Clay lover
Legend
Let me preface this by saying I'm not gonna single out any player for their behavior in regards to this, and are proposing the stricter rules more to stay true to the original spirit of MTOs and reduce future controversies so as to preserve the reputation of the sport.
I watch other racquet sports, I have watched a lot of other sports too, and in those sports the athletes only ever receive treatment after a clear incidence of injury. Yes football players act up their injuries to stall for the winning team but at least they only do it upon a visible tackle. (Table tennis, for example, specifically excludes pre-existing conditions) Literally only in tennis do people take time-outs for a precautionary massage or treatment for a long-term chronic condition, which you know full well will be exacerbated once you elect to enter the match.
I think this distorts the original spirit of time-outs. It shouldn't be a tool which allows you to go into a match recklessly with a nagging injury and a tool that gives you multiple chances to re-evaluate your position throughout the match - the evaluation should be done prior to it - have a nagging injury and don't wanna worsen it? Withdraw. Decide to try your luck because you think it's mild enough for you to win the match or even the tournament anyway? Brave it, or at least face heavier consequences score-wise should you decide to receive an MTO mid-match. It also shouldn't readily entertain mild injuries to the extent where it disrupts the flow of the game, something other racquet sports do not do. (Or at least the players have the pride not to do).
Again, not singling out a certain player. Djokovic has done it, Nadal has done it, multiple players have done it... perhaps at least only allow MTOs at the conclusion of sets so that people have to seriously consider the consequences to see whether they take the trade before getting an MTO off a mild/ nagging injury.
I watch other racquet sports, I have watched a lot of other sports too, and in those sports the athletes only ever receive treatment after a clear incidence of injury. Yes football players act up their injuries to stall for the winning team but at least they only do it upon a visible tackle. (Table tennis, for example, specifically excludes pre-existing conditions) Literally only in tennis do people take time-outs for a precautionary massage or treatment for a long-term chronic condition, which you know full well will be exacerbated once you elect to enter the match.
I think this distorts the original spirit of time-outs. It shouldn't be a tool which allows you to go into a match recklessly with a nagging injury and a tool that gives you multiple chances to re-evaluate your position throughout the match - the evaluation should be done prior to it - have a nagging injury and don't wanna worsen it? Withdraw. Decide to try your luck because you think it's mild enough for you to win the match or even the tournament anyway? Brave it, or at least face heavier consequences score-wise should you decide to receive an MTO mid-match. It also shouldn't readily entertain mild injuries to the extent where it disrupts the flow of the game, something other racquet sports do not do. (Or at least the players have the pride not to do).
Again, not singling out a certain player. Djokovic has done it, Nadal has done it, multiple players have done it... perhaps at least only allow MTOs at the conclusion of sets so that people have to seriously consider the consequences to see whether they take the trade before getting an MTO off a mild/ nagging injury.
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