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1,787 Posts
Come on guys! I can be as snarky as anyone, but this place has gone overboard.
Someone like Fognini deserves everything that is said about him and then some. He has all of the talent in the world, but completely dissipates crowds by not even trying either on or off of the court. However, I couldn't believe that the Nadal-Smyczek thread turned into pages worth of yet another Nadal-Federer debate. It seems that every thread on here somehow turns into a top ten fanboy/hater thread, but even I was surprised that this occurred yet again. Doesn't that ever bore some people who actually like talking about the game itself?
I wish that MTF would just every once in awhile appreciate the grinders of the game who pour their heart and soul into a sport that gives them very little in return. Someone like Nadal is infinitely more talented than someone like Smyczek, and even Tim knows it. That said, would it have killed MTF to be even the least bit humanistic towards a guy like Smyczek who practices 5+ hours a day (I've seen him practice for hours immediately after losing a challenger qualifying match), has gotten so much out of a smaller frame, who always fights on the court, and who is always pleasant to both opponents and fans? Whether on Rod Laver or on the sidewalk of a sparsely attended challenger event that he just lost in, someone like Smyczek who just immensely loves this game and all of those who support it is the lifeblood of this sport.
Instead of praising someone who deserved every bit of accolades that might have come to him, the only posts that I read regarding Smyczek were that "He was stupid to concede that serve to Nadal" or that "He respects the top players' talent too much" or that "It isn't American to clap at other people's winners." Shameful. What is wrong with working your ass off (even with limited talent that has you ranked outside of the top 100) and being even remotely nice to people? I guess it is "cooler" to just be given everything, act like you don't care, and ignore everyone who can't directly help you.
I really hope that the moderators will leave this thread up, as MTF needs to check itself a bit and realize that there are a lot of wonderful players and sportsmen outside of the top ten who contribute so much to this sport.
[Off the soapbox]
Someone like Fognini deserves everything that is said about him and then some. He has all of the talent in the world, but completely dissipates crowds by not even trying either on or off of the court. However, I couldn't believe that the Nadal-Smyczek thread turned into pages worth of yet another Nadal-Federer debate. It seems that every thread on here somehow turns into a top ten fanboy/hater thread, but even I was surprised that this occurred yet again. Doesn't that ever bore some people who actually like talking about the game itself?
I wish that MTF would just every once in awhile appreciate the grinders of the game who pour their heart and soul into a sport that gives them very little in return. Someone like Nadal is infinitely more talented than someone like Smyczek, and even Tim knows it. That said, would it have killed MTF to be even the least bit humanistic towards a guy like Smyczek who practices 5+ hours a day (I've seen him practice for hours immediately after losing a challenger qualifying match), has gotten so much out of a smaller frame, who always fights on the court, and who is always pleasant to both opponents and fans? Whether on Rod Laver or on the sidewalk of a sparsely attended challenger event that he just lost in, someone like Smyczek who just immensely loves this game and all of those who support it is the lifeblood of this sport.
Instead of praising someone who deserved every bit of accolades that might have come to him, the only posts that I read regarding Smyczek were that "He was stupid to concede that serve to Nadal" or that "He respects the top players' talent too much" or that "It isn't American to clap at other people's winners." Shameful. What is wrong with working your ass off (even with limited talent that has you ranked outside of the top 100) and being even remotely nice to people? I guess it is "cooler" to just be given everything, act like you don't care, and ignore everyone who can't directly help you.
I really hope that the moderators will leave this thread up, as MTF needs to check itself a bit and realize that there are a lot of wonderful players and sportsmen outside of the top ten who contribute so much to this sport.
[Off the soapbox]
