Tennys Sandgren defaulted after taking a shot to the balls by a ball kid

[Uncoil]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1437935687089770501

 

[Tshooter]

If you use the word tushy in a sentence then you are the moral victor.

Incidentally, he wasn't defaulted for getting hit in the balls by a ball. He was defaulted for indirectly hitting what sounds from Tennys description of the events like a slow moving linesperson. This will help accelerate the exit of linespersons especially once the cost of the technology comes down. This penalty was overkill. Imagine if this were at a tournament where spectators paid for pricey tickets. How about a game penalty?

 

[topher]

This is hilarious lol, credit to Tennys for taking it in stride - not the ball tap but the default.

 

[Jonesy]

Linespeople are ruining Tennys.

 

[tudwell]

Look what Djokovic started.

 

[Alexh22]

Sand can’t even own it. Hit by a “super hot” ball by a 6 yrs old ball boy. Hit ref, threw racquet. Where is you manner ? Played like crap yet acted like the king of tennis No one can touch.
loser

 

[Patogen]

They don't call them ball boys for no reason.

 

[Swingmaster]

Ball boy should be sacked.

 

[King No1e]

I'm more impressed that he used the word "tushy"

 

[USMC-615]

Was that right in the nuts…or night in the ruts?

 

[Bartelby]

The worst part of the incident is that it basically happens off camera, so no doubling-over or backside rubbing.

 

[gjm127]

God I was really looking forward to this match.

 

[RaulRamirez]

This is bizarre.
Now, it sounds like Sandgren (again, by the sound of it) hit the ball hard in frustration, but I have no idea where it hit the linesman and at what velocity.
Again...bizarre!

 

[Bender]

I'm more impressed that he used the word "tushy"

He was thinking of the video he was watching the night earlier

 

[aldeayeah]

I'm more impressed that he used the word "tushy"

ZZ Top instantly started playing in my mind

 

[ChaelAZ]

This is just nuts.

 

[sureshs]

"And just to be clear, this was all totally my fault"

That is unusual for people with a history like him

 

[jussumman]

This is insane. The rule is overkill and needs to soften to some warning or lesser. Stupid

 

[Bartelby]

They would argue that they are trying to prevent "overkill". For better or worse, they don't care about intention. If the ball strikes an official then you're out. Harsh, but clear.

This is insane. The rule is overkill and needs to soften to some warning or lesser. Stupid

 

[ChaelAZ]

Ya know, they don't call'em BALL kids for...nuttin'!

 

[ChaelAZ]

Or...maybe day dooo!

 

[am1899]

If you use the word tushy in a sentence then you are the moral victor.

LOL I would be inclined to concur.

 

[Omega_7000]

Not surprising. Players take inspiration from the top pros. Tsitsipas inspired to take toilet breaks, now this guy hitting line judge.....

 

[TimHenmanATG]

Tbf, he seemed to take it like a man.

There was no unedifying ranting or raving, which we've sadly become accustomed to over the years.

 

[aldeayeah]

"And just to be clear, this was all totally my fault"

That is unusual for people with a history like him

Owning up to the mistake is a good thing. Not as good as actually not making the mistake but hey, baby steps.

 

[travlerajm]

Owning up to the mistake is a good thing. Not as good as actually not making the mistake but hey, baby steps.

You can read his post two ways. When I read it, it seems like he is being sarcastic.

 

[jussumman]

They would argue that they are trying to prevent "overkill". For better or worse, they don't care about intention. If the ball strikes an official then you're out. Harsh, but clear.

Well John McEnroe stated they should be able to review it soon after at least to determine if it's blatantly unintentional and no one got hurt (some degree of discretion). So I'm not the only one who thinks there's room for flexibility to the rule to prevent "overkill".

 

[Raul_SJ]

The man was essentially kicked in the groin and was in pain. A ref was lightly hit in the rear. There should be discretion allowed in applying the rule. Obviously. But common sense has went out the window.

 

[Tshooter]

The man was essentially kicked in the groin and was in pain. A ref was lightly hit in the rear. There should be discretion allowed in applying the rule. Obviously. But common sense has gone went out the window.

Raul as usual the voice of reason.

The strict and mindless application of rules particularly against the weak (in this case the tennis player has no power other than the nuclear option of walking off the court) is something to expect from a judge but the ATP needs to do better. The linespeople will pay the real price anyway; when they’re all gone.

“You can take a tennis ball in the nuts once in a while and keep your job or no balls to the nuts and no job but you can’t have both.” — Neil Gorsuch dissenting in TransAm Trucking, Inc. v. Administrative Review Board, 833 F.3d 1206

 

[Bud]

Ball boy should be sacked.

They should test these ball kids skills before letting them loose on court

 

[Tshooter]

They should test these ball kids skills before letting them loose on court

I’m pretty sure they do but if you want to use children for free labor to run down balls like many events do then you can’t really complain about the quality of the work. And no one is perfect anyway. The occasional ball to the nuts should be expected.

 

[Bud]

They should test these ball kids skills before letting them loose on court

I’m pretty sure they do but if you want to use children for free labor to run down balls like many events do then you can’t really complain about the quality of the work. And no one is perfect anyway. The occasional ball to the nuts should be expected.

Test these (testes). Not an easy pun to pick up