Andy Roddick at Roland Garros

I have just posted: Gael Monfils: embarrassment at Roland Garros. To Andy Roddick, first congratulations on your recent marriage. Second, congratulations on your fair play in your match with Gael Monfils. You played the hand you were dealt by the umpires and you watched the rudeness of Monfils. I have liked and respected Monfils before - no more. Andy, thank you for playing an honorable match even unable to see the ball when the cloud-cover blanketed the court at sunset. Also, thank you for your sportsmanlike play and for not allowing yourself to become the 'victim' before the French umpires and spectators. Both acted against the best of tennis sportsmanship. You would not say this but I can because I am only a fan of pro-tennis: to the other players, the fix seems to be in for Gael Monfils if there is any way for the 'people in power' on the court to make it happen. But in the locker room, Monfils deserves to be shunned. He dishonored the tradition of good sportsmanship in many ways. Whether he wins or not, he has demonstrated that he is not in the same league as the other players. His friendliness is only an act based upon his behavior on the court against Andy Roddick. Watch the tape; that's all you need to see. You will know among yourselves how to treat him from now on in the locker room and on the courts. And when you come out playing against him - within the bounds of good sportsmanship - come out to beat him and beat him bad. What he did in his attitude and behavior toward Andy Roddick does not deserve any further respect toward him. You must display the good sportsmanship he lacks and at the same time come onto the court to beat him fair, square, and fully. Certainly, you gentlemen know how to do that without a word passing between you. And if the pro-tennis committee folks who make the rules have any gonads, they should sanction and fine Monfils. Good for Andy Roddick. He lost the match because he could not see the ball and the behavior of the umpires appeared compromised but Andy won on honor and sportsmanship.