Why is Laver being such a hater?

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Why is Laver being such a grouch?

Australian tennis greats have praised the efforts of Bernard Tomic at the season's opening grand slam with Rod Laver saying the 18-year-old had "embarrassed" Rafael Nadal in their third-round clash.

Two-time junior grand slam champion Tomic pushed the world No.1 over three sets at the Australian Open on Saturday night, even going to a 4-0 lead in the second set.

It prompted some kind words from Laver and Roy Emerson at the G'Day USA Ball in Los Angeles.

"At 18 he's really showing a lot of class," Laver said.

"I watched him play Nadal and he showed some good form all the way through.

"He wasn't embarrassed playing Nadal and I think Nadal was a little embarrassed with what Tomic had done to him."

Emerson said the world No.199 had the potential to be among the top players on the tour.

"Nadal seemed to be a little worried particularly in the second set with the change of pace that young Bernard was doing and it was upsetting the rhythm of Nadal," Emerson said.

"I think he has a great future and if he keeps in shape I can't see why he can't get in the top 10 in a couple of years."

Meanwhile Emerson joined Laver in talking down the importance of Rafael Nadal's bid for a non-calendar grand slam.

A win at Melbourne Park would see the Spaniard holding the four major titles at the same time in what pundits are dubbing the 'Rafa slam'.

But Emerson said Nadal must win the Australian, French, Wimbledon and the US titles in a calendar year for it to rate as a true grand slam.

Laver won calendar year grand slams in 1962 and 1969 and has been vocal about Nadal's need to hold the four majors in the same year.

Another retired tennis great, Andre Agassi, presented Emerson with his award at the G'Day Ball and took a less hardline approach.

Agassi was full of praise for Nadal's ability to be close to claiming the four majors at the same time.

"To own all of them is quite an amazing accomplishment," the American said.

"To get them all in the same year is slightly more amazing. I don't know how you want to call it, but what he is doing is incredible."
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Like I get that he's arguing that it's not a true grand slam, and that's true, but no one is calling it that. Four in a row is impressive, regardless.

About the bolded part, how exactly did he "embarrass" Nadal? Nadal took him out in straights. He came back and won the 2nd from being down 4-0. Tomic held up well, and props to him for that, but I'd hardly say Nadal was embarrassed.
 
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meg0529 said:
Like I get that he's arguing that it's not a true grand slam, and that's true, but no one is calling it that. Four in a row is impressive, regardless.

About the bolded part, how exactly did he "embarrass" Nadal? Nadal took him out in straights. He came back and won the 2nd from being down 4-0. Tomic held up well, and props to him for that, but I'd hardly say Nadal was embarrassed.
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Australian tennis needs a bit of life thrust back into it and this tomic kid is all they got basically. It's normal to hype him up, especially since he took it to Nadal. Of course, no one in the australian press will talk about Nadal's illness cause it will make the ozzie's feat(of having a double break up on the nr.1) less impressive.

Regardless of Laver's comments, Tomic has some game but more important, he has balls. Embarrassment is a big word when you are straight setted by a ill opponent but hey, maybe it was a slip by laver.
 
I'm not sure why he's being a hater, but he has had this particular record for a long time. Others have won them over their career, but if Rafa won, his would be in succession.

Humanly, I guess it would be hard to let go of such a sterling achievement, and like other greats, as the time nears they usually come out in the press and speak against it.

However, I'll go with the ITF who obviously sees no distinction, unlike "traditionalists."

While most traditionalists insist that only winning all four in the same year can be regarded as a Grand Slam, the constitution of the International Tennis Federation, the sport's governing body, says that simply holding the four titles at the same time is good enough.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-prepares-for-mission-impossible-2185704.html
 
^^
What he said wasn't that harsh for you to call him a hater, and warrant for a separate thread. You are too sensitive.

This is more of attacking laver's character rather than defending rafa. I'm sure some laver's fans in here will back him up.
 
TheTruth said:
I'm not sure why he's being a hater, but he has had this particular record for a long time. Others have won them over their career, but if Rafa won, his would be in succession.

Humanly, I guess it would be hard to let go of such a sterling achievement, and like other greats, as the time nears they usually come out in the press and speak against it.

However, I'll go with the ITF who obviously sees no distinction, unlike "traditionalists."

While most traditionalists insist that only winning all four in the same year can be regarded as a Grand Slam, the constitution of the International Tennis Federation, the sport's governing body, says that simply holding the four titles at the same time is good enough.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-prepares-for-mission-impossible-2185704.html
Click to expand...

And the Australian Open website (the AO is of course organised by the ITF) says that simply winning the Australian Open is good enough to be called a Grand Slam.
 
namelessone said:
Australian tennis needs a bit of life thrust back into it and this tomic kid is all they got basically. It's normal to hype him up, especially since he took it to Nadal. Of course, no one in the australian press will talk about Nadal's illness cause it will make the ozzie's feat(of having a double break up on the nr.1) less impressive.

Regardless of Laver's comments, Tomic has some game but more important, he has balls. Embarrassment is a big word when you are straight setted by a ill opponent but hey, maybe it was a slip by laver.
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Embarrassment? Did he really say that?

How is it embarrassing to go down 0-4 and then come roaring back to win 6 of the next 7 games to wrap up the set?

OK, guess I won't be giving any credence to anything Laver says. In fact, his "cygs" was done on two surfaces. Nadal (if he does it) will be done on three in the modern era. These past pros need to get over it. Records are meant to be broken.

As they see young up and comers rising to the challenge, they should prepare themselves better for what might come and avoid looking spiteful.
 
Rippy said:
And the Australian Open website (the AO is of course organised by the ITF) says that simply winning the Australian Open is good enough to be called a Grand Slam.
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I just think this holding onto achievements and trying to guard them is ridiculous. Most records are going to be broken at some point. No matter how good Rafa and Fed are, someone's going to come along in the future and eclipse them.

I really hope RN and RF do not come out many years from now talking such garbage. They've had wonderful careers, made boatloads of money, and garnered international love, respect, and success. Why isn't that enough?
 
TMF said:
^^
What he said wasn't that harsh for you to call him a hater, and warrant for a separate thread. You are too sensitive.

This is more of attacking laver's character rather than defending rafa. I'm sure some laver's fans in here will back him up.
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Fine, a grouch then. I'm not attacking his character, it's just how does it make sense to say that? I don't know if he's insecure, or it's quoted out of context. But players like him, who are held in such high regard, should not come down to pettiness.
 
Lol , Laver a newbie at trolling :)

LaverGOAT

Join Date: 23.01.2011
Location: 2 Grand Slams
Posts: 1

LaverGOAT : Nadal was a little embarrassed with what Tomic had done to him!

Poll: After this embarrassment, should Rafa Slam be regarded a true Grand Slam?
1) No
2) Other, but untrue answer. Pls specify to be ridiculed.
 
Aww all you Rafapompoms, you liked Laver when he said something favorable for Rafa then this, he becomes a hater, a grouch , blah bleh blah. Just go back to your Nadal news thread so you can get a group hug.
 
billnepill said:
Lol , Laver a newbie at trolling :)

LaverGOAT

Join Date: 23.01.2011
Location: 2 Grand Slams
Posts: 1

LaverGOAT : Nadal was a little embarrassed with what Tomic had done to him!

Poll: After this embarrassment, should Rafa Slam be regarded a true Grand Slam?
1) No
2) Other, but untrue answer. Pls specify to be ridiculed.
Click to expand...

MDR19.gif
I'm still laughing.

More seriously, I've no problem with what Laver said. Traditionally, the Grand Slam is the Calendar Slam. And I expect a player of that generation to be a traditionalist... Especially if he's the last one to have achieved that. ;-)
His comment about the match against Tomic has more to do with the nationality. He tries to empasize a compatriot's "achievement " ("") and his chances to become a great player. A little bit like Borg and Wilander with Söderling.
That being said, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that he doesn't like Nadal. Not only him, but also Rosewall and all those "old legends". Every former player tends to think "It was better before" and Nadal's game style has nothing to do with the game they used to play.
 
I'm ambivalent about Nadal, but I didn't see him get embarassed by Tomic. Nadal looked like he was laboring a bit more than usual, that's all I saw. Regardless of that, I think that is what makes Nadal so good. He adjusts in big tournaments and big matches, better than anyone.
 
reversef said:
MDR19.gif
I'm still laughing.

More seriously, I've no problem with what Laver said. Traditionally, the Grand Slam is the Calendar Slam. And I expect a player of that generation to be a traditionalist... Especially if he's the last one to have achieved that. ;-)
His comment about the match against Tomic has more to do with the nationality. He tries to empasize a compatriot's "achievement " ("") and his chances to become a great player. A little bit like Borg and Wilander with Söderling.
That being said, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that he doesn't like Nadal. Not only him, but also Rosewall and all those "old legends". Every former player tends to think "It was better before" and Nadal's game style has nothing to do with the game they used to play.
Click to expand...

I basically agree with what you are saying. People forget that someone is asking Laver and Emerson these questions, putting them on the spot. Its not like they are McEnroe, chasing down reporters to give them a sound bite. But like you said, its also an up and coming countryman at the Australian Open. They're just giving support.

I'm sure those guys weren't too hot on Borg and Connors when their "radical" games hit the pro tour, and were effective against the old guard Australians.
 
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Rod Laver has been my idol since i grew up watching him. I think if there is one constant with Rod Laver, win or lose, is that he is a class act. I have a hard time thinking that pettiness is in his character. By definition a grand slam is winning all 4 slams in a calendar year. Pretty simple. Laver was sharing the definition of Grand slam and it seems the press smelled blood and proceeded to speculate on the meaning of all this. Not really an issue. A Grand Slam is a Grand Slam. 4 Slams in a row is 4 slams in a row.
 
rommil said:
Aww all you Rafapompoms, you liked Laver when he said something favorable for Rafa then this, he becomes a hater, a grouch , blah bleh blah. Just go back to your Nadal news thread so you can get a group hug.
Click to expand...

LOL, best reply!
 
Laver a "hater" (pre-edit) or "grouch"? Where? He praised Tomic and noted that Nadal may have been a little embarassed going down 4-0 to a junior. Seems like awfully mild stuff. Laver generally comports himself with humility; the press will pull quotes out of context, trying to make it look like Laver was being hard on Nadal, often not printing the half dozen things he may have said praising him. Unless an entire interview is printed, be skeptical about the press.
 
it's really hard to get context from texts for interviews. you never get the sincerity you would from the tone of voice to see if they are being really harsh or sarcastic. if you have a video of the interview that would be great.

going by text alone though, sounds like hatin' to me. embarassing rafa... if he's suppose to be a top ten player in a few years he better be able take a lead in match from a top ten player. some people that want to hate on tomic can easily say that tomic is the one that should be embarassed for losing a 4-0 lead, that he is a mental midget and will never be a top player because of it. see wasn't that easy.
 
ollinger said:
Laver a "hater" (pre-edit) or "grouch"? Where? He praised Tomic and noted that Nadal may have been a little embarassed going down 4-0 to a junior. Seems like awfully mild stuff. Laver generally comports himself with humility; the press will pull quotes out of context, trying to make it look like Laver was being hard on Nadal, often not printing the half dozen things he may have said praising him. Unless an entire interview is printed, be skeptical about the press.
Click to expand...

This.

Clearly Laver was saying that Nadal was a little embaressed by his match with Tomic, which he should be. Going 4-0 down to an 18 year old in the 3rd round of a grand slam? As the world #1? Obviously its a little bit shameful.
 
come now 199 ranked vs no.1 ranked and 4-0 up in the second set. Not many can do that especially from a guy of Tomic's standing... After match interview Rafa was thinking about how to equalize a set in the third. Many were just betting how many games Tomic could get let alone the remote possibility of winning a set off Rafa..
 
Did I miss something here? Didn't Nadal straight set the kid?

Perhaps a triple bagel would have been the only thing that wouldn't have been "embarassing" for Nadal?
 
The insecurity from some fans is staggering.

Oh noes an old Aussie legend is giving an endorsement to a new young Aussie player, by saying that he performed well and that at one point his oppponent might have even been a little embarassed after initially going down 4-0 in a set to him (given his fledgling status).

Such a travesty, how dare he compliment his countryman
 
Laver is grouchy because Nadal didn't initiate the effort to start Rally for Relief for the flooded area where Rocket is from. He thought that Rafa would have been content not doing anything for it until somebody else did. Could that be what's making him a grouchy hater?
 
President said:
This.

Clearly Laver was saying that Nadal was a little embaressed by his match with Tomic, which he should be. Going 4-0 down to an 18 year old in the 3rd round of a grand slam? As the world #1? Obviously its a little bit shameful.
Click to expand...
I don't see why. Nadal beat the number one when he was 17. Chang won RG at that age.
Hein28.gif

Nadal didn't even lose a set against that 18 year old.
 
Because Nadal's style is not "traditional", when Federer was winning everything Laver only had good words for him, praising him, saying he would win the Grand Slam for sure, etc. Now that Nadal is on top and has won 3 slams in a row, Laver's showing his true colours.
 
doesn't matter, it isn't a grand slam. It only is if it is one calendar year, without that one month off-season.

Plus, Rafa's not gonna win it
 
Xemi666 said:
Because Nadal's style is not "traditional", when Federer was winning everything Laver only had good words for him, praising him, saying he would win the Grand Slam for sure, etc. Now that Nadal is on top and has won 3 slams in a row, Laver's showing his true colours.
Click to expand...

Which is what, saying that which he's always said? that the true grand slam is a CYGS? He's been saying that right from the beginning



Seriously, this thread is kinda foolish. He has a right to his opinion, far more than any of us, and I can see what he's saying "little embarrassed" I'd be embarrassed if i was down 0-4 against a man ranked 198 positions below me.. that's what he meant. You guys seriously need to chill out, there's no hating going on here, and all of you saying Tomic should be embarrassed because he blew a 4 game lead, well I have to say this: SHOULD he have been able to win that set against what you all claim is the GOAT, ranked 198 positions above him? would that really be embarrassing to lose that lead? seriously? I would have expected Nadal to win a easy set 6-2 or 6-3, not have to fight back from 4 games down. likewise, I also wouldn't be all that surprised if an 18 year old in the biggest match of his young career gave away such a lead..

Stop trolling so much, its not terribly flattering to see you crying so much.
 
Tomic should be embarrassed at how he played his next 2 service games after being up 4-0. Total choke fest. Almost as bad as Fed against Nadal on clay in 2008 at Montecarlo or Hamburg. Not as bad because Fed should have known better being #1 while Tomic has #199 ranking as an excuse. Still pretty embarrassing.
 
My... the lower points that nards reach...

blasting none other than Rod Laver for not sucking on Ralphs teats...

we reach a new low
 
Xemi666 said:
Because Nadal's style is not "traditional", when Federer was winning everything Laver only had good words for him, praising him, saying he would win the Grand Slam for sure, etc. Now that Nadal is on top and has won 3 slams in a row, Laver's showing his true colours.
Click to expand...

What "true colours"?
 
Gorecki said:
My... the lower points that nards reach...

blasting none other than Rod Laver for not sucking on Ralphs teats...

we reach a new low
Click to expand...

well Rafa doesn't have any b@!!s to $\/(|(, does he? :lol:

@all *******s, Why should Tomic be embarrassed? That Nadal rallied to beat him when Nadal is the #1 and, as all you *******s proclaim, will be the first man since Laver to hold all four titles?

I'm confused why someone who is sooo great can't come back from 0-4 to a rookie, or why he'd even be down that far in the first place :roll:
 
When Laver won the grand slam, 3 of the 4 majors where on grass, if Nadal completes the "Rafa Slam" it's a way bigger achievement.

Players who are greater than Laver:

Roger Federer
Pete Sampras
Bjorn Borg
Rafael Nadal
Andre Agassi(maybe)
 
nadavidal said:
Calendar Slam on grass & clay < Non-calendar Slam on hard & grass & clay

Ha ha!
Click to expand...

Says a *******. I still think Lavers 2 CYGS's will trump Nadal's potential 1 non CYGS.

Rafa's got a long way to go before he's overtaken Laver. A long way, indeed.
 
Rod must respect Rafa's game, but he may not admire it. Rod controlled the ball with greater variety but less powerfully while Rafa controls the ball more powerfully with less variety. I give Rafa much respect, for the results he gets from his game, but I have trouble admiring his game because his rallies are boring: a few heavy topspin groundstrokes followed by a deep low slice to coax an error==" boring," but this gets Rafa results. It really is boring to me, though...it's like, if he can't move you out of position within five or six heavy topspin strokes, then he's going to throw you a heavy slice stroke...he does not even need to hit flat because he hits with heavy spin more powerfully than anyone else out there, and this renders his game--to my eye--less diverse somehow, and less enjoyable to watch. But there's no doubting that his game deserves much respect for its effectiveness.
 
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SBD said:
When Laver won the grand slam, 3 of the 4 majors where on grass, if Nadal completes the "Rafa Slam" it's a way bigger achievement.

Players who are greater than Laver:

Roger Federer
Pete Sampras
Bjorn Borg
Rafael Nadal
Andre Agassi(maybe)
Click to expand...

out of those only Federer maybe, but Laver is undisputed top 3 since the dawn of tennis
 
SBD said:
When Laver won the grand slam, 3 of the 4 majors where on grass, if Nadal completes the "Rafa Slam" it's a way bigger achievement.

Players who are greater than Laver:

Roger Federer
Pete Sampras
Bjorn Borg
Rafael Nadal
Andre Agassi(maybe)
Click to expand...
lolwut_RE_America_is_Retarded-s533x594-102700.jpg
 
Hahaha, old man Rocket goes from a GOAT legend to a hating , grouchy doosh........ somewhere in Newport they are taking down all his trophies and memorabilia .
 
lol. Only because it's about Nadal he's a hater. I rarely see u Nadal fans calling other former pros haters when they put down Federer.
 
Bud said:
Seriously... if the tour was clay and grass Nadal would have already bypassed Laver's 2 CYGS's.
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Riiiight. Nadal would win the USO and AO on the same grasscourts laver won his on..

You *******s are getting more delusional every day.. Next it will be Nadal would win every title if he was healthy.. Even though he doesnt..

The trolling on this board has reached new lows of intelligence.
 
Bud said:
If he really said that he's a complete dooshbag. Sometimes, it's better for these so-called 'legends' to just go away and leave the mystique of their legacy instead of opening their traps.
Bottom line is Nadal was clearly not playing at 100% and still got it done in straight sets.
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I agree. It's not just Laver, it's anyone whose time has come and gone. Let it go, and leave the children (or what should be children to you) alone.

A cygs on two surfaces is not as impressive as winning on different sources. I wish they would stop giving him so much credit for an "amatuer" cygs anyway. That makes no sense at all. That would be similar to counting today's junior career, wouldn't it?

If that's the case why don't we bring back Helen Moody and Margaret Court. I hope the ladies aren't engaging in this, (what appears to be) bitterness.
 
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