Sport has been a wonderful past-time in Australia for as long as I can remember, and it has been an exhibition of this country’s values and expectations of which people of Australia should obey by, and follow to the letter.
However, this country’s values and expectations have failed to take into account one key ingredient that is necessary for the short and long-term success of any nation in the modern world today, and that is multiculturalism.
This failure to include people of all different races and genders, and give them an equal opportunity to perform their talents, be it on the sporting field, or in any other domain, is just not on anymore. Not from anyone.
As writers, journalists and communicators critiquing them on their performances we should give them the benefit of the doubt.
This failure is clearly apparent in just about every single sport in Australia, but has been particularly well publicised in the game of tennis in Australia for many years now.
Tennis Australia have had a hugely poor record in dealing with players (and the families of players) that have be brought up in traditional eastern and eastern European cultures, particularly with Jelena Dokic and to a less of an extent with Mark Philippoussis.
And it appears that after many years they still haven’t learnt their lesson with the way that they are dealing with Bernard Tomic, and to a lesser extent Nick Kyrgios.
Both Tomic and Kyrgios have been criticised for not exhibiting this country’s values and expectations without ever considering the multicultural aspect to this topic.
Everyone must remember that Tomic and Kyrgios have been brought up in a different type of culture, and that the way they see the values and expectations of Australia is different to what other people may see it. But it doesn’t mean that we have the right to criticise them for what we may see as going against our values and expectations, and engaging in what we think (not myself) is tanking.
Unfortunately, this article was too late for swimming legend Dawn Fraser to read and take note of before she went on air on Today to air her thoughts about Kyrgios and Tomic after originally talking about asthma awareness.
It was also reported by other media outlets, including The Sydney Morning Herald.
“I think it is absolutely disgusting,” Fraser said.
“I am so shocked to think that he [Kyrgios] went out there to play and he tanked … he did all that tanking, it’s terrible.
“[He] should be setting an example for the younger generation of this great country of ours.
“If they [Kyrgios and Tomic] don’t like it, go back to where their fathers or parents came from.
“We don’t need them in this country if they act like that.”
These comments from Fraser are absolutely disgraceful, totally un-Australian, totally unreasonable and purely racist remarks from someone that should know better. But she will never know better, despite any current or future attempts to deny that these comments are in any way racist.
However, what was even worse was the conduct of the hosts of Today, Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson, and their endorsement of Fraser’s racist comments about Kyrgios and Tomic, which has defamed both athletes and their families.
In my view, I think anyone who accuses anyone of tanking has probably tanked themselves at something in their lives, or in their sport if they played a sport at any sort of level. I don’t think Kyrgios, (or Tomic for that matter in the past), have tanked.
It is against my own personal values, and it should be against the values of anyone who is or wants to be in public view, via any sort of media, to say that anyone has tanked, or deliberately lost a match/contest. It is disrespectful to the professional athlete because they are always giving their honest best.
So in finishing my article, my questions to Stefanovic, Wilkinson and Fraser, as well as anyone who has an opinion is: do you think Kyrgios (or Tomic) have tanked in the past? And, if yes, tell me when you have tanked at something in your life (because you have obviously done it as well)?
In summary, Australian sport must embrace multiculturalism.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
No problem john. Am French and it's the first time I see someone refer to my country as not multicultural but I see what you mean re assimilation. Re your point I completely agree, no need to be multicultural to be successful in sports or economy etc. when I look at what Japan has become with one of the most monocultural society on the planet and no natural resources it actually shows what an homogeneous society can achieve.
John
Guest
I respectfully disagree with you on that one, but the point is the author seems to think to be a succesful country in the modern world is to be multicultural which is just silly (dare I say ignorant) and then attempts to segue this into Tennis Australia being ignorant of "traditional eastern and eastern european cultues" (whatever that means). It really is all over the place
History Guy
Guest
Australians live this delusion that they should be producing Pat Rafters. Let's be honest, they guy was a fraud but he fulfilled a certain anglo, bonds, good bloke fantasy so he gets a free ride. Australian kids worship one god and one god only: The USA. The bling, celebrity, swag, sports. British friends of mine are astonished at what a big deal the Superbowl is in Australia. Having spent the last 10 years living in England US sports simply don't register there but here NBA, NFL etc are huge for under 20's. Kyrgios is simply a reflection of current Australian youth and the elders don't like it. Kyrgios will become one of the best paid most talked about athletes this country has ever seen and that's what he wants. That's what his generation desire. Being the boy next door simply doesn't get you paid. Might get you a drink in your local RSL but these kids are so much smarter than that.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
It's true France have assimilation over integration but overall I would still say France is a very very multicultural country similar to oz, especially considering many migrants haven't fully assimilated to French society and culture.
duecer
Guest
Don't know where you get your info from, but don't think taxpayers fund Tennis Australia - they get quite a windfall from the AO and other tournaments around the place. The government may co fund some centres and facilities, but they do that for most sports, some more than others. These days you're lucky to find a council that completely funds and maintains Tennis Courts - most, particularly in more populated areas get back more than they put in through leases.
John
Guest
Attracting migrants for centuries does not mean a country is multicultural. In France's case they seem to prefer asssimilating migrants into "French" culture rather than having a policy of multiculturalism.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
John do you really think France isn't multicultural? Has attracted migrants for centuries.
Ra Bro
Guest
I totally agree with you smelly, being brought up in a differenr culture is not no licence to be rude and disrespectful and neither is being young. There are lots of young talented people from all different cultural and economical backgrounds living in Australia whose social engagement skills are unquestioned by the general pubic and need not be. If they learned to behave that way anywhere, they learned it right here in Aussie. So Aussues have every right to tell them to pull their heads in.
Ra Bro
Guest
I totally agree with you smelly, being brought up in a differenr culture is not no licence to be rude and disrespectful and neither is being young. There are lots of young talented people from all different cultural and economical backgrounds living in Australia whose social engagement skills are unquestioned by the general pubic and need not be. If they learned to behave that way anywhere, they learned it right here in Aussie. So Aussues have every right to tell them to pull their heads in.
Rory
Guest
Why does this article highlight the tanking? I would have thought it's more the other behaviour generally that is being brought into question.
MelbCro
Guest
" not knowing how to deal with people of Eastern European background" lol. what on earth is that supposed to mean?
Mango Jack
Guest
Ryan, the issues of multiculturalism and behaviour in sport should be treated separately. There is no excuse for the rudeness Kyrgios has shown to officials. He simply needs to show some respect in order to earn it himself. I have no problem with players expressing themselves in colourful ways and displaying their emotions. It adds to the spectacle. But mouthing off at umpires and spectators is unacceptable from anyone, regardless of cultural background, and this is at the heart of Kyrgios's problem at the moment.
John
Guest
"key ingredient that is necessary for the short and long-term success of any nation in the modern world today, and that is multiculturalism." There are lots of countries that are succesful that don't have multiculturalism, it isn't a "necessary ingredient" eg Japan, South Korea, France. Don't know why you the author seems to think success is a product of multiiculturalism. Just because it works here in Aus doesn't mean it will work in every nation....
Paul Giles
Guest
Well said Plainsman. For the record, the majority of people were behind Jelena Dokic, it was her father who 99.9 per cent of Australians were critical of. Regarding Krygios, the majority of Australians are willing to give him a chance. One thing he must learn quickly is when you are 2 sets to love up against an opponent who is ranked some 35 places behind him, that it totally poor form to carry on the very first moment something goes against you. I can handle the occasional outburst, thrown racquet etc but you must respect the situation. I was equally critical of Hewitt doing his c'mon when he was 6-2, 6-2 up against someone ranked 100 or Brett Lee doing the chainsaw when he got the number 10 or 11 batsmen out when Australia were leading by 300 runs. Krygios has a point that is the heat of the battle that you can lose it and most people accept that if you do it when the game is close or he is playing a top player, one thing he can control is what he says in his interviews and maybe the occasional apology wouldn't go amiss. The media probably are being jerks to him but when Krygios retaliates back, it is him who looks the bad guy, hopefully his Dad, Mother, Manager have already let him know this.
Plainsman
Guest
This is a disappointing article. Since when has Australia not embraced multiculturalism in sport? Tomic et al have enjoyed living in a country that has welcomed their families, given them citizenship and proffered them with all the worldly goods you could imagine. The taxpayers have funded Tennis Australia for many years and the formative years of these two spoiled brats was funded by local councils putting up and maintaining tennis courts for their enjoyment. Give me a break - being a non-anglo does not give you an excuse for bad behaviour.
cm
Guest
But we loooove lleyton. Tennis is the problem. Not anything else.
smell the fear
Guest
this would have to be the worst apologist rant i have read. "they were bought up in a different culture" so that means they are able to carry on like spoiled brats? best excuse ever, sorry in my culture i am allowed to act like this comments like dawn Fraser are wrong and need to be shouted down but that doesn't mean that these young players are correct in their behaviour.
pat malone
Guest
this is nearly as bad an article as your anti Pat rafter rant a week ago
peeeko
Guest
please explain to me how TA should have "dealt" with Jelena? her dad was a lunatic, In June 2009 he was convicted and sentenced to 15 months in prison for threatening the Australian ambassador to Serbia with a hand grenade, for causing public endangerment and for illegal possession of weapons. and you want to blame tennis Australia? please
peeeko
Guest
i wouldnt pick Dawn Fraser as someone who represents the views of the Australian people or Tennis Australia. Race doesnt have anything to do with it, i cant believe you are blaming these problems on Tennis Australia not knowing how to deal with people of Eastern European background. plenty of tennis parents leave a lot to be desired and many players are bought up in an environment that is less than ideal and with too much pressure and expectation. so many tennis kids of all different nationalities become dysfunctional adults due to their upbringing and pressure from a young age. Bad parents raise kids that have problems of all races