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ATP vow to clamp down on players after rise in ill-discipline
The ATP Tour has responded to a wave of ill-disciplined behaviour by promising to hand out sterner sentences and crack down on repeat offenders.
Men’s tennis has been criticised recently for going easy on culprits such as Alexander Zverev – who thrashed his racket into an umpire’s chair in Acapulco – or Nick Kyrgios, who regularly finds himself picking up minor Code of Conduct fines.
On Monday, though, ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi sent out a circular to the workforce in which he said that tougher rulings would be introduced during the upcoming clay-court season.
"Effective immediately, the ATP officiating team has been directed to take a stricter stance in judging violations of the Code of Conduct," said Gaudenzi. "Additionally, we are also undertaking a review of the Code, as well as the disciplinary processes, to ensure that it provides appropriate and up-to-date penalties for serious violations and repeat offenders."
Zverev received a suspended eight-week ban for his behaviour in Acapulco, which many believed should have been treated more harshly. Kyrgios then got away with fines of no more than $60,000 at the two American Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami, despite a dangerous racket toss and some unpleasant language.
Jenson Brooksby also prompted criticism when he threw his racket in the vicinity of a ball-boy. In general, the first quarter of the 2022 season has seen more friction between umpires and players than at any time since John McEnroe was at his peak, starting with the $8,000 fine handed out to Canada’s Denis Shapovalov for yelling “You guys are all corrupt” at chair umpire Carlos Bernardes during the Australian Open.
"We all have a role to play to uphold the reputation and integrity of our sport,” said Gaudenzi in his note to players. "The first three months of the season have seen an unusual frequency of high-profile incidents involving unsportsmanlike conduct.
"These incidents shine a bad light on our sport. This conduct affects everyone, and sends the wrong message to our fans, especially young fans."
ATP vow to clamp down on players after rise in ill-discipline
The ATP Tour has responded to a wave of ill-disciplined behaviour by promising to hand out sterner sentences and crack down on repeat offenders.
Men’s tennis has been criticised recently for going easy on culprits such as Alexander Zverev – who thrashed his racket into an umpire’s chair in Acapulco – or Nick Kyrgios, who regularly finds himself picking up minor Code of Conduct fines.
On Monday, though, ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi sent out a circular to the workforce in which he said that tougher rulings would be introduced during the upcoming clay-court season.
"Effective immediately, the ATP officiating team has been directed to take a stricter stance in judging violations of the Code of Conduct," said Gaudenzi. "Additionally, we are also undertaking a review of the Code, as well as the disciplinary processes, to ensure that it provides appropriate and up-to-date penalties for serious violations and repeat offenders."
Zverev received a suspended eight-week ban for his behaviour in Acapulco, which many believed should have been treated more harshly. Kyrgios then got away with fines of no more than $60,000 at the two American Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami, despite a dangerous racket toss and some unpleasant language.
Jenson Brooksby also prompted criticism when he threw his racket in the vicinity of a ball-boy. In general, the first quarter of the 2022 season has seen more friction between umpires and players than at any time since John McEnroe was at his peak, starting with the $8,000 fine handed out to Canada’s Denis Shapovalov for yelling “You guys are all corrupt” at chair umpire Carlos Bernardes during the Australian Open.
"We all have a role to play to uphold the reputation and integrity of our sport,” said Gaudenzi in his note to players. "The first three months of the season have seen an unusual frequency of high-profile incidents involving unsportsmanlike conduct.
"These incidents shine a bad light on our sport. This conduct affects everyone, and sends the wrong message to our fans, especially young fans."
