jb288 wrote:

---

On p4-5 - the time of Heather's match - there is only one positive comment. Which is fine - I didn't come on and 'congratulate' her either - but it reads as hostile and mocking, and it doesn't happen for other players.

---

You should try the French forum 

Andy Parker wrote:

---

Nicely put Coup (as always) - my issues were about comments that her match was so comic it should be put on a Loop in the Louvre, and those who even after she won, tried to take the mickey out of Indiana for praising Heather for her win. Had I been around at the time, I would have given Indiana some Forum support, but sadly I was enjoying a restful night on damp grass in preparation for Tuesday.

Lots of people regularly post on here and it is nice to have a diverse set of opinions; that is what makes a Forum worth reading and interesting, but I just feel that so many people seem to have a downer on Heather. which I feel is a shame, because she has been a really good player over the years (she is even a Grand Slam doubles winner) and I just wonder at the expectations of some of those who make comments. I am not getting at the regular posters and balanced views such as yourself, Indiana, Ace, Mervatron2 etc, and the danger I suppose of not listing names is that you then offend those who have been posting normally and respectfully.

I feel rightly or wrongly that there seems to be a negative agenda around Heather. Is it her skin colour, is it due to her looks (because she is not 18, slim and blonde), is it because she is no longer in tennis terms young; whatever it is, it just feels as if she is subject to some very OTT comments. I don't think she deserves it - not only because she is British and a good player, but also because she always appears to be a thoroughly nice person and a great sports role model.

---

 Well this is an interesting take. Did you watch the first set of that match? It was COMIAL because the level of play was so poor from BOTH players. I mean we are on an obscure British tennis message board, obviously we all support our players and want the best for them, otherwise why would we waste our time reading about future events in Tunisia in the same week as Wimbledon; so I refute the notion that the mocking was cruel, but rather more in exasperation at the standard of play, when, over the years Heather has proven herself as a more than competent grass player. 

Ive enjoyed/watched Heathers matches for about a decade now, there is no nastiness, but it has always been noted that Heathers matches tend to...have big momentum swings, its a point of amusement more than anything else. 

And id have appreciated a private message regarding your cold takes in terms of whether my judgement is based on her attractiveness or the colour of her skin. As someone who is also a member of a minority group, I would argue I always have/always will be the best possible ally to others who face prejudice either institutionally or more overtly. Whew. Miss me with that nonsense. 

Anyways, good luck to Heather tomorrow! Lets hope the match will be in the Louvre for all the right reasons!

There may at times be discussions to be had re negativity ( and more generally I have them from time to time, being one who doesn't feel that a British tennis forum should generally be even handed but a tad biased in a supportive way without bull***ting - anyway that's a bit by the way and probably bores some ).

To specifics here, I saw exasperation put in terms that didn't bother me personally rather than abuse. And as for such as skin colour and looks - it never remotely crossed my mind and looking back it still doesn't. Another day, another very different player I feel could have been given similar commentary, like that style or not. I thought that Andy was well off track there but initially left it to see the response and we've certainly had that.

And Andy, as for my comment about "GB women's tennis on the march as young Heather surges through ... Yea of little faith ... " - did it not strike you as slightly OTT even without the wink to finish? I was very happy that Heather won but my comment was very tongue in cheek, related to other discussions where I am genuinely more optimistic than some re GB women's tennis in the medium term. Re suggestions I was drunk, that I am sure was said in good spirit so to speak ( recognising that tongue in cheek nature ) and taken as such. Thank you but no support was needed 

Responses fair enough - I'll shut up now and feel relieved that maybe the comments about Heather were not meant as badly as I thought. As for emojis Indiana - I guess that is a generational thing and as an old person still getting used to the net and 21st century technology, normally I don't even notice the emojis are there, let alone what they mean, sad old person that I am. Glad you didn't need my support and sorry Jajon and Indiana if I was unintentionally off track.