Billie said:
DarthFed said:
You people would complain if Roger wasn't holding the microphone to interview Nole. Roger basically gave his apology and runner-up speech when he went on the court.
And let's not complain about him wussing out of a match when we are talking about Djokovic and Nadal fans here. The combined withdrawals, (fake) medical timeouts (ie 5th set Wimbledon this year) and quitting during matches would be an astronomic number.
From ATP rulebook:
k) Ceremonies
i) All tournament finalists must attend and participate in the post-match ceremonies, unless he is physically unable to do so as determined by the tournament Doctor. This includes retirements and finals not played due to a
walkover
ii) Violation of this section shall subject a player to a fine up to $5,000.
Since he was able to walk, the only other reason why he wouldn't participate in the post-walkover ceremonies is that he didn't give a damn and would rather pay a fine than be a sportsman.
We've heard it each time when other players had to retire or skip a tournament, so it is only fair that you guys hear it this time. And frankly, I don't remember either player ditching a final of a big tournament like this. They don't feel fit and able to compete, they still go out and get their ass kicked, such is life.
I can only imagine the reactions if it were Nole withdrawing before the final here.:nono
I agree that not participating in the post-match ceremony is against the rules.
However, do we know whether he was made aware of that by the organizers/atp
in time. Given that he has never before given a walkover in a final, perhaps he
is not aware of it.
Once in a match against Andy, Novak came to the net and his racquet crossed the
net when he hit a shot. Novak was given the point as nobody noticed it. Later in the
presser, Novak admitted that his racquet indeed crossed the net in that shot, but
claimed that he did not know it is illegal. Most club players are aware of this rule,
I think. If Novak can be unaware of a rule that relates to the game, why can't
Federer be unaware of a rule that relates to post-tourney ceremony etiquette.