United States Thug Association vs NFL

[TimothyO]

For grins I contacted Wilson and USTA PR/press folks about the Williams situation.

Does Wilson intend to continue to sponsor Williams? How far must she go before Wilson cuts its ties? How does the USTA junior development program intend to address threats against officials? Can kids in the 10 and under program threaten parents and coaches with impunity?

Wilson: "I didn't hear about this, what happened?"

USTA: "She did what?"

It was like a Sgt. Schultz act from Hogan's Heroes: "I know NOOOThiiiiinnnng."



Yes, I know how this stuff works and I know the staff have been directed to not comment, but as others have mentioned both Wilson and the USTA are probably hoping the tennis world simply forgets the whole thing. It appears that kendo, in which opponents simulate killing blows with swords, is more genteel than tennis under the USTA!

The problem for parents with kids entering the sport is how do you explain the special traditions of tennis etiquette with thugs like Williams being celebrated by the USTA and corporate sponsors?

Having played football and practiced martial arts the grunting doesn't bother me. You're a human exerting yourself under tremendous force and grunting is naturally part of that exertion. Today's tennis players are very different physically from past players and are expected to play at an astronomical level. In kendo we have soemthing called our kiai or "spirit" demonstrated in a yell and body langauge as we strike an opponent with our shinai (bamboo sword). Returning 100mph shots requires tremendous effort and a grunt seems natural.

But regardless of sport threatening an official should not be tolerated. If an NFL player did what Williams did he'd be ejected from the game. Yet the USTA condones her behavior through their silence.

Who would have thought the NFL would be less tolerant of poor on field behavior while tennis slides towards hockey?!?!

 

[ollinger]

You've played football, a relatively senseless sport in which any number of players have become quadriplegic or demented (now the focus of numerous head trauma lawsuits by former players), and you don't know how to explain tennis to kids??? How about "sometimes people get angry and say things they probably shouldn't say." What else needs to be explained?? Let's not be overly dramatic about AN ARGUMENT. Nobody got hurt, no harm was done. Relax.

 

[nikdom]

You've played football, a relatively senseless sport in which any number of players have become quadriplegic or demented (now the focus of numerous head trauma lawsuits by former players), and you don't know how to explain tennis to kids??? How about "sometimes people get angry and say things they probably shouldn't say." What else needs to be explained?? Let's not be overly dramatic about AN ARGUMENT. Nobody got hurt, no harm was done. Relax.

Verbal abuse is harm done. Just because one does not sustain physical injuries does not mean verbal abuse is "no harm done". I could unload a string of insults directed at you, your family, your profession and upbringing on national television while your near and dear ones are watching and I'm pretty sure someone is going to be upset.

 

[r2473]

You've played football, a relatively senseless sport in which any number of players have become quadriplegic or demented (now the focus of numerous head trauma lawsuits by former players), and you don't know how to explain tennis to kids??? How about "sometimes people get angry and say things they probably shouldn't say." What else needs to be explained?? Let's not be overly dramatic about AN ARGUMENT. Nobody got hurt, no harm was done. Relax.

Verbal abuse is harm done. Just because one does not sustain physical injuries does not mean verbal abuse is "no harm done". I could unload a string of insults directed at you, your family, your profession and upbringing on national television while your near and dear ones are watching and I'm pretty sure someone is going to be upset.

I see a generational gap here.

Amazing how, when people didn't care so much about "verbal abuse" we were generally much nicer to each other.

Today we are all so concerned that someone's feelings might have been hurt and people seem more disrespectful now than ever.

I'm all for going back to the old way when we didn't take every little thing so seriously.

 

[Thrasher]

You've played football, a relatively senseless sport in which any number of players have become quadriplegic or demented (now the focus of numerous head trauma lawsuits by former players), and you don't know how to explain tennis to kids??? How about "sometimes people get angry and say things they probably shouldn't say." What else needs to be explained?? Let's not be overly dramatic about AN ARGUMENT. Nobody got hurt, no harm was done. Relax.

You need get a clue there bro. It's now the 2nd time she made a verbal threat, and she should be suspended for it. It amazes me how people like you can defend thugs like that. It is not good for the sport of Tennis, to have idiots like this showing what a thug she is on the court.

 

[Avles]

The problem for parents with kids entering the sport is how do you explain the special traditions of tennis etiquette with thugs like Williams being celebrated by the USTA and corporate sponsors?

The same way they explained them when McEnroe was routinely abusing umpires, before his ascension to the status of revered elder statesman. Dunlop kept on naming tennis racquets after McEnroe-- and yet tennis survived.

You'd think stuff like this had never happened before. Serena's comments were obnoxious, but some of this handwringing is just absurd.

"Not on 9-11!" "What about tradition!" "Think of the children!" Seriously?

 

[heftylefty]

The same way they explained them when McEnroe was routinely abusing umpires, before his ascension to the status of revered elder statesman. Dunlop kept on naming tennis racquets after McEnroe-- and yet tennis survived.

You'd think stuff like this had never happened before. Serena's comments were obnoxious, but some of this handwringing is just absurd.

"Not on 9-11!" "What about tradition!" "Think of the children!" Seriously?

Wow. A voice a reason @ TTW. Who would have thought?

 

[sureshs]

Wilson made an ad based on the Serena FF incident. They are probably working on one about the latest incident now.