Kyrgios has got a point

[clayqueen]

Nick Kyrgios’ complaint to umpire about not being granted a medical time out met with support
Herald Sun
January 7, 2018 10:46

NICK Kyrgios’ displeasure at being denied a medical time outon an injury he says could threaten his Australian Open campaign while his opponent was granted time to change clothes has been met with widespread support from fans.

On his way to beating Ryan Harrison of the USA to claim his first title on home soil and fourth of his career, Kyrgios stood aghast after tour supervisor Gerry Armstrong denied him the chance to have a medical time out for treatment on the left knee which he has had taped for all four matches he played this week.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia has his knee strapped in the first set of the Men's final against Ryan Harrison
Rules state players are not granted medical time outs for pre-existing injuries, and this infuriated Kyrgios and fans alike.

“How is that a rule? That rule should be changed … it’s getting worse,’’ Kyrgios told Armstrong.

TITLE: Kyrgios wins Brisbane International

“What about a medical time out? This is an injury which could keep me out of the Australian Open. Imagine how I feel.’’
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/t...t/news-story/c0fea6644dce1dad307901f6438a8372

 

[SinjinCooper]

"Imagine how I feel.’’

Overrated?

 

[big ted]

only kyrgios would complain this much after a 6-4 6-2 win

 

[True Fanerer]

He didn't get the satisfaction he craves beating Harrison. Very laid back for him winning in his home country.

The good thing is that in the past he would have lost focus maybe and somehow screwed himself. He must continue on this path when he faces lesser players.

He had a right to mention the MTO ordeal. At the same time, he could have just brushed it aside and enjoyed getting that trophy.

 

[clayqueen]

Kyrgios is right. What is the logic of not allowing MTO on an existing injury? It's crazy. Tennis is the only sport that expects injured players to play.

 

[Mainad]

Kyrgios is right. What is the logic of not allowing MTO on an existing injury? It's crazy. Tennis is the only sport that expects injured players to play.

I'm guessing the logic is that if you enter a tournament with a pre-existing injury then you do so at your own risk and can't then complain when said injury starts acting up. In short, the ATP is saying why are you even playing this event if you have an ongoing injury? Either you're fit to play or you're not!

 

[Steve0904]

He always has some sort of point to make. His problem is that nobody listens to him because he acts like a bratty child 99% of the time.

 

[Slightly D1]

The rule is there to prevent players from halfway coming back just for the money even though they have an injury and won’t be able to play their best.

 

[True Fanerer]

I'm guessing the logic is that if you enter a tournament with a pre-existing injury then you do so at your own risk and can't then complain when said injury starts acting up. In short, the ATP is saying why are you even playing this event if you have an ongoing injury? Either you're fit to play or you're not!

Who's going to sub-in for him? Tennis recquires a different policy by default since its not a team sport.

 

[Mainad]

Who's going to sub-in for him? Tennis recquires a different policy by default since its not a team sport.

What do you mean?

 

[True Fanerer]

What do you mean?

I was backing what you said. Basically in a team sport obviously you can substitute for an injured player. Tennis doesn't have that option because its an individual sport, so their injury policy/MTO is their by default. No choice but to treat injuries differently than any other sport.

 

[clayqueen]

I'm guessing the logic is that if you enter a tournament with a pre-existing injury then you do so at your own risk and can't then complain when said injury starts acting up. In short, the ATP is saying why are you even playing this event if you have an ongoing injury? Either you're fit to play or you're not!

But the ATP still penalises players who miss mandatory tournaments because of injury.

 

[darrinbaker00]

Does Kyrgios have a point? Yes, but if he wears a hat, you can’t see it.

 

[BeatlesFan]

He always has some sort of point to make. His problem is that nobody listens to him because he acts like a bratty child 99% of the time.

You must not have watched him in Brisbane. His behavior was exemplary throughout. No tantrums, no drama, just blew everyone off the court to win the title. You'd best get used to it because Nick is going to have one hell of year, if he stays healthy (big "if" there!)

 

[Fedforever]

Like all rules around MTOs this one seems hard to enforce.What counts as a pre existing injury? Fed's back,Rafa's knees,we know these are the weak spots so does the umpire forbid them to have treatment on these? I kind of think,either get rid of the system entirely or just keep it as simple as possible and accept that you can't stop it being abused rather than having all sorts of complications and exceptions.

 

[tacou]

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...court-to-change-clothes.607333/#post-11896947

 

[Steve0904]

You must not have watched him in Brisbane. His behavior was exemplary throughout. No tantrums, no drama, just blew everyone off the court to win the title. You'd best get used to it because Nick is going to have one hell of year, if he stays healthy (big "if" there!)

But that's the thing. He won't have a great year if he doesn't control his temper. He will if he does and if he does that well I won't have a problem with it. He's not McEnroe or Connors who played better when they got angry. His tantrums don't help him play better tennis. He gets in his own way and he hasn't quite figured it out yet. Flashes here and there of relatively calm temper like in Brisbane but nothing consistent.

And then there's the idea of whether he's mentally ready to grind out a season at the highest level. Even assuming physical health throughout is not all of it. We've seen many people play great because they're playing in their home country (think someone like Isner or the other Americans for example). Is he ready to play 7 BO5 or is he not physically fit enough for that? He certainly hasn't proven it yet. He might this year and I'm not saying he definitely won't, but at this point I'm waiting until I see it and not parading around the forum talking about how talented he is.

 

[True Fanerer]

This subject makes me think about how someone like Roger, who isn't very vocal about some of his injuries. At least he wasn't in the past. Of course Kyrgio can't hide his knee being taped.

It is something to think about. Some injuries can be hidden under the right circumstances. It can be a career type weakness such as Roger's back or Rafa's knee like some of you have mentioned.

 

[Mainad]

But the ATP still penalises players who miss mandatory tournaments because of injury.

In what way? If a player has a legitimate injury how can he be penalised for not being able to play?

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

In what way? If a player has a legitimate injury how can he be penalised for not being able to play?

shhh... it's a conspiracy of the evil antivamos squadron against our rusty peak ever-injured golden

bull

!
(and please stop acting like you don't get it... 'cause we all know you're part of it, you malicious infidel !)

 

[texasleaguer]

What Kyrgios SHOULD have done was go change his shirt and have his knee re-taped at that time. The ATP is clearly more worried about how a player looks than how healthy he is. Harrisons off court wardrobe change was proof of that.

 

[chjtennis]

The rule has been in place for a long time. If the injury is so serious that the player could not play well enough, it's best to retire from the match anyway.

 

[Mainad]

shhh... it's a conspiracy of the evil antivamos squadron against our rusty peak ever-injured golden

bull

!
(and please stop acting like you don't get it... 'cause we all know you're part of it, you malicious infidel !)

Just following in the footsteps of the best.

 

[Deon Sanders]

Nick Kyrgios is a loser of the highest order

We could only be blessed if he missed the AUS OPEN and allowed a more worthwhile player to take his spot

 

[SinjinCooper]

Nick Kyrgios is a loser of the highest order

We could only be blessed if he missed the AUS OPEN and allowed a more worthwhile player to take his spot

He usually misses the last several rounds. That's almost as good.

 

[Bartelby]

The reality is that the worst possible outcome is for a player to retire when treatment could have averted that outcome.

The other problem is what counts as a pre-existing injury and how is it fairly judged?

Is this another reason why players say they are injury free before tournaments even when they are clearly not?

Is this why players stop wearing bandages onto the court before their first game?

Nadal quite clearly now has bandages on his fingers. Will his fingers go untreated at the AO?

Will Federer's back go untreated?, etc.

At the moment, all we can say is that Krygios was too dumb/too honest to game the system.

 

[Deleted member 512391]

Kyrgios has got a joint.

 

[Bartelby]

The fans should shout: 'Pre-existing injury' on every MTO unless a player slips or falls!

 

[Bartelby]

My guess is the rule is there to allow treatment of injuries occuring during the tournament due to trauma, for example, a fall.

The trouble is that this rule is never really applied and MTOs for pre-existing injuries 'acting up' is a common sight.

And, as many players testify, they are all playing with various degrees of injury most of the time, so if that is the ATP logic it's faulty.

I'm guessing the logic is that if you enter a tournament with a pre-existing injury then you do so at your own risk and can't then complain when said injury starts acting up. In short, the ATP is saying why are you even playing this event if you have an ongoing injury? Either you're fit to play or you're not!

 

[heninfan99]

 

[Jackuar]

If it's going to cost him chances at AO, he should've withdrawn already and started rehab instead of whining. A rule is a rule that's meant to keep people misusing the system away. You live and die by the sword.

Btw, how does winning or losing Brisbane impacts his chances at AO? I'm lost....

 

[SQA333]

You must not have watched him in Brisbane. His behavior was exemplary throughout. No tantrums, no drama, just blew everyone off the court to win the title. You'd best get used to it because Nick is going to have one hell of year, if he stays healthy (big "if" there!)

Dropping multiple sets along the way is not "blowing everyone off the court".