Is Robbie Koenig for real?

[Magnus]

From his twitter:

"Lhyani makes a lotta decisions that seem to go the way of Federer....."


It was so clear that he's rooting for Nadal in the SF and he was basically speechless when Fed was dominating. He's a good commentator but his credibility is going downhill.

[joeri888]

He shouldn't do that. THe umpire hardly has any influence these days. I like Koenig but I'd like him to at least appear impartial. Not that I cant take it that there are Nadalfans among commentators, I just dont want to know about it when I hear them commentate

[Sentinel]

Originally Posted by joeri888

He shouldn't do that. THe umpire hardly has any influence these days. I like Koenig but I'd like him to at least appear impartial. Not that I cant take it that there are Nadalfans among commentators, I just dont want to know about it when I hear them commentate

I used to think he was a big ******* last year or so. However, this year I have heard him being critical of Nadal. Several times, not once, he has brought out how much time Rafa takes between serves, that it exceeds the recommended time, and compared it to Fred.

Of late, he's been complementing Fred a lot. I think he's okay.

Also, Lahyani has made a lot of good overrules. One mistake today should not invalidate his correct overrules. As far as Lahyani being a *******, I've heard Fred arguing with him and once being rather rude, I dont think he'd continue being a Fredtard after that.

[joeri888]

Originally Posted by Sentinel

I used to think he was a big ******* last year or so. However, this year I have heard him being critical of Nadal. Several times, not once, he has brought out how much time Rafa takes between serves, that it exceeds the recommended time, and compared it to Fred.

Of late, he's been complementing Fred a lot. I think he's okay.

Also, Lahyani has made a lot of good overrules. One mistake today should not invalidate his correct overrules. As far as Lahyani being a *******, I've heard Fred arguing with him and once being rather rude, I dont think he'd continue being a Fredtard after that.

I think he's fine too Senti, great commentator. But where does he get that Laayani was in favour of Federer? I mean, the match with Nadal callwise was hardly any controversy

[Tcbtennis]

Originally Posted by joeri888

I think he's fine too Senti, great commentator. But where does he get that Laayani was in favour of Federer? I mean, the match with Nadal callwise was hardly any controversy

Maybe he is referring to an overrule of an out call against Federer during the Fed-Isner match. I believe it came during the second set and would have given Isner a break point (I think). The ump overruled it and they replayed the point which Fed won. The unofficial Hawkeye revealed Fed's ball to be long.

I think Koenig is great. I love his accent and his South African expressions. He is a Nadal fan but absolutely gives Federer his due. He was tweeting on his own time and is entitled to his opinion regarding the umpire. I don't agree with it but it is a tame opinion. Nothing to get all hot and bothered about. I watched the final in real time with Chris Fowler, Pam Shriver, etc and just wished that they would reduce their banter by 50%. Koenig and Adler have it just right. And when they do speak, there are usually insightful comments.

[joeri888]

Originally Posted by Tcbtennis

Maybe he is referring to an overrule of an out call against Federer during the Fed-Isner match. I believe it came during the second set and would have given Isner a break point (I think). The ump overruled it and they replayed the point which Fed won. The unofficial Hawkeye revealed Fed's ball to be long.

I think Koenig is great. I love his accent and his South African expressions. He is a Nadal fan but absolutely gives Federer his due. He was tweeting on his own time and is entitled to his opinion regarding the umpire. I don't agree with it but it is a tame opinion. Nothing to get all hot and bothered about. I watched the final in real time with Chris Fowler, Pam Shriver, etc and just wished that they would reduce their banter by 50%. Koenig and Adler have it just right. And when they do speak, there are usually insightful comments.

I am not hot and bothered, but purely rationally, I'd rather not see him tweet about his personal loves and hates

[monfed]

Originally Posted by sbengte

FWIW , here is the official word from the ATP rulebook :

O. Toilet Break
1) A player may be permitted to leave the court for a toilet break. A player is entitled to one (1) toilet break during a best of three set match and two (2) toilet breaks during a best of five set match. Toilet breaks should be taken on a set break and can be used for no other purpose.

Interesting that the *******, didn't even mention the Nadal's rule violation.

[Polvorin]

Originally Posted by monfed

Interesting that the *******, didn't even mention the Nadal's rule violation.

Furthermore, did he ever mention anything about his time violations during the match?

[Magnus]

Originally Posted by Polvorin

Furthermore, did he ever mention anything about his time violations during the match?

He will never say anything that will sound even remotley critical of Nadal. I will never forget the Madrid match where Jason and Rob basically said that Roger's win over Nadal in 2009 was basically a fluke and almost laughed at Roger during the whole match.

[woodrow1029]

Originally Posted by monfed

Interesting that the *******, didn't even mention the Nadal's rule violation.

Which was quoting this:

Originally Posted by sbengte
FWIW , here is the official word from the ATP rulebook :

O. Toilet Break
1) A player may be permitted to leave the court for a toilet break. A player is entitled to one (1) toilet break during a best of three set match and two (2) toilet breaks during a best of five set match. Toilet breaks should be taken on a set break and can be used for no other purpose.

The rule is should not can only. I did not see that part of the match when Nadal took a toilet break, but if it's an emergency, then he can go.

[MAXXply]

Unless someone tells the real story of how Koenig scored the dream job of getting paid "the BIG BUCKS!!!" to follow the ATP Tour, I will remain convinced that the only reason this ATP journeyman got the gig is via working some tenuous connection between him and fellow South African Etienne de Villiers, the man who used to run the ATP a few years ago. You know, the South African old boys network or something like that...

[Rhino]

I think Koenig is one of the best commentators out there.

When I lived in the UK I had to put up with Andrew Castle. It almost meant I had to watch tennis with the sound off, he is so bad.

Koenig's tennis insight is usually very good and whether he is a Nadal fan or not, he usually gives Federer a lot of credit.

[Magnus]

Originally Posted by Rhino

I think Koenig is one of the best commentators out there.

When I lived in the UK I had to put up with Andrew Castle. It almost meant I had to watch tennis with the sound off, he is so bad.

Koenig's tennis insight is usually very good and whether he is a Nadal fan or not, he usually gives Federer a lot of credit.

I too think he knows how to call tennis - that's not the issue here. I can even accept he's a ******* and I can understand why commentators are not 100% objective - they are human after all, and have their favorites. What I can't understand nor accpect is Robbie question the umpire'e decisions for favoring Fed (which is clearly false) like your usual TT *******, and completely ignore ALL of Nadal's constant rule violations.

[jokinla]

Originally Posted by Rhino

I think Koenig is one of the best commentators out there.

When I lived in the UK I had to put up with Andrew Castle. It almost meant I had to watch tennis with the sound off, he is so bad.

Koenig's tennis insight is usually very good and whether he is a Nadal fan or not, he usually gives Federer a lot of credit.

True dat, I'll take him over whiny Doug Adler or Gimelsuck ANY day of the week.

[DavaiMarat]

Originally Posted by Rhino

I think Koenig is one of the best commentators out there.

When I lived in the UK I had to put up with Andrew Castle. It almost meant I had to watch tennis with the sound off, he is so bad.

Koenig's tennis insight is usually very good and whether he is a Nadal fan or not, he usually gives Federer a lot of credit.

I too enjoy Robby's insights and calm demeanor. Sam Gore(?) on the other hand seems really bad sometimes. I think I was watching a Fed match where it sounded like he was about to bend over for Fed. Yes it was that bad.

I don't mind a little admiration but he wouldn't shut up about Fed and his GREATNESS. I like Roger but it was ridiculous.

[Sartorius]

Lahyani had a rather poor week in my opinion, some bad calls. I think his pleasant nature might be preventing players from questioning his calls.

Koenig is cool.

[BeHappy]

What about the bathroom break?

[Magnus]

Originally Posted by Sartorius

Lahyani had a rather poor week in my opinion, some bad calls. I think his pleasant nature might be preventing players from questioning his calls.

Koenig is cool.

He had a mistake with DP wanting to challenge that he couldn't really do much about. What else?

[Sartorius]

Originally Posted by Magnus

He had a mistake with DP wanting to challenge that he couldn't really do much about. What else?

There was one more bad call in that match and one more in another match, if I remember correctly.

I guess it happens though. He's one of the better ones still.

[bjk]

Insight isn't really Koenig's thing . . . he's more of a "goooooooal" kind of guy.