Ok I admit I do not believe one bit that blue clay and it's difficult slippery surface explains Djoko and Nadal's losses. How can we find the signs of tanking.
Most obvious sign that a top player tanks is that he loses to a friend and/or compatriot.When was the last obvious tanking from Nadal?
when Nadal had won the FO10 and wanted to rest before Wimbledon: Queens 2010. And who did he choose to lose to? his friend and compatriot Lopez. Here in Madrid he showed the world the match was his if he wanted to (5/2 up in the 3rd) but also wanted to punish the organisers, as he is the best selling tickets, for not considering his say on the surface.
Now comes Djoko. Same story. Chooses a friend and compatriot to lose and express his anger at the choice of the surface. When was the last obvious tanking for Djoko? his loss to the same player, his compatriot, at WTF 6 months ago.
I would not be surprised if Nadal and Djoko had concerted themselves about those losses. They probably see themselves, and rightly so, as the 2 biggest stars and leaving behind guys like Tipsy and Verdasco instead is a huge loss for the tournament as a punishment. Even arrogant and stubborn Tiriac ends up apologising and promises next year will be back to normal.
Federer? Well he tanks too. His last obvious tanking was in MC09 and like Nadal and Djoko he chose his friend and compatriot Stan. Federer having also great respect for the crowd, would tend to choose a local player to bow out to. Benetteau in Paris, Roddick in Miami.
Do I think tanking is bad? no. I actually prefer top players tanking than not playing at all....in most cases. I must say that Nadal and Djoko not giving 100% there in Madrid was a bit capricious cause clearly they were not tired like they coudl have been at Queens 10 or WTF 11 but just chose to punish the organisers who would have had a great weekend with semis between Fed/Djoko and Nadal/Delpo.
A guide to tanking a tennis match
posted on 12/5/12
my chest hurts i wouldn't necessarily agree with that. As a mahooosive feds fan i have seen the odd tactless response from feds in a post match interview and the us open 2011 loss springs to mind instantly.
posted on 12/5/12
My idol is still in this competition so I also am having fun
I thought Feds was well past his best but I appear to have been wrong woohoo
I hope Wimbledon paint their grass blue this year
posted on 12/5/12
Federer always gives his opponent credit when he loses to them
I hope you're joking MCH.
posted on 12/5/12
comment by noleisthebest (U1514)
posted 10 minutes ago
chest, I'm immune to the likes of you. Don't even bother.
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Just ignore it NITB
I was quite concerned for Djokovic's health this week, he was slipping very often and it seemed quite dangerous for him.
Great that he spoke his mind in the press conference later rather than diplomatic sucking up to the ATP bosses.
posted on 12/5/12
amritia. I have just read back through my posts and am not sure I even said that?
posted on 12/5/12
You said:
'When Feds loses to a tennis player, it has always been because the opposition played superbly and deserved their victory. No excuses.'
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/tennis/tomas-berdych-knocks-roger-federer-out-of-wimbledon/story-e6frg273-1225886523141
posted on 12/5/12
Feds was in a lot of pain at that time. Are you now going to tell me that Roger Federer is a sore loser?
It's cut throat top level sport and he generally handles himself impeccably, as I do, which is why I like the guy
posted on 12/5/12
He revealed all of this just after he lost, what a coincidence
posted on 12/5/12
Federer after getting beat by Djokovic at US Open last year;
“I didn’t hit the best serve. But it’s just the way he returns that. It’s just not — a guy who believes much, you know, anymore in winning. Then to lose against someone like that, it’s very disappointing, because you feel like he was mentally out of it already. Just gets the lucky shot at the end, and off you go”
posted on 12/5/12
ok amritia. Feds has been around for a long time and no human being on this earth is perfect, so you will probably be able to find a couple of these
As I also could do about every sports person on the planet.
We are miles off the OPs topic now
Now my wife has come with a half pint of baileys and ice and is dragging me off the pc We have four and half liters of the stuff to drink before we arrive at the tax free at Agia Napa on the 15th of June and stock up again
Have a nice evening and I will see you on the Roger Federer "Final " match thread tomorrow. Boy oh boy I have followed him on a few of those