Gulbis SI Interview, calls tennis too civil

[Alex]

Some of the greatest hits:

SI.com: Do you like joint tournaments or do you prefer ATP-only tournaments?

Gulbis: I like joint tournaments because at least you see some ladies around. Otherwise, the men’s tour can get on your nerves sometimes. [A joint event] has its minuses, of course, because you don’t get all the practice courts. But I like to see women around. Women are a big part of my life and it makes me happy.

SI.com: Jimmy Connors said the rivalries between the ATP’s top players are “soft” compared with those of his playing days. Would you like to see more tension at the top?

Gulbis: For sure, it’s too much [civility]. I respect them. Great for them. Everything works for somebody. But I miss some fire. I miss some fire that people have in boxing or basketball or hockey. People like it and it makes it more competitive. Here, it’s like, “He did a great game and I was a little bit better.” No. It’s bull—-. “S—, I won the match, I kicked his ass, he was worse than me, that’s it, go home.” That’s the attitude tennis is missing.

http://tennis.si.com/2013/05/16/ernests-gulbis-italian-open-interview/

I can't fully support Gulbis's bratty outbursts on court but I absolutely love what he has to say here. I don't think everyone should be like him, but people like him give the tour some flavor, and it's too bad everyone feels compelled to act like a model citizen all the time (whether due to the example of Fedal, or endorsements, or craving popularity, or whatever).

 

[brokenshoelace]

I wouldn't take it as far as he is but yeah, he's right. Then again, the same people who will talk in support of more "fire" will be the ones jumping on a player's back for the most miniscule of "controversial" comments, blowing them completely out of proportion.

 

[britbox]

Does Gulbis practice what he's preaching? Does he stroll into pressers full of the "I kicked his ass" talk? I can't remember him doing so. Usually he's whimpering after a second round exit and hiring hookers to put a smile back on his face.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Does Gulbis practice what he's preaching? Does he stroll into pressers full of the "I kicked his ass" talk? I can't remember him doing so. Usually he's whimpering after a second round exit and hiring hookers to put a smile back on his face.

I guess Money can by you Love

 

[brokenshoelace]

Does Gulbis practice what he's preaching? Does he stroll into pressers full of the "I kicked his ass" talk? I can't remember him doing so. Usually he's whimpering after a second round exit and hiring hookers to put a smile back on his face.

DAMN...

 

[britbox]

Does Gulbis practice what he's preaching? Does he stroll into pressers full of the "I kicked his ass" talk? I can't remember him doing so. Usually he's whimpering after a second round exit and hiring hookers to put a smile back on his face.

I guess Money can by you Love

At least for a few minutes

 

[Kieran]

These things can be over-rated. Firstly, I don't recall Borg or Wilander or Edberg or 99% of players saying anything out of line in an interview. Second, mostly, nor did Connors.

Thirdly, anyone else think the most effective way to p1s$ off a Connors would be to praise him highly - the way Nadal does? It's almost biting sarcasm.

Fifthly or sixtly, Gulbis saying this is a bit rich, like his daddy...

 

[calitennis127]

I wouldn't take it as far as he is but yeah, he's right. Then again, the same people who will talk in support of more "fire" will be the ones jumping on a player's back for the most miniscule of "controversial" comments, blowing them completely out of proportion.

Yes, consider the over-reaction to Roddick's jokes about Djokovic at the 2008 US Open.

But that's kind of the point too. People will overreact and that's what makes it exciting. You can't be interesting while also being plain-Jane all the time.

 

[DarthFed]

I agree with what Gulbis is saying but Britbox's response was great too Gulbis still remains irrelevant right now, maybe if he gets top 10 he can implement some of the nastiness the game needs. The "problem" is really at the top. The rivalries are way too civil and have been for too long.

 

[SF Nadalite]

right now, Connors will say just about anything to promote his book.

although come to think of it, he has always said just about anything...

 

[Moxie]

Personally, I don't mind the gentility at the top of the men's game. Racquets do most of the talking. And, fine, let the also-rans talk some brash.

Funnily enough, the trash-talk seems to be on the women's side:

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/05/v...ZquXrU3u5I

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

what a liar gulpbis is ..more trash talk eh ??, too civil ?,

he had the chance to be 'less civil' when rafa started whining and moaning about gulpbis asking the ump to check marks, so what did gulpbis say to retaliate ?..NOTHING :huh:

What a mess, what is he wittering on about :huh: tune in same time tomorrow on tennistelly to find out the latest installment of Gulpbis and his embarrassing verbal nonsense.

 

[Moxie]

And clearly things are a bit spicier in the golf game:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1646975-sergio-garcia-goes-off-on-tiger-for-the-second-time-calls-him-a-liar?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial&hpt=hp_t3

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I don't mind some fire from players who still respect the game, their opponents and can back up what they are saying. What's the point of saying to Nadal "Next time I catch you on clay, I will drill you a new one" and he double bagels you...I don't understand talking for the sake of talking.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

Does Gulbis practice what he's preaching? Does he stroll into pressers full of the "I kicked his ass" talk? I can't remember him doing so.

don't think you're quite fair here. he basically said "I kicked his ass" after his latest loss

 

[britbox]

Does Gulbis practice what he's preaching? Does he stroll into pressers full of the "I kicked his ass" talk? I can't remember him doing so.

don't think you're quite fair here. he basically said "I kicked his ass" after his latest loss

Lol, too true.

 

[Ricardo]

Nadal said about Federer:" he is the best ever, i have to play my best to have a chance"
Federer said about Nadal after losing to him:" he is one-dimensional, i'll figure him out next time" (trying to add some spice)
Then Nadal still says " he is the best ever, i have to play my best to have a chance" (like he didn't know what Fed said)

Some years later, Nadal said "Fed just cares about himself, not other players on the tour" (regarding Fed's ignoring his proposal to make ranking system changes, which is very spicy)
Then Fed says "......." (absolutely nothing)

So what can you do to stir it up?