Thanks for your comment, apologies that I am just now seeing it!

I do play tennis, and I grew up in a household where tennis was on TV all weekend long (my father is a tennis pro) so I’m pretty familiar with the post game interview. And I stand by my argument that it is painful. It was painful back in my childhood, when Jimmy Connors could barely hide his contempt, and it’s painful now.

Did you see the look on Roddick’s face? He was seething! I took the laughter to be nervous laughter, but if you found it to be a happy-go-lucky gut-chuckle then we’ll have to agree to disagree. And I am well aware that Federer a) is not a native English speaker (In the DFW essay I linked to he makes a great observation about Federer’s “you know” verbal tics – it’s worth reading if you have not already) and b) should not have to deliver a rousing ode to the audience after playing the longest fifth set in history.

I think perhaps you missed that point — it’s why I wrote the line “eloquence does not put spin on a tennis ball” and it’s also why I think it’s unfair to subject the loser to such a public, and immediate, microphone-in-face.

Re-reading what I wrote, I think it’s hardly critical of Federer and more so critical of the interview (and, usually, interviewER) itself. At any rate, I look forward to more squirmy moments, because they’re way more interesting to write about.

You completely missed the humor in Roddick’s comment. There was nothing “painful” or “awkward” about it – and the comment was INTENTIONALLY funny. There was nothing unintentional about it. Notice the laughter from the fans AND from Federer. Roddick’s comment was absolutely hilarious and was intended to be funny. I am not a Roddick fan – but I am willing to recognize that he had a funny moment.

Second – you may not have noticed this either – but Roger Federer is from Switzerland – not America. He speaks pretty good English, but it is not his first language.

Third – he is an athlete – not a public speaker. I’m guessing you wouldn’t be interested in watching a Wimbledon final between your favorite comedians or public speakers. Get off the guy’s back for not being a keynote speaker after a 4 1/2 hour match.

And finally – to Ron – Federer didn’t go to the local tailor shop to have his warm-ups made. He is a Nike player and they have people who make his clothes for him. What he wore was a tribute to the traditions of Wimbledon and grass court tennis. People used to play entire matches dressed that way – WITH ties – and without tennis shoes. If you don’t know the guy – don’t make comments about the his personality.

The interview-ER may be incredibly lame and ask dumb questions – but the post match interviews have been around for ages.

Andy’s match with Andy Murray the other day was also fantastic. I hope Roddick can have some big wins soon. I feel bad for him losing to Roger 19-2 over time.

Also, I think this is the first comment left on this site. YAY FIRST!!!111!!!!