Originally Posted by
tartan-belle:
“!!!!!
”
It's become a farce really, but the award is sponsored by Federer's sponsors, and while I don't think they rig it, I am sure they exert some influence. But the reality is that giving him the award year on year serves to diminish the award, so they aren't doing him any favours - especially this year. I also think the criteria for giving the award is fairly vague, and what's important to some in a sportsman is irrelevant to others, and what some consider terrible sportsmanship, others think is just fine.
For example, I couldn't care less about swearing and Scottish people really do swear a lot in affectionate situations, never mind the stressful ones. Meanwhile, some Americans react to what I consider moderate swear words as if you've just punched their granny. In Britain, Andy Murray got a lot of credit for sticking up for the women in tennis, not just because he's one of ours, but because most Brits believe in equally of the sexes. Meanwhile, he took a lot of flak in some of the eastern European press, who were eager to defend what Djokovic had said. It was a similar story when Murray spoke up against doping, and a lot of sports writers hailed him for showing great leadership, but you had fans of certain other players being very defensive.
Delpo was such an obvious, but well deserved winner of the come-back award. The rest are harder to judge, but I can't complain. I can't say I've noticed Cilic do any humanitarian work, but presumably he does his share of charity work, and it underlines that the tour holds no grudges against him for his own doping mistake.
They are all an excuse to hand out some gongs and get press and publicity, and IMO have little to do with encouraging the players to be sporting, or charitable.
I read something about Berdych having a problem with his appendix, and Tsonga has had injury problems all year, so probably ready for a proper rest - especially if he is to become a dad next year.
Dimitrov skipping was more than a bit presumptuous. At least Jo and Thomas have played there many times, so aren't missing out on the experience.