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Former Champion Rips Serena’s Gamesmanship “Act”
24 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
A former two time major champion has sharply criticized the gamesmanship-acting performance by Serena Williams yesterday vs. Timea Bacszinsky in the French Open semifinal won by Williams in three sets. In the match Serena played at her highest level – once the ball was in play – but between points and changeovers, throughout the entire match, Serena conveyed an image that she was extremely sickly, walking around the court like she couldn’t take another step, then proceeding to unleash a 116 MPH ace.
Here’s what the two time major champion wrote in a Facebook post about what he saw yesterday…
“Serena should be ashamed of herself for the way she acted yesterday in front of the world! You are #1 in the world girl!! You are looked at in a different way than #100! You are supposed to act and play like a true champion but what did you do? The biggest act of “rope-a-dope” gamesmanship I have ever seen on a tennis court. It was a terrible image for tennis, not to mention of YOU! I suspect that your “camp” are too scared to say anything and they or somebody should as I believe you have lost the respect of most tennis fans that saw that acting job. No player is bigger than the sport, no one. No matter how many records and titles one has, people will turn away from an athlete acting like that. WTA and tennis has a black eye from that match…..
I admire achievers including you Serena! Incredible accomplishments as an athlete! Now get your act together and act like a true champion!”
Looks like at least one prominent tennis figure is not buying the show Serena staged yesterday.
"the biggest act of gamesmanship I have ever seen."
24 comments
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Dan Markowitz · June 5, 2015 at 12:46 pm
What Scoop, you’re not going to tell us who this man is? Look, if she had the flu that can take a lot out of you, but I too, believe she is the biggest diva in the history of sports, and if she was able to play so well, I don’t buy it was sheer willpower that led her to victory yesterday.
Now let me pose a different question here: After Nadal was thoroughly defeated by Djoko (broken 7 times out of 14 service games) can we go back to calling Borg the greatest clay player of all time? The Swede played RG only 8 times and won 6 titles. He only lost to one player, Adriano Pannatta twice. He beat Lendl, Vilas (twice) and Orantes in finals of the French. He lost to Panatta when he was only 17 and 20. Think about it, Borg’s record is almost the same as Nadal’s at RG.
Scoop Malinowski · June 5, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Dan it was Johan Kriek. When a grand slam champion speaks like this you have to respect it. A champion like Johan knows all the tricks another champion uses, he saw right through the charade. What is somewhat surprising is how the NBC broadcasters played along with the charade, though Evert did kind of sarcastically say they should get a stretcher for Serena. But it’s easier to speak the truth on FB than on national TV. If one of the NBC broadcasters spoke like Johan about Serena, imagine the politically correct firestorm it would create. Big respect for Kriek for having the cojones to speak his unconventional opinion.
Harold · June 5, 2015 at 3:09 pm
Evert wrote something for Tennis magazine that was perceived as anti-Williams. Since then shes on the bus
JP · June 5, 2015 at 3:16 pm
And John McEnroe steps up to the plate by saying nothing about Serena but basically accusing Djokovic of cheating for taking a seven minute break after the third set for getting some treatment … Impressive, he should join the British sports media …
In all honesty, I think Serena tanks early in matches so that the hard questions don’t get asked about how she dominates at 33 or 34 like she didn’t in her early 20’s, it’s really a joke. Then everyone can say it is her great heart and willpower, etc. such a champion.
Dan Markowitz · June 5, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Yes, but Scoop, you and I both know Johan is a disgruntled dude, a cool dude but disgruntled. He probably feels he didn’t get his just deserves for the career he had. Also, whenever a guy of his generation from South Africa, dismisses a black person, you have to take with a grain of salt. Whites from his generation, in the ruling party that administered apartheid, I would think it’s natural for them to criticize and disrespect black people.
And you’re giving Kriek two slam wins for winning the Aussie Open twice, beating THE Steve Denton in the finals both year? Really, that’s a slam win? I don’t count it. The best player he beat in those two wins was Tim Mayotte. Basically, the draws were a lower level ATP event back then.
Harold · June 5, 2015 at 3:42 pm
I bet Johnny Mac regrets not going to Oz from 79 to 83 or 84. Could have added some Majors and nobody would have remembered they werent Elite fields.
Wilander grabbed 2 in 83 and 84, Edbergs first the next year. It was the Swedish Invitational for a few years
Dan Markowitz · June 5, 2015 at 3:59 pm
Wow, I took a nap when Djoko took the 2nd set. I thought Murray was dead in the water. How did he turn it around and take a set off Djoko? Now, they’ll have to finish it tomorrow and Wawrinka has an advantage now as he gets to rest and either Murray or Djoko will have to play three days in a row.
Scoop Malinowski · June 5, 2015 at 7:02 pm
No way will any prominent member of the mainstream media ever call out Serena, JP, it’s just not worth the potential backlash and firestorm, so Serena has the free pass and she’s taking advantage of it. I think it’s possible she faked the knee in IW as she bounced right back and won Miami. Now she’s back at it again. I texted one of my friends from Calif who is a huge tennis fan, goes to IW, FO, Aussie Open, US Open, about this to get her take and she texted back: “She’s always acting.”
Scoop Malinowski · June 5, 2015 at 7:07 pm
Dan, Johan Kriek is not disgruntled, that’s flat our false to assume and say that. I spent quite a bit of time with him at the US Open Polish consulate party a couple of years ago. He’s a character who simply tells it like it is, he’s not saying this to take a shot at black people. I think you’re mis-stereotyping white South Africans by doing that. Serena faked the whole damn charade. He’s telling it like it is, takes guts to tell the truth, as Jim Brown once said: “Most people don’t have the courage to tell the truth.” Johan is certainly not lacking courage to tell the truth, follow his page, he’s fun to read.
Scoop Malinowski · June 5, 2015 at 7:10 pm
The wounded animal is the most dangerous, Murray battled and fired himself up, used emotional adrenaline, and edged the third set with a nice comeback. But he could not sustain the momentum, went up the break in fourth but Djok got it back. You have to expect Djok will close the deal tomorrow. The postponement will surely hurt Murray’s momentum. Djok was quite happy to get off the court, and made no fuss when told the match was over for today.
Dan Markowitz · June 5, 2015 at 8:52 pm
Maybe I’m being unfair to Kriek, and I do agree with him that Serena acted like a regional theater actor, but no, the South African whites treatment of blacks was and probably still is to a large degree, reprehensible.
Dan markowitz · June 5, 2015 at 10:41 pm
That was strange to stop the match when they did. There was no rain yet and it seemed pretty light out. They thought a storm was coming and wanted to stop it on the even game, but how about waiting till there was some actual rain?
gans · June 5, 2015 at 11:44 pm
Scoop,
how about that- didn’t I give you all sorts ofreassurance that Djokovic would beat Nadal in 3 or 4 this time?
I expected Djokovic to come through in 4 and I think, Djokovic almost sealed it today in that 23 game. I thought Murray played exceptionally well to fight back and hold that game to 33. I agree, this break would favor Novak.I expect him to come out guns blazing tomorrow.
Scoop Malinowski · June 6, 2015 at 9:04 am
Gans, you don’t have to convince me how good Djokovic is, I’ve been pegging him since Jan. to win the Grand Slam. Heck, I think he can win two Grand Slams in a row, the way he’s so dominant right now and there are only a few big threats – Stan, Fed, Murray, Rafa, and Djok has the upper hand and can handle all of them. Nice win today from Djokovic, he and Murray are so close, but it’s something so slight that separates them and makes Djokovic just a little bit better. They have the exact same foundation for their games but Djokovic is slightly superior, though Murray is the physically stronger.
Scoop Malinowski · June 6, 2015 at 9:55 am
Spain’s Paula Badosa Gibert, born in NYC to an ex model mom, won the FO junior girls. If you remember earlier this year I told you about her after seeing her win two easy matches in the main draw of Miami Open. This girl is a potential future number one, big strong heavy hitter with an aura. Watch out Serena. Badosa Gibert def. Russian Anna Kalinskaya 62 63. Americans Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz will contest the boys final. Paul is also in the doubles final. Paul has become a big force in the last five months, I saw him at Eddie Herr where he was a non factor. But since, he’s won two futures and won matches in Challengers, most notably beating Bemelmans in three sets, Bemel was top hundred at the time. Paul has also won two Futures recently. I don’t know what it is about Paul, he’s about 5 ft. ten, smallish build, no monstrous weapons, or a huge outward fighting spirit like Ferrer or Hewitt, he’s calm and poised. Obviously this kid has something special and he knows how to win matches. I guess you can say he wins with smarts and courage in the big moment. Like when I saw him serve out the match vs. Bemelmans, he did it so easily, with an ace down the tee and some big shots, no signs of pressure or choking. Routine hold for the biggest win of his career. Of course Taylor Fritz is getting rave reviews for his huge power game. Looks like American tennis is thriving now, and Patrick McEnroe deserves some credit after all.
Scoop Malinowski · June 6, 2015 at 10:03 am
Wow, Tommy Paul wins FO junior boys vs. Fritz. What a huge year for Paul. Could he be the Jim Courier of this era, under the radar and underneath all the hype of Tiafoe, Kozlov, Fritz, Donaldson, etc.? Like Courier was under all the hype of Agassi, Sampras, Chang? Another sign that American tennis is rising.
Gaurang · June 7, 2015 at 3:50 am
Yes US tennis is doing well right now among the next generation. Lot of promising youngsters. But still I would hold back on expecting too much. It appears that performing at the junior events and in the ATP tour are different things. ATP is a different ballgame. These guys could reach rank 50-100 easily, but going beyond is something that cannot be guaranteed. It depends on things they would do in the future (how hard they are willing to work, training, the desire, etc).
I expect Tiafoe and Kozlov to break into top 50. I am not 100% sure about Donaldson, but I think he *could* get there if he continues to work hard. Regarding the other youngsters, Paul, Fritz, and Mmoh, I havent seen their game to say anything. What are your thoughts on them, Scoop, and others?
Dan Markowitz · June 7, 2015 at 7:18 am
It does seem like a plethora of riches: Tiafoe, Donaldson, Kozlov, Rubin, Fritz, mcKenzie McDonald, Paul and Mmoh. I’ve see JD, Tiafoe, Kozlov and Rubin play. I couldn’t put a Cant Miss label on any one of these guys right now. I know Kozlov got tuned by Coric in last year’s U.S. open Qualis, 2 and 2. I like strength in numbers. But then it hasn’t worked so well with this current crop of young players, out of Harry, Sock, Sandgren, Williams, Kudla and Klahn, only Sock has really risen. Harry and Sock may have pushed each other and spurred each other on, but they don’t even play doubles together.
Scoop Malinowski · June 7, 2015 at 8:20 am
Dan, Kozlov extended Coric to three sets last year at US Open qualies.
Scoop Malinowski · June 7, 2015 at 8:27 am
Gaurang, Paul is steady and smooth, smart, not a big guy, poised, cool under pressure, I was really impressed how he finished off Bemelmans, did it swiftly like a seasoned vet, not a seventeen year old in his first ATP Challenger. Paul lost to Eddie Herr finalist Mmoh at Herr in Nov. 46 or 57 in the third. He’s a battler. Mmoh is a big strong kid, maybe a Tsonga type. Opelka is an Isner clone, but moves a little smoother and is more athletically cohesive, if you can believe a kid near 7 ft tall could be that athletic. Haven’t seen Fritz, but Brad Gilbert was praising his power and solid technique. Rubin just turned pro.
Scoop Malinowski · June 7, 2015 at 8:38 am
The difference now Dan is Kozlov has played in three junior major finals, Rubin won junior Wimb, Paul just won RG, Fritz finaled, Mmoh finaled in a jr doubles major, this generation is more competitive in junior majors where only Sock made any noise at junior majors, winning the US Open. I think this indicates this generation is a little bit better. But then again junior success isn’t always a guarantee of professional success. Daniel Elsner. Julien Jean Pierre. Wesley Whitehouse. Nicolas Perriera. Brian Dabul…
Dan Markowitz · June 7, 2015 at 7:25 pm
Ok Kozlov won a set against Coric, that is big. But I could argue with you that guys like Harry and Kudla, who I don’t think ever played junior slams, were bigger prospects than all of these guys today with the possible exception of Tiafoe and JD. Look, Kozlov at 17 hasn’t done bubka this year on tour.
Mark Sanders · June 10, 2015 at 1:22 am
There will always be Serena haters. She does not win the way people think she should win? Too bad. She did not break any rules and won again and will win again and again and again. As she gets older she may need to bring in even more dramatics but she will keep winning long after the other players her age are watching on TV.
I think I recall some people not enjoying the way Scoop works his magic on the singles court. hmmmmm…
The head game is part of the game.
Scoop Malinowski · June 10, 2015 at 7:20 am
The awaited return of Mark Sanders to tennis-prose.com! Welcome back Mark. Exactly, Serena does what it’s all about – she wins tennis matches, and she uses her emotional adrenaline when she needs it. And a little bluffing and or playing possum too, if need be. Looking forward to see you in doubles at the West Milford tourney )