'GAEL MONFILS'

I was never a fan of Social Media in the beginning, in fact I despised it, I only bought a computer because my kids required the net for certain school subjects, now I am hooked.
Such is life.
I don't go out of my way to argue with people on Social Media, though I know some that do.
Locally here in 'Sleepy Hollow' we actually have a Facebook page titled 'Have a Whinge' and it's all about saying something about our town and what we don't like about it. 
It's hilarious.
Some people have full on arguments, back and forth, almost like a game of tennis on a page, it's entertaining at times however sometimes I look at it like life in general now days, much of it happens on Social Media pages as opposed to real life.
Maybe that's why the local tennis courts are empty a lot of the time, many prefer 'hitting a ball' at each other on line as opposed to the tennis club. 
Sorry, stating the obvious.
Two days ago I offered an opinion on the ATP Facebook page on Gael Monfils, the French Entertainer first, the French Tennis Professional second. I love watching this guy, in fact if he was playing Kyrgios and Roger was playing Novak at the same time I would let the latter play out their mind games against one another and read the result the next day.
Monfils vs Kyrgios, now that would be worth a look.
The thing is with these two guys is simple, don't over cook it, best of three would be suffice, no sense either of these two getting tired as that would take away from the entertainment of what they can both dish up.
You can have your best of 5, I usually do something else for the first 2 or 3 sets then tune in to see the conclusion, it's all pretty ho hum now days as the 'real' stuff gets going in set 4 or 5.
So to the ATP Tour Facebook page;
'IS THERE ANYTHING GAEL MONFILS TENNIS CAN'T DO' ?
The first reply was from someone who suggested he hasn't won a Slam and therefore should basically not be looked upon as taking the game seriously. Someone else actually suggested that because Gael doesn't win Slams and doesn't really bother the scoreboard too much at the Big 4 events he is actually 'taking the piss' !
This was my answer;
Glenn Thompson "Why would he want to try to win a Slam ? Only a few can do. Makes over a million each year in prizemoney, probably double at least in endorsements. Marion Bartoli thinks he and Kyrgios are 'wasting their time'. For what ? Great lifestyle, weekly wage most would give their right arm for. Will never beat the big guns over 5 sets, yet is a three set highlight package. All tennis players have their strengths, their weaknesses, Gael is not a Slam contender, he knows it, don't see him getting too upset over it, we shouldn't either".

Now I told you already that I am not big on Social Media but that hasn't stopped me from counting the 'likes' on that comment of mine, 20 to be exact. So 20 others agree with me, some actually offered a comment back; 
" Well said Glenn! Each player bring different, entertaining skills to the court, there's more to life than slams"(Y

So are tennis players ONLY measured on their Grand Slam results ? Well it seems the answer is 'YES' if you talk to the traditionalists of the sport however 'NOT NECESSARILY' if you speak to the public who want to see some entertainment and not just a result for the history books that seem to define a tennis player.
Gael Monfils has won just over 15 million bucks in his time on a tennis court which I have traced back to 2003 when he was ranked 1058. So in 15 complete years he has amassed around a mil each year and the figures don't lie.
2018 - Monfils won 29 matches and $1,245,000.
2017 - Monfils won 20 matches and $1,003,000.
The enigmatic Frenchman it seems is very content to do what he does best and that is entertain without actually winning too much as his trophy cabinet suggests just that with a rather modest SEVEN titles to his name.
If you look at most work places now days and let's face it, probably since the beginning of time most employees are happy to earn a wage without actually running the office because when you are 'head honcho' a lot more responsibility is expected of you.
Is a 'common employee' wasting his or her time just because he or she is simply happy to help the office run smoothly without actually trying to run it themselves ? 
Easy to answer isn't it ?
Gael Monfils is an 'employee', someone who makes the 'office' run smoothly, even reminds me a bit of myself when I was a Postman for 20 something years. I did things a bit differently, fed many a dog a biscuit on my Postie run to keep them on side and left 90 year old Mrs Smith's letters and packages on the door step on a rainy day.

Gael Monfils delivers packages his way, not necessarily by the book but he does it with a bit of flair. He will never 'run the office', he is simply a Postman of sorts who will always deliver the goods.
He is courteous to fellow employees and customers alike, a prerequisite for a Postman.

Now there's a new vocation for you Gael once your time is up on a tennis court......

TENNIS AUSTRALIA BACK FLIP ( WEAK AS PISS )

Funny isn't it, you put pen to paper, write a few things down, post them, makes you feel a bit better that you got it all of ya chest, because that's what a Blog is all about. Three people may read your Blog however it is the personal satisfaction that writing gives you as opposed to the views that it may receive.
So to the latest.
I couldn't believe my luck today as my least favorite organization in the entire World, Tennis Australia gave me yet another 'weak as piss' moment that I looked upon like a kid in a candy store would look at an all day sucker.
I had just finished posting my three favorite 'weak as piss' articles from my Blog due to a conversation I had with one of my two friends when a news feed came through regarding the latest on the Tomic/ Hewitt/ Davis Cup/ Tennis Australia comedy routine which came to light thanks to Bernie at the Oz Open in January.
So here it is, personally I think it typifies tennis in the Land of Oz, no one knows anything about anything, no one really has a plan, they simply make it up as they go along.
The following is from Craig Tiley, Tennis Australia Chief Executive in regards to Lleyton Hewitt's claims that he was 'threatened' by Bernard Tomic.

Tiley said he believed Hewitt's comments were made "in a time of the highest level of emotion".

He said Tomic would never be barred from representing Australia in Davis Cup but talks would have to take place with Hewitt if he wanted to be selected.

"As far as I'm concerned the doors are always open for players to compete," Tiley told Grandstand.

"Bernard is back a long way, he's got to sit down and have a conversation with Lleyton to get an opportunity to do that.

( COURTESY OF ABC NEWS , 27/01/2019  )

OK SO TO TODAY'S HEADLINES AND A 'SLIGHT' BACK FLIP FROM MR TILEY

Bernard Tomic is deliberately sabotaging Australia’s tennis culture, according to Lletyon Hewitt and Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley. Hewitt has backed an attack by Tiley on Tomic in another escalation of a bitter feud between the outcast player and tennis hierarchy.

“We expect players to be respectful of the sport and each other,” Tiley said in a statement on Saturday. “Bernard does not meet the standards of behaviour and commitment to himself, the team or the sport. Now he is deliberately trying to damage that culture, and not for the first time.”

Hewitt, asked if he subscribed to the same view as Tiley, replied: “Yep.” Australia’s Davis Cup captain Hewitt has pledged never to select Tomic again after a recent blow-up during the Australian Open.

And Tiley, a week after expressing hope Tomic and Hewitt could mend their fractured relationship, freshly criticised the controversial player. “Our organisation remains deeply disappointed with the ongoing disrespect from Bernard and his father,” Tiley said. “We have given more than a decade of support. Ultimately, we have to draw a line when the behaviour does not warrant the support.”

( Craig Tiley, Courtesy of Australian Associated Press, 2/02/2019 )

So that only took about a week for the TA main man to change his views on the whole circus. Must have been a few beers sunk at another Tennis Australia BBQ with the usual suspects just recently ey Craig ?

Fair dinkum it's brilliant isn't it ? 

One day we are looking at a resolution, the next we are looking at total banishment of a player from an organization that are happy to line the pockets of an egotist over the course of the Australian Tennis Summer with Wildcards at ALL THREE EVENTS, Brisbane, Sydney and the grandaddy of em all, the Oz Open.

I recently posted an article that received some airplay in which I put through a rather 'modest' estimate of around $20,000 that Tennis Australia may as well have slipped to Hewitt in brown paper bags rather than let him embarrass the sport and himself in this Country ONCE AGAIN with his appearances during his 'retirement'.

Boy oh boy what a young up and coming player could have done with 20 gees as far as kick starting his career this summer but hey, it's ok TA, Lleyton is still sporting that shit eating grin while he tops up Bec's shopping account.

Bernie as far as I am concerned is brilliant, he had the balls to stand up to TA and the crap that goes on in that Mickey Mouse organization as they support an ego trip that seems to now even surpass Jonny 'comeback kid' Farnham in 'one more time' appearances.

If I was to rate my 'WEAK AS PISS' moments on this Blog of mine, well, I believe Craig Tiley's back flip may just top the list. It's a severe case of 'lack of balls syndrome' and Mr Tiley should take a bow, he really stuck to his guns and showed em big time that he has the intestinal fortitude to run the sport of tennis in this Country.

Craig, we salute you, go hard buddy.......

Kind Regards 

Glenn