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.
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.
Boz
Guest
Jim, Either you didn't watch the replay at full speed or your knowldedge of tennis is on par with knowing when to use a full stop when writing.
clipper
Guest
But by not shaking his hand at the end, he lost the moral high ground and Berdych became the villan instead of Almagro.
jim neal
Guest
im sorry i dont agree with hitting a player with a ball just to get the point in my opinion as a tennis player it was bad sportsmanship to go for the man when he had the open court to the left he meant to do it listen to his interview he said he wanted the point there was no need whatsoever i wouldnt have shaken his hand hes just a dirty player its a great sport and we dont need this behavior sorry if it had happened to me id have punched his lights out not just dont shake hands and the spectators should understand what happened and grow up hes a nice chap thomas not a baby
spaniard69
Guest
Laughing out loud!
dkiwi
Guest
Harden the buck up Berdych, cry baby sooky pants. What a dick.
Jonny G
Guest
just be grateful its not on channel 9
spaniard69
Guest
Two thumbs up for the Aussie crow!! Arrogant sports men never reach glory.
Cpaaa
Guest
Ive been watching the open and i how i missed that scene i cant explain so thanks SP for writing it up. Now his next match will make more sense when playing Nadal...wow. on a side note ive been far from impressed with 7s coverage of the tennis. Anyone watching the ripper of a game with Monfis which went to 5 sets will know what i mean. they changed it half way through the 4th set, talked about stuff for 30mins, switched to serena on centre court, when winning 6-0 in a drab game, they switched back for the rest of Monfis V Kuku. i guess that 7 for you.
Max M.
Guest
Completely agree with everything you've written. There are female tennis players tougher than this guy. Don't play sports if you don't want to get hit.
gypsyjean
Guest
If you don't want be hit by a tennis ball don't play tennis.
Chris
Guest
Is he after dual international status as a tennis and soccer player for the Czech Republic? Cry baby.
ChrisW
Guest
He got what he deserved good of the crowd:)
rl
Guest
completely agree Matt - Berdych played a terrible volley and Almagro, confronted with a massive man crowding the net, did what he should have done - drilled it straight up the guts. I expect any other tour player will have duly noted this and guess what they'll be doing next time they see Berdych at the net? If Almagro had directed his follow-up winner at Berdych's prone body (which he could have!), well that would have been fair grounds for complaint. Newk must be having a fit hearing a player whinging about getting hit at the net.
Matt F
Roar Guru
Yeah it wasn't a good moment for Berdych. I know he thinks that Almagro could have put that ball anywhere else but when you look at the angle of Almagro's shot, and the speed with which he was running to the ball, there weren't too many other safe options
Imran
Guest
Well written! It was an utter disgrace what Berdych did out there. Moreover, lets not forget that Berdych has history of bad sportsmanship like behaviour. The 2006 Madrid match up with Rafael Nadal is proof of that.