"Crazy how players become insufferable"- Fans pile on Mardy Fish as he mocks journalist's take on Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev French Open final
Fans criticized Mardy Fish for ridiculing tennis journalist Jose Morgado's opinion that the 2024 French Open final between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev was "not great". Alcaraz had triumphed over Zverev to secure his third Grand Slam title.
Seeded third, Alcaraz defeated fourth seed Zverev 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 in four hours and 19 minutes at Court Philippe Chatrier to claim the 2024 French Open title.
The Spaniard, 21, also became the youngest male player to win Grand Slam titles on three different surfaces, following his previous title wins on hard courts at the 2022 US Open and on grass courts at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships.
During the match, tennis journalist Jose Morgado shared his thoughts on the match on social media, suggesting that the final between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev was not as exciting as expected.
"Folks, this final... hasn't been great :( ," Morgado posted on X (formerly Twitter).
In response, former American player Mardy Fish mocked Morgado's opinion and implied that he was simply sharing his opinion from his "basement," insinuating that the journalist's opinion was not to be taken into consideration.
"Imagine tweeting this from your basement," Fish wrote, reposting Morgado's tweet.
However, many tennis fans did not appreciate Fish's mocking tone towards Morgado and took to social media to express their disapproval.
One fan stated that it was crazy how all tennis players become "insufferable" with time.
"Crazy how all tennis players become insufferable with time," a fan posted.
Several fans felt that it is now common for players to criticize journalists and commentators, believing them to lack knowledge about the sport.
"👎 I always found this to be a REALLY silly argument. As if a commentator, journalist, or fan cannot say a player isn’t playing well or has a specific weakness, just because that commentator, journalist, or fan couldn’t dream of playing at 5% of that level," a fan wrote.
"These days you're not allowed to be a journalist and comment on the level of tennis in a tennis match. if you do you're a loser who must spend all your time in your basement," another fan wrote.
One fan even described Fish's comment as "pathetic."
"Such a pathetic comment from you," a fan posted.
"It’s ok for ppl to acknowledge that the tennis was ugly. Because the tennis was indeed ugly. After all, not all your matches were masterpieces," a fan posted.
While several others simply felt that it was unfair to target Jose Morgado in such a manner.
"Mardys takes on tennis almost as bad as his tennis," a fan wrote.
"Mardy, I want to like you but then you say a*shole things like this. Yesterday’s final was weird, uneven, and truly “not great”. Also, Jose was there in the stadium live. Where were you watching the match?" a fan wrote.
Carlos Alcaraz on his performance at French Open 2024: "Everyone in my team is giving their heart just to make me improve as a player"
During the trophy presentation ceremony following his win over Alexander Zverev in the final of the 2024 French Open, Carlos Alcaraz expressed gratitude towards his team for their support in helping him recover from a right arm injury that had caused him to withdraw from the Italian Open just before the commencement of the French Open.
Alcaraz also credited their assistance as crucial to his success in securing his third Grand Slam title at Roland Garros.
"It has been incredible work. The last month we were struggling a lot with the injury. Looking back to Madrid, I didn't feel well. The next week there were a lot of doubts and then coming here and practising not too much. I know that everyone in my team is giving their heart just to make me improve as a player and a person," Carlos Alcaraz said.
Carlos Alcaraz took a moment to congratulate Zverev on having a good year thus far. He also commended the German for his improved playing level and to hard work.
"I want to congratulate Sascha for a great beginning of this year, a great level of tennis, a great tournament. It is unbelievable the level that you are playing and the level of work you are putting in every day. I am pretty sure you will have the opportunities to win slams or this tournament very, very soon," he added.