Did Rod Laver Ever Pump His Fist

[gorgan]

on opponents' unforced errors? I seriously doubt it--he was a class act, unlike his compatriot Mr. Hewitt. Layton's a no-class punk who deserves to have his butt spanked, and I think I know just the Russian fellow to do it too.

[lapfog_1]

1. Unfortunately, we live in a "smack down" society

sportsmanship and fair play and manners seem to be virtues of a
bygone era.

[tishaLA]

2. Hell Rafter never pumped his fist

over unforced errors. And he was cuter than Hewett.

[rooboy]

3. NOBODY pumped their fist in Laver's day...

NOR did the crowd cheer when a player made a mistake. But unlike today, the people who attended sports events in those days tended to be fans of the sport as well as the athletes, and thus knew their etiquette when watching. Most of them don't even know the bloody rules now.

Australians in particular have become more like the Americans when it comes to sports. Much more an exercise in marketing and hoopla than a real love of the game.

Lleyton is a wanker.

[SweetLeftFoot]

6. I disagree

come with me to the MCG for the last ten minutes in the final quarter of a close North/Essendon game and we'll see how much people care about the hoopla and the marketing ...

[rooboy]

7. Come with me to a Brisbane Lions game...

and see how many people know anything about the game at all.

[SweetLeftFoot]

8. Brisbane Lions

why would I want to go up to redneck land :-)

[theresistance]

4. Don't insult our sporting hero

I may have to spank your butt! See how you like it. Hewitt is a great player and I'll be supporting him in the Aussie open final tomorrow night. Go Lleyton!! Come ooon!!!!

[SweetLeftFoot]

5. Hewitt

I am Aussie and I generally dislike Hewitt (inbred Adelaide Crows supporting shit) but I do recognise that his fist-pumping et al is a part of his game just like Roddick's serve or Federer's forehand.

Hewitt is smaller than most top 10 players and probably not as skilful either, His main weapon is his court speed and his tenacity, of which the fist pumping is part.

[gorgan]

9. cheering your opponent's unforced errors

is jerky thing to do. You can be tenacious w/o resorting to that kind of gamesmanship. For a contrast, consider Michael Chang, who battled every point but never celebrated the mistakes of his opponent.

[bigwillq]

10. I think Hewitt's fist pumps and "Come ONs" are great

It shows he has an intensity for the sport. He's a real competitor and I don't think Hewitt is showing any disrespect to anyone.

What about all those football players who dance arond in the end zone?

[Skeet]

11. Because Safin's racket slamming/breaking is so classy.

It is a shame that Roger Federer decided to bring his "B" game instead of his "A" game because he is much more fun to watch than Safin. And he would have wiped the floor with Hewitt.