Actually no, aiming for the body when your opponent is at the net is within the rules. No big deal. If a player or fan can’t handle it, play or watch ballet. Making your opponent wait and delaying them when they are serving is wrong as it’s against the rules.
Body shot and trying to hit your opponent are the same thing.
Never said aiming for the body wasn't within rules. Re-read my post before jumping to conclusions.
Trying to hit your opponent because you don’t like them still falls under aiming for the body. Lendl used to do the same thing to McEnroe. They were grown men with balls back then. It’s part of the sport. Sport and society in general are too soft these days.
uh, oh ... like what? You have nothing better to offer as a player than to aim Nadal's chest literally and this is acceptable to you. What fake apology? What are you talking about? What fake believes? What is yous system of 'believes'? Do whatever you feel like it. Give me a break.
That was my point too. Lift up you racquet and it's the end of story.
I saw a tit for tat scenario - Kyrgios did not apologize and later when he had a tumble, Rafa did not bother to check on him. Any other player and Rafa would have checked on the opponent.
Exactly. It was from the baseline. Nadal should have easily handled the volley
Got hit once on the private part.... ball clipped the net and missed the volley. Had to go to the Doc, it gave blue balls a different meaning.......I have always thought that tennis players who complained about someone hitting the ball at them to be pretty ridiculous. Seems more than a little sissified to me. It's a freaking tennis ball, not a golf ball or a baseball. Has anyone ever been seriously injured by a tennis ball? I could see maybe a bloody nose or something. Even if it has happened, it has to be exceedingly rare. Usually the worst that can happen is you get a red mark on your skin.
That said, I agree with haqq777 that it's good form to at least raise your hand in apology afterward, even if it isn't sincere
So it's worse, because he is not funny? That's gold
That’s your culture, and please let it stay in Canada. It’s a world game. Everyone has the right to dislike someone, I find it offensive that you are trying to force your values on other people. It is really sad that such totaliterian beliefs fester in this world.
not when the player says he was trying to hit the guy in the chest. most of the time it's done because you can't get the racket on them good like a "body serve". Body serves aren't to hit the opponent it's to jam them up.
Salty whiny crybaby Nadal should be able to handle a tennis ball to the chest. Isn’t he supposed to be a bull ?? Sorry I forgot he is the guy who still sleeps with the light on.
Huh? I remember that match clearly. Nadal had no option there. Even the commentators said that. And Nadal apologised profusely after that.
Rafa did not purposely aim to hit Djoko, and he apologized!
Has Nadal ever apologised for exceeding the time limit of serving. Has he apologised for threatening the umpires that they would never umpire his matches ?
You'd be okay if he raised his hand ?
He does make the sorry for that gesture with his hand when he's not ready to receive
I wonder what's the connection between your reply and my post you replied to?
I do keep finding myself saying to people I've been hit by a lot worse than a tennis ball - as in a fist to the face in a ruck playing rugby, a football (the round kind) to the side of the head from close range when I refused to turn my back on someone winding up to hit a long range shot and a cricket ball, albeit not standing at any of the "I want to die" fielding positions such as silly mid-off.
did you ever faced the tennis ball coming at your chest at this speed from this distance?
yes and no.
Do you understand the difference between:
Federer quite often hits the ball straight at the opponent, so no reason not to hit it at him. The fatality I think you're referring too was a linesman in the 1983 US Open junior tournament in which in an extraordinary set of circumstances Edberg hit a serve, it struck the seated linesman in the groin, causing a sharp burst of pain such that he toppled from his chair, struck his head on the Flushing Meadow cement and subsequently died as a result. That's why line judges now stand during play. If being hit by a tennis ball was ordinarily dangerous then playing doubles would be a dangerous sport, and centre line service judges would be as rare as hens teeth.
I perfectly understood that there was nothing extraordinary about Rafa's request.
how many pros request such?
1. I think it happened in the ATP Tour, and to my memory on grass, but I didn't google for it, so won't argue on details
Ask ATP spokesman Simon Higson this question.
so typical of fans who prefer to repeat whatever they hear.
The body shot was part of an interesting little series of points. The point prior Kyrgios was at net and Nadal had a high forehand. Kyrgios anticipated Nadal would drill him so went running for cover. Nadal hit the ball into the open court. The next point Nadal was in the ascendancy and had an easy short forehand. Instead of nailing it he put far too much topspin on the ball, resulting in the ball just sitting up begging to be hit. Nadal followed his shot in and it was given precisely what it deserved as Kyrgios clubbed it like an exocet missile straight at him. A rattled Nadal then double faulted, so it got Kyrgios an extra point. There were a couple of subsequent points where Nadal was hesitant to move forward seemingly remembering what happened when he came in previously on a poor approach shot.
Kyrgios explained he did not apologise because Rafa is successful and rich.
Correct. It's a well known tactic, which mostly works against the victim. At least for the next couple of points, as you say.
It's just an ordinary and very low level risk of the sport. If your opponent hits it at you and your reaction is too slow there's a very remote possibility the ball might cause an injury. That doesn't make the shot illegitimate.
I use facts, you prefer creating imaginary stories...
ok, great reply.
