Beijing 2008 - Blake angry at Gonzo after loss

Eurosport - Fri, 15 Aug 16:02:00 2008

James Blake launched a withering verbal volley at Fernando Gonzalez, accusing him of acting against the spirit of the Olympics after losing to the Chilean in an acrimonious men's singles semi-finals.

TENNIS Fernando Gonzalez - 0

The 28-year-old American was convinced Gonzalez, a doubles gold medallist in Athens, had robbed him of a point with unsporting behaviour near the end of a gripping contest that lasted nearly three hours.

With Blake leading 9-8 in the decider he hit a fierce forehand towards Gonzalez (pictured) at the net. The ball landed out but Blake was convinced it touched his opponent's racket.

Eighth seed Blake, who could still end up with a bronze medal, had a lengthy debate with Brazilian chair umpire Carlos Bernardes who awarded the point to Gonzalez.

"Playing in the Olympics, in what's supposed to be considered a gentleman's sport, that's a time to call it on yourself," Blake, who lost 4-6 7-5 11-9 after holding three match points, said.

"Fernando looked me square in the eye and didn't call it. If it had happened the other way, I never would have finished the match because my father would have pulled me off the court.

"We know when it touches us. And he knew that. So that's where it comes into calling it on yourself. Should I expect him to do that? Maybe not.

"It's a disappointing way to exit the tournament when you not only lose the match, but you lose a little faith in your fellow competitor."

Gonzalez played down the incident later saying he had been so tired that he was unaware whether the ball had touched his racket or not, although television replays suggested that Blake had a legitimate gripe.

Reuters

Comment 34 - 53 of 53

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  1. The Olympics are a complete farce anyway. What about the original ethos of amateur sportsmen and women competing purely for the pleasure of competition.

    Most of the people in the present Games are professional and semi professionals, who want the glory as well as the money they earn.

    Its about time the Olympics were scrapped, they are just used for political useage and self indulgence

    As for the Games coming to London, a pure waste of time and badly needed money which could be used much more usefully elsewhere.

    BAN THE GAMES BAN THE GAMES BAN THE GAMES BAN THE GAMES BAN THE GAMES BAN THE GAMES

    From vincentgtracey, on Sat 16 Aug 6:39PM

  2. The referee knew exactly what to do, review the play and correct the error. He failed to do that. It was unfortunate.

    From LEVI B, on Sat 16 Aug 1:46PM

  3. ±±±± REPLY TO MERRITTT 6666 ~~ PERHAPS U R RIGHT BUT YOU WILL FIND
    MANY OTHER PLAYERS WILL ADMIRE HIM FOR JUST WHAT HE MANAGED
    TO GET AWAY WITH IN FRONT OF MILLIONS OF VIEWERS !
    THE UMPIRE SHOULD HAVE SETTLED THE DISPUTE
    ITS NOT UP TO THE PLAYERS INVOLVED ~ DO PLAYERS DECIDE LINE CALLS ?

    From ballerinastar22, on Sat 16 Aug 1:04PM

  4. AFTER BLAKE LOST THE FINAL 3 GAMES OF HIS TENNIS MATCH
    HE SHOULD HAVE CALLED IN THE CHINESE BOXING JUDGES
    ON CURRENT FORM THEY WOULD HAVE AWARDED HIM
    THE MATCH BY A WIDE WINNING MARGIN !

    From ballerinastar22, on Sat 16 Aug 12:55PM

  5. I do not like cheats and GONZO is a cheat. I use to like him but gone right off him now. All the male players will hate him for what he has done.
    Alison Merritt.

    From AJ, on Sat 16 Aug 12:30PM

  6. crazy

    From Saw W, on Sat 16 Aug 12:07PM

  7. Gonzalez lost more than Blake. Once lost, integrity is hard to regain.

    From Texas, on Sat 16 Aug 10:33AM

  8. He knew he touched the ball. As hard as it would of been, I would have admitted it because I couldn't live with myself, but sadly there are less and less players who would. I respect Blake for shaking his hand at the end because I don't know if I could of done that since the hand shake is a sign of Sportsmanship. I'm not mad at the fact Blake lost (even though I wanted him to win), but the fact that someone who doesn't care about Sportsmanship still has a chance to get a bronze medal, but that just sums up how this world is now a days. If he would of admitted it and went on to win the match I would of congratulated him, but not now.

    From emerence@..., on Sat 16 Aug 10:11AM

  9. BLAKE LOST THE LAST 3 GAMES OF HIS SEMI FINAL CONTEST
    then he has the cheek to blame his opponent !! !
    what did he expect after losing the final 3 games in a row
    they are both undesirable contestants BAN THEM NOW

    From ballerinastar22, on Sat 16 Aug 9:29AM

  10. BLAKE LOST THE LAST 3 GAMES OF HIS SEMI FINAL CONTEST
    then he has the cheek to blame his opponent !! !
    what did he expect after losing the final 3 games in a row
    they are both undesirable contestants BAN THEM NOW

    From ballerinastar22, on Sat 16 Aug 9:29AM

  11. please do ban them both such deplorable players fine them both $£$99.000/- each
    ban them both till 2009 what undesirable snarling images

    From ballerinastar22, on Sat 16 Aug 9:00AM

  12. better to love a sporting winning contestant respected by the other players

    but this World is now heavily populated with thieves crooks rogues who would rob their own family & friends

    From ballerinastar.tutu, on Sat 16 Aug 8:43AM

  13. everyone loves a cheter...:))

    From Purcelusul Istet, on Sat 16 Aug 8:37AM

  14. thats correct no player can expect to lose the last 3 games of a big match & win the contest
    that disputed shot made little difference TV shows it was well out ~ a faint wisp made no difference
    a good idea to ban them both for at least 6months and fine each$55.000/- for charity
    we didnt enjoy watching those snarling bad tempered pair^^ 3lost games in a row did it
    Nadal will wipe ferd off the court in the final ^^

    From ballerinastar.tutu, on Sat 16 Aug 8:29AM

  15. He knew he touched the ball I would have admitted it, but I know many player who would not.

    From deepestimpaler, on Sat 16 Aug 2:12AM

  16. I love Gonzo but I still think someone would know if a ball hit the racket. Hope the matter can be resolved amicably between the two players as tennis is the loser in the end.
    Some of the comments I've read regarding some players sound like they're coming from soccer hooligans instead of tennis fans. We all get excited and want our heroes to win but please, lets show a bit of respect for the other guys, even if we don't like lets remember that without them, tennis wouldn't be where it is today and we, the fans, wouldn't be treated to a standard of tennis never dreamed about. After all that, Vamos Rafa, I pray for you every day.

    From roisinkane, on Sat 16 Aug 2:09AM

  17. Fernando Gonzales should be ashame of himself as it's so obvious that the ball touched his racket. james Blake has a legitimate claim on it.

    From none,, on Fri 15 Aug 10:40PM

  18. seem like amercian culture.. not to accept defeats ... like in iraq

    From Saw W, on Fri 15 Aug 10:16PM

  19. blake is for the birds, I have seen on several recent tournament verbally abused the referee, he's a cry baby and a jerk! congras Gonzo for the wim

    From dfortin54, on Fri 15 Aug 10:13PM

  20. after listening to various connments from people who do not know what they are talking about you had 2 guys playning there hearts out for a gold medal. on the day the best player won he has had a great year so respect what he has done and look forward to the future long live young men rafa you are the best.

    From clare, on Fri 15 Aug 9:35PM
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