No doubt, Maria Sharapova was over the top in today's round of 16 match. Her language was quite colorful, to be sure, but the French have heard colorful language from WTA players before. Sharapova is sometimes criticized for taking too long between points, but all I saw today were some repeated ball tosses because she was having trouble with her serve. She didn't take any questionable bathroom breaks or questionable injury breaks. She also didn't break her racquet (her opponent did that) or yell at the umpire.
The French crowd booed and whistled whenever Sharapova questioned a line call. That is outrageous. She has a perfect right to question a line call, especially the way lines are called at some of these tournaments, and especially during a clay court match, when there is no Hawkeye system to confirm calls. They booed and whistled when she did a ball toss over. They cheered when she faulted. And they booed her when she walked off the court after an especially demoralizing defeat.
The French crowd seems to pride itself on such behavior, while--at the same time--projecting rudeness onto Sharapova.
Sharapova was, as always, philosophical about the whole thing: "I can't please everyone. That's not in my...job description."
Hmmm, I'm trying to remember, didn't the French crowd boo Serena Williams way back when after she complained when Henin "waved off" her serve and then wouldn't own up to it to the umpire?
ReplyDeleteThat was surely a case where Henin was in the wrong, but the French got on Williams for it. It probably has something to do with booing the American... and they probably see Sharapova as being as much of an American -- in style and comportment, at least -- as a Russian.
Good point, Todd. I've never understood the hostility of the French crowd, and I was totally blown away by the hostility of the Israeli crowd during Fed Cup. It's enough that we have to deal with this nonsense at soccer matches.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, the French are not alone. It is also an American trait to jeer at those who complain of injustice.
I respect Maria enormously as an athlete. People are quick to tear her down: "her game is ugly", etc., but she is a champion.
ReplyDeleteI don't get the French either. I think the last time I did was 99 Graf v. Hingis. (Big Steffi fan).