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The Tennis Thread

Gbspurs

Gatekeeper for debates, King of the plonkers
Jan 27, 2011
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You should represent the nation of your birth, or your heritage.
She's doing neither...

Who was that lad who decided to try and represent Latvia or Lithuania at the Olympics in Taikwondo because he wasn't selected by Team GB?

It's one of the reasons I can't get behind the England rugby or cricket teams these days.
Half the players aren't even English.

My dad used to say black players shouldn't be playing for England because their heritage isn't truly English. Your argument sounds equally ridiculous. Keep up with the times.
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,338
54,974
You should represent the nation of your birth, or your heritage.
She's doing neither...

Who was that lad who decided to try and represent Latvia or Lithuania at the Olympics in Taikwondo because he wasn't selected by Team GB?

It's one of the reasons I can't get behind the England rugby or cricket teams these days.
Half the players aren't even English.

But not your home?
 

aliyid

Well-Known Member
Dec 28, 2004
6,944
19,929
It's a tricky one and I fall on a few different sides depending on the background.

Mainly if they were schooled in GB and turned pro while GB then yes it's fine but if they're professional elsewhere and only come to GB for a Wimbledon wildcard and LTA funding then I don't agree with it.

Example where I agree:
  • Jo Konta - Relocated in early teens (14) schooled in GB turned pro in GB
  • Laura Robson - Relocated even younger (think 4)

Example where I disagree:
  • Aljaž Bedene - Born Slovenia, raised Slovenia, represented Slovenia in Davis Cup, moved to GB when 19 in order to get funding from LTA as felt the Slovenian LTA didn't support him enough.
  • Greg Rusedski - Born Canada, raised in Canada, represented Canada, moved to GB when 22

Only scenario for me that falls outside this is marriage like the Italian long jumper who used to represent GB but married an Italian guy and relocated over there (she was pretty good too but can't remember her name)
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,105
47,061
It's a tricky one and I fall on a few different sides depending on the background.

Mainly if they were schooled in GB and turned pro while GB then yes it's fine but if they're professional elsewhere and only come to GB for a Wimbledon wildcard and LTA funding then I don't agree with it.

Example where I agree:
  • Jo Konta - Relocated in early teens (14) schooled in GB turned pro in GB
  • Laura Robson - Relocated even younger (think 4)

Example where I disagree:
  • Aljaž Bedene - Born Slovenia, raised Slovenia, represented Slovenia in Davis Cup, moved to GB when 19 in order to get funding from LTA as felt the Slovenian LTA didn't support him enough.
  • Greg Rusedski - Born Canada, raised in Canada, represented Canada, moved to GB when 22

Only scenario for me that falls outside this is marriage like the Italian long jumper who used to represent GB but married an Italian guy and relocated over there (she was pretty good too but can't remember her name)

I don't even have an issue with the Bedene and Rusedski switches to be honest because I think they were both UK citizens when the switch was made.

In terms of funding from the LTA, there's an argument to say the players shouldn't be getting that funding until they are eligible to represent Britain, but it's not as if there's a crash of young British tennis players who they were preventing from getting funding.

I think the old days in many sports where you could just switch allegiances at the drop of a hat were a bit daft, but if you're a citizen, and that's the choice you make, I really don't understand why people have a problem with it.

Patriot: Our country is the best ENG-ER-LAND.

Foreigner: I agree. I wish to be part of this marvelous country and am prepared to live here and move my family here for at least five years due to the fact that it is such a great country.

Patriot: Nah fuck off. We're the best!!!!!
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,338
54,974
Meanwhile, back at the tennis, Djokovic is serving even slower than Murray was. He isn't going to finish the match by the look of it.

Edit: No. No he isn't.
 

BSJ93

Well-Known Member
Jul 22, 2013
465
670
Stuck £10 on Cilic at the start, thought he had a really good chance.

As much as it would be nice to win some money, would love to see Fed do it again.
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,338
54,974
Stuck £10 on Cilic at the start, thought he had a really good chance.

As much as it would be nice to win some money, would love to see Fed do it again.

I think he'll make the final. I think he'll lose it.

So, glory for Querrey then!
 

gloriousbillynich

Active Member
May 24, 2016
668
1,126
Independence-loving fuckface.

Grow up.

You should represent the nation of your birth, or your heritage.
She's doing neither...

Who was that lad who decided to try and represent Latvia or Lithuania at the Olympics in Taikwondo because he wasn't selected by Team GB?

It's one of the reasons I can't get behind the England rugby or cricket teams these days.
Half the players aren't even English.

Who are you to decide who or what someone represents. I suppose, to you, Mo Farah is Ethiopian, not British??
 
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Gbspurs

Gatekeeper for debates, King of the plonkers
Jan 27, 2011
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I hope Murray takes a real break now and aims to come back for the Australian. Its a tournament he can still win if he gets his body right.
 

Gbspurs

Gatekeeper for debates, King of the plonkers
Jan 27, 2011
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I hope Konta didnt decide to have her lunch at the start of that match! Muguruza clearly in a rush.
 
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Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,338
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Not looking good for Konta. Venus playing well.

Edit: That's it for Konta. Venus played well.
 
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Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
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Well done Cilic.

Querrey I think played pretty much as well as he can in this tournament.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
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Cilic wins the battle of who loses in the final.

Fair play though...he dug down well after losing the first set.
 
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