Would Federer be defaulted at Wimbledon if...

[rrhstennis]

Somebody suggested this poll, and I'm interested to see what you all think.

One of the most successful players ever to play at Wimbledon, and quite possibly the most talented. So, the question is:

If Roger Federer walked on Centre Court at Wimbledon this year in a red shirt, would he be defaulted? Why or why not? Is he just good enough that they "can't" throw him out, or would he just be another player.

I'm not sure, but I would point out that he cussed, loudly, on national TV and the chair umpire laughed. This could be a different case altogether though.

 

[OrangeOne]

Somebody suggested this poll...

Me! . I'm amused that you could remember the colour of the shirt I suggested for the poll, but not my name!

Anyways - I voted Yes, as I said I would. Federer is subject to the same rules as the rest of the players, and there's no way W, of all of the tournaments, would allow one man to be seen as bigger than the institution.

 

[rrhstennis]

Me! . I'm amused that you could remember the colour of the shirt I suggested for the poll, but not my name!

Anyways - I voted Yes, as I said I would. Federer is subject to the same rules as the rest of the players, and there's no way W, of all of the tournaments, would allow one man to be seen as bigger than the institution.

Haha I knew who you were! I'm not sure why I didn't use your name - it might come from the fact that at school when I hear something about work due or anything like that I just say "somebody said" this, because if you don't, somebody always ends up pissed off when it's wrong

I think I agree with you, but I'm waiting to see what other people vote for.

 

[scineram]

there's no way W, of all of the tournaments, would allow one man to be seen as bigger than the institution.

Yes, and so be it.

 

[lorenza]

i cant see fed doing this ever, but hed be thrown out if he were crazy enough to do it

 

[OrangeOne]

Yes, and so be it.

Completely! Too many athletes are seen as gods thesedays, and in reality, they're very very highly paid entertainers.

(Pls don't think I don't admire the genius that is Roger Federer, I do. I have never seen anyone play our game better. But it doesn't mean I think W would see him as bigger than the tournament).

 

[adlis]

He is too big to defaulted. imagine the uproar by (insert anything here)

The news would go BONG car bomb goes of in iraq killing.......
BONG tennis star is kicked out of winbledoon for wearing a blue top.


Come on guy in THIS world it world never happen.

But federer would NEVER do this anyway so its just a TW fantasy

But it doesn't mean I think W would see him as bigger than the tournament

lets talk about technicalities here. Theoretically IF he did get defaulted no top player would play either because the championship would be a complete farce. NO players=no money=bow down to the demands of the people

Wimbledon isn't a communist power. One man/woman has the power to end this ancient 1870's rule for good.

 

[OrangeOne]

He is too big to defaulted. imagine the uproar by (insert anything here)

The news would go BONG car bomb goes of in iraq killing.......
BONG tennis star is kicked out of winbledoon for wearing a blue top.


Come on guy in THIS world it world nver happen.

You're pretending that rules don't exist. They're rules, they've been rules for as long as Wimbledon has existed.

Have you been to Wimbledon? Sat in a seat on centre court? It's a very different experience to any other tennis tournament. Almost no sponsors signs to be seen. So much quieter than any other tournament. The players are Mr & Ms. Oh - and the players wear white. It's just one of those things. You never see the players who don't wear white, because they're not playing....

 

[maverick66]

he would be told very fast to change and he would because he loves wimbledon so much. he always says how much he loves it.

 

[Nick Irons]

Of course he would

Roger is not bigger than the Championships. To think he could have that power is comical

Anyone remeber (Doubt it) McEnroe being thrown out of the Australian Open ?

 

[adlis]

he would be told very fast to change and he would because he loves wimbledon so much. he always says how much he loves it.

Lol roger federer doesn't have the will to cause a stir anyway.
We just used federer as a example because he is such a massive influence on Wimbledon's profits

 

[adlis]

Of course he would

Roger is not bigger than the Chapionships. To think he could have that power is comical

Anyone remeber (Doubt it) McEnroe being thrown out of the Australian Open ?

(without sounding like a a** kisser) Thank you,

 

[ibemadskillzz]

this is a dumb question. because it's not possible. If someone wears a red shirt, the tournament director, will say, please take it off and put on white before they are thrown off the court. WTF you crazy

 

[OrangeOne]

Of course he would

Roger is not bigger than the Chapionships. To think he could have that power is comical

Anyone remeber (Doubt it) McEnroe being thrown out of the Australian Open ?

I certainly do remember it. I've quoted it on these boards before. The default rules changed from 4 'warnings' to 3, and Mc didn't know. He did his usual trick of pushing almost to the edge, but someone moved the edge and didn't tell him. Defaulted. Massive news indeed, but it did happen.

(without sounding like a a** kisser) Thank you,

Errr, adlis, I'm not sure that you understood that Nick is on the OTHER side of the debate to you?

 

[Sagittar]

i cant see fed doing this ever, but hed be thrown out if he were crazy enough to do it

that's exactly what i think too , he won't ever even think about it because he's one of the most gentlmen sportsmen there is in tennis ..
but if he theoritically considers it i think he will be kicked out in a heartbeat !
no one is above the rules even if it's roger federer ...

 

[psp2]

Ugggghhh, I'm such an idiot for reading this moronic thread....

 

[adlis]

this is a dumb question. because it's not possible. If someone wears a red shirt, the tournament director, will say, please take it off and put on white before they are thrown off the court. WTF you crazy

if he doesnt take his shirt off?

 

[adlis]

I certainly do remember it. I've quoted it on these boards before. The default rules changed from 4 'warnings' to 3, and Mc didn't know. He did his usual trick of pushing almost to the edge, but someone moved the edge and didn't tell him. Defaulted. Massive news indeed, but it did happen.



Errr, adlis, I'm not sure that you understood that Nick is on the OTHER side of the debate to you?

err i said thanks for making A VALID reason unlike the other posters that derail the thread

 

[adlis]

that's exactly what i think too , he won't ever even think about it because he's one of the most gentlmen sportsmen there is in tennis ..
but if he theoritically considers it i think he will be kicked out in a heartbeat !
no one is above the rules even if it's roger federer ...

he was chosen as theodical example due to his god status, we could chose Pete sampras but he retired eons ago.

If a 150 ranked player did that no one would care would they?

 

[catspaw]

Of course he would

Roger is not bigger than the Chapionships. To think he could have that power is comical

Anyone remeber (Doubt it) McEnroe being thrown out of the Australian Open ?

McEnroe was also sent off to change at Wimbledon for coming on to court wearing black shorts. He did as he was told without a murmur as I remember.

 

[adlis]

McEnroe was also sent off to change at Wimbledon for coming on to court wearing black shorts. He did as he was told without a murmur as I remember.

he was a wild child wasn't he(!)

the top 20 players could easily threaten a boycott of the championships but james blake being the president of the players union would NEVER allow it.

 

[OrangeOne]

the top 20 players could easily threaten a boycott of the championships but james blake being the president of the players union would NEVER allow it.

Why do you keep saying 'boycott' and the like? The players aren't complaining, they accept (and in some cases truly embrace) the white-only-policy.

 

[adlis]

Why do you keep saying 'boycott' and the like? The players aren't complaining, they accept (and in some cases truly embrace) the white-only-policy.

how do you know that they like it? Agassi boycotted because he hated the rule until he needed the cash and caved in.

There are 4 players with power at wimbledon. Tim henman, Andy Murray, Roger [god] federer and maria sharapova. default any one of them and wimbledon loses face/ $10's millions of dollars.

 

[tennis_hand]

throw the thread to the rubbish bin.

 

[adlis]

throw the thread to the rubbish bin.

why because we exercise our rights to air our opinions. People who think he will be defaulted are slightly misguided when it comes to the real world

 

[OrangeOne]

how do you know that they like it? Agassi boycotted because he hated the rule until he needed the cash and caved in.

Hardly anyone (read: almost no-one) skips Wimbledon thesedays, even the clay-courters, many of whom really struggle.

If you really believe that Agassi needed the cash and that's why he played, well, I'm not sure there's many things we can discuss in this area and see eye to eye on!

If the players really dislike the policy (and thus, this isn't just a fan-concept in your head), surely you can find lots of negative comments about it, even little comments here and there? Nope? Because they don't care. Unlike you, they appreciate the tradition and history of the place, and many are just gobsmacked to walk out and play there, at the 'home of lawn tennis'. I imagine for many it's a humbling and amazing experience.

I ask you again: Have you ever been there? Walked out into the centre-court stands even? I grew up as a Lendl fan, and thus never really enjoyed watching Wimbledon, I disliked the tournament even. I walked in the gates, and appreciated the place. You walk around the outside courts - and they're jammed in, as close as at your local courts. It's history, for a large part it hasn't changed in decades. And the players still wear white, as always.

As I walked to my seat in the stands of Centre Court, I was in awe. It's like the biggest lounge-room in the world, it feels so intimate, so personal. It's nothing like the other big stadiums that feel so detached and remote. You know you're seeing a piece of history, and you appreciate the history, the tradition. Maybe one day you'll be able to appreciate the history, the tradition. I can tell you no-one I knew there was saying "gee, this would be so much better if the players were wearing coloured clothes"....

 

[OrangeOne]

why because we exercise our rights to air our opinions. People who think he will be defaulted are slightly misguided when it comes to the real world

Cheap shot Though in reality, I'd like to see the average age of those voting No - I suspect it'd be somewhat less than those voting yes - for many an appreciation of history and tradition is something that comes with time, like an appreciation for red wine....

 

[adlis]

Hardly anyone (read: almost no-one) skips Wimbledon thesedays, even the clay-courters, many of whom really struggle.

If you really believe that Agassi needed the cash and that's why he played, well, I'm not sure there's many things we can discuss in this area and see eye to eye on!

If the players really dislike the policy (and thus, this isn't just a fan-concept in your head), surely you can find lots of negative comments about it, even little comments here and there? Nope? Because they don't care. Unlike you, they appreciate the tradition and history of the place, and many are just gobsmacked to walk out and play there, at the 'home of lawn tennis'. I imagine for many it's a humbling and amazing experience.

I ask you again: Have you ever been there? Walked out into the centre-court stands even? I grew up as a Lendl fan, and thus never really enjoyed watching Wimbledon, I disliked the tournament even. I walked in the gates, and appreciated the place. You walk around the outside courts - and they're jammed in, as close as at your local courts. It's history, for a large part it hasn't changed in decades. And the players still wear white, as always.

As I walked to my seat in the stands of Centre Court, I was in awe. It's like the biggest lounge-room in the world, it feels so intimate, so personal. It's nothing like the other big stadiums that feel so detached and remote. You know you're seeing a piece of history, and you appreciate the history, the tradition. Maybe one day you'll be able to appreciate the history, the tradition. I can tell you no-one I knew there was saying "gee, this would be so much better if the players were wearing coloured clothes"....

Yes of course its tradition Like the high tech Ncoded nano-nonsense areo graphite tennis rackets that can return a 150+ mph ball with ease back towards your opponent , very much like the traditional wood rackets from the good ol days.

Tradition like the tactical game tennis was where a deft touch and ultra high precision with unforgiving wooden racket was king? wheres the wood now?

i bet those camel toe 70's shorts, pirate pants, cut off shirts, revealing dresses and illegal over sized 3 adidas stripes for tim are of course tradition is it not?

Tradition was died the minute the men started to serve overhead.....

 

[tarheels2323]

Anyone remember what McEnroe said in his book? Tournament directors, umpires, and ATP officials just would not default him no matter how crazy he got on the court (he only was ever defaulted once). McEnroe admits that he should have been defaulted hundreds of times and maybe if someone put their foot down early in his career it would have never escalated to what it did. He said that he was almost begging them to throw him out of a match and they wouldn't do it. He was too big a star and too much money was at stake. It's really simple economics. Federer is too big of a star for something like that to get him thrown out of even Wimbledon. The English may like their tradition, but they also like their money. That said, somebody with Federer's respect for the game's history and tradition would never even think about pulling something like this.

 

[adlis]

The rule will change in the next few years that's for certain, any player could take them to the European court of human rights if they got defaulted for wearing a none white outfit anyway.

come to think of it NO PLAYER has actually been defaulted for a non white uniform . and i don't think the organisers would forcibly remove a player from the court unless they wanted a lawsuit on their hands.

 

[OrangeOne]

The rule will change in the next few years that's for certain, any player could take them to the European court of human rights if they got defaulted for wearing a none white outfit anyway.

come to think of it NO PLAYER has actually been defaulted for a non white uniform . and i don't think the organisers would forcibly remove a player from the court unless they wanted a lawsuit on their hands.

When you start bringing up human rights courts, I'm honestly thinking that you're a little too, errrrr, focussed on this issue to see the bigger / real picture. I'll reply in spite of this....

1. Rules only change if there is impetus for them to change. Where's the movement? There is none! Let's go through the interested parties:

a. The AELTC: It's their policy, has been for how many decades now? They clearly like it.
b. Players: I've heard no complaints recently, so they must be OK with it too.
c. Sponsors: Well the clothing companies must love it - they get to market a whole separate range just for those months. Suddenly people buy white, which is often cheaper and easy to design & manufacture. They're probably overjoyed at getting to market a Wimbledon-specific range
d. TV Networks: Can't see that they have an issue.
e. Fans: Most like it or at least don't care either way, in fact, adlis, you're the first I've ever heard be so passionately against it.

2. Whilst I don't know if anyone has or hasn't been defaulted / etc for not wearing predominately white, that's mostly because most want to play, and change when & where they are asked. Given I'm sure it's part of the rules of the club / complex / AELTC - I'm sure they're well within their rights to control what players wear. Every other slam does to some degree (sponsored clothing, hats, etc etc).

3. You keep avoiding my question in regards to have you actually been there? I will repeat, again, it's an amazing experience. Unlike any other tennis experience I've seen. I've been to three of the slams, and it's so far different to the FO & AO I can't even describe it! I'd hope no-one, certainly not a tennis player / fan of the game, would ever walk away from a day at Wimbledon and say "well it was terrible because the players didn't wear coloured clothing".

 

[adlis]

When you start bringing up human rights courts, I'm honestly thinking that you're a little too, errrrr, focussed on this issue to see the bigger / real picture. I'll reply in spite of this....

1. Rules only change if there is impetus for them to change. Where's the movement? There is none! Let's go through the interested parties:

a. The AELTC: It's their policy, has been for how many decades now? They clearly like it.
b. Players: I've heard no complaints recently, so they must be OK with it too.
c. Sponsors: Well the clothing companies must love it - they get to market a whole separate range just for those months. Suddenly people buy white, which is often cheaper and easy to design & manufacture. They're probably overjoyed at getting to market a Wimbledon-specific range
d. TV Networks: Can't see that they have an issue.
e. Fans: Most like it or at least don't care either way, in fact, adlis, you're the first I've ever heard be so passionately against it.

2. Whilst I don't know if anyone has or hasn't been defaulted / etc for not wearing predominately white, that's mostly because most want to play, and change when & where they are asked. Given I'm sure it's part of the rules of the club / complex / AELTC - I'm sure they're well within their rights to control what players wear. Every other slam does to some degree (sponsored clothing, hats, etc etc).

3. You keep avoiding my question in regards to have you actually been there? I will repeat, again, it's an amazing experience. Unlike any other tennis experience I've seen. I've been to three of the slams, and it's so far different to the FO & AO I can't even describe it! I'd hope no-one, certainly not a tennis player / fan of the game, would ever walk away from a day at Wimbledon and say "well it was terrible because the players didn't wear coloured clothing".

My gripe with the uniform is the origins in the 1870's. Tennis was a elitist sport a status symbol for the select few, the upper classes of society. Whilst the working classes were ultra poor with squalid living conditions where disease and poverty was the norm whilst the rich snobs could ponce around in their shiny clean white clothes and "play their posh members only sport".
Fast forward to 2007 the world is a different place, tennis is played worldwide players emerge from poverty to become millionaires but the reminder that they are still a inferior 2nd class citizen remains if the white-only rule is still in effect.

If it was a private club then fine the posh fools can do what they like with their obsolete and crazy rules but this is a grand slam on a worldwide scale participated by players from all corners of the globe. Why does a culture/lifestyle only attainable by .04% of the English population be forced upon wta/ATP/itf junior players(and broardcasted worldwide) who dont want to be told during practice to change their socks becase they are blue by an out of touch english fart f?!.

I prommise you the rule will change but it depends on who has the backbone to stand up for what they belive in first.

 

[The Grand Slam]

BONG tennis star is kicked out of winbledoon for wearing a blue top.

HAHAHHHAHAHA LMFAO bong.

 

[adlis]

HAHAHHHAHAHA LMFAO bong.

not the reply i was expecting but entertaining nonetheless.

 

[OrangeOne]

Tennis was a elitist sport

In some ways it still is, but still, your point is correct. It was a very elitist sport.

worldwide players emerge from poverty to become millionaires

Not that many. Sure - maybe a dozen or two a year, but we're not talking about enough to shift the class divide or anything.

but the reminder that they are still a inferior 2nd class citizen remains if the white-only rule is still in effect.

I don't see it that way, I'm not sure many do. Almost anyone in western society can afford some white clothes and a washing machine.

I prommise you the rule will change but it depends on who has the backbone to stand up for what they belive in first.

Again, here's the problem. You're the first, and so far, the only person I've met in 25 years of playing tennis who thinks like this. It's not like the equal prizemoney thing that gets debated each year. People like white. For it to change will take many, many people in many high places, and even then. White at W is so entrenched that I can see people getting kicked out the of the AELTC comittee or whatever for even considering it!

Oh - and I take it from you skipping a direct question three times over that you haven't been to Wimbledon. Go someday if you can, and if you're a tennis fan, you'll have one of the best days of your life. Focus on the yellow ball being hit between the white lines by amazing players, notice that you're surrounded by everyone from rich to poor, and forget about the class divide. You'll have a ball...

 

[The Grand Slam]

not the reply i was expecting but entertaining nonetheless.

Oh, puh-lease. It was GOING to happen.

Noun

bong (bongs)
1. A clang of a large bell
2. Door bell chimes
3. A vessel, usually made of glass or ceramic and filled with water, used in smoking various substances; esp. marijuana

 

[dh003i]

The rule will change in the next few years that's for certain, any player could take them to the European court of human rights if they got defaulted for wearing a none white outfit anyway.

come to think of it NO PLAYER has actually been defaulted for a non white uniform . and i don't think the organisers would forcibly remove a player from the court unless they wanted a lawsuit on their hands.

What human rights violation? Wimbledon is private property. The owners have the God given right to set the rules on their property. If players don't like it, they can get the hell off the property, and Wimbledon officials have every rights to forcibly escort them off as trespassers if they don't want to go voluntarily.

What is so difficult to understand about that? Are you some kind of pinko socialist?

Talk about a lack of respect for private property. Next thing, you'll be telling me who I can and can't let in my own house.

 

[Nick Irons]

McEnroe was also sent off to change at Wimbledon for coming on to court wearing black shorts. He did as he was told without a murmur as I remember.

Now that, I do not recall ! Nice point.

 

[deucecourt]

Fed should have been tossed for wearing that cream colored jacket.

 

[ATXtennisaddict]

Somebody suggested this poll, and I'm interested to see what you all think.

One of the most successful players ever to play at Wimbledon, and quite possibly the most talented. So, the question is:

If Roger Federer walked on Centre Court at Wimbledon this year in a red shirt, would he be defaulted? Why or why not? Is he just good enough that they "can't" throw him out, or would he just be another player.

I'm not sure, but I would point out that he cussed, loudly, on national TV and the chair umpire laughed. This could be a different case altogether though.

Except Roger Federer has too much respect for Wimbledon and its tradition to wear anything other than what is required.

 

[rrhstennis]

I agree with the fact that the thought of doing this would never even cross Fed's mind. That's why the question is completely hypothetical

And I'm enjoying the responses...

 

[malakas]

damn it we got mtf polls here now?

 

[a guy]

This thread is the dumbest thing i've ever read.

Federer wouldn't even go against the tradition, nor would any other player. So why even bother discussing it.

 

[Eviscerator]

:roll:

This is an absurd poll/thread in that it makes no sense. If the rules are that players wear mostly white and they do not, they will in essence default them selves. So if Federer or any player shows up with a red shirt and refuses to change it he will wind up defaulting himself if he refused to comply.

 

[OrangeOne]

:roll:

This is an absurd poll/thread in that it makes no sense. If the rules are that players wear mostly white and they do not, they will in essence default them selves. So if Federer or any player shows up with a red shirt and refuses to change it he will wind up defaulting himself if he refused to comply.

I agree with the defaulting himself. The poll does make sense, however, as it is simply examining what people feel is the strength of W rules / the power of the key players...

This debate was sidetracking another thread was that Fed could get away with whatever, hence the poll. I'm remarkably surprised it's even 60/40, I think that '40%' shows how many people either think Fed is a God, or have no appreciation for the history & tradition at wimbledon.

 

[retrowagen]

I think some of the respondants to this thread just don't get it.

First, there's the practical side to consider: the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), Wimbledon, London SW19, is a private tennis club. The "predominantly white" uniform rule is a strict rule that shows respect for the institution and the history of the sport. This rule is in effect for all who play at the Club during all days of the year, not just during the Champoinships fortnight. If you don't abide by the dress rules (which have been made more lax in the last two decades, by the way), you won't play there. Simple as that. When an infraction is noticed, the Club Chairman is dispatched to ask the offender to change, out of respect for the club rules. In a few instances, ignorant (or slightly rebellious) pros have had to change during the Championships, and they did - because they all have to admit that Wimbledon is special. It's the pinnacle of the sport, the most prestigious and historic of all tennis tournaments in the world. Even setting foot on the club grounds is special - so imagine finding yourself in the main draw for the Championships! Only 128 play in each singles draw. The tournament doesn't owe anyone anything.

Historically, we've seen some talented players skip the Championships because they may have thought they were bigger than the Championships. The early "Image is Everything" Agassi sticks out in this regard as an immature guy who didn't want to take part. He later matured and admittted his attitude in those early years was wrong.

The generally immature can be forgiven for thinking anything not "cutting edge" or "extreme" or "progressive" is bad. But these "archaic" institutions and events serve a purpose - they help us understand how we fit into history and how we stack up against the character and resolve of those who have gone before us. Hopefully none of our generations will ever be remembered as the "Generation Who Gave The Finger to History." Very shortsighted. Very selfish, too.

FWIW, in the mid-1980s, I spent summers in London, actually living about 3 miles from Wimbledon (in SW14), playing junior tournaments. Everyone dreamt of playing at Wimbledon, and for the most part, the clubs we played tournaments in all over England had a "predominantly white attire" rule. No big deal. Later in life, I would notice at the best restaurants, I couldn't get in without a suit and tie on! Unfair? No, that was merely part of the price of admission, and served not as a tool of the elitist, so much as a tangible way to show respect for the other patrons and the atmosphere of the restaurant. I would sometimes later eat in other establishments for a nice meal, where a guy would come in wearing sweats and a T-shirt, or something like that, and wreck the ambience. He may as well have been at McDonald's. Point is, to extend the analogy, Wimbledon isn't McDonald's. It's Dinner at the White House, The Vatican, Buckingham Palace, and Casino Royale, all rolled into one.

 

[adlis]

I think some of the respondants to this thread just don't get it.

First, there's the practical side to consider: the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), Wimbledon, London SW19, is a private tennis club. The "predominantly white" uniform rule is a strict rule that shows respect for the institution and the history of the sport. This rule is in effect for all who play at the Club during all days of the year, not just during the Champoinships fortnight. If you don't abide by the dress rules (which have been made more lax in the last two decades, by the way), you won't play there. Simple as that. When an infraction is noticed, the Club Chairman is dispatched to ask the offender to change, out of respect for the club rules. In a few instances, ignorant (or slightly rebellious) pros have had to change during the Championships, and they did - because they all have to admit that Wimbledon is special. It's the pinnacle of the sport, the most prestigious and historic of all tennis tournaments in the world. Even setting foot on the club grounds is special - so imagine finding yourself in the main draw for the Championships! Only 128 play in each singles draw. The tournament doesn't owe anyone anything.

Historically, we've seen some talented players skip the Championships because they may have thought they were bigger than the Championships. The early "Image is Everything" Agassi sticks out in this regard as an immature guy who didn't want to take part. He later matured and admittted his attitude in those early years was wrong.

The generally immature can be forgiven for thinking anything not "cutting edge" or "extreme" or "progressive" is bad. But these "archaic" institutions and events serve a purpose - they help us understand how we fit into history and how we stack up against the character and resolve of those who have gone before us. Hopefully none of our generations will ever be remembered as the "Generation Who Gave The Finger to History." Very shortsighted. Very selfish, too.

FWIW, in the mid-1980s, I spent summers in London, actually living about 3 miles from Wimbledon (in SW14), playing junior tournaments. Everyone dreamt of playing at Wimbledon, and for the most part, the clubs we played tournaments in all over England had a "predominantly white attire" rule. No big deal. Later in life, I would notice at the best restaurants, I couldn't get in without a suit and tie on! Unfair? No, that was merely part of the price of admission, and served not as a tool of the elitist, so much as a tangible way to show respect for the other patrons and the atmosphere of the restaurant. I would sometimes later eat in other establishments for a nice meal, where a guy would come in wearing sweats and a T-shirt, or something like that, and wreck the ambience. He may as well have been at McDonald's. Point is, to extend the analogy, Wimbledon isn't McDonald's. It's Dinner at the White House, The Vatican, Buckingham Palace, and Casino Royale, all rolled into one.

What is your view on a player with a huge amount of power like roger federer pulling of a stunt like that?

No big name player has been defaulted for uniform abuses so i think the wimbledon organisers are doing what the British do best, blowing a lot of hot air with their rules that do man squat in 2007.

But of course in the REAL WORLD big name players HAVE A HUGE respect for winbledons 130 years history and they dont want to do anyting to unset that do they.

"Tennis players" and "spine" are never seen in the same sentance are they?!? I wonder why.....

 

[FiveO]

What is your view on a player with a huge amount of power like roger federer pulling of a stunt like that?

More importantly, what was the view of the AELTC when in 1973 14 of the 16 seeds threatened to boycott the event because a fellow ATP-er, Nikki Pilic, had been barred for failing to play DC? The reaction? Absolutely Nothing. The AELTC called their bluff, and 13 of the 14 sabre-rattlers plus some non-seeds, ended up missing the event that year.

Perhaps not only for intrinsic reasons, Wimbledon through its bend but not break hold on tradition has maintained the sport and the event remaining bigger than any one participant, maintaining an as level a playing field as they can, right down to having the players whether rich/struggling, successful/not so successful, famous or unknown enter the match as equals. Only the play matters. Not how many titles a player may have or not, not how many contracts or financial security one player may or may not have, just the sport, right down to the clothes they wear.

 

[Voltron]

I would hope he would be, just like anyone else.

 

[SFrazeur]

A little off subject but, does anyone remember before Federer was FEDERER, the time he was going to play a match at Wimbledon wearing a sleeveless shirt, but they made him change before playing, does anyone recall that?