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OT -- Sportsmanship

Posted By: Stick
Date: Sunday, 22 January 2012, at 8:46 p.m.

In Response To: OT -- Sportsmanship (Bill Riles)

In this specific instance Berdych was completely in the wrong. Almagro did nothing wrong. The shot wasn't easy, it wasn't some floating sitter that he could have put away wherever and however he wanted. It was a passing shot. The fact that Berdych got hit by it instead of being able to get a racket on it is his own fault. I think Berdych may have thought at the time that Almagro had a much easier shot than he did. I'd be surprised if upon seeing the replay his feelings didn't change. It would be big of him and the right way to go I feel if he saw it, realized he was in the wrong, and apologized. You don't want the crowd against you.

In doubles you get the ball launched at you constantly. A ground stroke like in this example is never going to do you much damage no matter where it's fired from. (assuming it stays away from the family jewels) When you get to high volleys/overheads, that's where some damage could happen and the only spot I can think of where it could be seen as cheap, dirty, or underhanded to go at a player. Even then, remember when you hit at someone there is always the possibility of the ball coming back. Catch the ball in front of you cleanly and many good things can happen.

Post match comments from both

Screamapova at Serena

In the last link Sharapova takes an overhead 'at' Serena. I really don't think she was doing anything other than hitting it at the center of the court but guess what ... you want to give someone a dirty look when they hit the ball out you stay off the court when you're out of the damn point. If you're still trying to win the point I'm not going to alter my winning shot to avoid you. If you don't want the ball to hit you scram to the sidelines or stay off my net.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone lighten up or alter their shot trying not to hit someone where they've flubbed the shot because of it. Even for sitters I pick my spot and hit the shot, it's up to them to worry about what to do with it.

Stick

Messages In This Thread

• OT -- Sportsmanship
  Bill Riles -- Sunday, 22 January 2012, at 5:24 p.m.
  • OT -- Sportsmanship
    Stick -- Sunday, 22 January 2012, at 5:33 p.m.
  • OT -- Sportsmanship
    Michael Nielsen -- Sunday, 22 January 2012, at 5:35 p.m.
  • OT -- Sportsmanship
    Casper van der Tak -- Sunday, 22 January 2012, at 5:59 p.m.
  • OT -- Sportsmanship
    Stick -- Sunday, 22 January 2012, at 8:46 p.m.