[blknoc]

to refer to James Blake as JIMMY during this telecast? It's driving me nuts.

 

[trixtah]

he's...so...damn...annoying

 

[nsidhan]

Did you just hear him hit on Maria Kirilenko during the interview with her? Commenting on her legs.

 

[Marek.]

^The guy's got good taste.

 

[bluefork]

He's kind of annoying, but at least he's not Dick Enberg...or Bud Collins...or Mary Carillo...or basically any of ESPN crew.

 

[Fee]

Did you just hear him hit on Maria Kirilenko during the interview with her? Commenting on her legs.

That was a bit much. I was hoping he did it because he has a friendly relationship with her, but she did not play along with it and it just became awkward. I'm debating whether to write to him and tell him he made a boo boo... Roger Rasheed got some flak for his comment about Venus' rear end earlier this week, and Justin is going to get some for that observation about Maria's legs (he didn't really hit on her, he just said the her coach's workout routine was obviously working and she looked good).

 

[blknoc]

His comment to Kirilenko was out of line. I was staring at my tv screen hoping he hadn't said what did. I'm glad Bill Macatee told Justin he wouldn't be allowed to ask anymore questions.

 

[Bibberz]

How exactly did "Gimmy" comment on her legs?

 

[Fee]

Kirilenko mentioned that her coach had put her on a new fitness routine and Justin said 'Hey Maria, it's Justin (it was a 'headphone' interview). Let me just say your coach's routine is working. I was checking out your legs the other day and you're looking pretty good.'

Now, I laughed out loud but that's because I know Justin is a goofy nut (kind of like me) and I thought he was kidding around with someone he knew, but then I looked up and saw that Maria was not in on the joke and it just got uncomfortable.

 

[Bibberz]

Thanks for the info. He did cross a line considering he was talking to someone with whom he (presumably) has no previous relationship. Also, it might have been difficult for Maria to detect the lightheartedness because: (1) she was not talking to him face-to-face; and (2) she might have interpreted hiswords too literally.

Oh, and that's a cool avatar, Fee! (And it's also cool you're from Northern California.)

Kirilenko mentioned that her coach had put her on a new fitness routine and Justin said 'Hey Maria, it's Justin (it was a 'headphone' interview). Let me just say your coach's routine is working. I was checking out your legs the other day and you're looking pretty good.'

Now, I laughed out loud but that's because I know Justin is a goofy nut (kind of like me) and I thought he was kidding around with someone he knew, but then I looked up and saw that Maria was not in on the joke and it just got uncomfortable.

 

[Fee]

Thanks.

Yeah, it was hard on her because of the language barrier and because it wasn't face to face. Justin should know better, he's a 30 year old male and it's just not right to say 'I was checking out your legs' in a situation like that. It just came across so wrong. He could have easily said, 'yes, you are looking very fit these days' and let it go at that. Live and learn, I'm sure someone with more experience will explain this to him and he'll move on. He's doing much better work this year than he did last year at Roland Garros, so I'm happy for him.

 

[its.like.that]

The guy is an absolute tool.

He should be locked up.

 

[binkygirl]

The guy is an absolute tool.

He should be locked up.

Well, he's been annointed as the next tv commentator wonder boy as if he'd been some perennial world top tenner. Its very interesting what a bit of Daddy's money and connections can do for someone. I'd much rather have a Brian Vahaly in Justin's spot.

Nice to see you commenting again, its.like.that.. haven't seen you in ages!

 

[trixtah]

I would rather listen to Pmac in a Roddick match than this guy

 

[martinatreue]

I don't mind him at all. He is very complimentary to every player and does not participate in gossip.

 

[Wannabeknowitall]

to refer to James Blake as JIMMY during this telecast? It's driving me nuts.

James has mentioned he does not like to be called Jimmy many times so at this point I think he's just doing it to be a prick.
His opinions on women's tennis are digusting and the way he talks about them show it.

He doesn't bring anything special to commentating. Yoou would think as a doubles specialist he would mention something interesting once in a while.

I really just think Justin is a jerk and I would have rather seen MaliVai Washington have his job.

 

[Sjengster]

Thanks.

Yeah, it was hard on her because of the language barrier and because it wasn't face to face. Justin should know better, he's a 30 year old male and it's just not right to say 'I was checking out your legs' in a situation like that. It just came across so wrong. He could have easily said, 'yes, you are looking very fit these days' and let it go at that. Live and learn, I'm sure someone with more experience will explain this to him and he'll move on. He's doing much better work this year than he did last year at Roland Garros, so I'm happy for him.

Whatever it was, I'm sure it can't be worse than the outright lechery displayed by some finer sections of the British press towards Tati Golovin after her first round at Wimbledon. "Can I ask you about your knickers?" God, you can so easily imagine that being said in an Austin Powers voice.

I should probably dig up that interview, I remember she played along jokingly for a little but then seemed to ask the moderator whether they were really going to allow this line of questioning to continue.

 

[Fee]

Whatever it was, I'm sure it can't be worse than the outright lechery displayed by some finer sections of the British press towards Tati Golovin after her first round at Wimbledon. "Can I ask you about your knickers?" God, you can so easily imagine that being said in an Austin Powers voice.

He and I exchanged messages about that today, and I was right he only went there because he does know her, but it didn't translate well on TV in that situation. He told me that he ran into Maria a little while later and she laughed and thanked him for the compliment. I think he understands now how awkward it came across to the average tennis viewer. I know his sense of goofiness, and I laughed out loud when he did it, but I saw right away that it looked wierd.

 

[Kitty de Sade]

His opinions on women's tennis are digusting and the way he talks about them show it.

Aside from the comment directed towards Makiri, which didn't go over very well- although I wonder if it might have been intended as lighthearted- what else has Justin said? :shrug:

I have not heard a lot of his commentary as of yet...just curious.

 

[mangoes]

I think Justin is one of the better commentators on TTC. Yes, he has had a couple of hiccups, but for the most part, he is a vast improvement over the others. Just imagine if Jimmy Arias??(not sure of his last name) and that other guy who usually calls matches with him were calling matches for the AO. I usually have to leave them on mute. The very worst commentating. So, Justin is an improvement. He is new at this, so give him a chance.