Wimbledon, Day 1, 29 June, Order of Play

[TsarMatt]

It's a real shame that Hewitt couldn't win, but what a career and what a player. His passion, enthusiasm and energy for the game is what initially attracted me to the sport of tennis. A legend of the sport, undoubtedly. #HewittForAO16'.

I couldn't warm to Hewitt's scratchiness for a long time. But I do respect his grit and commitment as a player. A LOT of younger players could learn something from him. I pegged him to win today, but two guys retiring went to the mat against each other, and Nieminen came out the better. I think it was 11-9 in the 5th? And that is likely his swan song at Wimbledon.

Nieminen absolutely deserved to win, and I can see why Hewitt's approach to tennis can be off-putting to some, but even his most ardent detractors would appreciate the grit, intensity and effort he puts into each and every single one of his matches. I've never seen a Hewitt match where he didn't try his absolute best, and that's admirable.

 

[Fiero425]

It's a real shame that Hewitt couldn't win, but what a career and what a player. His passion, enthusiasm and energy for the game is what initially attracted me to the sport of tennis. A legend of the sport, undoubtedly. #HewittForAO16'.

I couldn't warm to Hewitt's scratchiness for a long time. But I do respect his grit and commitment as a player. A LOT of younger players could learn something from him. I pegged him to win today, but two guys retiring went to the mat against each other, and Nieminen came out the better. I think it was 11-9 in the 5th? And that is likely his swan song at Wimbledon.

Nieminen absolutely deserved to win, and I can see why Hewitt's approach to tennis can be off-putting to some, but even his most ardent detractors would appreciate the grit, intensity and effort he puts into each and every single one of his matches. I've never seen a Hewitt match where he didn't try his absolute best, and that's admirable.

Even if it made for some tense moments of gamesmanship? He was no favorite on the tour and needless to say he never was in the running for the sportsmanship award! lol! :angel: :dodgy:

 

[Kirijax]

It' often the case isn't it? When a player comes up and is a bit of a hothead or spoiled, people dislike him/her at first but by the end of their career, they are loved/admired. I remember Navratilova, McEnroe, Connors, Seles, Djokovic, and others who all seemed to be disliked in some way, but the more their careers moved on, the more fans they gained. I'll admit I couldn't stand Hewitt way back when he was coming in with his "Come on!" yells, but I have gained a respect for him and the way he kept at it even though he had fallen out of the top ranks. You wouldn't do that unless you really loved the game. Wish he could have won that one last match yesterday but still a good effort. Beat Fan Favorite of the Month Nalbandian in the later's only Grand Slam final.

 

[TsarMatt]

I couldn't warm to Hewitt's scratchiness for a long time. But I do respect his grit and commitment as a player. A LOT of younger players could learn something from him. I pegged him to win today, but two guys retiring went to the mat against each other, and Nieminen came out the better. I think it was 11-9 in the 5th? And that is likely his swan song at Wimbledon.

Nieminen absolutely deserved to win, and I can see why Hewitt's approach to tennis can be off-putting to some, but even his most ardent detractors would appreciate the grit, intensity and effort he puts into each and every single one of his matches. I've never seen a Hewitt match where he didn't try his absolute best, and that's admirable.

Even if it made for some tense moments of gamesmanship? He was no favorite on the tour and needless to say he never was in the running for the sportsmanship award! lol! :angel: :dodgy:

He was a polarising figure, I'm not denying that. His effort and passion, though, is indisputable.

 

[tossip]

is there anyone on the men s tour as boring as Raonic...jeez the man has no personality.

 

[Carol]

You like some players or not for diferent reasons and I don't think that can change, it depends the taste of each everyone :s

 

[nehmeth]

is there anyone on the men s tour as boring as Raonic...jeez the man has no personality.

This would be a great post to jump in with "he's Canadian", but he was born in Montenegro and lives in Monaco...

 

[herios]

is there anyone on the men s tour as boring as Raonic...jeez the man has no personality.

This would be a great post to jump in with "he's Canadian", but he was born in Montenegro and lives in Monaco...

He may be boring, but he is well mannered and smart. I prefer it this way.

 

[Kirijax]

is there anyone on the men s tour as boring as Raonic...jeez the man has no personality.

This would be a great post to jump in with "he's Canadian", but he was born in Montenegro and lives in Monaco...

He may be boring, but he is well mannered and smart. I prefer it this way.

Agree. I'll even say that I would prefer Raonic over Kyrgios. Raonic has class. And a sleeve.

 

[nehmeth]

... and nostrils you could drive a Fiat through. :snicker

 

[Kirijax]

Nick Kyrgios cements reputation as tennis' newest bad-boy, with 'dirty scum' outburst at Wimbledon sure to cost him a hefty fine

Moments later he added: ‘Dirty scum.’
Afterwards, in a particularly prickly press conference, Kyrgios insisted the insult was directed at himself and not the officials.
‘I wasn't referring to the ref at all there,’ he said.
’It was towards myself.’

:lolz:

 

[herios]

Nick Kyrgios cements reputation as tennis' newest bad-boy, with 'dirty scum' outburst at Wimbledon sure to cost him a hefty fine

Moments later he added: ‘Dirty scum.’
Afterwards, in a particularly prickly press conference, Kyrgios insisted the insult was directed at himself and not the officials.
‘I wasn't referring to the ref at all there,’ he said.
’It was towards myself.’

:lolz:

:huh::laydownlaughing

 

[Kirijax]

Saw this posted on Twitter. :snicker

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Hewitt's problem is not about unsportsmanly conduct. He was not media savvy and was terrible in press conferences and keeping the journalists happy. Unfortunately, that is part of the job when you are a marquee tennis player.

 

[Moxie]

Hewitt's problem is not about unsportsmanly conduct. He was not media savvy and was terrible in press conferences and keeping the journalists happy. Unfortunately, that is part of the job when you are a marquee tennis player.

No, A-P is right about the racist remark, which I would call unsportsmanlike. He used to come off as a jerk on court. (I have been trying to believe that he's not such a putz since he stopped being such a hot-shot tennis player. And as I said, it's hard not to admire his grit and tenacity, like him or not.)

 

[DarthFed]

Hewitt's problem is not about unsportsmanly conduct. He was not media savvy and was terrible in press conferences and keeping the journalists happy. Unfortunately, that is part of the job when you are a marquee tennis player.

No, A-P is right about the racist remark, which I would call unsportsmanlike. He used to come off as a jerk on court. (I have been trying to believe that he's not such a putz since he stopped being such a hot-shot tennis player. And as I said, it's hard not to admire his grit and tenacity, like him or not.)

That's how I see it too. It's hard to put that incident in the back of your mind even if it was something like 15 years ago when he was a teenager. But he is one of tennis' great fighters and he was a great player before the injuries. Can't say I like him but may miss him a bit.