Former Belgian tennis player Christophe Rochus is no stranger to controversy, especially when it comes to doping and Rafael Nadal. His off-the-wall remarks have included a call to legalizing doping in sports because he believes that players take advantage of performance enhancement drugs anyway, not that he or his brother, ATP player Olivier Rochus, ever have. Less than a year after Tio Toni had some choice words for him, he is back in the limelight, this time in connection with Rafa’s performance at the Australian Open final.
Christophe Rochus and Jean Paul Loth were two of several commentators for Eurosport France during the final against Stanislas Wawrinka on January 26, 2014. Commenting on Rafa’s extended MTO, and his subsequent return to take the third set, Rochus speculated that Rafa was faking the injury. He further insinuated that Rafa had gone into the locker room to “get a shot“.
Given the history that Rochus has with his penchant for unsubstantiated allegations, it is hardly surprising that he would find Rafa’s efforts attributable to anything but fine sportsmanship. What is surprising, however, is that of all the reputable experts available, Eurosport France would choose him as a consultant for this potentially historical final.
The French, however, took to Twitter to raise objections to the absurd allegations. Adeline Auger, a writer with Tennis Troteur, stated in her article that Nicolas Mahut, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s coach Thierry Ascione, and Alize Cornet were among the first to respond in support of Rafa.
Even if Rochus is within his rights to state his opinion, was it a good idea for Eurosport France to take him on as a consultant, given his history? And what of Rochus himself: Where does the animosity come from?
Every time Rafa falls victim to a false accusation, we look the other way, because we know that the man, the champion he is, has nothing to prove or defend. But maleficent voices, such as that of Rochas’, only tend to get louder when they are given a platform to speak from. We sincerely hope that media outlets make better choices in the future.
So what do you think of this episode? Write your comments below.
Las criticas se deben tomar de acuerdo a las personas que las diga y este ser es NADIE, eso quiere decir que no hablo nadie, simplemente es un ser envidioso, lleno de resentimiento y odio, y todo eso es porque nunca logro lo que NADAL… RAFAEL NADAL ES UN CAMPEON y un ser humano maravilloso. No lo conozco personalmente pero el carisma y la humildad que se percibe de el hasta por television asi lo indica.. Y que alguien me responda si algun otro deportista aplaude a su contrario cuando pierde algun partido?????? solo RAFAEL NADAL .. LA FIERA CON <3 NOBLE.. ARRIBA RAFA!!!! ERES EL MEJOR!!!!
solo hay una verdad absoluta en la vida cuando eres el mejor todos los ojos estarán sobre ti nadal a demostrado en varias ocasiones que es un gran atleta y una gran personas su historial deportivo lo demuestra con esta ya van tres veces q a recuperado el numero uno del mundo algo que ni el gran roger federer pudo conseguir
Such a very jealous Christopher Rochus, he has no BRAIN at all 😡
little person, little mind
Not Rafael fault him and his brother r midgets ….
A lot of little people are attention seeking and this is a cheap way of trying to achieve that. Let’s not give him that satisfaction. On to the next one! Vamos Rafa, beside you, behind you always and that’s all that matters!
This guy is pathetic and one would have question his motives and for France to choose this guy puts them in the same shoes.Rafa just is way obove this silly envious guy.
I think it’s fair to say that Rafa played really aggressive in the matches against really well knowned and good players, throughout the entire tournament.This has not happened in the match against Stanislas, from the very beggining of the match.This should be the first thing anyone should notice(even more from one who calls him self an expert of this game) in the behavior of Rafa.This is a really good sign that Rafa wasn’t feeling 100% at the time of the match.Things got even worse after the first set.So if someone was impartially could not in a million years say something like Rochus said.It’s just bad words for someone who deserves nothing but admiration for all he represent when he’s on the court and off the court.I can just tell you all that Rafa made me proud many times, but even more now when it was sure the match was lost and he gave a great lesson of character.So from me, you have just admiration and a round off applause.Thank you Rafa!
Hey i am from India and it would be understatement if i will say i am huge fan of Rafa..I think Mr Rochus who himself was such a mediocre player needs to rehabilitate his mind and thought process.Raising any objection on Rafa is just not worth , according to me he is the greatest athlete of all time take any sport for that matter. He is just on the pinnacle when it comes to giving your 100%,apart for that the way Rafa conduct himself on the tour is just remarkable his humility against his opponent is an ample evidence to show his respect for the fellow athletes.The channel needs to apologies for such a remark because it is an allegation of serious nature labeling Rafa as a cheater without any proof or rationale and yes Mr Rochus must be thrown out immediately form the commentator panel.And for Rafa just wanna say Respect……Vamos Rafa
Get a life Rohus.
Rafa is clean and honest, fair sportsman and man.
Who is Christopher Rochus?…he is a looser and idiot
Eurosport France needs to fire Rochus. When a commentator makes a statement so bold as to say Rafa shot up drugs during a MTO, that is beyond freedom of the press,/ freedom of speech, etc. That is slander and defamation of character at its worst. Rochus has lied about Rafa on numerous occasions, or made unkind statements about him. He dislikes Rafa because of what Rafa has achieved. He is jealous and hateful. He could never defeat Rafa in tennis and he would like to destroy his good name. It’s probably a mixture of jealousy and just dislike for Rafa – who knows what goes through his sick mind. I hope this does not ignored by Eurosport. Rochus has overstepped his boundaries. The French must not let hate talk such as this be ignored. But it would not surprise me if they do. I love Rafael Nadal, and it truly upsets me when Rochus or anyone else makes ridiculous hateful statements about him and they are always lies. VAMOS RAFA , Love Marylynn.
Rochus doesn’t work for Eurosport, he was just a consultant. But yes, it was odd to have him commentating.
WHAT A IDIOT THAT ROCHUS, IS ,I DO NOT KNOW OF HIM IN FACT NEVER HEARD OF HIM OR HIS BROTHER, I DO SUGGEST HE GOES AWAY , FOR ALL TIME, WE ALL KNOW RAFA IS GREAT ,AT ALL HE DOES AND DOES NOT TAKE DRUGS , I ALSO SUGGEST YOU ROCHUS KEEP YOUR MOUTH FIRMY CLOSED IN FUTURE,. OR THEY MIGHT BE A PAY BACK!!!
Es de alucinar que Eurosport Francia contrate a este energúmeno. Eurosport queda igualita que él. Falta de seriedad y de profesionalidad por parte de ese medio francés.
La verdad creo que hablo en nombre de todos los Fans de Rafa, no hay que hacer caso de personas mal intencionadas que no soportan el éxito y la calidad de seres humanos que pueden llegar a ser personas como Rafa y otros independiente su profesión u oficio. asi que ni para levantar mas polvo con lo que comento ese sr tan mal intencionado deberían despedirlo. Vamos Rafa eres y seras siempre un Campeon
He’s an ass and Eurosport made a terrible mistake putting him on air. Nadal’s group should sue him for defamation. There are legal ways to shut stupid people mouths.
Eurosport France should apologise publicly, distance themselves from the remarks made by Rochus, not pay him and not ever have him again. Disgraceful decision by Eurosport France to have him commentating. Rochus is obviously a looney. Amazing that someone as truly nice natured and such a naturally talented player as Nadal gets such rubbish said about him. Vamos Rafa! Millions of tennis lovers admire you greatly in every way. A wonderful champion. Pathetic Eurosport France and very wrong – sort it out. Your reputation is sullied.
Best not post this comment! Thanks for all your wonderful articles though. Keep up the good work!
Rafael Nadal has nothing to prove to the world as a sportsman. 61 Career ATP titles and 13 grandslams within 27 years of age, quite unbelievable, crazily wonderful and the most remarkable!!! Jealousy and politics are out of sports and Christophe Rochus is a piece of shit like other bastards.
Rochus you may think of yourself as a midget fortune teller…..but you really are a ‘small medium’ huge moron……..good luck at the future’s
Every jealousy fellow like Rochus talk about NADAL that way,, but it is utterly false news