Indian Wells, BNP Paribas Open, Masters 1000

[Chris Koziarz]

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

Thanks for sharing that video, I've seen it for the first time.
Now let's contrast that selfish cheater Raonic with a player like Sock. Jack, in Raonic shoes, would have simply told Mohamed the ball wasn't dead and pleaded to reverse the decision for the sake of fairness. What a contrast of attitudes! I think Jack is the best example of fair play on the ATP tour by far. He should receive the recognition for that, while all rewards in this or similar categories always go to Roger, some kind of cliche pitfall, IMO. Do you guys remember few years ago, how a young Jack (when he was 21y at most), in his 5 set defeat to Rafa at AO, requested the repeat of Rafa second serve, when the serve faulted as the result of audience distraction? Ask Rafa about this incident, as a player who also strives to be fair, Rafa praised Jack first thing in his interview & surely Rafa remembers the incident very well. I don't need to mention countless times Jack encouraged his opponents to challenge when he saw the close line call was incorrect in his favour.
If you hate Raonic here, you must love Jack Sock.

 

[10isfan]

That 5 setter incident at AO involved Smychek, not Sock.

 

[Fiero425]

="Moxie, post: 330524, member: 17"]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.

I started watching tennis when it was still a gentleman's sport and there were only 2 or 3 obnoxious A-holes on the tour; none on the ladies side! You had Nastase, Richey, Gonzales, Connors, and BJK who could be a little demonstrative, but she was tired bringing the WTA to life! Now all players are a bunch of jerks who have their moments never seen before modern tennis started in the 90's! Even Federer has gotten snippy with umps invoking the "do you know who I am" moniker!

 

[Chris Koziarz]

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.

That 5 setter incident at AO involved Smychek, not Sock.

That 5 setter incident at AO involved Smychek, not Sock.

Thanks 10isfan for correcting me. So, we have two examples of young American fair players, Sock & Smyczek.

 

[Moxie]

It was Smychek, not Sock. And I think he thought Rafa was interfered with by the crowd. He asked for the point to be replayed. That was very fair play. Look to this to see who Smychek admires. **Spoiler alert** It's David Ferrer.

 

[Moxie]

Thanks 10isfan for correcting me. So, we have two examples of young American fair players, Sock & Smyczek.

What is the Sock example?

 

[Chris Koziarz]

What is the Sock example?

 

[Moxie]

Here's a good one. Thiem v. Goffin. Thiem concedes the point when the umpired called for a replay.

 

[Fiero425]

Here's a good one. Thiem v. Goffin. Thiem concedes the point when the umpired called for a replay.

Well he could've gotten their sooner! I've seen others just as magnanimous but didn't have us go too long for the concession of the pt!

 

[Moxie]

Well he could've gotten their sooner! I've seen others just as magnanimous but didn't have us go too long for the concession of the pt!

Now you're just being pissy. He did actually have to wait for the ruling. I'm fairly certain that he thought the point would be conceded. He could have let it rest with the umpire's judgement, to replay the point. When the judgement came across, he conceded. I'm not sure how much more you want from the guy.

 

[Moxie]

TB F. Lopez v. Sock, first set.

 

[Fiero425]

TB F. Lopez v. Sock, first set.

Sock getting the most out of his game while Feli L has just blown all his potential and should have gotten so much more out of his game! He's one of the few who's won on all surfaces; including grass! He should have perennially been in the top 10 but for his multi-tasking outside the game! Even though a lefty, I appreciated his game and what little he's done with it!

 

[Moxie]

Sock getting the most out of his game while Feli L has just blown all his potential and should have gotten so much more out of his game! He's one of the few who's won on all surfaces; including grass! He should have perennially been in the top 10 but for his multi-tasking outside the game! Even though a lefty, I appreciated his game and what little he's done with it!

I think you've failed to notice who won the first set. And you're thinking of Feli from the old days, not now...the one who's dedicated to his game. As usual, you're mired in the past. And what's your prejudice against lefties?

 

[Fiero425]

I think you've failed to notice who won the first set. And you're thinking of Feli from the old days, not now...the one who's dedicated to his game. As usual, you're mired in the past. And what's your prejudice against lefties?

In my day it was a definite advantage in all phases of the game way back when; which I happen to live in perpetually! Martina and McEnroe extended & maintained their edge with that one major weapon; the slice serve in the ad court! Of course as they got older with the newfangled rackets, both got it back in spades with a flick of the wrist!

 

[Moxie]

Speaking of a flick of the wrist, Sock, with all of his spin, won the 2nd set with a shot that just curled in. Nadalesque.

 

[Moxie]

This is a very fun match. 2 hours in and Lopez got the first break of the match. Sock fell and hurt his elbow earlier, and that could make the difference.

 

[kskate2]

Jack got the first break when he won the 2nd set

 

[Moxie]

Jack got the first break when he won the 2nd set

Too true, but it's been a tight match.

 

[kskate2]

One that Sock could've won in straights. He had the mini break in the TB.

 

[Moxie]

One that Sock could've won in straights. He had the mini break in the TB.

Yeah, but a mini-break doesn't mean that much. Pretty quickly erased. As in that case it was.