I know that my discourse online is a bubble, and almost always a progressive bubble. There is this common theme among people who love tennis online that we all hate this one specific man. He has been credibly accused by two ex-girlfriends of domestic violence, he has lost his temper on the court many times to the point of it being quite scary, and he has double-downed on his smug attitude towards it all. Every time I see a video of someone wishing for him not to win a Major Title, I like it. Support my fellow progressers!
As major seeds lost out of Roland Garros this year, it was becoming increasingly clear that this man’s chance at winning his first Major was likely here. And yesterday, he did win.
This paralleled with Carter Hart being in a Stanley Cup final is enough to be someone’s 13th reason, truly.
Every time someone posts about this tennis man or Carter Hart online, it feels like the amount of supporters or defenders of them is five-fold the criticism.
The biggest narrative on the correct side online lately has been a pushback on the post #MeToo narrative that “false allegations” ruin mens lives. Like the perpetrators are the victims. A known violent, aggressive, domestic abuser won 2.8M euros yesterday on primetime television, his name etched on the walls of Roland Garros for all-time.
I know the pendulum of any movement swings, but I almost can’t believe how much it has swung back in the direction of protecting bad people. I’ve said before the need for louder advocacy is now more than ever, but it’s impossible not to feel disheartened.
With Tennis or Hockey especially, I never understand why people are so fanatical over explicitly bad people. There’s a million Tennis players and fifty some hockey teams, one just as talented as the next.
In this political age, I think it’s more important than ever to be aware of who support, where our money goes and be cautious of those we ride or die for. The moral bar might be high, but the people who meet it are well worth supporting. It’s our job to be informed consumers, even if it’s just sports on TV.
TTYS,
RS