First a question (and bonus criticism): would you shake hands with Rafael Nadal at the end of a match? (see below*)
Is it really necessary to do major fist-pumping and self-congratulations after every match win? I’m not talking about winning the final, but let’s say a seeded player defeating an unseeded in the early rounds - looking at them you would think they had never won a match before.
Why the emotional dependence on the coach and friends box? Many players interact with the friends box after every point. In singles tennis you are out there by yourself, but they act like a five year old on stage for the first time.
he has been wiping his snotty nose and sweaty pits, groan and ass for the last 4 hours with his right hand.
Look at this amazing video of Rod Laver winning the 1969 Wimbledon final: link. By his reaction you would think he had just finished the warm-up. Note that the audio is about a minute behind the video for some reason. This 1969 victory for Laver was part of his second Grand Slam.
Fist pumping and the like is part of the new culture. If you think it’s bad at the pro level, check out a local tournament for 8-12 year old boys. The fist pumping and “Come ons!” are even more prevalent there. Granted, the kids are all really good, but it’s a shame that their parents and coaches don’t put a stop to the boorish behavior that IMO is unsportsmanlike.
I was watching a 4th or 5th grader play in a tournament a few months ago. He was exceptionally good, but his skill was overshadowed by his constant fist pumping and “Come on!” screams. His father was watching him play. I made a point of saying very loudly to my friend that it’s a shame that his parents didn’t put a stop to that kind of behavior because even though I didn’t know the kid from Adam, I’d actively root against him in a tournament because no one wants to cheer on a brat.
P.S. Yes, I’d shake Nadal’s hand. But I’d have some disinfectant wipes in my bag. I love Nadal, and watch him play any chance I get, but his OCD which compels him to pick at his ass is really distracting.
I stopped watching tennis when it seemed the majority of the women players started SCREAMING with every swing of the racquet, as though they were in agony.
I’m watching Azarenka and Williams as we speak and the howling and grunting is simply terrible. They cover the ground like carthorses but there’s no excuse for sounding like one too.