James BlakeVerified account

Sorry James, but referees in many sports don’t care if they get cussed at, called names, whatever. They really care when someone calls into question their integrity. Calling a referee a cheat is probably the worst you can say to them. But what would I know, I only ref pro soccer

I understand that. I also understand your condescending attitude. Not appreciated. But I have said that and worse and not been penalized. That was my point. I got “soft warnings”. But what do I know, I just played pro tennis.

You told a referee he was a cheat, or he obviously wanted the other player to win?

Yes

So you feel you probably deserved more than a warning, correct?

I got a “soft warning” and told if I continued down that path, I would be penalized and fined. Problem solved. If I continued, I knew the consequences. That’s how a good umpire handled it.

Do you think maybe her previous encounters with other referees, line judges might have played a part? And you also probably weren’t given two prior warnings in the match. I’m just saying, it isn’t his fault for doing his job. It’s hers for losing her cool.

It’s his fault for not using restraint in doing his job at this point. It’s her fault for smashing her racquet and she was punished accurately for that

But did you keep going on about it like Serena? Wasn't that part of it, that she kept going on about the coaching from Patrick and couldn't let it go? It seemed to grease the wheels for the next violation, and the next.

Yes. I kept going plenty of times. Not my proudest moments on the court, but it definitely happened in the heat of battle. And then the handling of it by her after the match was all world classy.

Hmm. Never knew. Interesting how image (yours was impeccable) can affect perception. I think Carlos could have given a warning before the game penalty but I also feel Serena wouldn’t have been as upset if she was winning 1 set to love. Unfortunate Osaka’s great play is overlooked

I mean, you could actually watch a match and not just make assumptions about what goes on on the court like most fairweather fans with loud opinions about how one should act on a court

I’ve watched plenty of matches, at least 35 years, and have hundreds of tapes. To keep going on about something that was just a warning seemed self-destructive. I’m hard pressed to remember a player going on and on about a warning in a slam final ever.

So I guess you just skipped over all the men’s matches, then? Federer can go on a good tear when he gets upset. Murray is infamous. But I guess it doesn’t register as “inappropriate” when it’s done in a male voice.

When has Fed gone on a tear like this? 2009 USO scolding the ref, and then it was over. Did he also break his racket and get a coaching violation? Murray was given a code violation by Ramos at the Olympics in 2016. Serena basically had 3 independent events. Coach, racket, rant.

Lol almost all players get coached. It’s the most absurd rule in tennis. Is Serena a cheater, NO.

Serious question: Have any of the male players threatened a line judge and then sat in their chair and screamed at the chair umpire? I’m asking because those are two incidents that I don’t think I’ve seen from top men’s players

Serious answer. Yes

Every player is different and what makes Serena great is her fire on the court. Having said that, she is the greatest women’s player this world has ever seen. I’ve never seen Rafa or Roger react that way and I think she should have held her temper in the situation. I haven’t been

You need to watch more tennis. Roger has cursed the chair with no fine or repercussions. There have been a host of others just the past two weeks.

I watch a lot of tennis and I have never seen Roger threaten a line judge or berate the chair umpire. She sat in her chair and screamed at him. I have never seen Roger sit in his chair and scream at the umpire.

2009 final against Del Po. To name one.

Roger didn't say to the judge i'll make sure you never sit in the chair again

"I watch a lot of tennis and I have never seen Roger threaten a line judge or berate the chair umpire. She sat in her chair and screamed at him. I have never seen Roger sit in his chair and scream at the umpire." This is what I was responding to and I am 100% correct.