tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948801468516043822.post4101999289998687688..comments2023-07-25T10:37:32.127+01:00Comments on Tennis Is Served...: Roland Garros: Wounded Badger, Hidden TalonsZafarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11909444215193865334noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948801468516043822.post-68400716349455769472011-06-01T19:04:32.508+01:002011-06-01T19:04:32.508+01:00I am holding out a delusional hope that Andy will ...I am holding out a delusional hope that Andy will get his first slam at RG...it would be just so perversely appropriate for the type of player and personality that he is. If it did pan out that he was not to be the sacrificial lamb for either Nole or Rafa, I would go into a coma from the shock. Now I'm too unhealthily nervous for Friday- really really hope that he can pull through against Rafa.Isabelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948801468516043822.post-85526493340967647472011-06-01T13:47:26.183+01:002011-06-01T13:47:26.183+01:00Thank you for your answers, Isabel and Zafar. I...Thank you for your answers, Isabel and Zafar. I'm not really all that bothered. The reason I questioned it is that Zafar quoted BustedRacquet, which meant he hadn't seen it either. Since I hadn't seen it, and nobody in my time-line in Twitter mentioned it, I was a bit doubtful.<br />I'm sure it was blown out of all proportion by the media. To fit a narrative already in place. <br />I believe Viktor behaved appallingly during one match in Australia, I didn't see it, but two people I trust mentioned it to me. Since then, that event has defined Viktor. Some people have made a decision about him, have labelled him and won't let reality get in the way. I don't really care, I don't find Viktor particularly appealing, either as a person or as player. The truth will prevail eventually anyway.<br />I'm glad Andy won, and I would love it if we had another Nolandy final, not only because it would show a tendency (changing of the guard? :)), but also because Andy is the player who has come closest to beating Nole since his streak began. Their last match was great, I'm sure Andy felt as bad about that match as Viktor felt about yesterday's match.<br />Can you imagine a RG final between the two of them?<br />Can you imagine Roland Garros being Andy's first GS title?<br />I would absolutely love it! My second best scenario! LOLYolitanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948801468516043822.post-47336980757974529452011-06-01T12:47:45.013+01:002011-06-01T12:47:45.013+01:00Murray's already shown he can beat all of Rafa...Murray's already shown he can beat all of Rafa, Fed and Nole. Difference is he hasn't always done it recently at the Slams.<br /><br />It is my belief that he has a better against Nole than most give him credit for - purely because of how much he's played him growing up since the age of about 11-12. Thats gotta give you an insight into someones game most other players cant boast of - bigger problem is one of execution.Zafarhttp://tennisisserved.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948801468516043822.post-83970006589346389582011-06-01T12:42:33.516+01:002011-06-01T12:42:33.516+01:00Thanks for the clarification Isabel.
Agree with y...Thanks for the clarification Isabel.<br /><br />Agree with you re Murray not getting involved - its one of those things isn't it. I can see certain players conceding the pt - good for them. I can also see others electing not to get involved and letting the umpire deal with it - nothing wrong with that either.Zafarhttp://tennisisserved.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948801468516043822.post-91599801830484201102011-06-01T12:28:58.812+01:002011-06-01T12:28:58.812+01:00@d919644ef91a1a6ea0818159a6ea022c When I saw the w...@d919644ef91a1a6ea0818159a6ea022c When I saw the way Viktor reacted, I too was ready to commend him for not blowing his top and doing anything he'd later regret.He WAS robbed of a vital point and could have let it go on for ages, the way you say Roddick would have.<br /><br />After reading the comments from Busted Racquet I can't say I was much impressed. Sure, like you I don't remember seeing it in the broadcast, but don't forget not everything IS broadcast - cameras are often off players for long periods between points.<br /><br />That said, do I think Busted Racquet and others are prone to making more of what was after all a very tricky situation - yes I do, anything for a story.<br /><br />I don't like what Viktor did but I don't believe in tarnishing a player for one incident like this whilst happily ignoring other episodes of entirely commendable conduct.Zafarhttp://tennisisserved.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948801468516043822.post-18201815271334453852011-06-01T05:13:55.438+01:002011-06-01T05:13:55.438+01:00I was frustrated watching Murray at times - I know...I was frustrated watching Murray at times - I know he can be so brilliant that he can beat Fed, Rafa or Nole. I can't explain why he hasn't done that more often. Tignor explained it best "Murray made it as difficult as possible..." wounded or not.Jess Steinhttp://twitter.com/jessica4steinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948801468516043822.post-73201863195326930352011-06-01T03:03:06.324+01:002011-06-01T03:03:06.324+01:00The incident that Busted Racquet refers to actuall...The incident that Busted Racquet refers to actually did happen- the Tennis Channel commentators picked up on it. Victor did say something to the ballkid and kicked the ball away- it was not really a serious incident, but the French crowd did get on him and boo him at that point. It was in the same game as when the ball kid interrupted the point- at 30-40 I think. If you have access to ESPN3.com, you should be able to replay the match, if you are really interested in it. <br /><br />Thankfully, both players did not really allow the incident to affect them overmuch. And contrary to some, I actually think it was good that Andy did not get involved- the umpire had already made the decision. It would have been disingenuous on Andy's part to overrule the umpire to give Victor the point, considering the gravity of the situation. It was not the paragon of sportsman like behavior, but it was decidedly not unsportsmanlike either.Isabelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948801468516043822.post-53546263629994295342011-06-01T00:58:52.263+01:002011-06-01T00:58:52.263+01:00Is there a video of Viktor doing what Busted Racqu...Is there a video of Viktor doing what Busted Racquet says Viktor did to the ball kid? Because I saw the match and I honestly do not remember anything of the kind. <br /><br />On the contrary, if you watch the video you posted, you'll see that Viktor kept his cool through the whole incident, he didn't look at the boy, argued with the umpire without yelling or cursing and, when he realised there was nothing to do, he went to his spot and served. <br /><br />The crowd was not whistling at the boy, but at the referee, rightly so, because he made a very poor decision. That was a clear winner. As you say, that point didn't change anything, because Viktor broke anyway. (But Nole would have conceded the point, I've seen him do it, maybe because he's savvier than Andy, maybe because he plays fair).<br /><br />I thought Viktor's behaviour through the whole incident was exemplary. It's all there, in the video you posted. The disbelief at what's happening. The conversation. The acceptance. The absence of insults. I think he deserves credit for that, especially given the intensity and importance of every single point. Nobody's giving it to him.<br /><br />Can you imagine how Roddick would have reacted had the same thing happened to him? <br /><br />Now, what Busted Racquet says, I frankly can't remember. I'm not saying it didn't happen, but I don't remember it and I think I remember every single point of that last set. It was thrilling. I really would appreciate evidence. <br /><br />Finally, you don't really believe that Viktor's standing would have gone through the roof, whatever he had done, do you? ;)Yolitanoreply@blogger.com