There really is nothing as great as a fabulous meltdown on the tennis court, is there? I must say that Viktor Troicki is very underrated in this department, probably because he just hasn’t been in the public eye much at all these past few years. Last year as I watched a grainy stream of Troicki playing Malisse in Den Bosch, I actually saw Vik throw a tantrum so toddlerish that he literally sat in his chair and refused to move until the umpire changed his mind. As all three-year-olds have learned, the tactic did not work.
Today, Toddler Tantrum Troicki was back. Let the heavens rejoice. He was already a bit off-keel after getting breadsticked in the first set by Ernests Gulbis, but then at 30-40 at the start of the 2nd set, he let his freak flag fly.
The meltdown of the year, everyone. Troicki goes nuts at Cedric Mourier. (via @TheFanChild) http://t.co/TU55uc6SCc
— Victoria Chiesa (@vrcsports) May 15, 2013
Things start rather calmly. Facing a break point to start the second set, Viktor hits a backhand that is close to the line, but called out by umpire Cedric Mourier. Mourier immediately scampers down from his chair to check the mark. After Mourier upholds the call, Troicki hops the net rather calmly, saying “No, no, no.”
Then the fun begins. Here are the approximate highlights, all by Viktor. Mourier could hardly get a word in.
0:35- “Oh, come on, you know you are wrong. YOU KNOW YOU ARE WRONG … COME ON. You called it and now you don’t want to overrule it. There is no space. Come on, there is NO SPACE. I don’t want to play like this. THERE IS NO SPACE. THERE IS ZERO SPACE … There is no space, there is zero space, you don’t want to correct yourself … I don’t want to play like this. You don’t want to correct yourself, because you always think you’re right … I wouldn’t complain if I was not sure. I don’t see any space at all. FROM THE SPACE (motions to the space) YOU CAN SEE IT IS THERE.”
2:06- “I will retire. Seriously, I will retire (walks to chair, sits down) …You’re 100% wrong. I wouldn’t make a show out of this.”
2:40- “THERE IS NO SPACE. Give me the camera, I tape it. (Actually grabs the camera, then drags the camera and the cameraman up to the mark to tape it. SERIOUSLY.)”
(The crowd starts chanting “Viktor, Viktor!” He gets a warning.)
(He loses the match in straight breadsticks, but he will live on in tantrum infamy forever.)
I wonder if Gulbis gave Troicki some rant tips before the match. Ernie couldn't be prouder.
— Josh Meiseles (@JoshMeiz) May 15, 2013
Ernests Gulbis has that super calm look on his face. Which means a racket is going to get it if he gets broken after Troicki's rant.
— SI Tennis (@SI_Tennis) May 15, 2013
Viktor's beard, of which I'm normally not a fan, is actually quite a good look for a crazy-eyed rant. #troicki
— Ana Mitrić (@ana_mitric) May 15, 2013
I’m just more impressed that Troicki managed to be the crazier one when sharing a court with Gulbis.
— Victoria (@unseededlooming) May 15, 2013
Discuss.
This is the best thing. THE BEST THING. I usually don’t much care for all your snarky remarks on the twitter feed but you’re spot on in this case.
I just got a chance to watch this and I just cannot stop laughing. Clearly we are going to have an end of year awards series and this one is a contender for “Rant of the Year”.
That rant made ESPN Sports Center last night.
The only thing missing is that one ballkid.
I love how there was zero booing from the crowd (what a stark contrast to the bloodthirsty Madrid crowd). They actually found it amusing as did the rest of us. And Victor in return never swore.. not even at Cedric… amazing tantrum!
I stand corrected… the only time the crowd started booing is when Viktor got the warning. The boos, of course, were directed at Cedric. Glorious!
“FROM THE SPACE (motions to the space) YOU CAN SEE IT IS THERE.”
I cannot stop laughing. Seeing it in word form is even funnier than when I saw it live. Brilliant write up.
Haha never knew he was such a personality, Novak normally gets all the credit from his country for being the entertainer. Does anyone actually know if Troicki or the Umpire was right?