To be appalled at the way the young tennis player dismissed her dad from the court

[springydaffs]

Did anybody see it? She pointed at him and gestured for him to get off, like he was a stray dog.

I was absolutely appalled that she treated him this way and in public too. He meekly left. I would rather have a decent human being for a child than a brat tennis star. The Wimbledon presenters took it on the chin - regrettable but well, that's how it goes. No it doesn't imo.

[worraliberty]

I didn't see it.

What was he doing on the court?

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

If he has brought up this brat to have no manners and to treat people this way, he deserves it. I don't watch the tennis now but I remember the McEnroe tantrums and being singularly unimpressed with him because of them. Others seemed to 'celebrate' his behaviour.

I wonder if people will contact the BBC to complain? If I'd seen it, I would have, just to make the point I think.

springydaffs... Have you read 'Tennis Shoes' by Noel Steatfeild? Really nice story and encompasses your wish for a decent human being as a child. :)

[cjbartlett]

Are they playing on middle sunday then?

[RobF]

Who was it?

[DirtyMartini]

Seriously, you'd complain to the BBC that a sportsperson was bratty to her dad?

Didn't see it myself.

[Macaroona]

I saw that! Even more shocked at the interview with her afterwards when she seemed to show no understanding of how rudely she came across.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

I'd complain to them for televising it and disrespecting her father.

[worraliberty]

[RobF]

Who was it? There is no play at Wimbledon today. Were you watching highlights on red button?

[fuzzpigFriday]

Can you elaborate? Who was it?

As an aside I really loved the tv version of Ballet Shoes with hermione granger Emma Watson.

[Animation]

Yes I saw it. I think he was being a pain though prior to that - shouting over at her too much and obviuosly putting her off.

[springydaffs]

Can't find it - saw it on the Wimbledon update prog in the evening last night. Didn't know the run-up - that he was apparently shouting out - but the way she pointed and gestured to him, flicking her hand as though to say 'get lost'. Like I said, like he was a dog, not her father

[RobF]

I think a lot of female tennis players have issues with their fathers, especially when they double as a coach.

Imagine your dad teaching you to drive, times a thousand.

[mayorquimby]

They have a professional relationship and he was already warned for coaching the day before. He was obviously getting on her nerves and she told him to get lost so she could concentrate on playing. I really can't see the problem.

[englishmummyinwales]

It was Marion Bartoli, she's got a reputation for being a bit of a madam. She wouldn't sign autographs on the way out either. He's her coach and her father, so he's got to take some responsibility for the way she behaves, I guess, but I was amazed how John Inverdale, John Lloyd and Pat Cash thought it was quite amusing.

[meditrina]

Are any posters here parents of tennis players? DCs recently started having lessons, are doing well and have gone to a couple of easy mini-tennis tournaments. I've been really at how very overtly, loudly and abrasively competitive a few parents are (pushy well beyond what I've seen at eg football). And LTA seems to encourage competitiveness from an insanely early age.

Any other views on this? Perhaps I'm misreading LTA in a harsh light given a couple of atypical experiences.

[OrangeHat]

She was in a professional competition, competing at the highest level, a lot riding on it, very keyed up, concentrating hard etc etc

He is her coach and he was putting her off (by the sounds of it).

Well within her rights to get him to leave. I am not aware that scrupulously high standards of courtesy are expected of other top-ranking sports people in the middle of an important competition.

[OrangeHat]

How a family communicate between themselves is up to them. If he is her father and her coach then they must spend a vast amount of time together and understand each other.

[sharbie]

i didn't see this but are they allowed to talk to their coach from the court?? maybe only gestures allowed

[Alibabaandthe80nappies]

I think that the players can be penalised if they are 'coached' while the game is in progress.

If he has already been warned once, then perhaps she was concerned that he was going to get her into trouble?

[mayorquimby]

Plus she's not allowed to speak to him. Only way to get rid of him was to point and gesture.

[MmeLindor.]

Pushy parents are not called "Tennis Parents" for nothing.

If he was being a pain then she was quite right to send him packing.

[springydaffs]

I don't care how well they know each other or what was at stake, you don't treat people like this. Though i can understand she had to gesture as she couldn't talk but the gesture was just, well, repugnant, very offensive. Just seen that she's french - ah, right. Paris?

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

I personally don't care how people speak to each other, they have their standards of behaviour, that's up to them.

I do object to the cameras focusing on displays like that though. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the game and everything to do with pandering to Jeremy Kyle-esque viewers. I really thought tennis and the BBC were above that.

I'm not from the 'old days' but I do appreciate the 'old ways' and some things should be sacrosanct... :(

[DirtyMartini]

I am struggling to grasp why people are so up in arms about this. A bit of conflict such as you describe is bound to be relevant to coverage of a match. As for 'you don't treat people like this', well, no, but... Sometimes kids are very rude to parents. And if the personal relationship is also a professional one then of course clashes will occur.

Anyway - IMO you don't really have grounds to condemn her so strongly when you're not fully aware of the context.