Late in their titanic four-set battle, Tomas Berdych and Nicolas Almagro found themselves in an entertaining exchange which finished with Almagro drilling a ball so hard at his opponent that the seventh-seed ended up in a heap on the ground. The incident was not quickly forgotten by Berdych, and after clinching the match he made his thoughts on Almagro’s body-blow clear by refusing to shake the Spaniard’s hand at the net.
To say the crowd didn’t take kindly to Berdych’s actions would be the understatement of the century.
This whole incident was the epitome of overreacting. Did Almagro need to smash the ball straight at Berdych? Probably not. Should Berdych have shaken Almagro’s hand? Of course. The biggest overreaction, however, came from the clearly intoxicated crowd who put Roland Garros to shame as they booed mercilessly during Berdych’s on-court interview. Even worse still, as he attempted to carry out his Eurosport interview, a man nearby interrupted the interview, repeatedly shouting at Berdych and calling him a “prick”. An appalling overreaction for what was still a relatively minor incident.
Roland Garros crowds ares notorious for booing anyone and everyone they don’t like, but crowd yesterday were far worse, hence why they put Roland Garros to shame.
How can you be so sure the crowd was ‘clearly intoxicated’? Where’s your credibility? I was in the crowd and no-one around me was drunk or even drinking for that matter. Sport is very big in Australia and everyone is taught the importance of good sportsmanship when they grow up. The crowd booed because not shaking your opponents had is bad sportsmanship. It was a disappointing end to a great match.
I understand why they booed, and he deserved the initial booing. But the way they acted during his interview and then after he had actually left the court was ridiculous and embarrassing. It really wasn’t THAT big of a deal, and after initially being the immature one for not shaking Almagro’s hand, he won my respect for sticking out the interviews.
Besides, I didn’t see people booing Tomic when he blatantly cheated against Dolgopolov. Did you?
I was at this match and I was exceptionally embarrassed by the reaction of the majority of the crowd. I left immediately so I would not be part of it. There were many others who felt the same as I who were at that moment ashamed to be called Australian. Shame on you all who booed Berdych. I am not saying that either the tennis players acted appropriately but it is notour place to tell them what’s right or wrong.
Aga's grunting comments basically translate as "Vika's grunts are fine b/c we're friends, but I don't like Maria so her grunt is annoying." 6 minutes ago
Yup. RT @newballsplease But see, in the Eurosport interview with Babsi 'Satan' Schetts, she's so much more coherent and relaxed. 43 minutes ago
Petra's English is understandably so much worse in front of a big crowd like that. 45 minutes ago
Petra wins 6-4 6-4 and is through to her third Slam SF. She fought a lot of demons out there. 49 minutes ago
my poor tommy
I was there at game. No I was not drinking. Berdych is a prick. Bad sportsman.
Spanish crowd?
Roland Garros?
What are you talking about?
“Spanish” was a typo.
Roland Garros crowds ares notorious for booing anyone and everyone they don’t like, but crowd yesterday were far worse, hence why they put Roland Garros to shame.
How can you be so sure the crowd was ‘clearly intoxicated’? Where’s your credibility? I was in the crowd and no-one around me was drunk or even drinking for that matter. Sport is very big in Australia and everyone is taught the importance of good sportsmanship when they grow up. The crowd booed because not shaking your opponents had is bad sportsmanship. It was a disappointing end to a great match.
I understand why they booed, and he deserved the initial booing. But the way they acted during his interview and then after he had actually left the court was ridiculous and embarrassing. It really wasn’t THAT big of a deal, and after initially being the immature one for not shaking Almagro’s hand, he won my respect for sticking out the interviews.
Besides, I didn’t see people booing Tomic when he blatantly cheated against Dolgopolov. Did you?
I was at this match and I was exceptionally embarrassed by the reaction of the majority of the crowd. I left immediately so I would not be part of it. There were many others who felt the same as I who were at that moment ashamed to be called Australian. Shame on you all who booed Berdych. I am not saying that either the tennis players acted appropriately but it is notour place to tell them what’s right or wrong.