Wimbledon Day 4

First topic message reminder :

Surely today's play deserves a thread of it's own!

Nadal v Rosol. Many praying for a repeat of 2012. You are going to need a roof for that! Nadal looking for some revenge no doubt. Shoulder barge to strike again like a Suarez bite?

Federer v Muller. Potential tricky opponent for Roger. Again could Federer make another 2nd round exit?

Our Hev is in action against Kerber. Fingers crossed on that one.

Wawrinka, Gasquet, Raonic, Williams, Bouchard and Sharapova all in action.

Tsonga and Querrey to commence their 5 set epic!

I think Rosol erred though. He complained to the umpire amidst being 0-15 down and at a key part of the match. He should have kept his head down and concentrated on holding serve and mentioned it during sit-down between games.

You wouldn't be quoting jonny mac there? Average time between points for rafa is 25

The umpire did speak to Rafa at one stage about time-keeping, but Rafa was very dismissive and just walked away whilst the umpire was still in mid-sentence.

Equivalent to a footballer turning his back on a referee whilst being cautioned. Strong, confident referees are inclined not to tolerate it ; but weak ones do.

Meanwhile ..... on court, Rafa looks to have weathered the storm and neutralised Rosol's power. The World No. 1 should now see this through in four.

You don't get punished unless you go about biting people. (Biting trophies doesn't count).

if he loses he is injured
if he wins he breaks time rule

and that is how the forum builds its way through time

lags72 wrote:The umpire did speak to Rafa at one stage about time-keeping, but Rafa was very dismissive and just walked away whilst the umpire was still in mid-sentence.

Equivalent to a footballer turning his back on a referee whilst being cautioned. Strong, confident referees are inclined not to tolerate it ; but weak ones do.

Doesn't matter. Rafa will say something nice in his post match interview in his cute little lilting accent and everyone will sing about what a good sport he is.

naxroy wrote:if he loses he is injured
if he wins he breaks time rule

and that is how the forum builds its way through time

Seems about right.

The Special Juan wrote:You don't get punished unless you go about biting people.  (Biting trophies doesn't count).

.......for which the punishment will apparently be a four month ban from ALL football.

I reckon he's got off very lightly.

lags72 wrote:The umpire did speak to Rafa at one stage about time-keeping, but Rafa was very dismissive and just walked away whilst the umpire was still in mid-sentence.

Equivalent to a footballer turning his back on a referee whilst being cautioned. Strong, confident referees are inclined not to tolerate it ; but weak ones do.

Meanwhile ..... on court, Rafa looks to have weathered the storm and neutralised Rosol's power. The World No. 1 should now see this through in four.

This is one of the reasons he has so many haters, yes he is a great champ but doesn't win with the spirit of the game on, for him and Tony its like win at any cost.

Gerry SA wrote:Nadal's the draw here. He sells the tickets and brings in more revenue than Rosol.

So what if he's taking longer between points.

Unless Nadal starts taking 30/35 secs per point, then there's nothing for the umpire to say.

Who gives a crap about who sells what!

Rules are rules. Abide by them or get punished. If you can't play within 20 seconds, you shouldn't be on the court.

lags72 wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:You don't get punished unless you go about biting people.  (Biting trophies doesn't count).

.......for which the punishment will apparently be a four month ban from ALL football.

I reckon he's got off very lightly.

Its a shame somebody biting an opponent on more than one occasion hasn't got a life ban yet.

lags72 wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:You don't get punished unless you go about biting people.  (Biting trophies doesn't count).

.......for which the punishment will apparently be a four month ban from ALL football.

I reckon he's got off very lightly.

I reckon Rosol should bite Rafa at the change of ends!

legendkillarV2 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:Nadal's the draw here. He sells the tickets and brings in more revenue than Rosol.

So what if he's taking longer between points.

Unless Nadal starts taking 30/35 secs per point, then there's nothing for the umpire to say.

Who gives a crap about who sells what!

Rules are rules. Abide by them or get punished. If you can't play within 20 seconds, you shouldn't be on the court.

Exactly F that attitude, play within the rules or stay out.

Rosol is down in confidence , a typical Nadal bullied opponent playing the 4th set to lose quick.

back to match, one has to give nadal the recognition that he knows how to suffer when things are not working

with his last two years here, being a set and a break down to rosol... but he found a way

DirectView2 wrote:

legendkillarV2 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:Nadal's the draw here. He sells the tickets and brings in more revenue than Rosol.

So what if he's taking longer between points.

Unless Nadal starts taking 30/35 secs per point, then there's nothing for the umpire to say.

Who gives a crap about who sells what!

Rules are rules. Abide by them or get punished. If you can't play within 20 seconds, you shouldn't be on the court.

Exactly F that attitude, play within the rules or stay out.

You think the ATP cares if Nadal takes 25secs? No otherwise they'd put a timer on the court.

Tennis is a business, therefore the draws(Federer, Nadal, Serena etc) get away with things.

If you don't like it, follow a different sport.

Indeed. I would have given him until the end of January and docked Uruguay points. A fine seems pointless.

The respective first serve point percentages in set three were more or less an exact reversal of those in set one.

I reckon if Rosol had taken the second set, then even Nadal's nerves could have cracked.

Kyrgios serving for the match against Gasquet.

Nadal's half looking very rosey!!

Gerry SA wrote:

DirectView2 wrote:

legendkillarV2 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:Nadal's the draw here. He sells the tickets and brings in more revenue than Rosol.

So what if he's taking longer between points.

Unless Nadal starts taking 30/35 secs per point, then there's nothing for the umpire to say.

Who gives a crap about who sells what!

Rules are rules. Abide by them or get punished. If you can't play within 20 seconds, you shouldn't be on the court.

Exactly F that attitude, play within the rules or stay out.

You think the ATP cares if Nadal takes 25secs? No otherwise they'd put a timer on the court.

Tennis is a business, therefore the draws(Federer, Nadal, Serena etc) get away with things.

If you don't like it, follow a different sport.

Well I have every right to critic a sportsman if he doesn't play with the spirit of the game, I am not an ATP to be afraid of portraying the truth. Rafa doesn't gets the recognition of a 14 time slam champion coz of many issues of never following the rules of the game, be it 20 second rule , medical time out to on field coaching Rafa gives a Poopie to any of these rules.

I really doubt how many trophies Rafa would have won had he played within the spirt of the game.

Kyrgios has saved 9 match points against Gasquet and is now serving for it!! (*9-8 in the 5th)

Kyrgios is through!

Nadals bh is much better niw

legendkillarV2 wrote:Kyrgios is through!

Wow, looks a bit of play back of how Gasquet beat Roddick sometime back in the same arena.

From 2 sets down, too. Who says young players can't go the distance? (Kyrgios is solid though. Much like a young Nadal.)

So Nadal won't face a seeded player until the QF's.

That I have no doubt will pee off the haters

Here we go again the bloke takes his time but if that's all you got then its a flimsy argument. Take aus 2009 putting his arms around the beaten fed. The happiness for fed winning the French the fact he has maybe one match with bad temper. You think he's fake? Fine your opinion but don't go spouting it as fact out if anger

DirectView2 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:

DirectView2 wrote:

legendkillarV2 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:Nadal's the draw here. He sells the tickets and brings in more revenue than Rosol.

So what if he's taking longer between points.

Unless Nadal starts taking 30/35 secs per point, then there's nothing for the umpire to say.

Who gives a crap about who sells what!

Rules are rules. Abide by them or get punished. If you can't play within 20 seconds, you shouldn't be on the court.

Exactly F that attitude, play within the rules or stay out.

You think the ATP cares if Nadal takes 25secs? No otherwise they'd put a timer on the court.

Tennis is a business, therefore the draws(Federer, Nadal, Serena etc) get away with things.

If you don't like it, follow a different sport.

Well I have every right to critic a sportsman if he doesn't play with the spirit of the game, I am not an ATP to be afraid of portraying the truth. Rafa doesn't gets the recognition of a 14 time slam champion coz of many issues of never following the rules of the game, be it 20 second rule , medical time out to on field coaching Rafa gives a Poopie to any of these rules.

I really doubt how many trophies Rafa would have won had he played within the spirt of the game.

I agree why dont you follow cricket ... such a typically gentlemanly sport... or even English Football that should keep you amused !!!

It's hard to see Nadal losing in this tournament. Things are going his way.

Fact is its such a one eyed view. Utterly ignoring his play his character and determination and have the gall to say its a just cheating

Well I for one will say Nadal is not the only one who violates the time between points. Murray has sometimes overtepped the mark as has Djokovic. IIRC IW 2013 between Nadal and Del Potro at when it got to the 3rd set Nadal's average time between points was 29 seconds and Del Potro's? A whopping 32 seconds!!!

DirectView2 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:

DirectView2 wrote:

legendkillarV2 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:Nadal's the draw here. He sells the tickets and brings in more revenue than Rosol.

So what if he's taking longer between points.

Unless Nadal starts taking 30/35 secs per point, then there's nothing for the umpire to say.

Who gives a crap about who sells what!

Rules are rules. Abide by them or get punished. If you can't play within 20 seconds, you shouldn't be on the court.

Exactly F that attitude, play within the rules or stay out.

You think the ATP cares if Nadal takes 25secs? No otherwise they'd put a timer on the court.

Tennis is a business, therefore the draws(Federer, Nadal, Serena etc) get away with things.

If you don't like it, follow a different sport.

Well I have every right to critic a sportsman if he doesn't play with the spirit of the game, I am not an ATP to be afraid of portraying the truth. Rafa doesn't gets the recognition of a 14 time slam champion coz of many issues of never following the rules of the game, be it 20 second rule , medical time out to on field coaching Rafa gives a Poopie to any of these rules.

I really doubt how many trophies Rafa would have won had he played within the spirt of the game.

At a wild guess, 14 majors, 27 masters, 1 Gold Medal, 4 Davis Cups and a few more?

Haddie-nuff wrote:

DirectView2 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:

DirectView2 wrote:

legendkillarV2 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:Nadal's the draw here. He sells the tickets and brings in more revenue than Rosol.

So what if he's taking longer between points.

Unless Nadal starts taking 30/35 secs per point, then there's nothing for the umpire to say.

Who gives a crap about who sells what!

Rules are rules. Abide by them or get punished. If you can't play within 20 seconds, you shouldn't be on the court.

Exactly F that attitude, play within the rules or stay out.

You think the ATP cares if Nadal takes 25secs? No otherwise they'd put a timer on the court.

Tennis is a business, therefore the draws(Federer, Nadal, Serena etc) get away with things.

If you don't like it, follow a different sport.

Well I have every right to critic a sportsman if he doesn't play with the spirit of the game, I am not an ATP to be afraid of portraying the truth. Rafa doesn't gets the recognition of a 14 time slam champion coz of many issues of never following the rules of the game, be it 20 second rule , medical time out to on field coaching Rafa gives a Poopie to any of these rules.

I really doubt how many trophies Rafa would have won had he played within the spirt of the game.

I agree why dont you follow cricket ... such a typically gentlemanly sport... or even English Football that should keep you amused !!!

Why would I leave the sport for one person abusing it?   

Spare a thought for Tsonga for a moment. He has played everyday so far in the singles. Poor bloke.

If they're both doing it, it's not so bad, but if one player's holding up another then it's poor, especially when the player being held up is serving.  It can be called cheating because it is the breaking of a rule, however I wouldn't go that far.  Gamesmanship yes, "cheating", no.

Rosol not giving up

Gerry SA wrote:....................................................................

...............................................

Tennis is a business, therefore the draws(Federer, Nadal, Serena etc) get away with things.

If you don't like it, follow a different sport.

So as long as plenty of tickets are sold then the rules don't actually matter .....??

Don't forget that many tennis fans actually play the game themselves. Even if you're just playing at the lowest club level (where not even a dog is watching, let alone one man) you want your opponent to respect the rules. That being the case, why should rule-breaking then suddenly become acceptable at the highest levels of the professional game  

lags72 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:....................................................................

...............................................

Tennis is a business, therefore the draws(Federer, Nadal, Serena etc) get away with things.

If you don't like it, follow a different sport.

So as long as plenty of tickets are sold then the rules don't actually matter .....??

Don't forget that many tennis fans actually play the game themselves. Even if you're just playing at the lowest club level (where not even a dog is watching, let alone one man) you want your opponent to respect the rules. That being the case, why should rule-breaking then suddenly become acceptable at the highest levels of the professional game  

I agree that when Rafa breaks the rules he should be warned and punished appropriately and often he is not. However, the 20s for slams rule is stupid and should also be scrapped

Done deal. Very dodgy for a bit but the ghost is laid to rest thanks to nadal going more aggressive and never giving up. Unless of course you're in the camp that he just cheated and no one likes him

Rafa's big match experience made all the difference in the end.

Well played from both players

I would like to see a rule installed where if the receiving player isn't in place when the server is, the server can simply go ahead and serve, and get an ace. Would be fun


Nadal played very well in those last two sets though, much more aggressive, and in the end had too much for Rosol. The debate over the time violations will unfortunately rumble on, for as long as the rule is there and Nadal keeps abusing it. For what it's worth Del Potro and Berdych are just as bad, but get less publicity because, well, they're not winning so much. The price of fame...

Nadal BTW took 31 seconds between the score being announced and his serve when he was BP down in that last game

I have work to do, excuse me, but before I go, the Stanimal is 2 sets up in his match and Querrey and Tsonga have resumed play.

ChequeredJersey wrote:the 20s for slams rule is stupid and should also be scrapped

I agree with this. At one point they showed Rosol averageing 20 secs between points, which means roughly he'll have been on or over the limit half the time. Did anyone think Rosol was playing slowly? I didn't...

25 seconds uniform accross all tournaments would make more sense.

rosol has proved to be a true huge rival for nadal

very difficult for the spaniard.

Coz of all these bullies, a simple guy like me questioned on why Rafa above the rules of ATP and I get hammered to watch a different sport, if ATP shows spine to force Nadal and his team to follow the rules the particular member of the ATP will be bullied out of his position, this is the exact fate of referees.

Why would Rafa change, he knows different ways to spoil the momentum of his opponent and he knows he gets rich dividend in doing it and the worst he knows nobody in ATP has the guts to question him.

Well to be frank if Saurez can esacpe with just a 4 month ban for biting his opponent more than 2 times, then yes we can allow Rafa to break all rules and win.

very good win Rafa, keep it up.

Also, are English commentators as biased as Spanish ones? Whenever Nadal won a point it was all "vamos!" this and "bravo!" that. Rosol barely got any praise at all for his winners.

I won't call Rafa a chear, thats not me to decide, but I would certainly say he is a champ who never followed the spirit of the game.

Mad for Chelsea wrote:Also, are English commentators as biased as Spanish ones? Whenever Nadal won a point it was all "vamos!" this and "bravo!" that. Rosol barely got any praise at all for his winners.

Now days several are Rafa fanboys, yes

Direct View
You have a very blinkered view of this sport if you believe that Rafa is the only one who, as you quaintly put it abuses it. There are several players on Tour who abuse more than the sport Foginini has just been fined 25,000 pounds for threatening an umpire, Djokovic violates the time rules, as does Del Potro... wake up and smell the coffee and stop allowing your hatred of one player to spoil the game you say you want to watch or else stop watching Nadal and spoiling it for the rest of us

Looking forward to Federer v Muller.