Eurosport Fantasy Tennis
On the second day of their French Open coverage, British Eurosport managed to appal and mislead viewers
by unwittingly propagating a hoax. During a rain break, Annabel Croft and fellow pundits debated
the merits of Larry Scott's alleged plans to introduce a mandatory "Charm and Beauty" course for
WTA players. Claiming that Scott would dock 500 ranking points from players who refused to attend
the course, Croft reported that players would get makeovers, take etiquette classes and be required
to take courses in public relations.
Unfortunately for Eurosport, the source of its news scoop was an internet prank dating back to
August 2004. In the original spoof article, Serena Williams is supposed to have responded by
saying: "This is total crap. Only the ugly players should be required to attend." Justine Henin
is supposed to have said: "Are they going to force me to wear makeup on the court? Give me a
boob job? Get a new hairdo? Turn me into some robotic show girl? I'd rather retire!"
Perhaps a hapless researcher was told to dig up information relating to Henin's retirement
and stumbled upon the mischievous article. Red faces all round at Eurosport.
The unappreciated virtue
Patience is an underrated virtue. Why, every time I'm punctual for a match there's no one
there to appreciate it!
Legalise match-fixing!
Governing bodies are finally waking up to the threat posed by the changing nature
of modern sports gambling. Perhaps the authorities should adopt a radical approach
to the problem. If punters suspect that match-fixing is widespread, won't they be
less tempted to have a flutter? So maybe we could burst the sports gambling bubble
by announcing that match-fixing will henceforth be perfectly legal! Eventually, tennis
will right itself when the players go back to profiting more from winning than losing.
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