tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215553202978284468.post225768727408794483..comments2024-02-06T16:17:25.826+00:00Comments on THE GRØNMARK BLOG: This blog has been invaded by Russia! I have no idea why, but I'm thinking of contacting NATO (or Google)Scott Gronmarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15118026157459333174noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215553202978284468.post-75973639182172756932016-07-29T17:04:01.981+01:002016-07-29T17:04:01.981+01:00I've never been able to warm to Serena, ever s...I've never been able to warm to Serena, ever since she lost with such bad grace to Sharapova in their first meeting at Wimbledon (one of only two losses suffered by Williams against the lanky Russian in 20 meetings). But I'll admit to feeling a bit guilty in recent years, as, on the few occasions that I could be bothered watching, Williams has - as you say - been extremely gracious in defeat, even managing to smile and congratulate her opponents as if she meant it. And she seems to have curbed her tendency to abuse officials. Also, it seems that many of the younger players on the tour like her, while Sharapova is considered a frigid stuck-up sticky-beak. I just don't like Serena's playing style, or her on-court demeanour, or the way she regularly hunches forward and shrieks: it's just not attractive. Still, fair's fair - she has evidently made an effort to behave like a true champion (no doubt she read my post and adjusted her behaviour accordingly!)<br /><br />Garbiñe Muguruza seems a breath of fresh air after brawny Serena and all those interchangeable Eastern Europeans.Scott Gronmarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15118026157459333174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215553202978284468.post-9215955016798223382016-07-29T16:41:44.699+01:002016-07-29T16:41:44.699+01:00Revolting, repellent, repugnant... rebarbative. En...Revolting, repellent, repugnant... rebarbative. English just seems to excel when it comes to expressing disgust - although I think "rebarbative" is closer to annoying, disturbing and vexing rather than outright repulsion. <br /><br />I'm having trouble picturing two "Confidential Report"-era Orson Welleses managing a beard-to-beard confrontation, gogilesgo, rather than belly-to-belly. Welles hadn't reached "Touch of Evil" proportions by that stage, but still. But I definitely get your drift.Scott Gronmarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15118026157459333174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215553202978284468.post-70792655262684869892016-07-28T23:07:29.852+01:002016-07-28T23:07:29.852+01:00Thanks for that. But I shall try not to carry that...Thanks for that. But I shall try not to carry that picture in my mind, or the word will lose its charm.Helennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215553202978284468.post-89420587180261350222016-07-28T20:02:16.975+01:002016-07-28T20:02:16.975+01:00I must confess I was completely unaware of Serena&...I must confess I was completely unaware of Serena's brattish behaviour. Women's tennis holds few attractions for me these days. And it may be sexist (no, actually it is sexist!) but I always liked the pretty, feminine girls that played during my youth. Evert, Goolagong and the young Sue Barker. Attractive, didn't have biceps like Arnie, they certainly held my attention as a young chap. <br />I'd always thought that Serena had behaved with good grace, even on those rare occasions when she lost. Disappointing.Biased BBChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08419186809182839053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215553202978284468.post-43923615841957879342016-07-28T18:20:55.567+01:002016-07-28T18:20:55.567+01:00@helen agreed, the word is delicious.
In the orig...@helen agreed, the word is delicious.<br /><br />In the original French it literally means beard-to-beard which does make me imagine two Orson Welles circa Mr Arkadin types facing off inches from each other, eyes on fire and moments from tearing each other to shredsgogilesgohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07103323113636996342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215553202978284468.post-20844391850760008002016-07-28T17:35:53.683+01:002016-07-28T17:35:53.683+01:00Re Serena: Nice to see the re-emergence of the wor...Re Serena: Nice to see the re-emergence of the word "rebarbative". Thought it had died out in the 1920s, but it rolls so deliciously round the mouth that it is great to see it in use again. BTW I never did manage to find out what it meant!Helennoreply@blogger.com