Darren Rovell vs. SI’s Richard Deitsch in a Geeky Twitter Battle Over Tennis

All, Media Gossip/Musings, Tennis, Twitter Jason McIntyre July 6th. 2012, 11:20am

Darren Rovell took Roger Federer’s Wimbledon semifinal victory over Novak Djokovic as an opportunity to bash tennis. The recipient of his unprompted attack was his frenemy, Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated. (Backstory: Rovell once said something to the effect of, “tennis is in trouble!” Deitsch is a tennis guy, and took umbrage.)

Here are the tweets, which are best read from the bottom up. I’d suggest pouring yourself a neat scotch, kicking your feet up, and laughing at this mess. Rovell’s tweets are first; then you can go check out Deitsch‘s retorts. For those looking for a winner here … it feels like the kind of slap fight where two fighters slug it out in the middle of the ring and both collapse despite only connecting on glancing blows, never getting up before the ref counts out 10. (Note: Deitsch wrote the first big story about this website in 2008.)

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76 Responses to “Darren Rovell vs. SI’s Richard Deitsch in a Geeky Twitter Battle Over Tennis”

1
starkweather Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:25 AM
You’ve already stated that this wasn’t post-worthy. Where do we go from here?
2
Scalia Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:28 AM
You’ve already stated that this wasn’t post-worthy. Where do we go from here?
Jason McIntyre
‏@TheBigLead
SHIT JUST GOT REAL between frenemies @darrenrovell & @richarddeitsch. It isn’t post-worthy, so just laugh at their nerdy tweets.
3
TimmyTheEnchanter Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:29 AM
Arguing about whether or not some pro sport is thriving, dying, or more or less popular than another sport is always a wasteland.
4
Coach Mike Woodson, Atlanta Hawks Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Luckily, the people who might be interested in this shit don’t already follow those two jackoffs. So this post would be new for them.
/said no one
5
Jason McIntyre Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:32 AM
You’ve already stated that this wasn’t post-worthy. Where do we go from here?
things escalated after the first couple tweets. Became “a thing.”
FLUID
6
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:33 AM
Love the picture.
7
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:34 AM
Hey Spence.
8
phillymantis915 Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:34 AM
Arguing about whether or not some pro sport is thriving, dying, or more or less popular than another sport is always a wasteland.
Doesn’t stop the MLB is dying posts…
9
Der Kaiser Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:36 AM
I for one actually like these fights. Takes the monotony out of work day. I follow Deitsch because he often points out good articles to read. But man oh man, is he sanctimonious. He tweets about ESPN’s lack of ethics like he is Edward R. Murrow going after McCarthy.
10
scripty Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:38 AM
So Rovell is saying since tennis isnt on the cover of SI it’s not covered well? Makes sense.
Deitsch is usually presinct. I don’t understand why he takes this watchdog mentality to calling on Rovell. Roll with a pig, you’ll get covered in mud. Or learn about her love of the Steelers.
11
Der Kaiser Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:42 AM
So Rovell is saying since tennis isnt on the cover of SI it’s not covered well? Makes sense.
No, he is saying tennis isn’t popular so therefore big magazines like SI and ESPN don’t think to put tennis stars on cover of their magazines.
12
Babar 2.0 Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:44 AM
I’m just here because I heard there were some pussy pics.
13
Tim Ryan Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:44 AM
Deitsch really needs to change that photo. Creepy as hell.
14
cleet Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:45 AM
Tennis isn’t going anywhere. It may have been dying in America but it is still huge internationally.
15
AssaultWithAConcreteDildo Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:45 AM
Man some intense tweetbacks there! Wow!
16
heldover Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:46 AM
So I went to the doc earlier today with migraines, said I had to drink more water. FLUIDS.
Visited some old ruins over the last weekend. Tour guide said some old cult built ‘em. DRUIDS.
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
/musses EIC’s hair
//runs away frantically
17
cleet Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:47 AM
I think there was somewhere ahappy medium between old, crumudgen sportswriter over typewriter and sissy pussyface twitter slapfights. Maybe in the early 90s.
18
ms621 Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:48 AM
I think there was somewhere ahappy medium between old, crumudgen sportswriter over typewriter and sissy pussyface twitter slapfights. Maybe in the early 90s.
The idea that sportswriters are normal people who have professional disagreements isn’t as interesting a narrative as the two you mentioned.
19
spencer096 Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:48 AM
there was a fly on the urinal, so i killed it with pee and said in an evil voice “urine trouble now, fly. HAHHAHAHA.”
i wish i were high.
20
scripty Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:50 AM
it’d be healthier for everybody involved if these two were at an event and had a throwdown sans camera phones. the way things were settled in the press area in the old days.
21
Wide Word of Sport (?) Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:50 AM
there was a fly on the urinal, so i killed it with pee and said in an evil voice “urine trouble now, fly. HAHHAHAHA.”
If you didn’t drop the sunglasses and put on the Horatio voice, I don’t want to hear it.
22
ms621 Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:50 AM
there was a fly on the urinal, so i killed it with pee and said in an evil voice “urine trouble now, fly. HAHHAHAHA.”
i wish i were high.
Going to have to change shirts at lunch now as I just spilled coffee on the one I’m wearing.
23
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:50 AM
there was a fly on the urinal, so i killed it with pee and said in an evil voice “urine trouble now, fly. HAHHAHAHA.”
i wish i were high.
I was taking bingers this morning watching Breaking Bad and it was an episode where they’re chasing a fly in the meth-lab for a while, scared the shit out of me.
My office put in a drug policy recently because SOMEONE was smoking in the bathroom. Fascists.
24
sousedbergin Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:53 AM
I’d suggest pouring yourself a neat scotch
i wish i were high.
Suggestions noted.
25
Wide Word of Sport (?) Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:53 AM
I was taking bingers this morning watching Breaking Bad
I had to google search what a binger was.
Breaking Bad season 4 is re-airing in anticipation of season 5. FYI if anyone else didn’t bother watching it last year.
26
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:54 AM
I had to google search what a binger was.
I love Urban Dictionary
A heady bong rip taken directly to thy dome.
THY DOME
27
spencer096 Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:54 AM
no idea how you can smoke at work…the last thing i want to do when mellow is sit in an office. but at the same time, not only do i respect your individual rights to bake at work but i hate the fascist regime you work for too and made flyers.
28
Babar 2.0 Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:54 AM
My office put in a drug policy recently because SOMEONE was smoking in the bathroom. Fascists.
Does everyone know it’s you, and they figured a sign would be the least confrontational way of telling you?
29
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:55 AM
Breaking Bad season 4 is re-airing in anticipation of season 5. FYI if anyone else didn’t bother watching it last year.
I fell behind on the show in the second season when it aired and never got back on board, so I started again this week and now am almost done with season three. Forgot how much I loved this show.
/hoping Skylar dies
30
sousedbergin Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:55 AM
Raycess
31
spencer096 Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:55 AM
A heady bong rip taken directly to thy dome.
THY DOME
i use my illadelph as a glorified one-hitter…gotta take it down in one shot, the cleveland steamer.
32
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:56 AM
the last thing i want to do when mellow is sit in an office
The majority of my work is mindless database work, which in real talk means I sit here watching youtube videos all day.
The entire policy is “don’t do or sell drugs in the office.” Ball breakers.
33
spencer096 Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:57 AM
The entire policy is “don’t do or sell drugs in the office.” Ball breakers.
if that’s the case, i think you should prove a point by removing the coffee machines, aspirin, etc.
34
Ty_Webb Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:58 AM
Deitsch is usually presinct. I don’t understand why he takes this watchdog mentality to calling on Rovell. Roll with a pig, you’ll get covered in mud. Or learn about her love of the Steelers.
I especially liked this….
35
johndewar Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:58 AM
/hoping Skylar dies
That twat would drive any man to either end his own life or to start cooking meth.
36
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:58 AM
i use my illadelph as a glorified one-hitter…gotta take it down in one shot, the cleveland steamer.
I like those but always worry I would knock over one that narrow. I like my Chong because it has a wide heavy base, it wobbles but it doesn’t fall down like so many Weebles.
I spent a while on Tuesday giving him and my one hitter an epsom bath though, I always feel so much better about myself after that.
37
phillymantis915 Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:58 AM
Tennis isn’t going anywhere. It may have been dying in America but it is still huge internationally.
Country Club Sport, it isn’t going away.
38
Der Kaiser Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:58 AM
/hoping Skylar dies
She has such a horse face. Plus she gained 25 pounds last season.
39
spencer096 Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:59 AM
sniff…i miss my chong. youre bringin back waves of memories man.
the ‘delph’s a beaker. got the wide base too…no worries about it tipping over.
40
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:59 AM
Does everyone know it’s you, and they figured a sign would be the least confrontational way of telling you?
Well among the people at my level we all smoke, so nobody knows who it was (I do) but nobody suspects me otherwise because I have asthma and always have an inhaler sitting on my desk. I don’t need it there, but by god does presenting an image of frailty make people think you’re clean cut.
41
MP Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 11:59 AM
“smoked three of his Dutch Masters
Good god. I hope he means he rolled three fat blunts.
42
Wide Word of Sport (?) Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:00 PM
Deitsch is usually presinct
I especially don’t understand this.
43
sousedbergin Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:01 PM
I like those but always worry I would knock over one that narrow. I like my Chong because it has a wide heavy base, it wobbles but it doesn’t fall down like so many Weebles.
By jove they have their on language!
/All anthropologists talk like Henry Morton Stanley
//going to get real weird with it
44
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Good god. I hope he means he rolled three fat blunts.
Have you ever seen someone smoke a Dutch Masters, Swisher, or Philly with the actual tobacco in it as a normal cigar? One of the grossest smelling things ever.
45
phillymantis915 Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:02 PM
Have you ever seen someone smoke a Dutch Masters, Swisher, or Philly with the actual tobacco in it as a normal cigar? One of the grossest smelling things ever.
Many many times…it smells like death
46
johndewar Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:03 PM
Good god. I hope he means he rolled three fat blunts.
Have you ever seen someone smoke a Dutch Masters, Swisher, or Philly with the actual tobacco in it as a normal cigar? One of the grossest smelling things ever.
My uncle used to smoke Dutch Masters and Swishers regularly. They were also the first cigars I ever tried (at age 15) because you could easily steal them from my uncle without him noticing they were gone.
His car and house both smelled like those fucking things. Nasty.
47
MP Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:03 PM
Have you ever seen someone smoke a Dutch Masters, Swisher, or Philly with the actual tobacco in it as a normal cigar?
Did it once on the golf course as a freshman in high school before I knew any better. Inhaled once (like the rookie I was) and felt like I had smoked an entire pack of cigs. Threw up immediately from the taste/smell. Was sick to my stomach and shot like a 60 on 9. Good times.
48
NDub Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:03 PM
This is the greatest cat fight ever. Not a joke; it’s seriously two cats beating the shit out of each other while three crows provoke them.
49
Ty_Webb Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:04 PM
Have you ever seen someone smoke a Dutch Masters, Swisher, or Philly with the actual tobacco in it as a normal cigar? One of the grossest smelling things ever
A staple at my poker games as a 16 year-old
50
kaiserwilhelmreems Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:04 PM
That twat would drive any man to either end his own life or to start cooking meth.
isn’t it funny how the person with the most realistic reaction to what walt is doing on the show is the one everyone hates since we are all in walt’s corner?
51
sousedbergin Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:05 PM
/hoping Skylar dies
There has been some plot leaks.
SPOILER ALERT:
Mexican gangsters kill her using a tanning both and perform the worlds first murping scene.
/True story
52
scripty Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:06 PM
I don’t follow him on twitter, so I guess I was speaking of his columns.
53
johndewar Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:07 PM
That twat would drive any man to either end his own life or to start cooking meth.
isn’t it funny how the person with the most realistic reaction to what walt is doing on the show is the one everyone hates since we are all in walt’s corner?
She earned my enmity early. She had said some pretty humiliating/demeaning things to Walt early in the run of the show before Walt became an ubermethcook. Same with that DEA agent brother in law.
54
Wide Word of Sport (?) Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:07 PM
murping scene
I’m not googling that.
55
scripty Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:07 PM
Have you ever seen someone smoke a Dutch Masters, Swisher, or Philly with the actual tobacco in it as a normal cigar
Every horse racetrack in America, every second of operation…,
56
scripty Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:08 PM
A staple at my poker games as a 16 year-old
yep.
57
NDub Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
Skylar White is a bitch, yes, but I don’t hate the character. I don’t even dislike her. I think she gets a lot of shit because she’s the one character who knows how to fuck things up for Walt, aside from himself. And we all like Walt.
58
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
I’m not googling that.
A magical ceremony celebrated all over the world.
Step 1: Kill a bitch/hoe and leaving the body in a nice warm closet for 1 to 2 months
Step 2: Pull the bitch/hoe out of the closet carefully and position the body laying face-up on the floor with the legs spread
Step 3: Put your mouth around the vaginal opening
Step 4: Have a friend jump on the stomach
Step 5: Enjoy the murpy-fun in your mouth
Step 6: Return the favor and help your friend murp a bitch
Not one shred of doubt in my mind that Soused wrote that.
59
kaiserwilhelmreems Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
This is the greatest cat fight ever. Not a joke; it’s seriously two cats beating the shit out of each other while three crows provoke them.
that was amazing. it was like “The Matrix” of cat fight videos, and the crows flapping their wings to celebrate the instigation was amazing.
60
Wide Word of Sport (?) Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Not one shred of doubt in my mind that Soused wrote that.
Fucking christ. How I long for the days of stoma-fucking.
61
kaiserwilhelmreems Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:12 PM
She earned my enmity early. She had said some pretty humiliating/demeaning things to Walt early in the run of the show before Walt became an ubermethcook. Same with that DEA agent brother in law.
oh yeah, everyone did. it was the perfect way to create sympathy for a villain capable of horrific things.
62
NDub Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:14 PM
“I fucked Ted” was a heart-stabbing line.
63
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:15 PM
Last night I watched the episode where Hank throws down on the Mexican brothers, that was some insane shit. Great headshot scene.
64
Nada Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:17 PM
Darren Rovell vs. SI’s Richard Deitsch in a Geeky Twitter Battle Over Tennis
One of the unintended hilarious offshoots of social media is the bitch-slapping contests between sportswriters/casters.
I always end up thinking of all those involved as Mike Greenberg.
65
Nada Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:18 PM
“I fucked Ted” was a heart-stabbing line.
The way Ted went out, however, was knee-slapping, not heart-stabbing.
66
kaiserwilhelmreems Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:20 PM
The way Ted went out, however, was knee-slapping, not heart-stabbing.
it was almost a deus ex machina, and i’m glad they still had the money go out. otherwise, that would have been a serious disappointment in the writing staff for me.
67
Nada Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:23 PM
the fascist regime
God save the Queen?
68
spencer096 Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:25 PM
Last night I watched the episode where Hank throws down on the Mexican brothers, that was some insane shit. Great headshot scene.
brilliant episode…they built that scene up so well in the previous episodes too.
69
Nada Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:26 PM
the episode where Hank throws down on the Mexican brothers
One of the series’ high points.
Shit, I can hardly wait two weeks for the premiere.
/ “I am the one who knocks.”
70
Mantis Toboggan Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Skylar White sucks the life out of every scene of Breaking Bad because she constantly has the “I smell dog shit” look on her face. A shame Walt failed on his advances on the principal because she is a real flower.
71
Nada Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:29 PM
episode where they’re chasing a fly in the meth-lab
I’m amazed how many people hate that episode. I thought it was brilliant.
72
Wide Word of Sport (?) Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:29 PM
So thanks to Brandon McCarthy, I now know that Jacob Hester’s wife makes him bring his own shampoo to the locker room because the stock stuff is too harsh on the scalp.
It seems at least as post-worthy as this.
73
Nada Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Skylar White
I hear that during the offseason, she went on a date with NDub and gave him a blowjob.
74
Riggs Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:34 PM
If Deitsch complains that Rovell won’t spare with him in public (Rovell used to be famous for DM’n reponses)…. then why does Deitsch hate First Take so much? Essentially, what he just did with Rovell is the exact same thing they do on First Take (which I don’t watch.. but at least that’s my impression). Deitsch’s ego is no different than Bayless in this instance because he wants an audience to see his debate about tennis, if he didn’t, then why wouldn’t he care if Rovell debates with him behind closed doors? (DM style)
Secondly… just a little clarification here – TBL called this a “nerdy” fight. Is that because it’s tennis? Is that what makes it nerdy? Because if it’s nerdy because it’s a fight about a dying sport… then I guess his baseball posts are nerdy then too?
75
Wide Word of Sport (?) Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:37 PM
TBL called this a “nerdy” fight. Is that because it’s tennis? Is that what makes it nerdy?
Nerdy because no one with a life should actually care about their little spat, or what they think.
76
Riggs Says:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Nerdy because no one with a life should actually care about their little spat, or what they think
Because it’s tennis? Or because it’s Rovell/Deitsch – are they just considered nerds? Basically those little spats happen all the time here – mostly about baseball being more popular than basketball. Are they nerdy?