What's the best sportsmanship moment of this year?

[brokenshoelace]

That is not a compelling nomination either. Nobody has quit in the middle of GS final as far
as I know in the history of the game. Unless he is dying if he continues to play, it is normal
courtesy to play. So, it does not make a compelling case either.

If only I stated as much in the very post I made. Oh wait... Reading back, I even called it "bull$hit" which by definition, isn't compelling.

PS: Justine Henin once did. And yes, I realize she's a female and I realize it doesn't change anything, but you said "history of the game" so I'm just pointing that out.

I didn't want to say anything for fear of being accused of being anti-Rafa. But what else could he have done? Henin was a precedent that no one would want to emulate. While I applaud him for doing what he did, I'm not sure it rises to the form of sportsmanship. It was the professional thing to do

Is my post really that ambiguous? Surely the joke is obvious? And if it wasn't, you'd think me calling my nomination "bull$hit and arbitrary" gives it away? No?

And if that didn't give it away, then surely explaining it to GSM does.

 

[Kieran]

The fact that he twice moved to the net as if to concede, then changed direction and continued - because he wanted to give Stan his moment! - is sporting, no matter who spins it. Should he be nominated for an award because of this? I don't see why. But then Kei is nominated because...what? Roger - for a single tear which streamed down his luscious cheek? :cover

The award, I think everyone here agrees, is silly. Or the arbitrary way of including these players. Rafa is no more sporting than anyone else. Nor are the four men included in the list...

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Justine Henin also deserves the anti-sportsmanship award for the incident (in a match
against Serena) involving raising her hand to stop the play and then not owning it up to
the referee.

Fernando Gonzalex also deserves the anti-sportsmanship award for the incident (in
Olympics against James Blake) for not owning up to the fact that the ball touched
his body (thus instantly ending the point).

 

[Federberg]

That is not a compelling nomination either. Nobody has quit in the middle of GS final as far
as I know in the history of the game. Unless he is dying if he continues to play, it is normal
courtesy to play. So, it does not make a compelling case either.

If only I stated as much in the very post I made. Oh wait... Reading back, I even called it "bull$hit" which by definition, isn't compelling.

PS: Justine Henin once did. And yes, I realize she's a female and I realize it doesn't change anything, but you said "history of the game" so I'm just pointing that out.

I didn't want to say anything for fear of being accused of being anti-Rafa. But what else could he have done? Henin was a precedent that no one would want to emulate. While I applaud him for doing what he did, I'm not sure it rises to the form of sportsmanship. It was the professional thing to do

Is my post really that ambiguous? Surely the joke is obvious? And if it wasn't, you'd think me calling my nomination "bull$hit and arbitrary" gives it away? No?

And if that didn't give it away, then surely explaining it to GSM does.

Well received. I didn't read thru your post properly

 

[mrzz]

The case for the four nominees is so weak that even knowing it was proposed as a joke, I would vote for Nadal at the AO if he was one of the choices.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

BS might be joking. But, look at the follow up posts that it got from other folks supporting
the nomination. They all took it seriously. That is why I ventured to argue against it.

I think we all agree that these selections are quite arbitrary. I know that the players vote
on the selected candidates in contention. But, I don't know who selects the nominees. Is
it also done by players or is it done by ATP?

 

[Federberg]

BS might be joking. But, look at the follow up posts that it got from other folks supporting
the nomination. They all took it seriously. That is why I ventured to argue against it.

I think we all agree that these selections are quite arbitrary. I know that the players vote
on the selected candidates in contention. But, I don't know who selects the nominees. Is
it also done by players or is it done by ATP?

To be honest I'm with you I didn't really read BS's post, I was responding to the follow ups! Anyway... no harm no foul

 

[brokenshoelace]

Things would be a lot easier if they just do away with this award. This is tennis. Sportsmanship is not that out of the ordinary. I can hardly count cases of REAL sportsmanship in the past, say, 10 years, on one hand. I honestly don't recall too many incidents in which a player did something so amazing they deserve recognition for it in the form of an award.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Come to think of it, I saw a player put his hand up to apologize for a let chord once. It was so moving. I may have in fact shed a tear. Wait, where's my award for crying?

 

[Federberg]

Things would be a lot easier if they just do away with this award. This is tennis. Sportsmanship is not that out of the ordinary. I can hardly count cases of REAL sportsmanship in the past, say, 10 years, on one hand. I honestly don't recall too many incidents in which a player did something so amazing they deserve recognition for it in the form of an award.

I completely agree! It reminds me of the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award which is nothing more than a popularity contest. Very little to do with actual sporting achievement

 

[Kieran]

Come to think of it, I saw a player put his hand up to apologize for a let chord once. It was so moving. I may have in fact shed a tear. Wait, where's my award for crying?

Was it a single tear? Because this is important... :snigger

 

[Front242]

Here's some good sportsmanship haha. Clearly he was only taking the p1$$ to annoy his opponent but pretty damn funny all the same.

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CnX6k0snxA&feature=player_detailpage[/video]

 

[brokenshoelace]

Here's some good sportsmanship haha. Clearly he was only taking the p1$$ to annoy his opponent but pretty damn funny all the same.

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CnX6k0snxA&feature=player_detailpage[/video]

Wonder if you would have found it as funny had the roles been reversed

 

[Front242]

Sure would 'cos there was no way the point was being given back anyway! He was just being a gimp.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Come to think of it, I saw a player put his hand up to apologize for a let chord once. It was so moving.

Oh, now I know how to remove the arbitrariness of these awards. ATP stat guru Greg Sharko
can keep track of the number of times people apologize for a let chord throughout the year and
whoever has higher percentage gets the award. :laydownlaughing

 

[Riotbeard]

The fact that he twice moved to the net as if to concede, then changed direction and continued - because he wanted to give Stan his moment! - is sporting, no matter who spins it. Should he be nominated for an award because of this? I don't see why. But then Kei is nominated because...what? Roger - for a single tear which streamed down his luscious cheek? :cover

The award, I think everyone here agrees, is silly. Or the arbitrary way of including these players. Rafa is no more sporting than anyone else. Nor are the four men included in the list...

I don't think anybody is saying rafa had a christ-like moment, but he did do something nice that he really did not have to do, considering how poorly his game looked. I think the only point anybody was making, is that at least with Rafa, you can think of A reason.

I can't believe I am defending rafa and his fans:cover :hug :deadhorse

 

[Kieran]

^^ You're doing great, carry on....

 

[shawnbm]

Nole should win

 

[Riotbeard]

Nole should win

This I can get behind. He has conceded many points this year and in years past.

 

[Iona16]

Things would be a lot easier if they just do away with this award. This is tennis. Sportsmanship is not that out of the ordinary. I can hardly count cases of REAL sportsmanship in the past, say, 10 years, on one hand. I honestly don't recall too many incidents in which a player did something so amazing they deserve recognition for it in the form of an award.

I completely agree! It reminds me of the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award which is nothing more than a popularity contest. Very little to do with actual sporting achievement

I don't think anybody would suggest it wasn't awarded for sporting achievement last year. First male British Wimbledon Champion in 77 years.

Rory McIlroy is winning it this year. He's had a phenomenal year.