Weeks 27 & 28 - The Championships, Wimbledon - men's singles (grass)

JonH · All-time great

Weeks 27 & 28 - The Championships, Wimbledon - men's singles (grass)

Nix · Futures qualifying

There are definitely a number of English people (not real tennis fans) who took against Andy early on for a joke he made when a very young guy about supporting anyone but England in a football championship. Unfortunately it was taken out of context and reported in sensationalist media as a serious comment. Also, his professionalism, which came across as being dour on court but was really his extreme focus, alienated people who arent really proper sports fans. But the speech he made at Wimbledon when he lost, plus his efforts in Davis Cup and the Olympics have turned this around. For real sports fans and anyone who heard him speak around people he felt comfortable with when he was younger have always hugely appreciated him. Apart from being a brilliant player in a time of a superlative group of male tenns players, he has an excellent sense of humour, is a credit to himself and his family, is an amazing ambassador for his sport, has an enlightened attitude to women in sport, and is a fantastic supporter of young British players. I support him as a British player but also recognise hes first and foremost a proud Scotsman.

flamingowings · All-time great

In case you missed it, Andy should be doing commentary tomorrow with Tim on the Rafa/Delpo match.

Nix · Futures qualifying

By the way, theres a poll for who is most boring on the BBC website if you fancy voting between Tim and Andy. Tim obviously duller in my view and is winning so far!

indiana · Tennis legend

Nix wrote:
By the way, theres a poll for who is most boring on the BBC website if you fancy voting between Tim and Andy. Tim obviously duller in my view and is winning so far!

Yes, and evidently prompted by a studio exchange between Andy and Tim before anyone says anything.

Tim flying just now as the more boring : 65% to 35%. Good stuff

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Nix wrote:
By the way, theres a poll for who is most boring on the BBC website if you fancy voting between Tim and Andy. Tim obviously duller in my view and is winning so far!

It all started when the two were talking with Sue Barker and Tim came up with the question.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/44785476

He got my vote. At least he didn't ask Andy who he was supporting at the World Cup wink

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

I've really gone off Goran Ivanisevic. Following an interview with the Beeb in his role as Raonic's coach, he's widely reported in today's papers as having branded English football fans as "so arrogant" in advance of this evening's semi-final in Moscow.

I hope we don't lose to the English because already you are in the final. You already won. You're coming home. You're bringing the trophy - you're so arrogant. You are the best. You are the most beautiful. For sure you are coming home, but I hope not with the trophy.

He apparently also told the Beeb that he hoped Raonic would play first, so that he could be "in the pub with the other English people and hopefully I'm going to be the last one standing and laughing". What gives him the right to assume that, because of the constant singing of the "Three Lions" song, we all expect England to waltz past the Croats & then stuff France in the final? I, for one, am extremely nervous about the outcome & taking nothing for granted, just hoping & praying that Harry Kane & the others can pull it off. I suspect a lot of other fans feel the same way, but can't help letting their hopes get the better of their expectations after seeing the team progress as far as it has after so many years in the international footballing wilderness & AGAINST all expectation. This evening's result is anything but a foregone conclusion, but it's surely only natural that fans would wish to give voice to their optimism by singing that song. It's the kind of thing all fans do - isn't it?

It's just a pity that Raonic is playing Isner in the quarter-final, a match I wouldn't want to waste hard-earned money paying to go to see, because as far as I'm concerned , it's anyone but Raonic AND Isner for the title! cry I can't say I'm all carried away with the other contenders, either, though Delpo &, conceivably "Nish", probably have a slight edge.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Interesting, SC.
Yes, Goran seems to have completely misinterpreted the British sentiment. It's as far off arrogance as you possibly can be. Doesn't he realise that after decades of catastrophic disappointments this was just, as you say, blind hope that this time, just once, we would do a bit better...and maybe a bit better again....and why not all the way...The underdog just crossing it's fingers that miracles can happen....

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

I thought Goran was at the wind up personally, just like what I have been about the football and it seems people have fallen for it. Be interesting to see the crowd tonight for the final match on centre court. Think a lot of people will be hoping for no 5 setters today. Crowd might support anyone who is winning to get the game over so everyone can watch the footy.

flamingowings · All-time great

A) Goran's first language is not English
B) the press can misinterpret and make a thing of comments (See Andy Murray's comment a million years ago)
C) like a lot of men in general, football is a very passionate sport and also patriotic.
D) as a woman and one in Scotland, the sheer amount of "news" about England and the world cup is rather annoying and boring. It's not relevant to me at all

E) Gorans is generally quite a humorous character.

Personally I see no problem but that's maybe just me.

-- Edited by flamingowings on Wednesday 11th of July 2018 12:11:28 PM

-- Edited by flamingowings on Wednesday 11th of July 2018 12:12:23 PM

christ · Futures qualifying

I do hope that we have upset Mr Ivanisevic. Serves him right for beating Tiger Tim. I, for one, have never forgiven him for that.

(If I were to guess, however, it would be that he had his tongue firmly in his cheek)

-- Edited by christ on Wednesday 11th of July 2018 12:16:21 PM

indiana · Tennis legend

Ah, Boring Tim, after the vote he preempted on the BBC website

Sounds a good bit of maybe a bit OTT banter from Goran, and maybe yes some misunderstandings. It's what football fans and passionate patriots do and what many English don't get. Some give the impression of can give it but can't take it and get all precious.

I have no huge problem, if don't agree with Rio Ferdinand for one declaring it will be easy tonight, though who really knows. But that is a main BBC pundit and maybe expect some reply to such, though of course there is a huge mixture of optimism, pessimism and in between.

Andy of course had all sort of hassle all these years ago about a bit of football banter regarding England, instigated by Tim regarding Scotland's absence, though I have never thought that he was entirely joking and so what. It was football and an ancient rivalry.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

christ wrote:
I do hope that we have upset Mr Ivanisevic. Serves him right for beating Tiger Tim. I, for one, have never forgiven him for that.

Nor have I.

scottie1 · Futures level

Stircrazy wrote:
christ wrote:
I do hope that we have upset Mr Ivanisevic. Serves him right for beating Tiger Tim. I, for one, have never forgiven him for that.
Nor have I.

i have never liked Goran I always thought he was sullen and bad tempered, however Henman was not good enough to get to the final

Robin · Lower Club Player

Always liked Goran and will assume it was banter.

As for Tim, who seems like a nice guy comes out with 65% of the boring vote against Andy so close to a landslide but Andy has a great dry sense of humour which we can't all have (or appreciate)

-- Edited by Robin on Wednesday 11th of July 2018 04:23:38 PM