We learnt a lot about Australian tennis on day two of the Australian Open. Firstly, Lleyton Hewitt is a champion fighter, the like of whom we may never see again (but then we already knew that).
Secondly, Australian Tennis has lots to be excited about in teenagers Nicholas Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis.
And finally, Bernard Tomic is destined to underachieve and continue to polarise Australian fans.
It has been suggested it was unAustralian to jeer Tomic after he retired after just one set in his match against Rafael Nadal. I was one of the near 20,000-strong crowd and I was leading the boos and jeers.
In my view, it would have been Un-Australian not to heckle Tomic for what was a cowardly display.
There is not much Australian sports fans love more than a winner, but someone who fights hard, courageously gives their all and overcomes adversity surely trumps that winning feeling.
Tomic supposedly tweaked an injury in his upper leg in his opening service game of the match. After receiving an off-court medical time out at the first change of ends, he returned to the court and played quite well, holding his service games and edging ahead 4-3.
During this time, he appeared to be managing his injured leg well. He was matching it with the best player in the world.
It wasn’t until he dropped serve and lost the opening set 6-4 that Tomic decided, presumably, his injury had all of a sudden become too unbearable to play on.
Sure it was a daunting task, he was playing the world number one, he was not 100% fit and he had dropped the first set.
Realistically, not many would have given him a chance to win from that position, but it was not unfair for people to expect Tomic to show some degree of heart, courage and determination.
To go down fighting, throwing some punches of his own, so to speak.
But he didn’t. He chose the easy option, retiring without a whimper. This was truly unAustralian.
What didn’t help Tomic’s cause was some of the highly commendable efforts by other Aussies on day two.
Marinko Matosevic battled hard, coming back from a set down twice to take talented Japenese 16th seed Kei Nishikori to five sets.
Matosevic went down, but lost no admirers for his competitiveness and effort in temperatures approaching 43 degrees.
Similarly, Lleyton Hewitt, also competing in the heat of the day, fought back from two sets down, and early breaks in the third, fourth and fifth sets to push Andreas Seppi all the way.
He too may have lost the match, but the ageing warrior added to his legacy of being the greatest competitor we have ever seen. I hope we do see him in 2015 to contest his 19th consecutive Australian Open.
Impressive youngsters Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios both recorded four set victories in their opening round matches. Both had to overcome adversity in the form of the heat and injuries throughout their matches.
Kyrgios had a shoulder injury he had carried into the tournament and Kokkinakis was suffering from cramp from late in the third set but managed to push through to win in four.
More impressive than the wins was the way both overcame the difficulties in their matches, and showed grit and determination in the their performances.
Bernard Tomic didn’t have to look far for inspiration in preparation for his match against Nadal. He simply needed to turn on the TV in the locker room and have a look at performances of his countrymen, Hewitt, Matosevic, Kokkinakis and Kyrgios.
They didn’t all win, but they all won respect from the Australian fans. Seemingly, Tomic will never learn.
If it was unAustralian to boo and jeer Tomic’s performance, I am guilty as charged.
But is it really unAustralian to ‘give it’ to someone who hasn’t given their all?
Millsy
Guest
I think this complaining is crap. He got the injury in the first game and TRIED to overcome it, but after a while it was the injury who won out! Everyone with some sense could see that he tried and I think this booing and jeering is rude and definitely not needed. I rest my case
Diane Trask
Guest
I too have raised my kids to not boo our injured sports people. My children are all well rounded adults with kids of their own and teach their kids, the same values. No Dylan, this is not why kids have no guts. Ths is the reason why our kids respect other human beings. Your reason is why, kids are the way they are today. No respect for anybody. Go out and kinghit and bash people because they have no respect for people. Dylan, your reason for lack of character bemuses me. Because of injury that you know nothing about, he decides to not finish a game, he lacks character. He is not in a war and cannot withdraw. He is playing sport and if he feels he is injured. He has every right to withdraw.
Diane Trask
Guest
Troy, obviously you have no idea about pain. There are thousands of different types of pain.In different parts of the body it will be different pain, some tolerable some not. Who are you to say what type of pain anyone has and whether they can tolerate it or tell them they should tolerate it. As scans have shown, Tomic has a hip injury, that can either feel pain in the grion back or hip area.Doctors say he has probably had this injury for a decade and can restrict movement as well as pain.
Diane Trask
Guest
Having more scans, Tomic has a hip condition. This, the doctors say he has probably had for decade. It effects the grion hip and back area. It can restrict movement as well as pain. I just love it when the fans say a player should do what they say. Unless you actually know what the pain is like and know exactly what is wrong with his body. Then you have no idea. Since when has it become australian to boo our sports people.
Bond
Guest
Imagine if he retire in the final (if he can get there) it will cause more grief to the spectators who had purchase pricey admission ticket
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
he was booed for being injured mushi is correct and is bringing up his children to respect people - hopefully you are not a parent Dylan
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
great article, thanks for the link
Maya
Guest
Maybe that's why that Krygios kid was too scared to go off or get a trainer...Australian fans turn on their own..
Dylan
Guest
There is a difference between booing a player because he is injured and booing a player for showing lack of character. Parents like you are why kids like Tomic have no guts.
Mitch
Guest
"It’s not Tomic’s responsibility to continue playing, with the potential to critically injure himself by doing so, just for the amusement of the crowd." Sadly, there are people who believe that purchasing their ticket entitles them to just that. It's a sign of the worsening entitlement culture we seem to have developed in this country. It's unfortunate for the crowd and they are right to feel unhappy about the situation, but surely they know early injuries and inclement weather are distinct possibilities? What next? Boo the competitors when the ladies final finishes 6-1 6-0 because they didn't get their money's worth? In summary, those who feel entitled to jeer when they don't know the facts probably have as much growing up to do as Tomic...if not more.
Mitch
Guest
Troy, since you're meant to fight through the pain barrier, shouldn't Pospisil also attempt to play in the next round?
Dave Edwards
Roar Pro
I recommend you read this article; I'll think you find that the term 'un-Australian' is a pejorative term used mostly by imbeciles: http://thepublicapology.net/2014/01/dear-australia-quit-it-with-the-un-australian-thing/
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
Agreed. I loathe the term Un-Australian, I think only the Americans apply a similar same insult to anyone or anything deemed not to their liking. I've never heard a Kiwi make reference to Un-New Zealand, or a Brit talk about Un-British, Un-English, Un-Welsh or whatever. A very peculiar term and it does no-one any favours in this instance: Tomic was injured (and has been medically proven to be so too), he played as long as he could, still took 4 games off Nadal, then had to retire. Probably not a decision he took lightly. But for the rest of us it's no big deal, Nadal himself did just the same a few years ago (and were there any accusations of him being Un-Spanish? No.) It's not Tomic's responsibility to continue playing, with the potential to critically injure himself by doing so, just for the amusement of the crowd.
Matt F
Roar Guru
As AR said, you're essentially using his injury as an excuse to criticise him for previous actions. It's fine if you don't like Tomic, I'm not really a fan of him myself, but criticise him when he deserves it, don't jump on any flimsy excuse simply because you don't like him due to other reasons
Matt F
Roar Guru
Yes, because every injury is the exact same.....
Matt F
Roar Guru
I'd say for most it would still be the same, but obviously there will always be a few with that agenda. Hewitt copped a lot of criticism early in his career and people were pretty supportive of Tomic 1-2 years ago.
Rory
Guest
UnAustralian - you're joking right? I didn't think people used that term seriously. If you are serious, perhaps you can lay down the traits and characteristics that you have identified, which of course must be unique to Australia, that when not adhered to cause you to hurl this accusation about?
Australian Rules
Guest
Ahh, so there it is Troy. You're not booing him for getting injured, you're booing him for what he's done in the past. At least you're starting to be honest about it.
mushi
Guest
At least he's european descent - so he can still make the Alan Jones list of great Australians.
mushi
Guest
And we are entitled to the opinion that if my children grow up to boo injured sportsmen or women then I've failed in my duties as a parent