‘I won’t be able to play in the US’: Djokovic barred, withdraws from Indian Wells, The Age (https://www.theage.com.au/sport/tennis/i-won-t-be-able-to-play-in-the-us-djokovic-barred-withdraws-from-indian-wells-20220310-p5a3co.html)
Imagine what it was like to take care of him when he was a toddler. Bet he could hold his breath much longer than all the other toddlers combined.
Yet can play in France. Weird.
I know this is unfair, but spoilt child syndrome?
OK, more seriously, as we've discussed before many successful high level professional sports people develop this selfish characteristic, the don't just want the money, they want the win, the notoriety, the kudos, the record, the burger with the lot. In this case it's perhaps gone too far and hobbled Djoker.
Some think becoming like that is almost the only way to get to the top and stay there for any extended period of time.
Some hold up Barty as a counter example, but I'd suggest that fleeting moment just after victory at the Aus Open is a little window that suggests otherwise, the desire is there she just manages better than some. It's not on her sleeve!
Just need to suspend Medvedev for being Russian and then one of the good guys can be the best.
Just need to suspend Medvedev for being Russian and then one of the good guys can be the best.
Did you hear about the Ukrainian national coaching a soccer team in St. Petersburg? Apparently the Ukraine have taken exception with him not speaking out against the war and are going to punish him.
What an absolute shambolic way to live in modern society. It would be like condemning people for not participating in a protest!!
https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/anatoliy-tymoshchuk-ukraine-fa-call-for-nation-s-most-capped-player-to-be-punished-for-silence-on-ru_sto8835108/story.shtml
Just need to suspend Medvedev for being Russian and then one of the good guys can be the best.
The Russian public in enabling and allowing Putin to behave that way holds some responsibility, but I concede people like Medvedev who probably have family and friends still in Russia are in a very hard place.
As much as you want to assert it as some personal assault on Medvedev it will probably happen at some stage, sanctions will apply to all high profile Russians in the same way they are being applied to Abramovich.
Medvedev plays for himself, not Russia, other than in the Davis Cup. Neither Barty nor Medvedev had their national anthems played during presentations at the Aus Open. As long as he refuses to be drawn into comment on the war in Ukraine, he should be fine. But if he starts wearing clothing with a "Z" on it (as a male gymnast did when accepting the Bronze Medal while a Ukranian stood on top of the podium), the proverbial will hit the fan.
Remember also that the players dominate how tennis is administered. Djokovic wasn't brought undone by the organisers of the Australian, Indian Wells or Miami tournaments: they were all doing everything they could to get him to play. He was banned by the Australian Govt and the CDC. Medvedev won't be shaking in his boots over the prospect of the ATP disciplining him. After all, the ATP couldn't even bring itself to ban Zverev for whacking his racquet repeatedly against the umpires chair near the umpire's feet recently. But if Medvedev decides to provoke outrage, that's when tournaments might withdraw invitations or governments might refuse him visas on character grounds.
Yes, I do not get the position on some like Abramovich, in the media it is painted as "If you're not for then you're against" but of course sovereign states might have a bit more data on who funds what and who supplies what.
Five Eyes is real, Nato is real, MI5 is real, ASIO is real, the NSA is real, by comparison we know nothing!
It's Medvedev's choice whether to remain silent or fan the flames. Putin will eventually pay the price. Most despots do. It's certainly exposed their deficiencies.
A couple of days ago it was reported that in F1 the constructor Haas (last-placed in 2021) has sacked the Russian Nikita Mazepin as the 2nd driver. But it made sense when I read that Haas ended its contract with its main sponsor, the Russian company Ukrali, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukrali is owned by Nikita Mazepin's father!
Buying a place at Princeton or Harvard for your son pales into insignificance when compared to buying him a drive in F1 :o
A couple of days ago it was reported that in F1 the constructor Haas (last-placed in 2021) has sacked the Russian Nikita Mazepin as the 2nd driver. But it made sense when I read that Haas ended its contract with its main sponsor, the Russian company Ukrali, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukrali is owned by Nikita Mazepin's father!
Buying a place at Princeton or Harvard for your son pales into insignificance when compared to buying him a drive in F1 :o
The bloke is dead set useless in an F1 car, embarrassing and dangerous in fact. Good riddance to him and his Putin money.
The Joker has played the same cards as the Oz Open where he refuses to state his status when entering the competition until the last minute (after the draw has been announced...). Sponsors are leaving him and organisers have had a gutfull. Disrespectful to the other players too.
Glad to see him gone 8)
The Joker has played the same cards as the Oz Open where he refuses to state his status when entering the competition until the last minute (after the draw has been announced...). Sponsors are leaving him and organisers have had a gutfull. Disrespectful to the other players too.
Just a putrid, entitled human.
The Russian public in enabling and allowing Putin to behave that way holds some responsibility, but I concede people like Medvedev who probably have family and friends still in Russia are in a very hard place.
As much as you want to assert it as some personal assault on Medvedev it will probably happen at some stage, sanctions will apply to all high profile Russians in the same way they are being applied to Abramovich.
you over rate people power.
Governments might be perceived to be there to serve public interest but they only provide the illusion of choice, and are effectively a system that is there to self serve.
Modern democracy has been beyond broken for a long time.
The British Govt may be going a bit far now:
Medvedev will be banned from Wimbledon if he fails to denounce Putin, The Age. (https://www.theage.com.au/sport/medvedev-will-be-banned-from-wimbledon-if-he-fails-to-denounce-putin-20220316-p5a50e.html)
Players compete as individuals and bans on Russian teams shouldn't apply. All that should be required is that they compete as neutrals and don't inflame tensions.
It doesn't look like there are any Putin-apologists amongst Russian tennis players anyway, but requiring players to denounce a dictator with a penchant for killing journalists and other critics is problematic. Fortunately, the more successful Russian tennis players have wealth that's not controlled by Putin and could probably avoid having to return to Russia. No doubt Russia's Oligarchs could only dream of that. But there's a difference between expecting players to avoid inflaming tensions and directly attacking their own country.
In any event, Medvedev, Rublev and Palyuchenkova have all done enough in my view to avoid any individual bans.
The British Govt may be going a bit far now:
Medvedev will be banned from Wimbledon if he fails to denounce Putin, The Age. (https://www.theage.com.au/sport/medvedev-will-be-banned-from-wimbledon-if-he-fails-to-denounce-putin-20220316-p5a50e.html)
Players compete as individuals and bans on Russian teams shouldn't apply. All that should be required is that they compete as neutrals and don't inflame tensions.
It doesn't look like there are any Putin-apologists amongst Russian tennis players anyway, but requiring players to denounce a dictator with a penchant for killing journalists and other critics is problematic. Fortunately, the more successful Russian tennis players have wealth that's not controlled by Putin and could probably avoid having to return to Russia. No doubt Russia's Oligarchs could only dream of that. But there's a difference between expecting players to avoid inflaming tensions and directly attacking their own country.
In any event, Medvedev, Rublev and Palyuchenkova have all done enough in my view to avoid any individual bans.
I think that "denounce" was more media speculation than government intention. Medvedev, Rublev and Palyuchenkova should be allowed to play as neutrals.
At Wimbledon, the players are playing for themselves, not "their country".
Representing your country only happens at the old Davis Cup/Fed Cup or Olympic comps.
In effect, at nearly every other competition every player is playing neutral.
The bad guys have been permitted to play at the French Open.
Why are the Russian players "bad guys"? And Djokovic isn't a bad guy either: he's just an entitled twat. Not the same thing.
I think that "denounce" was more media speculation than government intention. Medvedev, Rublev and Palyuchenkova should be allowed to play as neutrals.
Looks as though it's more than media speculation that Russian & Belarusian players will be required to denounce Putin before being allowed to enter the Wimbledon tournament: ‘Not an issue for Wimbledon’: All England club set to ban Medvedev, The Age (https://www.theage.com.au/sport/tennis/not-an-issue-for-wimbledon-all-england-club-set-to-ban-medvedev-20220405-p5aaub.html).
The article notes Wimbledon is a tournament held by a private club, so it's immune from legal challenge, unlike other tournaments run by the ATP or WTA. Apparently, there's a desire to ensure Putin can't obtain obtain political capital out of a Medvedev win. As the article notes, it appears that the All England Club might require Russian and Belarusian players sign a written document denouncing Putin which would be unsafe for Medvedev or any other players to do.
Seems to be a step too far in an individual sport.
Just need to suspend Medvedev for being Russian and then one of the good guys can be the best.
Looks as though it's more than media speculation that Russian & Belarusian players will be required to denounce Putin before being allowed to enter the Wimbledon tournament: ‘Not an issue for Wimbledon’: All England club set to ban Medvedev, The Age (https://www.theage.com.au/sport/tennis/not-an-issue-for-wimbledon-all-england-club-set-to-ban-medvedev-20220405-p5aaub.html).
The article notes Wimbledon is a tournament held by a private club, so it's immune from legal challenge, unlike other tournaments run by the ATP or WTA. Apparently, there's a desire to ensure Putin can't obtain obtain political capital out of a Medvedev win. As the article notes, it appears that the All England Club might require Russian and Belarusian players sign a written document denouncing Putin which would be unsafe for Medvedev or any other players to do.
Seems to be a step too far in an individual sport.
Modern society started operating like this a little while ago, and it was shouted down by people who are very quick to point the finger at you for being too right wing.
What can you do? The answer is, keep your thoughts private, and state what the status quo want you to, because any opposing thoughts are shutdown with very little discussion and you must fear reprisal.
Being silent is apparently an act of compliance. I learned that one when my non Greek wife somehow found fault with me, when my brother was being an ultra nationalist and only wants a Greek wife. Of course, he has spoken like this my entire life, and it made little difference to me, but somehow I am responsible because I kept my mouth shut. Starving that discussion of oxygen apparently isnt an appropriate strategy.
So now, I simply echo the chamber. You cant say that stuff any more. Its offensive. Why though? We all go through that in varying degrees.
You quoted my post but for the life of me I can't see how it relates to your post.
You quoted my post but for the life of me I can't see how it relates to your post.
Your last sentences.
As the article notes, it appears that the All England Club might require Russian and Belarusian players sign a written document denouncing Putin which would be unsafe for Medvedev or any other players to do.
Seems to be a step too far in an individual sport.
My post is about this. I got glared at one day at work for refusing the rainbow ribbon.
Just need to suspend Medvedev for being Russian and then one of the good guys can be the best.
;D ;D ;D
Politics certainly seems to be at the heart of this as the British sports minister Nigel Huddleston seems to be driving this. While the All England Club might be immune from legal challenge, I guess like the AFL & Tennis Australia it depends on Govt funding and other support. Presumably, the All England Club would prefer to ensure the best players can play, just as the Australian Open was keen to have Djokovic play.
I got glared at one day at work for refusing the rainbow ribbon.
You gotta be kiddin' ...but sadly, I know you're not.
"The ability for players of any nationality to enter tournaments based on merit, and without discrimination, is fundamental to our Tour," the ATP said in a statement.
"The decision by Wimbledon to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing in the UK this summer undermines this principle and the integrity of the ATP Ranking system. It is also inconsistent with our Rankings agreement.
"Absent a change in circumstances, it is with great regret and reluctance that we see no option but to remove ATP Ranking points from Wimbledon for 2022."
Will this mean that some stars may choose not to compete at Wimbledon? I suppose the money would still be attractive.
The ATP can do what it likes, as more European nations enlist wit NATO the weaker the ATP position becomes.
I love Wimbledon, grass is in my opinion the only real tennis surface, despite not being a massive tennis fan I been to and stayed in Wimbledon more than once. The ATP can do whatever it likes, it won't make a shred of difference, it would be like the ICC removing test status from Lords, nobody would really give a feck it would still be the home of cricket as Wimbledon is the home of tennis!
It may even work counter to the ATP's intention, maybe the All England Club saves some money, no ranking no fee I presume!
"The ability for players of any nationality to enter tournaments based on merit, and without discrimination, is fundamental to our Tour," the ATP said in a statement.
"The decision by Wimbledon to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing in the UK this summer undermines this principle and the integrity of the ATP Ranking system. It is also inconsistent with our Rankings agreement.
"Absent a change in circumstances, it is with great regret and reluctance that we see no option but to remove ATP Ranking points from Wimbledon for 2022."
The ATP should grow a set.
The atrocities and war crimes committed in Ukraine have changed my position and I agree with the All England Club’s stance.
I doubt whether many tennis players will give a fat rat’s clacker about the ATP’s posturing. The prize money will be the same and many will be sympathetic to Ukraine.
What about England's atrocities?
Russia will be killing civilians while the tournament is running.
Russia will be killing civilians while the tournament is running.
America has been killing people for decades but we let them play sport.
What about England's atrocities?
In the 21st century?