[Feflyinvelf]

A link to Jerry Rules (a local to the Atlanta area)


http://netcord.com/jerryrules/articles/wimbledon08.asp

... Rafael Nadal may have deserved to win the match but no way in H*ll did Federer deserve to lose it.

[Oxzzlvpg]

In last year's tournament, Serena cramps up, sprains her wrist and all that is written is what a great competitor she is. Jelana Jankovic hyper-extends her knee, calls for the trainer and she is labeled a "drama queen" by everyone. Seems like a double standard to me. true

[Veveseinlep]

It is too bad that the last few games were played in semi-darkness. They might still have been playing. I don't think that's fair to Rafa. He's saying Nadal won because it got dark.

[Ettiominiw]

true

I don't think that's true. I feel like the standard is the same and it's lousy. Remember Michael Stich basically said that Serena was faking it. I think they both got a lot of unnecessarily bad criticism for their injuries. They both played through pain and both should be commended for it (no matter how smart or not smart it may prove in the long run). I was not pleased with the way people jumped on Jelena or Serena.

[Freefspruptpx]

I don't think that's true. I feel like the standard is the same and it's lousy. Remember Michael Stich basically said that Serena was faking it. I think they both got a lot of unnecessarily bad criticism for their injuries. They both played through pain and both should be commended for it (no matter how smart or not smart it may prove in the long run). I was not pleased with the way people jumped on Jelena or Serena.

But isn't Michael Stich Germany's answer to Justin Gimelstob?

[Ettiominiw]

But isn't Michael Stich Germany's answer to Justin Gimelstob?

Maybe, but if he's got a large enough microphone in front of him, does it matter? He wasn't alone either.

[Freefspruptpx]

Maybe, but if he's got a large enough microphone in front of him, does it matter? He wasn't alone either.

No, he wasn't.

[Ettiominiw]

I think it just bugs me when commentators question the injuries of anyone out there, when I can see how hard they trying. Sure Jelena and Serena and dozens of others can sometimes make a production out of it, but I like to think they're a little bit above just all-out gamesmanship.

Who knows, maybe I'm deluding myself. I mean, I guess it was just 3 or so years ago when Mary pierce and Novak got those questionable rubdowns at the Open in the middle of heated matches.

[Freefspruptpx]

I think it just bugs me when commentators question the injuries of anyone out there, when I can see how hard they trying. Sure Jelena and Serena and dozens of others can sometimes make a production out of it, but I like to think they're a little bit above just all-out gamesmanship.

Who knows, maybe I'm deluding myself. I mean, I guess it was just 3 or so years ago when Mary pierce and Novak got those questionable rubdowns at the Open in the middle of heated matches.

I base my theory about the subject on my gut reactions in similar situations.

If I like the player, I get upset when people question their injuries. If I don't like a player, I'm usually among the first to throw stones.

But I'm working on it.

The same principle applies to interpretation of post-match interviews, btw.

[Veveseinlep]

I base my theory about the subject on my gut reactions in similar situations.

If I like the player, I get upset when people question their injuries. If I don't like a player, I'm usually among the first to throw stones.

But I'm working on it.

The same principle applies to interpretation of post-match interviews, btw.

I'm not. I like being biased.

[Oxzzlvpg]

I don't think that's true. I feel like the standard is the same and it's lousy. Remember Michael Stich basically said that Serena was faking it. I think they both got a lot of unnecessarily bad criticism for their injuries. They both played through pain and both should be commended for it (no matter how smart or not smart it may prove in the long run). I was not pleased with the way people jumped on Jelena or Serena.

I didn't know. I've never even heard Stich. If that is the case, bad for him too.

[Ettiominiw]

I didn't know. I've never even heard Stich. If that is the case, bad for him too.

I feel like dry's description isn't terribly off-base. You haven't missed much.

[zlZ95pjt]

true

Serena was called a drama queen by Mary Carillo, John McEnroe and Ted Robinson on air, during the match.

Some of us called her the same thing.

There is no double standard on this one.

[Oxzzlvpg]

Serena was called a drama queen by Mary Carillo, John McEnroe and Ted Robinson on air, during the match.

Some of us called her the same thing.

There is no double standard on this one.

see above. Don't follow those commentators.

[zlZ95pjt]

It is too bad that the last few games were played in semi-darkness. They might still have been playing. That's one way to look at it.

But if Rafa hadn't choked away that 0-40 game at 4-3 in the third set (not to mention his 5-2 lead in the 4th set breaker) the match would never have approached darkness in the first place, never would have gone down as the best ever played, and Raja might very well have been humiliated by failing to win even a set against Rafa in consecutive Slam finals.

Both players had to deal with near-darkness, not just Raja.

Rafa deserved to win. Raja deserved to lose.

That's sports.

[Buildityrit]

true

I don't feel that's true. People probably wouldn't call Jelena's injury an excuse, gamesmanship, or accuse her of being a drama queen if she didn't call for the trainer 14 times a match in every tournament she plays.

If she's on the court, Serena generally plays through the pain.

[JonDopl]

I don't feel that's true. People probably wouldn't call Jelena's injury an excuse, gamesmanship, or accuse her of being a drama queen if she didn't call for the trainer 14 times a match in every tournament she plays.

If she's on the court, Serena generally plays through the pain.

That's how I look at it too. At the AO this year before JJ's match against Maria, the commentators were talking about Maria's camp wondering how many injury time-outs JJ was going to take. She took about two per match leading up to it with different injuries per match. Now it's not our place to question whether she's legit or not but I guess with the frequency one can't help.

I have questioned some of Serena's myself but she generally plays through the pain. And while I was quick to question JJ again at Wimby this year we really should give players the benefit of the doubt.

Foxy

[TeNuaTe]

Unless one is going to give her credit for being the best physical actress on Earth, I just don't see how anyone could think that Jankovic was faking her injuries at the AO. By her semi she could barely walk. And somehow I don't think she'd have taken less flak if she'd "proven" her injuries were real by handing Maria a walkover.

I don't know, I think for me an athlete would have to come out and admit that they were faking or exaggerating an injury for me to believe it. There are too many little things that can go wrong that no one can see for that to be the first place my mind goes. Or even the second, or the 75th. Even for the ones I don't like. Now, that some are more, erm, proactive in seeking immediate medical treatment than others is indisputable but as a wise man once said, who can fault them for taking full advantage of their employer's medical coverage?

[AnriXuinriZ]

That's one way to look at it.

But if Rafa hadn't choked away that 0-40 game at 4-3 in the third set (not to mention his 5-2 lead in the 4th set breaker) the match would never have approached darkness in the first place, never would have gone down as the best ever played, and Raja might very well have been humiliated by failing to win even a set against Rafa in consecutive Slam finals.

Both players had to deal with near-darkness, not just Raja.

Rafa deserved to win. Raja deserved to lose.

That's sports.

Where does the nick "Raja" come from?

[Freefspruptpx]

Where does the nick "Raja" come from?

I could be wrong, but I think craig just likes the symmetry between Raja and Rafa! At least, that's why I assumed.