Isn't tennis -- especially Wimbledon -- supposed to be about decorum?
Somehow ESPN analyst Pam Shriver missed the message when she got into a bickering match with struggling James Blake.
While Shriver offered what might be fair criticism of Blake's play, she did so loud enough that he could hear it during the match -- and he then responded to what was said.
Specifically, Shriver started with: "Usually, if you haven't played, or only played one or two matches, you're actually quite eager," she said. "You might not be match-tough, you might miss a lot of shots, but mentally you're not burned out.''
With Blake coming back from an injury, that made sense. But, Shriver's broadcast position was almost right on top of the court and she was talking loud enough for Blake to hear and loud enough that if she were a fan she might have been asked to leave the court area.
"Amazing you used to play tennis," Blake yelled up at Shriver's broadcast position. "I can still hear you."
A possibly minor incident should have ended there, but Shriver made it more than it was.
"James just yelled at me," she said, again loud enough for him to hear. "I'm way above the court, but evidently he can hear me. He's got rabbit ears."
With that, Shriver moved the moment away from a professional at work and more toward a petty on-air taunting -- not as bad as Jim Rome and Jim Everet (what could be?), but certainly not an example of a professional broadcaster at work, either.
Of course, Blake was not done, and neither was Shriver.
"You have to be an ass about it, too?" Blake yelled after the next point. "And act like I'm at fault.''
"And there he is, talking again," she said.
Sure, Blake was struggling and Shriver started off with valid points. Once you realize that you can be heard and you're becoming part of the action, though, it's time to stop talking so loud. It is tennis after all, and what happened was not at all professional by Shriver.
Her actions were certainly worse than others at ESPN who have been reprimanded for actions in the past. She should apologize -- and she should join that group that has at least had their hands slapped, soon.