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Berdych needs to harden up

23rd January, 2012
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23rd January, 2012
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So Tomas Berdych was hit by a ball during his match against Nicolas Almagro at the Australian Open. Is that a reason not to shake Almagro’s hand at the end of the match?

In a word, no.

Watching a replay of the incident, you see Berdych drop to the floor like a woundened solidier after the Spaniard’s forehand shot slammed into his arm.

The Czech drops quicker than JFK in Dealey Plaza, or Cristiano Ronaldo when a defender is within five metres of him.

Berdych was crowding the net and should have expected a return like that. Almagro was well within his rights to play that shot. Pro tennis is a tough sport.

But as you watch the footage, you see Almagro try and apologise immediately for hitting him at the end of the point. Berdych does not acknowledge him, turning his back on the Spaniard and ignoring him. Almagro clearly did not mean to hit the Czech with the ball and was sorry he did.

But Berdych doesn’t give him the time of day.

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By refusing to shake Almagro’s hand at the end of play, Berdych has turned himself into the villain of this tournament. Berdych claimed that Almagro intending on hitting the ball into his face on purpose, which is false. The ball hit him in the arm, not the face, and Almagro genuinely seemed apologetic.

Regardless, Berdych went on to the win the game, so he can have the last laugh. Not shaking hands with his opponent just made him look like the lesser of the two men.

The crowd’s booing of Berdych’s bad sportsmanship is making headlines around the world, and they were right to voice their displeasure.

Just as Serena Williams actions in the US Open final against Sam Stosur were unnacceptable, classless and immature, so were Berdych’s. I’m not putting Berdych’s display on par with the American’s (hers were worse), but it was disappointing.

The Czech is going to have few supporters when he takes on fan favourite Rafael Nadal in the next round of the Australian Open.

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