Indian Wells, BNP Paribas Open, Masters 1000

[Federberg]

I really hate it at changeovers where players make the ball kids chase after them with the towel and don't collect it until they're sitting down. Just saw Ferrer do that. What a colossal asshole

 

[Fiero425]

I really hate it at changeovers where players make the ball kids chase after them with the towel and don't collect it until they're sitting down. Just saw Ferrer do that. What a colossal asshole

I think it's ridiculous they're allowed to even go thru all these gyrations in the middle of a match! Back in the day, the only time players actually toweled off was if they fell! They barely wore wrist bands, but these fools actually need multiple towels on court like Nadal making these kids "serve him" like he's paying them a salary! I think it should all be nixed; make them play thru and maybe it'll shorten points and matches! The players of today are supposed to be so much more fit, but they're breaking down faster than pros of old! If I miss a match, I don't really have regrets; esp. if it's someone like Nadal who drags matches out so long with his slow moving and selfish persona! People just come out to see him and nothing else matters but his comfort I guess!

 

[Moxie]

I really hate it at changeovers where players make the ball kids chase after them with the towel and don't collect it until they're sitting down. Just saw Ferrer do that. What a colossal asshole

Why would you even notice that that was a thing? I just watched now: Ferrer sat down, a kid brought him a towel. What's wrong with that? Seems a tad judgmental to me.

 

[Moxie]

I think it's ridiculous they're allowed to even go thru all these gyrations in the middle of a match! Back in the day, the only time players actually toweled off was if they fell! They barely wore wrist bands, but these fools actually need multiple towels on court like Nadal making these kids "serve him" like he's paying them a salary! I think it should all be nixed; make them play thru and maybe it'll shorten points and matches! The players of today are supposed to be so much more fit, but they're breaking down faster than pros of old! If I miss a match, I don't really have regrets; esp. if it's someone like Nadal who drags matches out so long with his slow moving and selfish persona! People just come out to see him and nothing else matters but his comfort I guess!

The tournaments do this, the players aren't asking for it, are they? And don't they all use the towels? You guys really see what you want to see.

 

[Federberg]

Why would you even notice that that was a thing? I just watched now: Ferrer sat down, a kid brought him a towel. What's wrong with that? Seems a tad judgmental to me.

Judgemental? It’s basic manners. He intentionally ignores them and makes them follow him. Most players will take the towel as they walk to their chair, but he’s a special kind of asshole

 

[Moxie]

Judgemental? It’s basic manners. He intentionally ignores them and makes them follow him. Most players will take the towel as they walk to their chair, but he’s a special kind of asshole

I don't know how you see that as a specific choice. He's got very good focus. Perhaps it's not on the ball kids. Last changeover he went straight to the chair. What else is he supposed to do?

EDIT: Ok, they just went to changeover. Ball kids ran after both players who headed straight for their chairs, and each took the towel when the kids arrive at them. Before they sat.

 

[Federberg]

I don't know how you see that as a specific choice. He's got very good focus. Perhaps it's not on the ball kids. Last changeover he went straight to the chair. What else is he supposed to do?

EDIT: Ok, they just went to changeover. Ball kids ran after both players who headed straight for their chairs, and each took the towel when the kids arrive at them. Before they sat.

I’m guessing you haven’t watched this guy closely. The way he treats ball kids and line judges is absolutely appalling

 

[Chris Koziarz]

Surely he's won in Canada. Are you saying that he hasn't done in Montreal, though?

Yes he lost in Montreal's final and had to withdraw from Cincy. I'm referring to this story (in case you haven't heard it), that I cite after my local newspaper:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-...awal-rafael-nadal-to-world-number-one/8806516
"The 19-time major champion said in a statement that he "tweaked" his back last week at the Rogers Cup in Montreal on the weekend, when he lost to Alexander Zverev in the final, and needed to rest."

 

[Moxie]

I’m guessing you haven’t watched this guy closely. The way he treats ball kids and line judges is absolutely appalling

I've watched him play a lot. I don't know if you're picking and choosing incidents, looking through "hate-goggles," or if I have failed to pick up on the subtle failure of manners that you see, but I haven't.

Anyway, great win for del Potro. He's playing very well. He's hitting the two-hander with more confidence, and more frequently than last year. Ferrer gave him a test, but Juan Martin is having a good run, including Acapulco, which he won.

 

[Federberg]

I've watched him play a lot. I don't know if you're picking and choosing incidents, looking through "hate-goggles," or if I have failed to pick up on the subtle failure of manners that you see, but I haven't.

Anyway, great win for del Potro. He's playing very well. He's hitting the two-hander with more confidence, and more frequently than last year. Ferrer gave him a test, but Juan Martin is having a good run, including Acapulco, which he won.

Then you have missed a lot Moxie. I’m not a hater, don’t associate that type of emotional investment with me. You might be thinking about other posters. There are certain things that don’t sit well with me. Raonic cheating was one, the way Ferrer treats the help is another. Nothing to do with his style of play that’s DF not me

 

[Moxie]

Yes he lost in Montreal's final and had to withdraw from Cincy. I'm referring to this story (in case you haven't heard it), that I cite after my local newspaper:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-...awal-rafael-nadal-to-world-number-one/8806516
"The 19-time major champion said in a statement that he "tweaked" his back last week at the Rogers Cup in Montreal on the weekend, when he lost to Alexander Zverev in the final, and needed to rest."

Got it, Chris. I was just asking for clarification when Federberg said that Roger hadn't won in Montreal, specifically. As you know, Roger's Cup, the Canadian MS1000, alternates years between Montreal and Toronto. Federberg clarified that he'd won it, but never in Montreal. Oh, and I know that you're new around here, but believe me, we've talked a lot about the fact that Fed tweaked his back there.

 

[Moxie]

Then you have missed a lot Moxie. I’m not a hater, don’t associate that type of emotional investment with me. You might be thinking about other posters. There are certain things that don’t sit well with me. Raonic cheating was one, the way Ferrer treats the help is another. Nothing to do with his style of play that’s DF not me

No, of course I'm thinking of Darth, and I don't take you for the type. Still I don't get over-analyzing what players do in between points. I'll pay more attention and see if you're right. As to the Raonic one, I'm pretty sure he regrets that (he's spoken about it.) But Shapolov hit that umpire in the eye, and I'm not holding that against him, as he's very sorry, and I think he's learned from it. There are a lot of little on-court behaviors that get massaged over, and I'm not sure we're right to judge them all, particularly if they're not egregious and within the norm of behavior. You may be offended by something not intended as an offense. But, as I said, I'll look out, because we're buds.

 

[Federberg]

No, of course I'm thinking of Darth, and I don't take you for the type. Still I don't get over-analyzing what players do in between points. I'll pay more attention and see if you're right. As to the Raonic one, I'm pretty sure he regrets that (he's spoken about it.) But Shapolov hit that umpire in the eye, and I'm not holding that against him, as he's very sorry, and I think he's learned from it. There are a lot of little on-court behaviors that get massaged over, and I'm not sure we're right to judge them all, particularly if they're not egregious and within the norm of behavior. You may be offended by something not intended as an offense. But, as I said, I'll look out, because we're buds.

Alls I’m saying he’s done a lot of bad stuff. Bumping into lines people treating ball kids badly etc

As for Raonic I’m trying to get past it. He flat out cheated which I detest. I was never able to forgive Henin and you know how much I love a beautiful backhand

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

Alls I’m saying he’s done a lot of bad stuff. Bumping into lines people treating ball kids badly etc

As for Raonic I’m trying to get past it. He flat out cheated which I detest. I was never able to forgive Henin and you know how much I love a beautiful backhand

Raonic cheated?

When?

 

[Fiero425]

Alls I’m saying he’s done a lot of bad stuff. Bumping into lines people treating ball kids badly etc

As for Raonic I’m trying to get past it. He flat out cheated which I detest. I was never able to forgive Henin and you know how much I love a beautiful backhand

Remind me what Raonic did! Checked his ranking I had no idea he had fallen so precipitously like so many others who've been off the tour for extended periods! He not even in the top 30 with Murray, Kei, and so many other languishing in depths they haven't seen since they were rookies! Henin is a fave of mines, but that hand up thing at the FO was bush!

 

[Federberg]

Raonic cheated?

When?

Think it was in Canada, so long ago I can barely remember

 

[Federberg]

Remind me what Raonic did! Checked his ranking I had no idea he had fallen so precipitously like so many others who've been off the tour for extended periods! He not even in the top 30 with Murray, Kei, and so many other languishing in depths they haven't seen since they were rookies! Henin is a fave of mines, but that hand up thing at the FO was bush!

Utterly bush league

 

[mrzz]

I think that players should not only treat ball kids like shit, but also be allowed to physically assault them in order to overflow their emotions.

 

[atttomole]

Correct. He's never won in Montreal. It's always been in Toronto. Just one of those weird things. That's one of the reasons I was vehemently opposed to his going there. Some places just have bad juju. It's like Rafa in Miami. You just know something bad would happen. He could be serving for the match and a bird would poop in his eye. Trust me, this shit is real!

If the bird poops in his eyes, then he would ask for an MTO, to have his eyes cleaned.

 

[Moxie]

Alls I’m saying he’s done a lot of bad stuff. Bumping into lines people treating ball kids badly etc

As for Raonic I’m trying to get past it. He flat out cheated which I detest. I was never able to forgive Henin and you know how much I love a beautiful backhand

I hear you. Henin I have also never forgiven, including retiring out of the AO final v. Mauresmo (and who knows how sick she was? Still. It bothers me. But I know you're talking about the hand-touch. Which was bad. Henin wasn't easy to like. Except for her game.) Tennis is a "gentleman's sport," as has long perceived itself. There is a lot of notion that you call things on yourself. Roanic was very wrong in that moment. He was the only one that saw, except for some millions of TV viewers. Didn't go well for him, in retrospect. So he was sorry. I can dislike him for that, but I already dislike his game, so it's immaterial. But you're right, in a way, it's hard to forget. However, I do see a lot of conversation on the forums about "petty crimes," like your complaint about Ferrer, with Fiero also adding Nadal. Rudeness. These are perceived differently by different viewers. Court conduct can be a matter of personal taste. Without specific infraction, we're talking about a "slight," and that's individual perception. The other thing to take on board is that, however much we want it to be a "gentleman's" or "ladies'" game, it's a big business. These players are professionals, fighting for points and money. We all hope they play hard. Then we hope they play admirably, within the rules of the game. We expect a lot from them. Their last focus is the ball kids.