Welcome to the Friendly Slam. During the last changeover of yesterday's opening-round match on Centre Court, Slovakia's Dominik Hrbaty walked past his designated seat on his side of the umpire's chair and instead went to sit next to Roger Federer. Hrbaty and Federer chatted away for a minute or so, and they didn't look like athletes in the white heat of grand slam competition, but friends enjoying a lazy conversation in the lunchtime summer sunshine.
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Welcome to the Friendly Slam. During the last changeover of yesterday's opening-round match on Centre Court, Slovakia's Dominik Hrbaty walked past his designated seat on his side of the umpire's chair and instead went to sit next to Roger Federer. Hrbaty and Federer chatted away for a minute or so, and they didn't look like athletes in the white heat of grand slam competition, but friends enjoying a lazy conversation in the lunchtime summer sunshine. -
Well, they are good friends and former doubles partners.Comment -
Obviously..but has never seen this before. ClassOriginally posted by daggerkobe
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They train together.
Hrbaty has probably lost 10000 games to Federer, so why think this would be any different? Might as well enjoy your time out there!Comment -
Well, he did it because he sucks now and knew he had no chance to beat him. He would never have done this few years ago when he was still good and even beat Roger.
Everyone's making light of it and treating it like a feel good story but it actually kinda borders on unprofessionalism.Comment -
I see your point, if he was competetive he would never have done that..but most guys arent with Fed on grasscourt. What do we know? Maybe its more to the story.Originally posted by daggerkobe
Mathdotcom: Hrbaty was 2-0 h2h..the only reason he played in wimbledon was due to protected ranking. If he still makes an effort after the last injury, he can still be ok on the tour..but his best days are over.Comment -
I don't consider it unprofessional at all. This was round 1, and it was also Hrb.'s last Wimbledon ever, and he wanted to enjoy his breaks with his close friend. Roger even suggested he could sit next to him if I recall correctly.
If this was semis or finals, yeah I can understand your point.Comment -
I think it's unprofessional at any professional level. Whether it's the first round of a qualifier match or Wimbledon. A pickup game or charity event, fine.
From a gambling perspective, how would you like it if someone you bet takes their match so lightly that they clown around like that. I wouldn't want to see that at all.
It would be similar to Shaq going over to the Lakers bench and hugging and chatting with Kobe during a timeout of a game. Well, obviously they aren't as close as these two but you get the point.Comment -
You cant compare it to a NBA match. Federer was up 2 sets, and up 2 breaks in 3rd..in an event he won 5 years in row. Hrbaty been out of the game for a time, and even with the preodds it was almost impossible to get anything in return by betting Federer. Hrbaty would never ever have turned this game. Unless federer broke his leg or something..Comment -
That's not the point.
So Shaq could go over and clown around with Kobe if his team were down by 30 in the 4th? I don't think so.
Even Roger said he was surprised by what he did. It may be a joke to Hrbaty but Roger is fighting for his career and is taking this tournament seriously. What he did was disrespectful to Roger and to those that bet on the match. Doesn't matter what the score was. If you think a match is over then you haven't bet many matches because I've been on losing sides of some huge chokejobs.Comment -
If you read the last part of the article Federer really appreciated it.Comment -
Anyway, like this quote from the article:
"Last year, the stadium was as topless as an Ashley Harkleroad centrefold shot, as part of the building work to create a sliding roof for next summer's tournament."Comment -
Make sure you buy the August edition of Playboy to see her.Comment -
Well, Roger is the nicest guy on the tour so he probably didn't want to criticise his friend.Comment -
Also the guy who often shows lack of feelings..so good to see him loosen up a bit.Originally posted by daggerkobeComment -
Uh- where did Roger say this?Originally posted by daggerkobeComment -
who you on tonite crazy?Comment -
Take Ferrer -130Originally posted by accuscoresucks
And one of these dogs should hit
Bolleli +300
Seppi +225Comment -
ok 1 unit on ferrer and 1/2 on both the dogs
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We should be OK.Originally posted by accuscoresucksok 1 unit on ferrer and 1/2 on both the dogs
About to hit the deck soon so I don't drag ass tomorrow.Comment