I'm surprised there are no comments yet about Nathan Robertson's attitude during the 3rd set of the mixed final. I can appreciate the crushing disappointment of not closing the match out in the 2nd set, but he is a professional sportsman and in my opinion to not try in the way he did is unforgiveable. Whether he likes it or not, he is a role model for many children here and I think we can do without anyone copying that! Everyone I was with thought the same, as well as a few people who watched on TV. I really felt sorry for Emms towards the end of the match. It was such a shame as well, as the first 2 sets had been extremely close and competitive, while the 3rd set spoilt it. And before anyone says...I wanted Zhang/Gao to win as I have never liked Robertson! Contrast Robertson's attitude with Lin Dan and his never say die attitude in the semi vs LCW. I have never been Lin Dan's greatest fan, but I am warming more to him over time. He is a character and we need characters like him in the game. What does everyone else think?
what a pity. He is great talence. When at his peak, Robertson and Ems is very delight to watch. How can he refuse to play, in his home ground
Please say what happened? Did he stopped playing? I had left the NIA by then as I had a long drive home.
wl, basically in the final game he didn't even try to win the rallies, leaving gail to do the work and the back and not moving for shuttles even some easy ones. they were 14-0 down in about 5 mins. when they actually won one point he licked his finger and pointed in the air like he had won the game. his behaviour was unprofessional at the very best, and at worst insulting to his the crowd who had cheered him throughout the tournament (me not included) and opponents-although am sure they didn't mind!
It was very very disappointing to watch to say the least. After their amazing come back on Friday and a relatively easy game on Saturday, everyone in the audience was gutted. Especially after the FIVE failed match points. Somehow I knew Emms/Robertson wouldn't win after losing that 2nd game. I went to get a burger and came back to my seat to find they were already 4-0 down! Arrghh! They (well Robertson) just gave up in the third game
But isn't this typical Nathan behaviour? When things aren't going as they should, he often seems to go into this "couldn't-care-less-and-I'd-rather-be-somewhere-else" mode. He's always had this problem, IMHO. Of course, behaving like this in an All England final is pretty grave. He's an extremely talented player, but no champ in my book. Hasn't there been any comments or interviews in British press about this? Has Nathan said anything to his defense?
I can't agree more Mag, he has always been like this, and we have commented on it before. It is just an excuse for me to moan about it more! In the paper today I read he said that he was mentally tired from being so close to winning, and when you are metally tired the body cannot work either. He never has and never will be a real champion. I am so proud of Gao & Zhang they won, and showed the strength to break them and win gracefully. They have won Everything there is too win and still try there hardest. true champions in my mind.
havent seen the video yet but sad to hear such a let down by nathan when ENG has equal chance to win on the decider game. Quitting so close to winning is really really sad. If i see my partner is still trying her best, i would change my atittude around and go for it.
Could LWW/CTF lose to the Danes for the same reason.....mentally "burn-out" ? The 21 points system will serve those mentally "burn-outers" very well and give little chances to those mentally "strong" players
me too, haven't seen the video. but sighhh...I always believe in "going down fighting" I'm sad for Emms.
eh, didn't see that one?! must have been sickening to behold, though.. and yeah, the crowd was really very supportive of the pair, and for him to give up the match without so much as a thought for his partner or himself .. dissapointment was really heavy in the crowd by the end of it all, much less cheering than when the british pair were on course in the 2nd game.
I always thought that the pairing are only as good as they are because of Gail. Its always Nathan who is making the mistakes and quite often its Gail who is carrying the team. Also did you see Nathan get a yellow card on semis day, for breaking his racket against his foot? Again on match point in the final 14-1 day he got flicked served and just hit a clear high up as thought he couldn't be bothered. Although im surprised he actually hit it because the last few shots that went anywhere near the back he left and they were in. Sure he was tired but he could have looked like he cared. Its okay to lose but to lose in such a fashion, as though it was a joke, was not on.
i found it embarrassing to watch, if i was gail i would have gotten quite annoyed with nathan and told him what for
Yeah. If I was Gail I think I might have walked off!!! Coz you wouldn't expect your partner to treat you like that after they've done so well
i guess you could describe what nathan did as childish... i've seen a fair few people do it at junior tournaments