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Disrespecting Mary Pierce Is An Injustice
4 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Justin Gimelstob, Mary Carillo and Lindsay Davenport were discussing on Tennis Channel Live about the Hall of Fame class this year: Sergi Bruguera, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Amelie Mauresmo and Mary Pierce.
Mauresmo won two majors but the commentators were also lauding her decision to announce she was gay at age 19 as some kind of honorable achievement of bravery which added to her career legacy. Really? Okay. In political correct times I guess that’s the way it is. We’ll accept it.
The trio of commentators then shooed away Bruguera’s double French Open titles, 14 career titles and World #3 ranking as clay court specialism. Kafelnikov was also verbally rejected because of some of his “moral” behavior which I guess consists of alleged gambling involvements. Wait a second. Isn’t Bet-at-home now a lead sponsor for the Hamburg event? What’s so wrong with gambling? Gambling is part of our culture now. Kafelnikov was ATP World #1, winner of the French and Australian Open, Davis Cup and Olympic gold in singles, not to mention four doubles majors and 26 singles titles overall. Those are impressive and unquestionably Hall of Fame worthy credentials.
The most frustrating part was the dismissal of Pierce who won two majors and was in four other major finals, not to mention she overcame injuries and other personal adversities. But for some reason the Tennis Channel team determined that Pierce’s contributions to the sport weren’t sufficient. Say what? Pierce gave her life to the sport and became a great champion, with greater accomplishments than certain more popular players who were elected to the Hall of Fame. Today Pierce is coaching a couple of juniors from Mauritius in Bradenton FL, at no charge, she’s doing it for free, because she loves the sport and wants to give back. I saw Pierce working with her charge at the Eddie Herr tournament in December. She has made virtually a full time commitment to coaching these kids, for free. That’s honorable. Have any other Hall of Famers been as generous?
It was just frustrating and a shame to see Mary Pierce getting discredited. She was a great player and is worthy of Hall of Fame, in my opinion, as are Kafelnikov, Bruguera and Mauresmo too.
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Nancy Gill McShea · January 11, 2015 at 11:31 am
Agreed, Scoop. But when Mary lost 1 and 3 to Clijsters in less than an hour at the 2005 US Open women’s singles final and played coy speaking French to the reporters afterward in the press room, I thought to myself, “People paid all this money and traveled distances to watch a throwaway women’s final and Pierce doesn’t bother discussing the match but rather trades quips in French? I give up!” The flag and the band filled a good part of the time, but it was certainly a bummer occasion.
Scoop Malinowski · January 11, 2015 at 12:45 pm
Hi Nancy. Happy 2015 to you! We’ve seen plenty of bad finals, unfortunately they happen. How about 2008 French Open Rafa Nadal 616360 over Federer. Not the easiest time for a player like Pierce to be talking to the media about one of her worst performances. Can only try to imagine how frustrating it is to get crushed in a major final. Brian Gottfried also had a rough final vs. Vilas, so did Seles vs. Graf at Wimbledon. Zvereva vs. Graf. We could go on and on. People like us always prefer the first week of a major anyway, that’s where most of the action is.
Will Jeff · January 14, 2015 at 7:53 pm
I agree with you regarding Mary Pierce. She is one of my favorite pros. I remember reading about her in Sports Illustrated many years when she was a teenager and her father dragging the whole family from one small tour event to the next. He as a total jerk, but Mary did breakthrough without her abusive dad. She more that worth of the Hall of Fame.
But here is my “but” regarding Amelie Mauresmo was indeed brave coming out at 19. She came out in 1999, not 2009 and was tauted by her fellow pros. She didn’t sink to their level. That’s being brave.
Scoop Malinowski · January 14, 2015 at 9:49 pm
Nice comments Will Jeff. Pierce was low key, she did her talking with her racquet on the court. She had some amazing and unforgettable wins. Blowing out Graf and Sanchez Vicario in FO, blowing out Serena in CA. She is one of those great non American players that people tend to forget. She conducted herself like a champion. Absolutely Hall of Fame worthy. She got my vote. Mauresmo was a great champ and class act as well. Took her a while to get to that first major but she persevered. Also voted yes for Mauresmo. Hope they both get in in July.