Weeks 27 & 28 - The Championships, Wimbledon, Great Britain - Grass

Grachka · County player

RE: Weeks 27 & 28 - The Championships, Wimbledon, Great Britain - Grass

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

scottie1 wrote:
Chris Evert and Chandra both said end of match Jo could not handle the lack of pace and had no plan B

For me she cracked under pressure, plain and simple - ie the pressure of being the favourite. Lack of pace has nothing to do with a low 1st serve percentage.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Grachka wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
Have you all heard the interview?
I'm sure there will be different views but, for me, for her to say the guy was being patronising and disrespectful and all that, just because - as a journalist - he asked her if she felt she'd played some important points poorly, is completely out of order.
It's a fair question, Jo. Your pat answer of 'my opponent played amazingly ' does not cut it
I saw the presser, but I have a bit more sympathy for Jo. I don't think the question itself was the issue, but the way the journalist asked it. It came across very blunt and like she owed him / the country an explanation, rather than exploring whether she had one. I think a lot of players would've given it short shrift.
I don't think she did herself many favours by reacting like she did, but I do understand it.

I'm with CD on this one. I saw the presser, or at least the snippet that the beeb showed between the mixed sets. Jo was understandably already upset, but I thought it was a fair question, and certainly the rephrasing of it seemed very polite. I thought Jo was really harsh on him, probably because she knows that she did bottle it and the journo was spot on.

I'm awaiting seeing more of the presser with interest, and hope that somewhere in it she admits she bottled it and will do more mental work. Otherwise, how can she improve on something if she won't admit she has an issue?

Grachka · County player

There is a difference between admitting it's an issue (to yourself, your team), and admitting it's an issue in a press conference. I think almost every player would avoid doing that in front of Britain's / the world's media.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I don't think anyone expects her to bare her soul. And I understand she was raw and sore.
But to say everything was A1 fine and I wouldn't do it any differently, each thinking was correct, is just an invitation for people to take the mick. And then to take offense when someone doesnt quite buy it.....

markymc1983 · Club Coach

I think people forget that these tennis players are human beings, with very raw emotions after such a disappointing defeat. I would have told the journo to f*ck off, so for me Jo was quite restrained.

indiana · Tennis legend

They are human beings but they are also professional tennis players that have to deal with press conferences and the media on the whole just doing their jobs. It's part of the package they sign up for and one, especially at Jo's stage in her career, that may not be liked but is surely understood. F*uck off is correctly not an option.

I have heard suggestions that maybe there should be more delay between the end of matches and such media commitments to let emotions settle a bit more. But maybe it is often the players themselves that want it done abd dusted and to get out of there?

Nix · Futures level

I think most sports people are prickly in the heat of the moment. Ive seen Alex Ferguson, Mourinho and even Saint Pep Guardiola get the hump when theyve just lost, including refusing to answer questions, walking out of interviews etc. Ive even seen politicians do it and its an intrinsic part of their job, not just a minor aspect. With other sportsmen, there doesnt tend to be an article about it afterwards. I quite like the fact that Jo doesnt just crumble after a loss. Im sure by tomorrow shell be able to be more reflective, especially with her team and in private. Im sure weve all got things about our jobs we dont like and were not all philosophical about it going with the territory.

I know she maybe could have won, but she did get to the quarter finals of Wimbledon. Not bad! And I think shes known for really working on her game: the evidence of Roland Garros shows that. Im sure shell continue to do that and I hope she gets credit for it.

ROSAMUND · Futures level

markymc1983 wrote:
I think people forget that these tennis players are human beings, with very raw emotions after such a disappointing defeat. I would have told the journo to f*ck off, so for me Jo was quite restrained.

Had she said that she would have been fined for an obscene comment as happened in Paris last year. However emotionally she probably sat down and cried somewhere. I suppose you have to take your disappointment out on somebody. I think draw wise it could have been worse if she had had the prospect of facing either Halep or Svitolina in the semi final. I don't honestly think she would have beaten Serena but the media would have had her beating either of the other pair. Also one has to say that Jo has played in 3 Grand Slam semi finals, 2 quarter finals and the last 16 of 2 US Opens and on every occasion she has lost in straight sets. However she has a fine record in reaching the later stages of Grand Slams and it make take many years before another British female matches it. On the subject of press conferences Petra Kvitova skipped hers after her defeat to Jo.

Jajon · Club Coach

Dddd I thought she had every right to point out the journalist was being patronising.

markymc1983 · Club Coach

I just cant understand that people on here are quick to justify perceived petulance from a player being interviewed straight after such an important defeat, will defend a 3 set defeat meltdown by Heather Watson at some insignificant defeat at WTA125? Be consistent in your support/defence of the professional tennis player, please. I see nothing unprofessional in Jo's response to a loaded drilling here..she is not a diplomat. She is a tennis player

indiana · Tennis legend

The people on here are a collection of individuals who certainly have differing opinions about some of Heather's matches, as with many things. And so here ...

markymc1983 · Club Coach

I clearly omitted the word 'some' in my my last post. But please, have the last word..

Strongbow · All-time great

Watched the full interview on youtube (couldnn't find it on the Beeb but not surprised).

"Storm in a tea-cup".

Jo has more than doubled her points tally compared to the same period last year - came out of Wimbledon last year at WR50. If she can get a few points prior to the US open she will be back in the top ten and she is only defending 10 there.

Shhh · Challenger level

As we are all sharing opinions, mine to add to the mix is that Jo has had a very good year indeed and her earlier performances in this years Wimbledon were right up there as the best we have seen from her. Yesterdays match was a bitter let down, she lost her way and could not change it. It was not her opponents winners, more her own UF errors.

She is quite right to pay respect to her opponent for playing so well but the way she then reacted to the reporter was disappointing to say the least. She made herself look bad (imo). It must be so raw so soon after losing but, sorry, think she handled it badly.