Why do players make tanking seem so blatanly obvious?

[Standaa]

Players like Kyrgios or Tomic must know they'd get ton of criticism for tanking a match. Angry booing fans, negative headlines, loss of respect etc. happens everytime they choose to throw away the match. But is it all worth it to them? Why make it so obvious if they decide to stop trying? I get that they are bored and they don't wanna be there, but could they at least try do it in a way so that people won't recognize they tanked? You can still miss the shots but not make it seem like you've given up on the match. You can overhit your strokes, but still try to make it look like you're running up to some of the balls. And not visibly mocking the sport in front of the eyes of paying spectators.

I hate tanking, but if you're gonna do it, could you at least try to hide it? You can still be in the locker room in half an hour and avoid the hate from the people and press for disrespecting the sport at the same time.

 

[EloQuent]

it's an emotional thing, not a rational decision. they are out there and suddenly can't take the pressure

 

[JackGates]

They rarely tank and Tomic and Kyrgios are exceptions. They just use that as an excuse for their loses, so they intend it to be seen.

The rest don't tank and what you see as tanking is a strategy. If you are down two breaks in a set, you conserve energy and don't waste time on a set that is lost.