Fergus MurphyJoao SousaLars GraffStan Wawrinka

Bright Lights Agitate The Stanimal

On the next change, at 4-5, Stan waves supervisor Lars Graff over for a chat.

Stan Wawrinka gestures to supervisor Lars Graff Madrid Open Sousa match 2015

As he walks across the clay to the player’s bench, Lars looks as if he’s walking towards the gallows.

Stan and Lars Madrid

Stan gestures to the boards and the sky, protesting the contrast that’s more evident now that the sun’s gone down. “It’s so light…we’re playing at night.”

“I understand,” Lars says calmly, “but the colors we are using, they’re approved. If it was white, or–”

“Sure, white, but still, go out and play,” Stan says, pointing at the court, “you see the difference to play at night.”

“Well there’s a difference, but it’s the same for both players.”

“I know it’s the same for both player, maybe it’s annoying to both player.”

(Yes, Stan means “players,” but you know those French speakers and their silent “s.”)

Lars Graff gestures while speaking to Swiss tennis player Stanislas Wawrinka Mutua Madrid Open 2nd round

“But if the color is approved–”

Thus continues their circular argument. Stan tries to get Lars to agree that if both guys are annoyed, then it’s clearly not just Stan’s issue, and they should do something. Lars won’t budge, and just keeps repeating that the color is approved, and that’s what he’d tell any player that complained.

Stan starts grumbling stuff that we suspect would land an average worker in his boss’ office, getting a lecture about one’s “bad attitude.”

By the end of the discussion-that-goes-nowhere, Stan is completely disgusted.

Stan umpire 16

Lars does not look pleased either. Now that he’s a safe distance away, Lars spits out a few words that Fergus probably wouldn’t approve of.

Angry Lars Graff

But wait! There’s more!

(CLICK HERE FOR PAGE 3, when Joao jumps into the action…)



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