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Mouratoglou Wants More Emotion And Drama In Tennis
9 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
By Scoop Malinowski
Patrick Mouratoglou said in his cover interview in the debut issue of FINAL MAGAZINE that the modern tennis era is flat, lacking vibrancy, color and charisma…
“The governing bodies of tennis have the predominant responsibility for the lack of passion in today’s game. I know because I’m in constant dialogue with fans as I am on Tour all year long. When they approach me at restaurants or stadiums, they always tell me that tennis was better back in the day. I hear it constantly. Every time I ask them why they always answer there used to be more interesting personalities. My answer to them is it simply isn’t true. The difference today is players feel they can’t express themselves the same way. They keep everything inside because they are not allowed to share.”
Note: Look what happens when someone like Alexander Zverev expresses his anger – the media turns it into the biggest story in the sport and he gets crucified for it. Zverev’s racquet smashing on the umpire chair in Acapulco actually was manipulated into a bigger story than Daniil Medvedev taking over the no. 1 ranking. But let Patrick continue…
“I would love to see players who can be completely free to express their personalities and their frustrations… Sports at it’s best can show greater raw emotions than any movie. That is what I miss the most in modern tennis. We have managed to create a tennis environment that is not like real life. It’s too clean, conventional and very, very conservative. There are plenty of people who enjoy it exactly because of that. But do you watch a movie where everything is nice and polite? No, because there’s no story and there’s no genuine narrative. If you want to bring new fans into tennis, the present-day rules in tennis have to change.”
“I think the rigid rules and fines for verbal abuse or racquet abuse should simply be eradicated. On a philosophical level, I don’t think anyone is entitled to decide who’s right or wrong or how people should behave. We are supposed to be free to express what we want. If I want to break my racquet or destroy my dinner table, I am free to do so. I am not saying it’s a good thing, I just don’t judge other people. But in tennis you get fined or booed by the audience and receive massive criticism online. I think there’s too much morals in tennis. Too many distinctions between what’s right and what’s wrong. The counter argument that I always hear is: You have to be a good example for kids. Why’s that? Do you let your kids watch movies where people kill, steal or behave immorally? Yes, most people do. Is it to be a good example? No, but it’s real life. You have all kinds of behavior in life. And if you want to be a good parent or teacher, you have to show kids the reality for them to learn anything. If you watch a tennis player destroy his racquet, as a parent you explain to them why you think it’s wrong. It becomes a valuable life lesson.”
Mouratoglou’s perspective on suppressing emotions and passion in tennis is a compelling and provocative view point and it leaves one wondering how much more unpredictably entertaining the theater of tennis would be if the likes of Zverev, Fognini, Pliskova, Djokovic, etc were not made to feel like insane asylum patients by fans and media after they got upset with their performance or a bad line call.
To purchase the debut issue of FINAL MAGAZINE go here
ATP · FInal Magazine · Patrick Mouratoglou · WTA
Harold · March 1, 2022 at 2:14 pm
Wow!!! You used to kill PM. Said he paid to Coach Serena. You called him a Grifter for years ago. Now a publication you’re involved with puts his mug on the cover, you’re his biggest supporter.How did her losing her mind on court help her?2 Slams down the tube, acting like a bully. Did the great interview have a follow up question?
One more: Is rooting for Putin, having an effect on your friendship w/ The Klitschko’s? Thought you guys were friends
Scoop Malinowski · March 1, 2022 at 2:40 pm
The return of Harold the heckler! How do you equate me posting inside tips that he pays Serena to appear as her coach with killing him? Several pro tennis insiders have told me this and it’s actually a semi prevalent practice in the sport, other big name coaches have paid players to appear as their coach or to be their coach for business reasons, Saviano/Bouchard and Bollettieri/Becker are two other examples. I can’t tell how good of a coach he really is, but he has created a gigantic successful academy in France and he is one of the biggest most recognizable figures in tennis today and always a good interview in every interview I’ve seen him do. I fully agree with his beliefs expressed in this interview in Final Magazine. Tennis needs more emotional adrenaline and fury and passion like the golden age. And I’m sure you agree too. Serena’s anger and emotional adrenaline is a key element of the success of Serena but I believe her tantrum vs Osaka was more venting frustration because she knew she could not win that day and she vented in part to try to disconcert and distract the focus of the opponent, which of course failed as Osaka kept her head while many other players would have crumbled. As for Russia vs Ukraine/USA deep state, still trying to figure out what exactly is happening, zero trust for the media’s version of events. Thanks for your continued support for reading your favorite tennis site Harold you are always welcome here.
Doug Day · March 1, 2022 at 2:50 pm
Feminisim is chief among identity politics that saps authentic emotional freedom in sport. Catering to micro-minorities is the boomer’s futile attempt to resusitate their civil rights heyday at any cost. If you index their happiness to traditional folks wokesters are in the toliet. Damn hard to get over your virtue signaling self.
Scoop Malinowski · March 1, 2022 at 3:07 pm
Agree Doug. BTW, I’m feeling a Novak hiring Mouratoglou to be his next coach vibe. Not so much as a tactical coach but more of a PR spokesman type. Nobody can talk to the media better than Mouratoglou and he has a history of supporting and defending emotional adrenaline type players like Serena and Novak. What Novak needs more right now is someone who can speak for him to the media and get the damned jackal media off his back.
Scoop Malinowski · March 1, 2022 at 5:15 pm
Also see Murray as a potential coach for Novak. He needs someone with a respected high profile to support protect and defend him in the media. He’s got to get the jackal media off his back. Murray could do that too. Media highly respects Murray who is also very PC. Wonder if Murray would accept that role?
Sam · March 3, 2022 at 12:22 am
Just heard about Djokovic and Vajda splitting. What was the reason for this, if anyone knows? 🤔
Well, the last thing he needs is a new coach who’d tell him to just make nice and line up for the kill shot. 🤮
Scoop Malinowski · March 3, 2022 at 7:01 am
Sam, the odd thing is they said it was decided in Turin at the end of 2021 but they just announced it now. Which makes little sense. We’ll never know the real reason. Maybe Vajda is fed up with the inconsistent work schedule of not knowing when he actually has to work and be with Djokovic. And what more can he possibly tell him/advise him at this point?
Sam · March 3, 2022 at 6:08 pm
Scoop, well, obviously change is a part of life, and maybe right now this switcheroo will actually work in Djokovic’s favor.
Glad to hear that it seems likely he’ll be able to compete in France this spring. Well, maybe now Nadal’s “foot” will start acting up again. 🤣
Scoop Malinowski · March 4, 2022 at 4:53 pm
Sam, Surely Nadal will concoct some kind of mind game for FO, but it better be good this time.