Taking solace in the enemy's woes

In the past few days, there have been 2 separate instances of fanatics taking solace in the enemy’s woes, after their beloved team/star was brought down.

First, we have the Indian team’s set of fanatics. They were pretty vocal on the social media first about how their favorite team was thrashed at the hands of the Aussies and how the 0-8 overseas record was a big taint on the reputation of the former no.1. Adjectives like disastrous, shameful, pathetic were used in almost every other status.

This was when England had started their UAE tour. After their humiliation in the 2nd inning of the 2nd Test at being bowled out for 72, the Indian fanatics were jumping in joy. Afterall, only few months earlier, the same England team were all over the Indian team and the first half of the 0-8 whitewash was inflicted.

So, now when the England team were crushed in such embarrassing fashion, Indian fans forgot the fact that their team was no better and started taking solace in the English team’s woes. Their FB was full of mocking status msgs about the English team and how they were sub-continent bunnies. Fan memory is fickle and it was proved again. An instance of ‘lose-lose’ syndrome where the fact that your favorite team has lost is excused if, the rival team also loses equally badly.

Roger fans enjoyed a dose of sarcasm at Rafa's fate …

Now coming to the 2nd instance. When Rafa and Roger clashed and Roger had another close loss to his nemesis, Rafa, fans were overjoyed as expected. They never crossed the line though. That respect for the great man is always there.

But, Roger fans were hurt at this loss and at the way the rivalry was going and were waiting to give it back to the opposite party. Their hopes were high because Rafa was next up against his own nemesis, Novak Djokovic. The match was a classic and every fan worth his salt made sure that he didn’t degrade the losing player in anyway possible, on his/her social network. One of those rare matches when the winner and loser were put on the same pedestal and the match as a whole was enjoyed without bias.

But, still there were a group of Roger fanatics who were smiling heartily because Rafa was now in a position which Roger was all too familiar with, since 2008. While Rafa stole the thunder from under Roger’s shoes in all those Slam finals (particularly the ’08 Wimbledon final and the ’09 Australian Open final), now Nole was doing exactly the same thing and Rafa was left with the dubious distinction of being the first player to lose 3 consecutive Slam finals to the same player.

The FB walls of some Roger fanatics were dripping with sarcasm about this dubious distinction that was imposed on Rafa. Another classic case of consoling oneself in the rival’s loss. One must say though, that the respect that Rafa earned, even in the minds of the most loyal Roger fans after yesterday’s finals was there for all to see.

Still, that small avenue to point out the 7 consecutive losses suffered by Rafa to Nole, wasn’t wasted. There were many status messages with a smiley or two, mocking the Spaniard depsite the overwhelming respect that he earned. One classic status was the No’whacked’ one.

Two instances of seeking solace in the enemy’s woes. While the cricket fanatics didn’t mince words and gave the Pommies a royal bashing, Roger’s fans added a small insult to injury in a tasteful manner. Interesting for sure …