OK ... I'm not one to usually write to bodies like the ATP and ITF, but I'm becoming increasingly concerned what with this whole public airing of the Bernardes affair and with undue and what I consider unfair penalising of Rafa with this damned time between points rule at crucial stages of a match, that I've taken pen to paper. I doubt if it will go anywhere or that I'll even get a response, but I've aired my views to them and there's not much else I can do ...
A perfect example of a person who has sought out the data that suits their argument and made a case which does not reflect the actual situation. Players, Nadal included, appear to receive warnings on crucial points but more often than not it's because the previous point(s) have been particularly tight/long and, additionally, the crowd has gotten involved more. The umpires aren't picking the crucial times to call time violations - the way the player is playing results on those times being the one which fall foul of the rules the most obviously.
ReplyDeleteThe players/fans who should be more aggrieved about the over-use/lack-of penalties are the players who almost always play within the times: Federer, Tsonga, Wawrinka etc. The rules were brought in to speed up play to avoid the silliness we've seen from Nadal in particular over the year yet when he gets reminded of his almost singular complete failure to make the cut on ANY point during some matches his response is not to get with the plan and speed up by a few seconds, but to ask the ATP/ITF to not put a certain umpire on his matches in future. It shows he is more intent on seeing the rule gone than accepting a rule bought in for practical, fair reasons.
The rule was brought in for practical, fair reasons, but it is not being applied fairly. The data I have provided is actual timings. The timing between points is from the ball going out of play till it becomes active again, and does not take any account of tight/long points or crowd noise. More time is taken on crucial points by players in the plural because they are steadying themselves to face potential break points, actual break points, ad points, set points and match points. Introduction of this rule does not speed up play, it could reduce an average set by 3-4 minutes - you do the maths. Bernades and Nadal are taking a vacation due a lack of respect over a kit change issue. I do not support, excuse or advocate any player breaking any rule, but if they do, then I expect to see consistent enforcement of penalties. But I am not.
DeleteIs Rafa being guilty of being too slow? Yes he is. Should he try to be faster and cut down some of his routine? Yes he should. But should he be penalized most of the time at crucial points while others often get away with their breaking the rules. Absolutely Big No!
ReplyDeleteAnd I think all rules should be applied to all equally and fairly, not just the time violation. Besides, the umpires should / could use better judgments before issuing warnings or penalties. The weather, the long rallies, the crowd and so on which sometimes affect the time players need to get ready for their next serve should also be taken in consideration.
Btw, what Jim Courier said -- "There’s nothing that Nadal is doing that is gamesmanship. He’s just getting ready for a huge point." -- echoes my sentiments exactly.