Mocking the game

Mocking the game

Many tennis lovers asked me: "Can't you see Victor's side for a moment?". Others, who love nothing, even approved of him: "He did good to those in the stands, they were harassing him".

I do see Victor Hănescu's side, and quite well actually. During his 2nd tour game with Turkish player Ilhan I was trying to have a discussion on TV with one of Mr. Băsescu's aides. This character kept talking, and talking, and talking, throwing a barrage of words to all those present, blocking any and all possibility for dialogue. Just like those aggressive supporters that prevent you from playing. Many a times during the TV show I had the impulse to let a curse word out and leave the studio, to go see Victor's game instead of using up my earthly existence with the distinguished presidential counselor. The same impulse I have when I see the politicians, journalists, analysts, blah blah-ists, etc., that flood our TV screens only to make noise, an incessant tide of grey noise.

I do see Victor's side, I just don't approve of it. He asked the main referee to intervene and calm down those persons. He didn't see it necessary. If the referee's attitude was displeasing, Hănescu had the option of asking for the intervention of the higher courts, of the general supervisor, the tour manager, ATP officials; the rules entitle him to do that. They don't entitle him to put on his leggies, stick a number on his back and start swearing and spitting at the spectators like one would do on the Ghencea or Giuleşti stadiums during a soccer game. When you are a professional player you have to be able to control yourself, to face up to the challenges. Especially seeing as the public's hostile attitude was due to Hănescu's visible attempts at stalling hoping for nightfall.

And then, Victor did something more serious: he mocked tennis. He served outs several times, just to mock everyone, but he first and foremost mocked his trade. In the end, he refused to play and left the field, which, again, is something a professional does not do: no matter how wronged he feels, he stays on that field until that last ball because the game "must go on", both here and in Wimbledon.

In the following months most Romanians will feel wronged, humiliated, trampled upon. Should each let loose their frustration and rage, then we will be neck-deep in spit, possibly mixed in with some blood. And even though there is no court of appeals for morality in this country, in which (and I say this inspired by Mr. Prigoană), the Devil builds churches, we can't just all leave the field.

P.S. A little while after I finished that last sentence, England was basically stolen a goal that had gone in at least 30 cm over the gate line in the World Cup Round of 16 game against Germany. Do you think the British are going to stop playing after they see the rerun during the break? I don't think so, because the rules say that no matter how wrong a referee's decision is, it can be sanctioned later but the goal remains annulled. And they will respect that.

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