Gilles Simon says losing to Nadal tomorrow would be "more fabolous" than beating him

[abraxas21]

French tennis player, Gilles Simon, is mounting a comeback after a season of struggle, injury, and. . .making a baby. After taking out Philipp Kohlschreiber in five sets on Friday, he told reporters that he had become a father just the day before. His girlfriend, Carine Lauret, gave birth to son Timothée in a French hospital – a month ahead of schedule. Due to the unexpected timing, it was physically impossible for Simon to return to France in time for the birth, and he decided to play on.

“It was difficult to find the motivation.” Simon said of his second round match (via nytimes.com), “On the court, my concentration wasn’t there all the time.”

It’s not exactly the best attitude to have before meeting Rafael Nadal in his third round match on Sunday. Then again, Simon really isn’t hoping to beat him (via nytimes.com):

“If I win, it’s fabulous,” Simon said of his match vs. Rafa. “And if I lose, it’s even more fabulous.”

More info here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/sports/tennis/05simon.html

That's the right attitude, Simon.... And when he loses, if Nadal gets to play a Spanish in the QF, the tournament might just give him a bye to the SF already.

Still, can't blame the guy. He just had his first son and it's only right that he's more focused on that than on his work...

 

[Giggs The Red Devil]

That’s the attitude that won the French two world wars.

 

[Telepatic]

And it's also likely Rafa's idol Verdasco is waiting him in QF lol..

 

[ChopShot]

I'm guessing he thinks it's fabulous, because then he gets to go home and see his newborn kid. You know what, given his position, I'd feel the same way.

 

[VengaRafa]

I thought this was always the attitude of the French.

 

[JeMar]

Eh, can't really blame him this time.

 

[flyinghippos101]

That’s the attitude that won the French two world wars.

Ahh beat me to it.

 

[Sentinel]

yeah, lets beat up on the poor French !!!
I think Simon is playing mind games against poor Nadal. Rafa will come unprepared and be fed bagels by Simon who must be laffing up his sleeve at this brilliant plan

 

[Destro]

That’s the attitude that won the French two world wars.

Great Britain is a country, not an attitude.

 

[kanamit]

Such a tough draw for poor Rafa.

 

[bolo]

Great Britain is a country, not an attitude.

lol. 10 char.

 

[Cesc Fabregas]

LOL. If Lopez and Verdasco get through to face Nadal theres going to be alot of complaining on here.

 

[IvanAndreevich]

LOL. If Lopez and Verdasco get through to face Nadal theres going to be alot of complaining on here.

I wouldn't mind seeing Lopez and Verdasco against Nadal on this surface. Lopez beat him the last time they played.

 

[thejoe]

Nadal's chump draw continues!

 

[clayman2000]

And it's also likely Rafa's idol Verdasco is waiting him in QF lol..

I hope you remember what happened the last time they played deep in a slam.....

 

[NoleDjoko]

poor gilles

 

[Telepatic]

I hope you remember what happened the last time they played deep in a slam.....

I hope you remember who Verdasco beat to get deep in that slam, he is in way worse form now, almost losing 1-st round to Fognini again and he is worshiping Nadal more and more. "I can beat anyone but Nadal" guy..

 

[West Coast Ace]

I wouldn't mind seeing Lopez and Verdasco against Nadal on this surface.

Two on one, right? But your point is solid: they have weapons to beat Rafa; Simon, not so much unless the wind gets to Rafa and he starts like UEs all over the court.

 

[namelessone]

I hope you remember who Verdasco beat to get deep in that slam, he is in way worse form now, almost losing 1-st round to Fognini again and he is worshiping Nadal more and more. "I can beat anyone but Nadal" guy..

He was talking about beating him on clay, which is pretty much how 90% of the tour feels even if they don't say it. This clay season fellow spaniards ferrer,JCF,almagro(twice),dasco,to name but a few, threw everything they had at Rafa and they only won set, courtesy of almagro. Hell, Rafa lost TWO sets in FOUR tourneys(one being a GS) on clay this year.

Dasco played the best he could in MC and got ONE GAME off Nadal cause Rafa was getting everything back and making some sick passing shots. Dasco even said that he won Barca cause Rafa wasn't around.

Normally Dasco would be a tough opponent for Rafa on fast courts but his "performance" today was cringeworthy.

 

[West Coast Ace]

Normally Dasco would be a tough opponent for Rafa on fast courts but his "performance" today was cringeworthy.

It's still pretty breezy so I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. This wasn't highlight reel stuff - but he handled it better than Nalby did.

Rafa may have some UE problems himself. We'll find out once this WTA nonsense wraps up...

 

[TennisandMusic]

Did you guys responding even read it? He said it was FABULOUS if he wins...he said it would be even MORE fabulous because he would get to go home and see his new son!

If you ask me thats called having the right priorities. Pretty lame you guys are trying to twist it.

 

[ruerooo]

It's still pretty breezy so I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. This wasn't highlight reel stuff - but he handled it better than Nalby did.

Rafa may have some UE problems himself.

David had some trouble with his ankle.

 

[ruerooo]

I wouldn't mind seeing Lopez and Verdasco against Nadal on this surface. Lopez beat him the last time they played.

Did they not play on grass at Queens?

What happened the last time the two of them played on hard court?

 

[ruerooo]

yeah, lets beat up on the poor French !!!
I think Simon is playing mind games against poor Nadal. Rafa will come unprepared and be fed bagels by Simon who must be laffing up his sleeve at this brilliant plan

LOL. That could happen. Gilles did beat him in Madrid.

I hope not though.

 

[ruerooo]

Did you guys responding even read it? He said it was FABULOUS if he wins...he said it would be even MORE fabulous because he would get to go home and see his new son!

If you ask me thats called having the right priorities. Pretty lame you guys are trying to twist it.

I know, right? Fanboys and girls.
:roll:

 

[abraxas21]

Did you guys responding even read it? He said it was FABULOUS if he wins...he said it would be even MORE fabulous because he would get to go home and see his new son!

True... Therefore he prefers to lose... I don't think Gilles would stand much of a chance if he prefered to win tbh but at least it would make for a more competitive match.

If you ask me thats called having the right priorities.

I agree... For me having a child would be a lot more important than winning a tennis match.. I can't blame Simon for his thinking but I do feel that Nadal is getting a lot of luck here. I mean, what were the odds of Simon having a son just before playing Rafalala?

 

[thalivest]

Sad for Simon he had to miss the birth of his son.

 

[moshi2]

I can understand Simon wants to go home to see his newborn baby, but he should've kept it for himself. Saying it out loud like this just give impression to people that he's given up before the game even starts.

And Nadal fans still keep crying that Nadal has tougher draw than Fed in this USO. Geez.