The time rule has been in existence for years and it is the responsibility of the ATP/WTA/ITF to enforce its rules.
However, as we have seen multiple times throughout the history of tennis pre and post Open Era, players have been give extra time between points by multiple chair umpires for a variety of reasons. (i.e. Late in a 5th set between points after a lengthy rally and both players are gasping for air. They typically take longer than the rule suggests, however, as a courtesy, the chair umpires extend this "pass" so that an innocuous rule violation itself won't be a determining factor of the outcome of a match.)
#********** was heavily criticized by players earlier in his career for purposefully bouncing the ball before serving for longer than the time rule allowed before critical moments of matches to disrupt his opponents rhythm. He was also criticized by other players for using too many MTO during matches for the same reasons. Is that gamesmanship, breaking of the rules or just innocuous, unrelated circumstances out of control of the player? Oddly enough, his behavior changed as he matured.
#Rafael has played the exact same way throughout all of his career. Similarly, #Maria has screeched for the same way her entire career. Would it be an injustice to make a player who has played the same way throughout their professional career to suddenly change their habits to satisfy vigilante tennis fans whose scrupulous motives evolve from hatred? For this reason, no one will ever, or should ever, make #Rafael or #Maria change the way they play the sport.
Praise be and hallelujah.
#AngiesLyst
