Week 27/28 - Wimbledon Ladies, Great Britain Grass

GAMEOVER · Satellite level

RE: Week 27/28 - Wimbledon Ladies, Great Britain Grass

markymc1983 · Club Coach

Coup Droit wrote:
Loving watching young Mirra ply her craft

The point penalty was a bit mean dont you think? Slightly bratty from Andreeva throwing her racquets but this is a 16 year old girl. I dread to think what I would have been like as a 16 year old in that position- I wouldve stormed out in a great huff!

Jeff Stelling · Club Coach

Thank the lord above that Keys won that. USA versus Russia. Good versus Evil.

Good wins today and the loud cheers could be heard around the village green as Andreeva received a point penalty for her dismal behaviour.

PaulM · Tennis legend

The penalty was a little ridiculous as she while she did throw the racket she was also slipping over having lost her fooying so would have had to drop it anyway if she had went down. I thought it was a unnecessary.

markymc1983 · Club Coach

Jeff Stelling wrote:
Thank the lord above that Keys won that. USA versus Russia. Good versus Evil.

Good wins today and the loud cheers could be heard around the village green as Andreeva received a point penalty for her dismal behaviour.

Youre calling a 16 year old evil?!

wales1994 · County player

Mirra is a future star of the game, her personality in interviews is so engaging! We need some more personality on tour - hope she can continue to improve.

Agree, the evil comment is ridiculous. Comparably Federer was seen as such a brat as a teen, with real temper tantrums on court. Then he become the cool gent in his later years, any of the bad behaviour we see now with Mirra she'll likely grow out of.

christ · Futures level

markymc1983 wrote:
Jeff Stelling wrote:
Thank the lord above that Keys won that. USA versus Russia. Good versus Evil.

Good wins today and the loud cheers could be heard around the village green as Andreeva received a point penalty for her dismal behaviour.
Youre calling a 16 year old evil?!

I'm sure that Mr Stelling doesn't need my defence, but his post read more like an ironic comment on the players' countries of origin - in light of events on other courts - rather than of the (young) lady herself.

Jeff Stelling · Club Coach

A few people seem to have their radar off beam

chavkev · Intermediate Club Player

I have a funny feeling that she will switch nationalily if this carries on for a couple more years. There are far more opportunities available to her commercially with GBR, FRA or USA after her name.

Var · Pro player

chavkev wrote:
I have a funny feeling that she will switch nationalily if this carries on for a couple more years. There are far more opportunities available to her commercially with GBR, FRA or USA after her name.

I disagree chavkev. Mirra was talking about her grandpas birthday today and her family back home. I think she will retain her nationality as it is who she is. I don't condone any of Russia's actions on the world stage, but likewise, I don't condemn anyone with that nationality who is playing sport like Mirra does. Just as I hold no grudge against German Japanese or anyone else, we have fought against....which is probably half of the world!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Yes, I don't see her changing nationalities either (even assuming she could - I doubt she has family relations from those other countries and she certainly hasn't got the residency requirements)

She and her family seem 'very Russian'. A little too much so from some of the social media likes etc??? But I don't hold that against her - she's very young

9vicman · Satellite level

PaulM wrote:
The penalty was a little ridiculous as she while she did throw the racket she was also slipping over having lost her fooying so would have had to drop it anyway if she had went down. I thought it was a unnecessary.

Personally think the warning was warranted. The players are told specifically not to throw rackets on the court surface by the umpire, and she did with intent. It was unfortunate that it was a second warning (and therefore automatic point penalty) and at 5-2 deuce, but the umpire was just applying the code of conduct. She was close to losing the match anyway and will be all part of the learning curve.

HarryGem · Club Coach

Coup Droit wrote:
markymc1983 wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
markymc1983 wrote:
What an amazing evening of tennis and delighted for Elina, but why did the crowd boo Azarenka when she walked off court? I thought we were meant to be a more civilised and educated crowd?
More than what?
And as long as Azarenka refuses to condemn the Russian and Belorussian governments, it's not surprising that many people will feel equally entitled to share their opinions, i.e. booing
As opposed to Roland Garros. Do people stop to think that blatantly going against Putin could endanger the lives of loved ones still living in Belarus/Russia? This reaction is really not fair on these individuals
I don't agree. But we don't have to

Have to say I have absolutely zero sympathy for Azarenka, or indeed any other Belarussian or Russian athlete/tennis player who receives similar reactions.

As to her comments that she was booed because people were drunk then she perhaps fails to understand.

I don't think people should have to condemn Putin directly but I think the lack of public sympathy and understanding from Russian or Belarusian players towards Ukrainian players is frankly damning in its absence.

In 2020,a the time of the US open there was huge civil unrest in Belarus and mass protests. The Belarusian plyers were mainly quick to voice their feelings.

Aryna Sabalenka, who was seeded fifth in singles but lost in the second round to Azarenka, said she was preoccupied by her familys safety after arriving in the United States to play in several tournaments. During her first tournament here, in Lexington, Ky., a restless Sabalenka couldnt sleep, growing increasingly frantic as she waited for her mother to answer her message.

I was really worried about her and she didnt respond to me, Sabalenka said. I forgot the internet there wasnt working and I just called her and as soon as I heard her voice I felt a little bit better and I could sleep. She added that it was difficult for several weeks, but that hopefully everything will be calm.

Azarenkas tone about Belarus and Lukashenko has been considerably more serious and hesitant this year, calling it a very difficult topic to speak on.

That's breaking my heart to see what's happening, because not being able to be there and understand the whole situation, its really sad, Azarenka said last month. Its really sad, and its really difficult to speak on that. But I just hope that all the violence stops immediately, really does, because its really heartbreaking. I cant even speak without tears in my eyes when I think about it.

And just to show that outward political opposition can be made then the case of Vera Lapko at the same tournament is interesting.

The most politically outspoken Belarusian player has been the youngest: Vera Lapko, 21, attended a protest in Minsk, the Belarus capital, before reaching the second round of the U.S. Open.

There were a lot of people, Lapko said. They all were peaceful. They all were happy that they can show their opinions, show their emotions, about all that is happening right now. It was really nice to be there next to them.

While playing, Lapko wore red and white, evoking the flags that have become symbolic for opposition to Lukashenko. I decided to keep that to show that I'm with the people, she said.

It would have been easy for Russians and Belarussians to have shown public sympathy for Ukrainian players without publicly condemning the war based on their own experiences of 2020. But I've not seen or heard much if any but simply meaningless comments such as no war etc. Frankly it is impossible to imagine how difficult it must be to go on court as a Ukrainian player and have to face someone whose country is killing, raping and torturing fellow women of your country and equally to face players from a country that is openly aiding said country to do so.

-- Edited by HarryGem on Tuesday 11th of July 2023 08:31:15 AM

PaulM · Tennis legend

Stunning performance from Vondrousova to win in 3. Superb from *1-4 break point down.

Svitolina so close to making it, but Swiatek recovers to win the tiebreak. Bit if a blow as when Svitolina was well ahead she had a ball called long on the baseline that Hawkeye showed was in, but she didn't challenge.

Hard to see past Iga here, was hoping for a little Ukrainian fairlytale!!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Am holding my breath ....
Your Ukrainian fairy tale might just be happening....