There might have been a time in his career when Nikolay Davydenko wished that he were as well-known as his contemporaries. If he did, the Russian had probably never heard that American saying about being careful what you ask for.

Davydenko has been very popular lately, but clearly not for the best reasons. Remember the suspicious betting patterns reported on a match he played in Poland this year. He's still under the magnifying glass for that one, and so far has not discussed the incident with the game's top officials. Last week, during a loss in St. Petersburg against Marin Cilic, he was warned by the umpire for not trying hard enough. The next day he was fined $2,000.

Let's stop right there. Of course, the natural inclination is to watch Davydenko very closely now. It's going to be hard for him to explain the whole Poland thing whenever the tennis honchos make room in their schedule for him. Honestly, what's taking them so long? Is this not an important issue that should be squared away but is he really dumb enough to throw another match right now? Probably not.

'So why would an umpire think Davydenko isn't trying hard? Hmm. Could it be, by any chance, that he is tired?'

So why would an umpire think Davydenko isn't trying hard? Hmm. Could it be, by any chance, that he is tired? Guess how many tournaments he's played this year? Twenty-six - that's 79 matches since January.

Let's check in on a few other schedules. Rafael Nadal: 18 tournaments, 76 matches. Roger Federer: 15 tournaments, 70 matches. Justine Henin: 13 tournaments, 62 matches. Last, and definitely least, Serena Williams, weighing in with 11 tournaments and 44 matches. No, that number wouldn't be much higher, even if she were healthy all year.

So Davydenko plays far more tournaments, and edges Federer and Nadal in matches played. That would be because those two win most everything they play. Davydenko doesn't.