "it is what it is." No reason to get all bent out of shape in the middle of a tournament over something that, finally, has little relevance.

Jon, I'm always surprised when players pretend not knowing anything about their next opponent. According to wimbledon.org, Jankovic kept saying "Tiger who ?" when people mentioned that her next opponent was a "That Thai girl" (Tamarine Tanasugarn). I remember another incident where Venus Williams said during an interview following the 2007 USA-Russia FedCup tie that she had never heard the name of one of her opponents, Elena Vesnina. How on earth can that be? Do they never look at draws or log onto the WTA website?
-- Greg, Chicago

In fairness to Jank, the question, she simply misheard, "Thai Girl" for "Tiger." That's all. It's funny, some players know the draw inside and out. Others don't, Federer was asked about Rafael Nadal playing Andy Murray and interjected that first Rafa has to get past Youzhny and Murray had to beat Gasquet. Other players, as you note, scarcely know anything about the draw. I'm not sure it's arrogance or posturing. I think with some players, part of their ritual/superstition entails ignoring the draw.

Maybe now some of the players will focus more on their tennis than on their wardrobe! Why has the sport become so obsessed with fashion? Personally, I care more about how they're playing than what they're wearing.
-- Kris, Norwalk, Conn.

I'm generally with you. You might note how little we talk fashion in this column. Is Roger going to wear the crested beige blazer? Who cares? (Plus, that friggin' cardigan is $520!) What's my opinion of Maria Sharapova's tuxedo-inspired outfit? I'm more concerned about the breakdown in that whippy serve. But I think the fashion clearly interests some people -- and has for years. Plus it's one more reason people might be discussing tennis. So it doesn't bother me.

Hey Jon, what do you think about this proposal to add to the game: allow the net cord serves that land in the service box continue to play just like in a regular net cord during a rally. That would add some excitement and unpredictability don't you think?
-- Miguel, Manila, Philippines

Good in theory. Lousy in practice.

Okay, can we now tag Jammerin' Jank as the most overrated player in the WTA? A top-three player that has never made the finals of a major yet? She is one of the most inconsistent in the majors and she seems to give pre-2006 Mauresmo a run for her money as the most mentally weak player in the top-10...at least when it comes to majors.
-- Ted Ying, Laurel, Md.

I think it's physical frailty, not mental frailty. We can debate which is more problematic.