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Trent Masenhelder

Roar Guru

Joined August 2013

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Australian freelance journalist, based in Melbourne. Twitter: @tmase04

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Some interesting points, Truthbetold. Not sure I agree with them, but interesting, nonetheless.
Hard to know what Roger and Mirka discuss behind closed walls.
I will say this: from my dealings with him he’s an A-grade individual, full of class.

Father Time has caught up with fabulous Federer

Jon,
Definitely not a lack of competitiveness. I don’t Fed will ever have that problem.
My sole point was that I don’t believe he’ll win another Grand Slam.
He’s still one of the best in the world, and the best all-time in my book.

Father Time has caught up with fabulous Federer

Well said ertorque.
Thanks for reading.

Father Time has caught up with fabulous Federer

Candace,
Thanks for reading.
However, I’m not sure you read: The 32-year-old earned his reputation as one of the best of all-time, not only because he’s won more majors than any other male, but also for his consistency and longevity. His ability to stay at the top for so long has been remarkable – he was world No.1 for 302 weeks, including a stretch of 237 consecutive weeks from 2004-2008.
Or: Federer is a genuine champion and an ornament to the game, and no athlete in the world has a better individual highlight reel than his.
I love Federer and he’s in my top five athletes of all-time, in all sports.
But, based on evidence, I don’t think he’ll win another Slam. That’s not being disrespectful. Just my opinion.
Obviously you think he will?
I’d me more than happy to be proven wrong.
Again, as I wrote in my piece.
Furthermore, not once did I suggest he should retire. I admire that he, and Hewitt, keep playing into their 30’s. Not for $, but because they love the game.

Father Time has caught up with fabulous Federer

Gulbis is talented. Agreed.
But I’ll only up my rating of him when he wins something of note.
There’s so many talented players in the men’s draw who promise much, yet can’t deliver when it matters most – at the Slams. Mainly because the ‘big four’ are so good.
Monfils, Tsonga, Raonic, even our own Bernie Tomic to some degree…

Father Time has caught up with fabulous Federer

Incredibly well said, WoobliesFan. Couldn’t agree more.

Father Time has caught up with fabulous Federer

Matt – my assessment of Gulbis is based on history. What has he achieved?

Father Time has caught up with fabulous Federer

mj89,
Thank you for your comments.
It’s an opinion and we’re all entitled to them. I hope I’m wrong because I love Fed and would love nothing more than to see him lift another major trophy.
But you can’t ignore the facts. The other three big guns (Nadal, Murray and Djokovic) are as good, not better, than they were, while Fed is going the other way.
How was he unlucky not to win one of Masters1000 finals?
I never wrote him off based on his RG performance – I based my opinion on the fact he’s failed to reach the final eight at the majors on three occasions in his last four attempts.

Father Time has caught up with fabulous Federer

Axle and the guru – do you think he’ll win another Slam before he’s done?

Father Time has caught up with fabulous Federer

Kersi – Federer and Sachin are two of the greatest sportspersons I’ve ever seen. Both are absolute champions.

Father Time has caught up with fabulous Federer

I agree Brian. I never implied he needs to win another. He’s the greatest player of all-time in my opinion.

Father Time has caught up with fabulous Federer

Thanks for your comments Johnno and Matth.

I agree with Matth. Whilst I believe Federer’s best is well and truly behind him, and Hewitt for that matter, I admire them for continuing.

You’re a long time retired and their obvious love for the game, not $, is why they keep putting themselves through the rigours of training, etc.

Tennis is an individual sport so it’s not as if they’re preventing a youngster coming through, like Sachin Tendulkar was accused of, for example.

There’s too many athletes these days whose primary motivator is $. Federer and Hewitt definitely aren’t two of them.

I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing ‘Fed’ a number of times and he’s one of the classiest, professional athletes going around.

He’s one of the greatest athletes of all-time in my opinion.

I’d love to see him him with another Slam, I just don’t think he will.

Father Time has caught up with fabulous Federer

TheCunningLinguistic – well said. You make a very good point.

I agree, most of us would be guilty of making the odd racist comment without thinking twice about it. But, does that make us a racist? To me, and I suppose it’s a matter of opinion, no. I consider a racist someone with a history of making bigoted, insulting comments/actions.

In my opinion, there’s a difference between being a racist and making a racist comment.

For example, Justin Sherman, playing for the Western Bulldogs in 2011, was found guilty of racially vilifying Gold Coast Suns player, Joel Wilkinson.

If that’s the only incident of such nature involving Sherman, is he a racist or someone who made a racist comment/performed a racist act? It’s the latter for me.

Sterling has a history of racist and bigoted comments/actions and to me, he’s a racist, probably beyond rehabilitation.

Good conversation.

The NBA faced a Stern test and passed with flying colours

Gene – I’ve not heard that. Did you see that reported? That he asked Stiviano to record the conversation?

Sterling may be business savvy, but his beliefs are so antiquated. He needs some serious education.

The NBA faced a Stern test and passed with flying colours

Big Al – there’s conflicting reports regards the character of Stiviano. I certainly don’t know enough about her to comment.

You’re right, though, that issue is another matter and a secondary one.

Even if Sterling can/does go after her, I reckon she’d have a queue a mile long of people backing her!

The NBA faced a Stern test and passed with flying colours

Thanks for reading Swampy.

The NBA, Silver especially, should be commended for their swift and decisive response.

Sadly, there’s been many sporting bodies that have failed to properly address this important issue. Hopefully this is a catalyst and others take note. That’s how you do it.

The NBA faced a Stern test and passed with flying colours

Agree with that, but believe that issue is secondary. Sterling may choose to take action against Stiviano and/or whoever leaked the audio.

The NBA faced a Stern test and passed with flying colours

Mr Biggles – private or not the comments are unacceptable.

I’m not familiar with the Jay-Z story. Can you enlighten me?

The NBA faced a Stern test and passed with flying colours

James – Interesting conspiracy theory. Can’t agree with it, but interesting.

Don’t think anyone would argue that Bailey was incredibly lucky to keep his place throughout the series. But when you’re winning, the team can cover for blokes out of form.

Australia’s batting lineup is by no means settled, and is ageing, so if Khawaja is as good as you say he is, I’m confident he’ll find himself back in the team, without prejudice.

Personally, I can’t see it happening any time soon. And I’ve been a big fan of his.

Barcelona and NBA stars win battles against racism in sport

Spot on AR

Barcelona and NBA stars win battles against racism in sport

James – sorry, can’t agree that Khawaja is the most gifted batsman since Mark Waugh. He’s talented, yes, but..

Khawaja has played nine Tests so it’s not like he hasn’t been given a go.

And just two scores over 50 and average of 25 for a ‘gifted’ batsman isn’t good enough.

Five scores under 20, as well.

Barcelona and NBA stars win battles against racism in sport

Petty incident hey?

This is the 21st century, where society has been educated around racism and discrimination. Sadly, Bob, there is a massive problem regards racism in sport, as there is in society.

The taping of the conversation, whilst poor, isn’t the primary issue or concern here.

Time and again we’ve seen athletes say no to racism, only for authorities to let them down by not following their lead, slapping offenders on the wrist with a feather.

UEFA, the NFL, and European Tour, are just some of the blundering bodies that have had the opportunity to make a strong statement – that racism is and will not be condoned.

They all failed.

At Euro 2012, UEFA fined Danish striker, Nicklas Bendtner, was fined $138,000 and banned for one game for promoting a betting agency on the waistband of his underwear while celebrating a goal against Portugal.

As if the over-the-top sanction wasn’t enough, when you compare it to some of the fines UEFA has handed out for incidents relating to racism, it’s plain farcical.

The Serbian Football Federation was fined $23,000 for racially abusing England’s Nedum Onuoha at the European Under-21 Championship in the Netherlands, while Porto was also slapped with a $23,000 fine after some of their fans subjected then Manchester City striker, Mario Balotelli, to prolonged racist abuse, during a Europa League tie.

These incidents should not have happened.

Nobody should be made to feel improper because of the colour of their skin.

But, with governing bodies making ridiculous decisions such as the ones I’ve outlined, I guess these “petty incidents” will keep happening.

Barcelona and NBA stars win battles against racism in sport

Well written Nick.

Sadly, this is the world we live in, and for as a great as the play-offs have been – and they have been amazing – possibly the best first round ever – the world will continue to focus on the bigot Sterling.

You’re right – we are still a long way from a racism-free world.

The NBA’s hands are tied to some degree and Sterling won’t be stripped of ownership. He can’t, under the constitution. He will be hit with a hefty fine and lengthy suspension – the maximum.

Other sports haven’t had the same restrictions placed on them, yet have dropped the ball regards racism.

Time and again we’ve seen athletes say no to racism, only for authorities to let them down by not following their lead, slapping offenders on the wrist with a feather.

UEFA, the NFL, and European Tour, are just some of the blundering bodies that have had the opportunity to make a strong statement – that racism is and will not be condoned.

They all failed.

At Euro 2012, UEFA fined Danish striker, Nicklas Bendtner, was fined $138,000 and banned for one game for promoting a betting agency on the waistband of his underwear while celebrating a goal against Portugal.

As if the over-the-top sanction wasn’t enough, when you compare it to some of the fines UEFA has handed out for incidents relating to racism, it’s plain farcical.

The Serbian Football Federation was fined $23,000 for racially abusing England’s Nedum Onuoha at the European Under-21 Championship in the Netherlands, while Porto was also slapped with a $23,000 fine after some of their fans subjected then Manchester City striker, Mario Balotelli, to prolonged racist abuse, during a Europa League tie.

Hopefully the NBA announce their sanction (today I believe) and it’s accepted without contest.

But, given the character of Sterling, or lack there of, that’s unlikely.

Sterling's alleged racist remarks should not overshadow the playoffs

Mourinho is a tactical genius and you can cut it any way you like – he went to Anfield with a plan and his players executed it to the letter.

Was it entertaining? No, far from it. Boring, in fact.

But did he or Chelsea fans care? Probably not. They got three points and their title hopes still have a pulse.

Mourinho is entitled to do what he did against the Reds.

But, if you’re going to park the bus, or two, as Brendan Rodgers said, don’t cry foul when your opponents do it against the Blues.

In January, the Portuguese accused West Ham of playing “football from the 19th century” after their goalless draw. “It’s very difficult to play a football match where only one team wants to play, very difficult,” Mourinho said. “A match is about two teams playing. This match was only one team playing and another team not.”

What a hypocrite.

Liverpool v Chelsea: "Game of buses"

Peeeko – I’m sure we’ll see more Group 1’s added to The Championships, and I can foresee the All Aged being one of them.

Extra prize money will ensure a stronger field too.

Who do you like today?

Saturday's Adelaide and Sydney Group 1 racing: preview and tips

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