It's time to kill the Match Time Out (MTO) . . . or to overhaul it completely.

[Sudacafan]

Today's Wimbledon third round match between Jelena Ostapenko vs. Ajla Tomljanovic was just the latest example of a player abusing the MTO rule. The main difference is that Tomljanovic called out her opponent in front of the crowd and the umpire for obviously lying and faking an injury. As Tomljanovic was about to serve after breaking for a 4-0 lead in the deciding set, Ostapenko walked to her chair and asked the umpire for the trainer. She insisted that she couldn't continue due to an abdominal pull and could not wait until the next changeover. In the few points before her asking for the trainer, Ostapenko showed absolutely no visible signs of discomfort. None. She had lost six games on the bounce.

Immediately, Tomljanovic voiced her objection. "You know she's lying, right? We all know." She refused to sit down, even after the physio arrived to assess Ostapenko and umpire Fiona Edwards granted the three-minute MTO for off-court treatment. A supervisor was called at Tomljanovic's request, and the exchange continued. Almost 12 minutes after the last point had been played, the match continued. The MTO clock on the score board had run out. Umpire Edwards called "time" only after Ostapenko arrived back on court. Tomljanovic was immediately broken, but still managed to win the match in the end. For the final four games of the match, Ostapenko showed ZERO signs of an injury.

I think it's ridiculous (and impossible) that umpires are put into the position to have to assess the truthfulness of a player's assertion that he/she is actually injured. But it is clear that many players have used the MTO as a way to break up their opponent's rhythm, to regroup physically or emotionally, to stall, etc. Before the rules were changed, being injured during play fell under the banner of "loss of condition." Players either continued playing the match or retired. I think we should go back to the old system.

MTOs have become a joke. We've laughed about them for years, and most of us can accurately predict when one will be called. But it's more than that. It makes a mockery of our sport when we make stupid rules, refuse to enforce rules, or do not make changes when we clearly see rules being abused. It's a simple solution to end MTO abuse. Kill the MTO completely. That won't happen. The governing bodies are too weak. So here's an alternative: A trainer can only be called when you are about to serve.

1. If a trainer is called, the player is given a point penalty. So merely asking for the trainer gives the fit player a reward for having to put up with a delay because of his/her opponent's loss of condition. This should also begin to deter any fake calls for the physio.
2. If the trainer recommends treatment, the player can opt out. But if the player decides to take the three-minute MTO, that's a game penalty. There's an automatic game penalty any time a player takes the option to take a MTO or leaves the court (for a MTO or a bathroom break). Again, a reward for the player who has to suffer through the delay.
3. Any other delay or request for treatment results in a immediate default.

Wimbledon would much help in this regard by making its soapy slippery sh1ttery courts a little bit safer.

 

[skip1969]

Yes, 1 per match is reasonable imo and nobody should be surprised if/when a player takes it. MTO are being used as TO anyway so just tweak the rules a little.

Well then, we agree more than we disagree. I like my idea better, but I'd settle for yours instead of the current state of affairs.

With your system, a player could call his/her timeout at any time and for any reason. It would make sense for a losing player to invoke his/her time out in order to regroup. Totally legit and should be anticipated by the opponent.

With the current system, players are faking injury in order to get that regroup time. It's disingenuous and unsporting, in my view, even if it is within the rules.

So if I had to choose one, I'd choose your way.

 

[skip1969]

Wimbledon would much help in this regard by making its soapy slippery sh1ttery courts a little bit safer.

That's not really relevant to the discussion.

 

[Sudacafan]

That's not really relevant to the discussion.

I think it is.

 

[Nate7-5]

Oh no - the other player is making me stop playing fir a few minutes, now Im going to start losing!!!

 

[Nate7-5]

That's my whole point. Flopping/diving is everywhere in football. Everybody on earth knows it. But NOBODY actually does it, right? Because nobody admits to it, therefore it doesn't exist. The governing bodies all SAY they want to stamp it out, that it's an embarrassment to the game. But they don't actually DO anything concrete about it. So . . . it continues.

The funny thing about yesterday's match was Tomljanovic actually saying the quiet part out loud. "You know she's lying, right? WE ALL KNOW." And it was totally true.

Players get carded for simulation in some leagues.

 

[tonylg]

Oh no - the other player is making me stop playing fir a few minutes, now Im going to start losing!!!

 

[jm1980]

That's my whole point. Flopping/diving is everywhere in football. Everybody on earth knows it. But NOBODY actually does it, right? Because nobody admits to it, therefore it doesn't exist. The governing bodies all SAY they want to stamp it out, that it's an embarrassment to the game. But they don't actually DO anything concrete about it. So . . . it continues.

The funny thing about yesterday's match was Tomljanovic actually saying the quiet part out loud. "You know she's lying, right? WE ALL KNOW." And it was totally true.

It drives me nuts when a team is ahead and trying to run out the clock and players start to get "injured" left and right. Everyone in the whole stadium knows what's going on but it happens anyway.

 

[coupergear]

The real mistake is calling them medical time outs just call them time outs--it's like any other sport you get a certain number and that's it. you can use them how you want. if you use them just to rest or break momentum and get injured later too bad.

 

[Whisper]

With your system, a player could call his/her timeout at any time and for any reason. It would make sense for a losing player to invoke his/her time out in order to regroup. Totally legit and should be anticipated by the opponent.

Yes, I think it’s a positive overall. It could also benefit the player who’s leading, get them to clear their head as well, minimise risk of choking etc. If it’s only once per match the player needs to judge the best time to use it, not waste it too early, pick the most beneficial/pivotal time to use it. It would be a fun and interesting addition to the game.

 

[tonylg]

Yes, I think it’s a positive overall. It could also benefit the player who’s leading, get them to clear their head as well, minimise risk of choking etc. If it’s only once per match the player needs to judge the best time to use it, not waste it too early, pick the most beneficial/pivotal time to use it. It would be a fun and interesting addition to the game.

So you're opposed to medical time outs, but in favour of tactical stoppages?

 

[Pandaman]

Today's Wimbledon third round match between Jelena Ostapenko vs. Ajla Tomljanovic was just the latest example of a player abusing the MTO rule. The main difference is that Tomljanovic called out her opponent in front of the crowd and the umpire for obviously lying and faking an injury. As Tomljanovic was about to serve after breaking for a 4-0 lead in the deciding set, Ostapenko walked to her chair and asked the umpire for the trainer. She insisted that she couldn't continue due to an abdominal pull and could not wait until the next changeover. In the few points before her asking for the trainer, Ostapenko showed absolutely no visible signs of discomfort. None. She had lost six games on the bounce.

Immediately, Tomljanovic voiced her objection. "You know she's lying, right? We all know." She refused to sit down, even after the physio arrived to assess Ostapenko and umpire Fiona Edwards granted the three-minute MTO for off-court treatment. A supervisor was called at Tomljanovic's request, and the exchange continued. Almost 12 minutes after the last point had been played, the match continued. The MTO clock on the score board had run out. Umpire Edwards called "time" only after Ostapenko arrived back on court. Tomljanovic was immediately broken, but still managed to win the match in the end. For the final four games of the match, Ostapenko showed ZERO signs of an injury.

I think it's ridiculous (and impossible) that umpires are put into the position to have to assess the truthfulness of a player's assertion that he/she is actually injured. But it is clear that many players have used the MTO as a way to break up their opponent's rhythm, to regroup physically or emotionally, to stall, etc. Before the rules were changed, being injured during play fell under the banner of "loss of condition." Players either continued playing the match or retired. I think we should go back to the old system.

MTOs have become a joke. We've laughed about them for years, and most of us can accurately predict when one will be called. But it's more than that. It makes a mockery of our sport when we make stupid rules, refuse to enforce rules, or do not make changes when we clearly see rules being abused. It's a simple solution to end MTO abuse. Kill the MTO completely. That won't happen. The governing bodies are too weak. So here's an alternative: A trainer can only be called when you are about to serve.

1. If a trainer is called, the player is given a point penalty. So merely asking for the trainer gives the fit player a reward for having to put up with a delay because of his/her opponent's loss of condition. This should also begin to deter any fake calls for the physio.
2. If the trainer recommends treatment, the player can opt out. But if the player decides to take the three-minute MTO, that's a game penalty. There's an automatic game penalty any time a player takes the option to take a MTO or leaves the court (for a MTO or a bathroom break). Again, a reward for the player who has to suffer through the delay.
3. Any other delay or request for treatment results in a immediate default.

The only egregious thing about what happened is the way she acted.. saying what she did if Jelena was a really injured, which you have to assume, is ridiculous and inappropriate. You don't treat people like that.

So many ppl plop their fat asses on the couch and arbitrarily decide who is faking it and who is not, usually in line with their own biases. This is what has to stop. It is as hypocritical as it gets. If a player can't handle a break in momentum for again, what you have to assume is an injury, they don't deserve to win.

Barty handled what looked like an unfair situation at the AO with class, saying the same thing. I suggest the players and fans take a page out of her book and just watch the ****ing match.

 

[canta_Brian]

So many “new users” this week.

 

[Dilexson]

Yeah, game penalty. Probably won't happen though , MTOs add more drama to the matches.

 

[MichaelNadal]

So many “new users” this week.

 

[tonylg]

Yeah, game penalty. Probably won't happen though , MTOs add more drama to the matches.

How would awarding a game to the player not taking the MTO reduce any drama? If anything, it increases drama because you know they've considered the cost and taken the time out anyway.

The one thing we do know it would reduce or completely erradicate is the dishonest MTOs that we all know have been common place.

 

[Wander]

As far as I'm concerned, everyone who can't get over the existence of a free medical time out rule is a bunch of babies crying over nothing.

 

[skip1969]

The only egregious thing about what happened is the way she acted.. saying what she did if Jelena was a really injured, which you have to assume, is ridiculous and inappropriate. You don't treat people like that.

So many ppl plop their fat asses on the couch and arbitrarily decide who is faking it and who is not, usually in line with their own biases. This is what has to stop. It is as hypocritical as it gets. If a player can't handle a break in momentum for again, what you have to assume is an injury, they don't deserve to win.

Barty handled what looked like an unfair situation at the AO with class, saying the same thing. I suggest the players and fans take a page out of her book and just watch the ****ing match.

We are at the stage when players are openly questioning the legitimacy of some MTO's. No doubt they have been questioning them for years now, in silence, as many fans have. What is ridiculous is hiding our heads in the sand and pretending that what we are seeing on court isn't actually happening. Fans are not a monolith. They have a every right to voice their opinions. It's what you're doing now, criticizing the behavior of Tomljanovic and judging the "fat asses on the couch" who don't agree with your take on the subject. So spare us the talk of hypocrisy.

This has been a positive thread about how we (who have no power in the game) would change a rule that is being abused. If you can't add anything constructive to the discussion, I suppose you could take your own advice and "just watch the ****ing match."