Re: Australian Open 2017
Reply #58 –
I have no issue with injury time outs, and in fact I support them. I don't want to see the Pat Rafter incident to which you refer (and similar) happen to anyone else. I understand as with all systems, the opportunistic types will find "loopholes" that can be exploited.
It's perfectly true that no one can prove Fed's time outs were not warranted. As you say, he's 35 etc. But you could also say the same about Rafa. He plays a more brutal and taxing type of tennis, and has missed out on large amounts of tennis because of his injuries. Given his style of tennis, it is quite possible that his various time outs were also warranted. Although in both Fed's and Rafa's case, they certainly seem to come at "convenient" moments.
I reckon I'll give Fed the benefit of the doubt given his standing in the game. Fed, Rafa and someone like Rafter before them (Im sure there are others also) are in my eyes the best examples of good sportsman and gentlemen on and off the court. Blokes like Murray ( ), Joker, Kyrios, Tomic and the like wouldn't tie the shoe laces of the three I mentioned. Joker has gotten better since his ranking topped out but I reckon has the potential to revert to his old ways. Time will tell. The rest are just spoilt brat a-holes who have no idea how to conduct them selves and dont understand/appreciate how talented they are and the privileges they are afforded because of their talents.