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.
Maybe Rochus is the one who is doping. Sometimes when we are guilty of something, we try to project and pin it on someone else. Maybe what is pathetic is that he is, or was, doping and still did not get anywhere with his career. We know that some of the French are clearly anti-Rafa and would not give him the respect that he deserves. Shame on them! Really, we should not even pay any attention to these worthless guys. Just seeking publicity is what they are trying to do.
Je ne suis plus les sports sur les chaînes françaises depuis longtemps : commentaires déplacés, pendant longtemps c’est Forget qui insultait systématiquement Rafael Nadal sur Canal+, Rodgeeer était le seul à être encensé. Pendant Roland Garros, c’est tout à fait pathétique,une tribune du showbiz au détriment des tennismen. Un peu de respect pour les sportifs, la jalousie des nuls est insupportable !
When the honey is out the flyies and bugs run to have some for free…The top players in the world had some massive injuries while they are on the court and they stay there and try to fight back, and that is what had happen with Rafa, and not only that he gave Stan the honor of tasting the glory of being a champion for the first and the last time of his life…Doping is a subject that the spaniads always are going to face anywhere in the world and the accusation against them will be like that…and why is that ??? Because they are superiors and they are on top of the world in all sports and the rest of the world are jelious and envey them one way or another, such as that looser Rochus…Get a life and leave champions alone your sack of shit…Vamos Rafa.
Mr Christophe Rochus ne pourrait pas aller commenter un autre sport , la ou il y a vraiment des dopés !!!
Pourquoi s en prendre a RAFA !!!
VAMOS RAFA , tu as encore de beau matchs a nous jouer !!! 😉
NO comment. That guy just wants promotion. He must be envious of Rafa’s achievements. Or he is just…Well, let’s not be like him. VAMOS RAFA.
“A palabras necias, oídos sordos”
As long as we know our champion, we don’t care about what has written or said, we believe in you Rafa no natter what happened…
R… who…..?!? He isnt worthy of having his name mentioned bere but I wish him all he deseves! VAAAMOOOSSS RAAAAAFAAAA our CHAMPION !!!!!!!!!!!
This guy’s comments are leaving him open to litigation. As they say in Spain ‘tiene mala leche’, which means he’s jealous. I really think someone needs to take him to task. Rafa is a true sportsman and our local hero. He always conducts himself with dignity which is more than… what’s that fellow’s name again?!!!!!
I have never even heard of this idiot who made these lies about Tafa, he should have been taken off the air, jealousy never ends .
Primeiramente esse Chistophe Rochus é muito idiota, isso é para não dizer outras coisas.
Rafael Nadal,ama o que faz,respeita muito seus adversários,e seu público,é um tenista completo,sempre dá show em suas apresentações,é um tenista respeitado,admirado,e invejados por todos que amam o tênis,tem um nome de peso,e hoje ´já é considerado uma lenda no esporte,e tudo isso não só por jogar como um mostro, como joga, mas principalmente por seu caráter,e principalmente por amar muito o que faz.então meu querido Rochus vc perdeu de ficar com essa boca calada mas uma vez.
As far as I am concerned rafa is one of the greatest players ever if not the best….I am sure that he wouldn’t take enhancing drugs it’s against his nature….I have followed him for years and his ethic is the same now as it was then.the guys A genius Rochus get a life .and find somebody else to pick…you moron ……
Rochus is an idiot and a very jealous man. Rafa is and will be always a class player and the Best to play Tennis right now. Rafa in the Number one and works really hard to make it there. He is a very humble young man. Christophe Rochus is just in need for his 15 minutes on the spotlight, who do you think is a better subject to talk about than Rafa to get those 15 minutes, lol. Rafa is the Best now and one of the most love athlete in the world, something he will never be. Eurosport France should be ashamed right now to hire sucg a person.
Sad that some people have no better way to make a name for themselves but to attack
a very respected person such as Rafael Nadal. We should just turn out ears to the truth and ignore these statements.
People mostly judge on themselves. Guess what the conclusion about Rochus is.
Perhaps we could send a group letter, signed by whoever would like from this site, to Eurosport France, commenting on the inappropriateness of their choice of commentator. This might have more power than coming from one person.
Of course Rafa should not have to respond to this nonsense, but leaving it out there doesn’t seem right, either.
Mr Christophe Rochus,you are a foolish idiot for making such comment,who is Stanislas Wawrinka to defeat our Vamos Rafa in such great trophy.do not be envy or jealous over some one’s achievement for every blessings comes from GOD.
@LizzyH84 Eurosport France didn’t made Rochus commented the match, the commentators were Henri Leconte, Patrick Moratoglou and Amelie Moresmo ( I think ). We heard Rochus at a break and he commented with Jean-Paul Loth, Rafa’s injury. Those men are stupid and are really saying shit but please don’t start saying that France is against Rafa and made those men comment on purpose this match because it’s not true. For your information there is a lot of Rafa fans in France, and everyone in Eurosport France was choqued by what Rochus and Loth said. And the commentator who really commented this match were admiring Rafa for his corage and he’s strong will. If you understand french, see for yourself : http://video.eurosport.fr/tennis/open-d-australie/2014/nadal-a-eu-un-comportement-exemplaire_vid313286/video.shtml
Absolutely not, the article was only about Rochus and his accusations. A lot of French people took to Twitter to support Rafa.
Well written article! I think the French don’t like Nadal b/c he has won so many French Opens and they want to see someone else win. Too bad France! Vamos Rafa!
Undoubtedly attachment to the moral high-caliber players as it is in this case rafael nadal. As you say you can not object, the quality of player that is nourished by such superstars as ATP players organization. Rafael has shown ups and downs in his physical condition, as well as a great opportunity and it showed the number one Andre Agassi, persona de la cual se hablaron infinidades de cosas, y que renacio con su juego demostrando su calidad humana y de jugador de la elite del tenis, ese mismo caso es rafael nadal. Se le estimana por su sencillez al grado que junto a los grandes de esta epoca (roger federer, Stanislas Wawrinka, Novak Đoković) por mencionar algunos, se ha ganado el respeto y la admiracion de sus contendientes. Entonces Señor Rochus no manche el buen nombre de un deportista de la Grandeza de rafael nadal, con acusaciones insanas y del mal gusto. pienselo bien antes de hacerlo. Olé Rafael te apoyamos desde Venezuela eres nuestro numero uno.
How can samebody say tremendous shit!!!! WTF is wrong with this sic belgium phedofil??? Dumb ass idiot ignorant. If I was Rafa will send this BigShit to court