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Post by harry24 on Sept 11, 2011 22:22:41 GMT
I completely agree. It was simply enthusiasm and disastrously bad, albeit split-second, timing on her part, which is completely forgivable.
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Post by curlywhirly on Sept 11, 2011 22:25:14 GMT
I now understand the rule about shouting "come on" before the point was over, but I think making the rule that black-and-white is rather shitty. The ball was NOT coming back, Stosur had no real play on it, and I think a more appropriate judgment would have been to play a let.
I wonder why yelling "come on" (accidentally, and once) before the point ends is considered interference, but the screaming that passes for grunting these days is perfectly fine? Don't Sharapova and Azarenka basically cause "interference" every damn point they play?
I'm pretty ticked that Serena did not bring her best game today. She should have chilled the hell out after the call, but whatevs...this is professional sports, not a tea party. I don't understand why its a big deal that she let off some steam at the umpire and I probably wouldn't have shaken her hand either. Ultimately, Serena was gracious in defeat. People should lay off her!
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Post by falafaclese on Sept 11, 2011 22:28:43 GMT
For the record, I think her behavior in 2009 was horrible. I also disagree with her weirdly flippant references to it this year, as I've already said here. I think she's entitled to be wrong about a rule, and get fired up mistakenly (I'm referring to today, and not 2009).
Also, she just admitted to Mary Jo that she mistakenly thought the rule called for a let, and that she knows better now. To be clear, that doesn't mean I'm any less bothered by the harangue during the changeover than I usually am by Roddick's performances.
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Sept 11, 2011 22:30:08 GMT
Oh brother, you are so right. Now they're showing it again. How about showing some great passing shot or something?
Yeah, that part doesn't bother me one bit--I just didn't like that it was happening because I didn't want her getting all fired up and bringing the crowd with her. Like you, it was the continuation that swung me firmly to the other side. I never think it is okay to harangue the chair umps. If a player needs a stress valve (which makes sense), cover your head with your towel and yell into that--like Djokovic--or go to the bathroom and punch a wall--like Verdasco--or change your shorts--like Murray. So many ways that do not involve venting to a human being who isn't allowed to yell back.
It's one of the reasons I wish there wasn't a "racquet abuse" rule--what do I care if a player destroys their own property? If it gets their head straight, go for it. Less chance of blasting a ball into the crowd or yelling at an ump or lineperson.
I have to change the channel: she called the ump a "hater," "unattractive" and a "loser." But my favorite line was "I never complain." HEE! That's like Roddick saying he doesn't understand why the stuff he says to the chair umps is such a big deal.
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Post by curlywhirly on Sept 11, 2011 22:42:09 GMT
Sharapova must be banging her head against the wall for screwing up her USO chances. Stosur is her bitch and even Pova could have beaten Serena with the way she was playing today. This is a year of won slam wonders (Li, Stosur-- I think Kvitova will be back). Weird. Apparently the same ump ruled differently in a similar situation in this YEC match between Serena and Kuzzie... www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YmblrB_Ftc |
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Post by falafaclese on Sept 11, 2011 22:43:31 GMT
I have to change the channel: she called the ump a "hater," "unattractive" and a "loser." But my favorite line was "I never complain." HEE! That's like Roddick saying he doesn't understand that the stuff he says to the chair umps isn't such a big deal. As much of a Serena fan as I am, I had the same reaction, Those statements made my eyes roll out of my head. |
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Post by roseha on Sept 11, 2011 22:47:49 GMT
Yes. Before the match I wanted Serena to win, but when Sam started playing so great, I wanted her to pull it off. Then when Serena blew up I was so mad at the stupid crowd for assuming the ruling was wrong. It may be an obscure rule, but that doesn't automatically make it a wrong one.
Glad to see that they came around and eventually acknowledged Sam for keeping her cool and playing great tennis. I still feel for Serena with her recent problems and hope she continues to come back, but am glad Sam pulled it off today.
Towards the end I was also reminded of Kvitova beating the heavy favorite Sharapova at Wimbledon. Here's our 3rd slam in a row with a first time ever women's champion! Congrats to Sam.
Oh by the way I missed all of the Mac/Carillo exchange but I specifically remember a match many years ago between Mac and Yannick Noah, where Mac was blowing up, but *only* on the Noah serve. I'd just read an article where a college basketball coach revealed he'd only yell at the umpire when the other team had the ball. So yes, Mac - who was doing essentially the same thing - was more calculated than anyone I've ever seen.
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Post by oopssorry on Sept 11, 2011 23:10:32 GMT
Interesting clip, curly. I'm not linguist enough to understand the commentary, but the smiles all around make me wish that a let had been the call today. For everyone, me included.
I think I feel most strongly that the rules do allow for room for interpretation. As we see in that clip - and that that is a good thing. It's my own personal preference that an official have authority within their role more than just bestower of punishments - even beyond tennis - and it's something I like a lot about the sport. Even when I am beside myself about the 20 second rule.
And I don't think any of this makes me gross. Quite the opposite - I think it makes me rational.
And now -- HOORAY!!! I am so very happy for Sam. So absolutely thrilled. There was no fear coming in to today, and she has been incredibly consistent and lovely. As she was today. She was who I wanted for the win even at the beginning of this crazy week, and now am thrilled.
And I expect to see some very aggressive umping from now on. No more excessive grunting or time delays. Rules are rules? Intention doesn't matter? Then bring it.
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Post by harry24 on Sept 11, 2011 23:20:22 GMT
Anyone remember what the ruling was in the Bartoli match last week, when she was called for the hindrance rule? I remember the incident, but not the details.
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Sept 12, 2011 0:30:43 GMT
harry, according to the commentators, a point was awarded--so this has had precedence in this very Open.
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Post by harry24 on Sept 12, 2011 0:50:44 GMT
Thanks for the clarification, lt. (How did you become a Brewers fan, btw?)
Especially in light of the clip curly linked, this situation calls out for a press conference by the officials to clarify the rule, why it was applied the way it was, the history of the rule, et cetera. Do they do that, anyone know? It's possible the ref mistakenly called for the let in the Kuznetsova match, or that the rule has been changed since then.
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Post by oopssorry on Sept 12, 2011 1:05:19 GMT
I hereby appoint you Commissioner, harry. That's a great idea. Actually, lit and her encyclopedic memory can be your co-comish! I would love to see that.
And if today isn't proof enough that they need to be paid ten times what the current rate is.... I think they need to fix that STAT.
What a week-end.
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Post by lizm on Sept 12, 2011 1:05:45 GMT
I've had it with Serena. She consistently acts like a spoiled brat and refuses to take ownership when she's in the wrong. Then I feel like an ass for rooting for her. Quite frankly, I felt like she was screaming after the ruling as part of her defiance. I mean, I already FF through her speeches and everything else so that I can root for her, but when she brings it to the games (hello Roddick) it's just unavoidable. Done with her.
Congrats to Sam. I'm thrilled she won even though I didn't start out wanting that result.
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Sept 12, 2011 1:21:52 GMT
We were just laughing yesterday about how lousy my memory is--I could not remember who Rafa played in last year's semi. At all. It was gone. I had to look it up on my phone to remember. I have distinct memories of very important (to me) tennis memories but I cannot remember anything else.
harry, tiki and oops have already heard this but I spend a lot of time in Wisconsin so I adopted them as my team.
In my dream world the WTA and ATP speak to the camps of the offenders when a tournament isn't going on and show them tape of the player making noise when the ball is no longer on their side of the court and say "no more." Give them the opportunity to stop doing it when they aren't playing in a tournament and if they do it when they are in a tournament they get penalized.
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Post by GrandSlamGuru on Sept 12, 2011 1:53:39 GMT
Damn, I've seen all the matches so far except the women's final. My early dinner party ran very late. Sounds like I missed a doozy. Congrats to Sam.
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