Quit whining "70 unforced errors" Blake

[Coria]

Alright, so he got hosed on a point. The bigger issue is that he did not play well enough to win. I think he and Serena are trying to be the first players to get to 100 unforced errors in a 3 set match.

He missed too many shots, that's the main reason he lost. Unfortunately, Gonzo did what a lot of players do in that situation. It's wrong but a clutch player finds ways to overcome it. Blake's history is that 90% of the time, he comes up small in these types of matches.

He is not consistent, that's been his problem throughout his career. Mentally, he's never been able to take his game to where his physical talent is. That's on HIM.

 

[soyizgood]

Did he really make 70 UEs? Breakpoint would be on to something as Fed and Blake made 94 UEs in a 2 set match. Was Blake trying to play the worst tennis possible to win??

 

[Breaker]

Alright, so he got hosed on a point. The bigger issue is that he did not play well enough to win. I think he and Serena are trying to be the first players to get to 100 unforced errors in a 3 set match.

He missed too many shots, that's the main reason he lost. Unfortunately, Gonzo did what a lot of players do in that situation. It's wrong but a clutch player finds ways to overcome it. Blake's history is that 90% of the time, he comes up small in these types of matches.

He is not consistent, that's been his problem throughout his career. Mentally, he's never been able to take his game to where his physical talent is. That's on HIM.

So you don't think that Gonzo CLEARLY CHEATING should be mentioned at all and that Blake should have just ignored it...most players would have gone ****ing mental if they were in James's position, I know I would have - especially considering the circumstances deep in a third set in possibly the biggest match he has played in his life coming off of the biggest win of his career. I used to like Gonzo more than Blake but this is just unacceptable, I would have no sympathy if they were to just ban Gonzo from the final match and give Nadal the gold, Fernando does NOT deserve it.

 

[Dan007]

Guys, can anyone give me a clear explanation of what really happened? I just heard there was a controversy about fair play during the Blake-Gonzalez match on NBC.

 

[AlpineCadet]

You should post spoilers in the appropriate section.

 

[oberyn]

Alright, so he got hosed on a point. The bigger issue is that he did not play well enough to win. I think he and Serena are trying to be the first players to get to 100 unforced errors in a 3 set match.

I think there are two separate issues here.

Blake failed to convert 3 match points and committed a ton of unforced errors. This doesn't negate what Gonzalez did (or didn't do depending upon one's point of view), but I don't think one can say that Blake lost because of this one point.

 

[Tennis Fan]

If you're in the most important match of your life (because this is Blake's 1st Olympics) & you know that it's another 4 yrs for this opportunity again, which you might not even be in again anyway, YOU'RE going to want every single point that you deserve.

Blake may not have played well, but he certainly should not shrug off that his opponent was a dirty winner who cheated. Let's see you shrug that off.

 

[jgn1013]

blake hit a volley that nicked gonzo racquet, the ump did not hear or see "the nick" it and gave the point to gonzo, 15-0 set number #3. gonzo would not fess up, he just kept quiet.

 

[woody88]

Gonzo is a bit*h for doing that. I can understand how in normal tournaments, maybe 50% of players will do this, and not admit anything. But this is afterall, the Olympics, where sportsmanship matter I think. And Gonzo is an EPIC fail at that. I hope Rafa destroy his ass, although this kind of surface suits Gonzo better in my opinion.

 

[superman1]

You also have to figure that Blake's anger over the poor umpiring may have weighed on his mind and cost him the match. It's not just one single point. He's not going to be able to sleep for the next few nights because of this one stupid thing Gonzo did.

 

[HappyAndFriendlyAlways]

gonzo is the scum of the tennis world

 

[Fedace]

I hope he eats a double bagel tomorrow.

 

[soyizgood]

gonzo is the scum of the tennis world

Nah. De Villiers still holds the top spot.

 

[anointedone]

Alright, so he got hosed on a point. The bigger issue is that he did not play well enough to win. I think he and Serena are trying to be the first players to get to 100 unforced errors in a 3 set match.

He missed too many shots, that's the main reason he lost. Unfortunately, Gonzo did what a lot of players do in that situation. It's wrong but a clutch player finds ways to overcome it. Blake's history is that 90% of the time, he comes up small in these types of matches.

He is not consistent, that's been his problem throughout his career. Mentally, he's never been able to take his game to where his physical talent is. That's on HIM.

Very well put. I agree on everything you just said.

 

[coolblue123]

Gonzo probably wants to do whatever he can to get gold. Even if it means disgracing his country... It's really sad that he scarifaced his dignity and his country's honor for this.
Even if he gets gold, i think his name is tarnished.
Also remember tennis is a close knit community. It's not like you see each other once every 4 years. What would his peers think? Or does he care?

 

[TheTruth]

Alright, so he got hosed on a point. The bigger issue is that he did not play well enough to win. I think he and Serena are trying to be the first players to get to 100 unforced errors in a 3 set match.

He missed too many shots, that's the main reason he lost. Unfortunately, Gonzo did what a lot of players do in that situation. It's wrong but a clutch player finds ways to overcome it. Blake's history is that 90% of the time, he comes up small in these types of matches.

He is not consistent, that's been his problem throughout his career. Mentally, he's never been able to take his game to where his physical talent is. That's on HIM.

That's the truth!

 

[crazytennis]

Alright, so he got hosed on a point. The bigger issue is that he did not play well enough to win. I think he and Serena are trying to be the first players to get to 100 unforced errors in a 3 set match.

He missed too many shots, that's the main reason he lost. Unfortunately, Gonzo did what a lot of players do in that situation. It's wrong but a clutch player finds ways to overcome it. Blake's history is that 90% of the time, he comes up small in these types of matches.

He is not consistent, that's been his problem throughout his career. Mentally, he's never been able to take his game to where his physical talent is. That's on HIM.

So you're supporting "81 unforced error" Gonzalez?

 

[TheTruth]

I think there are two separate issues here.

Blake failed to convert 3 match points and committed a ton of unforced errors. This doesn't negate what Gonzalez did (or didn't do depending upon one's point of view), but I don't think one can say that Blake lost because of this one point.

Perfect post!

 

[anointedone]

So you're supporting "81 unforced error" Gonzalez?

Wow was that Gonzalez's final UE stat as well? I knew watching it that it was pretty sloppy but I didnt realize quite that bad. Truly a shame either player got to enter the Olympic final with that kind of performance.

 

[topspinmonkey5]

It wasnt match point blake! It was the first point of gonzalez serve!! Blame yourself for being a loser who cant handle the pressure!!

 

[Rabbit]

The fans can't have it both ways. As more and more money gets into the game and everyone calls for better officiating, the players will have less and less to do with what calls are made. I can think of no other sport which suffers from as poor officiating as tennis. On the one hand, everyone tells the players to 'play the calls' and when the players look to the officials to make the calls, the players get blamed.

At a minimum, the umpire should have played a let on the point.

I agree that if Gonzo could have called it on himself, he should have. But, I can see where there is a slight possibility that he didn't feel the ball.

My point is that the officials claim to be in charge and then don't enforce the rules on an equal basis. This points it out as clearly as Keifers throwing his racket across the net.​

 

[TheTruth]

The fans can't have it both ways. As more and more money gets into the game and everyone calls for better officiating, the players will have less and less to do with what calls are made. I can think of no other sport which suffers from as poor officiating as tennis. On the one hand, everyone tells the players to 'play the calls' and when the players look to the officials to make the calls, the players get blamed.

At a minimum, the umpire should have played a let on the point.

I agree that if Gonzo could have called it on himself, he should have. But, I can see where there is a slight possibility that he didn't feel the ball.

My point is that the officials claim to be in charge and then don't enforce the rules on an equal basis. This points it out as clearly as Keifers throwing his racket across the net.​

Absolutely. Tennis is the worst officiated sport. It took forever for them to get replay, and now that they have it, they still aren't using it to the best advantage. Calls like this should be reviewed. We can all say the ball hit Gonzo's racket and made Blake's ball go out. Or, Gonzo felt it. But we can't be totally sure. Human beings make errors, and Bernades cannot see everything. If Gonzo felt it...If it changed the ball's trajectory...If Blake had let it go...Too many ifs in the equation for me.

 

[Atherton2003]

I didn't see the point in question - but what is Blake complaining about so much - didn't he have a couple of match points that he couldn't convert?

 

[Atherton2003]

Seriously, do you ever think this Gonzalez would say "oh it hit my racket, please give Blake the point"??? Plenty of players do the same thing in this situation. Remember when Ivanovic said that Dechy's hat falling off her head distracted her - even though Ivanovic clearly couldn't make the shot anyway??? It was towards the end of a marathon match and Dechy wound up losing because of that.....happens all the time.

 

[JohnnySpot]

WHO GIVES A RATs BUM THAT BLAKE HAD 57298375298375982735 UNFORCED ERRORS. FIRST OF ALL, GONZALES HAD MORE< DUMBASSES!

CHEATING IS CHEATING AND THAT WAS BLATENT.

THEY NEED TO OVERTURN THAT MATCH.

 

[Atherton2003]

I'd like to know how many players would hand the point to the opponent in this situation - I bet 99% would pretend to not know it hit their racket.....Blake would probably do the same if the situation were reversed. It all boils down to the referee/umpire using instant replay....that being said, I believe any medals Gonzalez may win will be tainted....

 

[TheTruth]

Seriously, do you ever think this Gonzalez would say "oh it hit my racket, please give Blake the point"??? Plenty of players do the same thing in this situation. Remember when Ivanovic said that Dechy's hat falling off her head distracted her - even though Ivanovic clearly couldn't make the shot anyway??? It was towards the end of a marathon match and Dechy wound up losing because of that.....happens all the time.

Very true!

 

[Swissv2]

Very true!

So you are willing to toss aside rules in place of a phrase "it happens all the time"? I seriously don't understand you, TheTruth.

 

[Atherton2003]

I blame the umps.....they should use instant replay for more than just line calls. How about the time when Gulbis played Nadal at Wimbledon and at a crucial point towards the end of the 1st set, Nadal made an unbelievable get and the umpire said he double-hit - replay showed he clearly made the shot - yet they didn't use the replay....Gulbis looked amazed, but didn't hand the point to Nadal....he new Nadal got that point....and then Gulbis won that set. Nadal simply refocused and won the next sets to win the match....which is what Blake needed to do.

 

[oberyn]

I didn't see the point in question - but what is Blake complaining about so much - didn't he have a couple of match points that he couldn't convert?

Blake had three match points. Gonzo was serving down 0-40 at 5-6 in the third. All of this happened before the incident everyone's posting about.

Like I said, two separate issues. If Gonzo cheated, shame on him. The referee's remedy would have been to grant that point to Blake, which would have given him 0-15 on Gonzo's serve or to play a let.

What I wouldn't like to see happen is for someone to argue that this point alone was the deciding factor in a match in which Blake failed to convert three match points (and went 0 for 6 on break points in the deciding set) and Gonzo needed 5 match points himself to finally win.

I like James Blake, but this is particularly the case given his history of not being able to win tight matches.

My saying that Gonzo's actions didn't cost Blake the match doesn't mean I condone cheating. It means that, placed within the context of the match itself, part of me wants to say shame on Blake if getting "hosed" on the first point of your opponent's service game when you're up 9-8 is what you're going to blame on eventually losing the match 11-9 in the third. I could see it if the incident had occurred on one of Blake's match points, but that wasn't what happened here.

 

[Atherton2003]

Blake beat Federer - Blake should look at that as if it was a gold medal....typically Blake folds under pressure similar to Roddick. They get all hot and bothered by idiotic calls and then they wither shortly thereafter.....Blake should accept defeat and stop complaining....makes him look very small to me.

 

[pabletion]

whooooaaaa, did that really happen???? I mean, was it CLEAR that Gonzalez nipped the ball? I didnt see the match or know about it, but if that happened, thats such a shame, it IS disgrace in my book. I would never do that, not even in small local tourneys where I play, or friendlies. I remember a teamn tournament I played, mixed. A girl of our team pulled that one off, EVERYONE heard it, I heard it, and she claimed she didnt touch the ball. Horrific, I didnt care she was on my team, was glad she lost that match. That just makes you a liar, anyone who can support that, is disgraceful; most of the time, if not all the time, the way you handle yourselve in sports you handle yourselve in life. If youre a cheater in a simple game, youre a cheater in life.
Gonzalez is a disgrace if he did that

 

[logansc]

Blake beat Federer - Blake should look at that as if it was a gold medal....typically Blake folds under pressure similar to Roddick. They get all hot and bothered by idiotic calls and then they wither shortly thereafter.....Blake should accept defeat and stop complaining....makes him look very small to me.

I wouldn't exactly say he withered. He saved 4 or 5 match points before it was all said and done. The biggest point I haven't seen made is when you are serving to stay in a match, there is a big difference in my mind of starting 15-love as opposed to love-15. Losing that first point in a must hold game is crucial. Every point at that stage in the match matters. After all as the final two games went to deuce and whatnot it seems to me that one point here and there is a huge difference.

 

[musicalmedic81]

they're counting all errors, not just unforced.

Alright, so he got hosed on a point. The bigger issue is that he did not play well enough to win. I think he and Serena are trying to be the first players to get to 100 unforced errors in a 3 set match.

He missed too many shots, that's the main reason he lost. Unfortunately, Gonzo did what a lot of players do in that situation. It's wrong but a clutch player finds ways to overcome it. Blake's history is that 90% of the time, he comes up small in these types of matches.

He is not consistent, that's been his problem throughout his career. Mentally, he's never been able to take his game to where his physical talent is. That's on HIM.

Ok, Gonzo won a total of 136 points...

If I counted correct from the stat sheet, 69 of them were winners, either FH, backhand, volley, service or aces...

136-69=67

That would leave 67 of Gonzo's points that did not come from winners, meaning they had to have come from Blake's errors.

Blake's error count on the sheet is 70

The numbers arent perfect, but I'd say they're counting all errors, not just unforced.

 

[TheTruth]

So you are willing to toss aside rules in place of a phrase "it happens all the time"? I seriously don't understand you, TheTruth.

If you read my posts, then you'd know I'm not sure if the ball touched the racket, therefore I'm reluctant to call someone a cheat. At the same time, being human (and being truthful) I can't say what I would do in a split second. So, if I'm trying to get into the Gold Medal match, and my opponent hits a ball that's coming straight at me I'm sure my intensity is going to be so high that if the ball grazes my racket I may or may not feel it. Instantly I must make a decison did that hit my racket? Do I concede that point? My hesitation would be due to me asking those questions of myself. Can I sit here and say with a certainty what I would do if put in that situation? No. If I did I would be lying. No one knows what they would do in a split second.

And, I never made the statement that it happens all the time, but I've watched enough tennis to know that it happens all the time.

 

[TENNIS_IS_FUN]

Is there a video on the point?

 

[anchorsteamer]

If you read my posts, then you'd know I'm not sure if the ball touched the racket, therefore I'm reluctant to call someone a cheat. At the same time, being human (and being truthful) I can't say what I would do in a split second. So, if I'm trying to get into the Gold Medal match, and my opponent hits a ball that's coming straight at me I'm sure my intensity is going to be so high that if the ball grazes my racket I may or may not feel it. Instantly I must make a decison did that hit my racket? Do I concede that point? My hesitation would be due to me asking those questions of myself. Can I sit here and say with a certainty what I would do if put in that situation? No. If I did I would be lying. No one knows what they would do in a split second.

And, I never made the statement that it happens all the time, but I've watched enough tennis to know that it happens all the time.

So you didnt make the statement that it happens all the time...but your making the statement that it happens all the time?

That was ridiculous for Fernando to not give that point to Blake. It doesn't matter if it happens all the time (as you say)...that is ridiculous and embarrassing. I'm not going to say that his medal should be taken (like will probably happen to the Swedish judo bronze medalist for conduct detrimental to the integrity of the sport) but at the same time that is shockingly poor...I used to like Gonzo...no mas...

 

[pabletion]

If you read my posts, then you'd know I'm not sure if the ball touched the racket, therefore I'm reluctant to call someone a cheat. At the same time, being human (and being truthful) I can't say what I would do in a split second. So, if I'm trying to get into the Gold Medal match, and my opponent hits a ball that's coming straight at me I'm sure my intensity is going to be so high that if the ball grazes my racket I may or may not feel it. Instantly I must make a decison did that hit my racket? Do I concede that point? My hesitation would be due to me asking those questions of myself. Can I sit here and say with a certainty what I would do if put in that situation? No. If I did I would be lying. No one knows what they would do in a split second.

And, I never made the statement that it happens all the time, but I've watched enough tennis to know that it happens all the time.

Sorry, there is NO WAY you cant feel that, and you dont have to call it in a split second.... I know I wouldnt lie like that, and there are many pros who would concede the point, im SURE Nadal, Federer would.... many others out there. Gonzo is a nice guy, and if he made that decision, knowing he touched the ball, he knows he was wrong, and I would expect him to admit it sometime, or do something about it, I dont know what, apologize? something...., but honesty is one of the most important qualities a human being should have

 

[TheTruth]

I blame the umps.....they should use instant replay for more than just line calls. How about the time when Gulbis played Nadal at Wimbledon and at a crucial point towards the end of the 1st set, Nadal made an unbelievable get and the umpire said he double-hit - replay showed he clearly made the shot - yet they didn't use the replay....Gulbis looked amazed, but didn't hand the point to Nadal....he new Nadal got that point....and then Gulbis won that set. Nadal simply refocused and won the next sets to win the match....which is what Blake needed to do.

I just posted that in another thread. These types of situations should be settled by replay. If we wanted, we could come up with all types of situations where such things occurred. The point with Gonzo is subjective. We can think he felt it, but we don't know for sure. Huge difference. Whereas with Kiefer it was flagrant. Everybody knows what happened there. That Nadal/Gulbis example was great!

 

[Atherton2003]

I think Blake was mad at Gonzalez for almost hitting him in the head with the ball earlier in the match.

 

[TheTruth]

Blake had three match points. Gonzo was serving down 0-40 at 5-6 in the third. All of this happened before the incident everyone's posting about.

Like I said, two separate issues. If Gonzo cheated, shame on him. The referee's remedy would have been to grant that point to Blake, which would have given him 0-15 on Gonzo's serve or to play a let.

What I wouldn't like to see happen is for someone to argue that this point alone was the deciding factor in a match in which Blake failed to convert three match points (and went 0 for 6 on break points in the deciding set) and Gonzo needed 5 match points himself to finally win.

I like James Blake, but this is particularly the case given his history of not being able to win tight matches.

My saying that Gonzo's actions didn't cost Blake the match doesn't mean I condone cheating. It means that, placed within the context of the match itself, part of me wants to say shame on Blake if getting "hosed" on the first point of your opponent's service game when you're up 9-8 is what you're going to blame on eventually losing the match 11-9 in the third. I could see it if the incident had occurred on one of Blake's match points, but that wasn't what happened here.

Great post!

 

[Ocean Gypsy]

It's really difficult to imagine Gonzalez didn't "feel" it or hear it.

Blake saw/heard it across the freaking net, the TV crew commented on it, the crowd surely indicated they heard/saw it.

Gonzalez cheated. This wasn't a match by some schlubs on the street; it was the Olympics where, at least in imo, sportsmanship should matter. Whether Blake had the mental toughness to win or not isn't the point. The other guy cheated on a pretty critical point. Shame on him.

Gonzalez is a putz and the win is very much tainted imo.

 

[TheTruth]

whooooaaaa, did that really happen???? I mean, was it CLEAR that Gonzalez nipped the ball? I didnt see the match or know about it, but if that happened, thats such a shame, it IS disgrace in my book. I would never do that, not even in small local tourneys where I play, or friendlies. I remember a teamn tournament I played, mixed. A girl of our team pulled that one off, EVERYONE heard it, I heard it, and she claimed she didnt touch the ball. Horrific, I didnt care she was on my team, was glad she lost that match. That just makes you a liar, anyone who can support that, is disgraceful; most of the time, if not all the time, the way you handle yourselve in sports you handle yourselve in life. If youre a cheater in a simple game, youre a cheater in life.
Gonzalez is a disgrace if he did that

You'd have to see it. I saw it and I still can't say if it touched the racket, more importantly, if Gonzo felt it.

 

[Atherton2003]

I just posted that in another thread. These types of situations should be settled by replay. If we wanted, we could come up with all types of situations where such things occurred. The point with Gonzo is subjective. We can think he felt it, but we don't know for sure. Huge difference. Whereas with Kiefer it was flagrant. Everybody knows what happened there. That Nadal/Gulbis example was great!

Thanks! I remember that Gulbis/Nadal point where Nadal clearly made the shot and the ump said he double hit it.....Gulbis looked stunned, yet didn't concede the point to Nadal. This was one of the few times that I've ever seen Nadal argue with the ump.....he said a few words like "I can't believe that, I can't believe that"...then he walked back to continue play - and he gets that point out of his head - refocuses - and finds ways to win the match. Granted Blake may have been correct in his estimation of what occured on that point - but 1 point does not make an entire match. He had chances to win - but to gripe about it was ludicrous. I still think a good sportsman should praise his opponent and curse at him under his breath....this whining was not right - and I happen to like Blake too.

 

[TheTruth]

[/B]


So you didnt make the statement that it happens all the time...but your making the statement that it happens all the time?

That was ridiculous for Fernando to not give that point to Blake. It doesn't matter if it happens all the time (as you say)...that is ridiculous and embarrassing. I'm not going to say that his medal should be taken (like will probably happen to the Swedish judo bronze medalist for conduct detrimental to the integrity of the sport) but at the same time that is shockingly poor...I used to like Gonzo...no mas...

It does happen all the time. I didn't say I agreed with it, but I've seen it happen many times. A good example was Atherton's Nadal/Gulbis factoid. How many times have we seen people not concede points? So much so that when a player does give up the point it's regarded as great sportsmanship. Many times players leave it up to the umpire.

So, yes I see it all the time. But nowhere did I say I agreed or disagreed. I simply see it all the time. There's no judgment there. I'm not calling Gulbis a cheat, but I did see what happened.

 

[Toxicmilk]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxCVK0tXwMg

2:32.

 

[TheTruth]

Thanks! I remember that Gulbis/Nadal point where Nadal clearly made the shot and the ump said he double hit it.....Gulbis looked stunned, yet didn't concede the point to Nadal. This was one of the few times that I've ever seen Nadal argue with the ump.....he said a few words like "I can't believe that, I can't believe that"...then he walked back to continue play - and he gets that point out of his head - refocuses - and finds ways to win the match. Granted Blake may have been correct in his estimation of what occured on that point - but 1 point does not make an entire match. He had chances to win - but to gripe about it was ludicrous. I still think a good sportsman should praise his opponent and curse at him under his breath....this whining was not right - and I happen to like Blake too.

Here's another thing. Challenging bad calls is a recent advancement in tennis. For years you had to accept the call whether it was in or out, and they've always made bad calls. I'm not blaming Blake for getting upset if that is indeed what happened, but through the years he should know to erase that point and move on to the next. Dwelling on it may have cost him the match.

 

[Atherton2003]

Here's another thing. Challenging bad calls is a recent advancement in tennis. For years you had to accept the call whether it was in or out, and they've always made bad calls. I'm not blaming Blake for getting upset if that is indeed what happened, but through the years he should know to erase that point and move on to the next. Dwelling on it may have cost him the match.

Yes...agree 100%....my point exactly.

 

[Nadal_Freak]

You just don't hand points to your opponent. That is the umpires duty. Blake has been whining a lot after losses this year so he is a bitter guy afterwards. Gonzo maybe didn't even know it hit part of his racquet.

 

[GraphiteMachete]

Blake was hoping to get one last chance at attention before being washed up. Too bad that he has to get this kind of attention.