Yes, it is that time of the year when ice has melted for hockey, basketballs have ceased to dribble and they have yet to blow a whistle for football. All we have is baseball and some local events that try hard to connect with fans.
But wait, there is more. Yes, it’s time to look for anything that can be printed and not get us sued. Enter: a cat fight.
It seems that instead of watching tennis at Wimbledon – where the only real reason to watch tennis is Serena Williams – our heroine is in the middle of a issue that has nothing to do with her skills on the court.
It all started when Serena decided to take a shot at a rival (or should we say “alleged rival,” as Serena has been wearing her out) – Maria Sharapova. Williams took a shot at an unnamed rival in Rolling Stone magazine, apparently referring to Sharapova’s love interest. She was not nice about it in the article. Williams did not mention that Sharapova’s new toy was someone Serena used to play with previously.
Spilled milk, sour grapes? I have no idea, but it struck a chord with Sharapova. She responded by highlighting Williams’ current romantic situation, going as far as calling her a home wrecker. According to Sharapova, Williams is kicking it with a married man who is the father of two and rumored to be getting a divorce.
When you add it all up, they will say, “Wimbledon will now be must-watch TV.” Really? Are they now going to do something other than play tennis? Even hardcore tennis fans find their sport challenging to watch these days. The casual fan with the TV clicker would be hard-pressed to name five players who are not the Williams sisters, Sharapova, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer. Yes, this sport has big problems.
The sad part of this story is this. If these two women were not playing tennis, they would be prime candidates for a Jerry Springer show. They are supposed to be playing tennis, but is it a real story on who is playing with whom off the court? Someone always wants to look at someone else’s soiled laundry. Why the media is so enthralled by this trash is a mystery to me, much like Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia and their issues. The media covers these things as if someone is actually going to be hit with a pitching wedge or slammed with a backhand.
I often wonder why marquee athletes talk to the media at all. Few have what it takes to say “kiss off” for real. Before you start with the business about it being required that athletes talk to the press or that the media makes these athletes into bankable stars, I might remind you that – as long as an athlete plays at an elite level – they really do not need the media. Their actions can speak louder than any words that can be objectively written about them. There are only a few Michael Jordans, LeBron James, Peyton Mannings and Serenas in the first place, so that argument falls on deaf ears.
If it sounds like I am biting the hand that feeds me, you are right. But in this day and age what athlete gives you the good stuff with respect to quotes anyway? Most are programmed to say the right thing, which is fine. When there is controversy, you only hope that they still say the right thing. Other than that, it can be somewhat of a challenge to get them to say anything worth printing, unless you catch them right after the big moment when they forget about the media and their emotions take over.
I am at that point where someone’s personal life is none of my business, nor yours. I understand it makes good copy, but I wonder if these same reporters and pundits who pore over the personal problems of star athletes would like it if it were publicly discussed who kicked them out of bed last week?
I am sure there are plenty of real difference-making stories out there and plenty of talented people who can report on them. Cat fights do not make that list. I get a much better kick out of watching Serena dominate her sport. No one has done it like her in any other sport. If you want to bring up LeBron, might I remind you that he needs help every night to dominate. The only helper Serena Williams has is a well-strung tennis racket.
Get ready folks, as off-field stories will only become more and more common in the coverage of sports. At least we will know more about our favorite athletes personally, if you are into that sort of stuff. Not me. I’ll pass.
