Time limits for tennis players? Time for a response - a request to the ATP & ITF
228 Comments
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Nora
11 years ago
Pleeze stop giving Rafa unfair TVW..VamosRafa!!
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lynn Soto
11 years ago
the time rule is definitely not upheld consistently and certain players are targeted more than others. Players can make rude comments, slam rackets and throw balls at ball boys without any penalty but if a player takes too long on a hot humid day or after a long rally they are punished. I think this time penalty rule needs to be reconsidered.
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Anonymous
11 years ago
It should be fair, not at an important point. Allowance could be allowed after an exceptionally long rally.
J
Jeanne Young
11 years ago
Stop the madness!!!
J
Jade Pearson
11 years ago
I think it's disgusting that certain players are hounded by umpires yet others get away with taking advantage of favouritism
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Gloria Hamilton-Forde
11 years ago
It appears that umpires have been directed to give Nadal a point violation at break point because of the number of times this has happened recently; it cannot be a coincidence. Why not have a shot clock? How can someone be penalized with no evidence? The witch hunt against Nadal is all too obvious and shames a great sport like tennis. All violations of ATP/ITF rules should be punished or not at all. Targeting one player diminishes the integrity of the sport.
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Elizabeth Kaye
11 years ago
Every point played is unique. Some points require a few more seconds recovery. Some key moments in a match do as well. When players are punished with time violations it often means that the chair umpire has inserted him or her self into the match. Time violations also penalize fans and viewers who are interested in seeing a great match, not a quick one.
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Sara
11 years ago
The rules are evidently being applied inconsistently and unfairly. Why do players who swear or smash rackets not get penalised? Surely that's worse than going a few seconds over the time?
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Cynthia Tanner
11 years ago
The rules should be applied consistently. No player should be penalized only (or primarily) on break points, deuce points, or 30-all.
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atpwtatennisfan shaw
11 years ago
It's time for the ATP & ITF to introduce the shot clock (25sec - 30sec), this will be one way to ensure that everyone is treated the same.
J
Jackie
11 years ago
The time violation rule appears to be directed at certain players only, Rafael Nadal to be specific. Other players who exhibit verbal and/or racquet abuse, and questionable on-court behaviour, regularly escape punishment. Their actions are more offensive for me as a viewer than a few extra seconds taken before the serve. Time violations could be avoided with the use of an on-court clock. I wholeheartedly agree with the points made in this petition.
T
Tuula Rautiainen
11 years ago
The rule which is used very unfairly and often in crucial moments of the match.
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Elena Gordon
11 years ago
If TVs are penalized, so should obscenities and racquet abuse.
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Elena Gordon
11 years ago
All penalties for all infractions must be enforced and enforced fairly.
G
Grace
11 years ago
As an avid tennis fan, I feel that this inconsistent and unfair rule affects both me as a fan and my favourite players. Its about time the rule is revised.
L
Laura Font
11 years ago
Either the time violation is stricly applied to every player without exception or simply stop utilizing the ridiculous rule so randomly, And by the way, it doesn't make sense to apply it when players are coming back from long rallies and very long games. They are human and the rule was never really paid any attention until now. If a timer is going to be set, get rid of the umpires,
L
Linda Tempest
11 years ago
I totally agree with the various previous comments, that this rule is being used unfairly and possibly changing the outcome of matches. Why have the rule at all? Most fans would rather see great tennis with a few more seconds between points, than a procession of aces (which sadly seems to be the way the game is going).
A
Anonymous
11 years ago
the controversy over enforcement of this rule is making tennis look bad, umps look biased, and arguably affecting results. Also ridiculous that shorter time is allowed in Majors than Masters. Until there are clocks on all courts this rule should be ignored just as many others are.
A
Ava Baker
11 years ago
As a fan of tennis for many years, I find the time violation rule is being used unfairly especially for Rafa Nadal. He does not do it to disrupt the opponent . Everyone knows this. He's an exceptional human being and a incredible player with so many talents. The time violations are almost always given during crucial moments such as break points. I have heard many commentators express their disgust including John McEnroe and Jim Courier and Paul Annacone just to name a few. This must stop! I will stop watching and supporting tennis very soon. It's disgusting that one player is singled out and he's such a role model for thousands of kids and adults alike.
R
Rona Newsholme
11 years ago
It is clear who instigated this rule and equally clear who it was made for. Most players are not being given tv's when warranted,only one Rafael Nadal and always on break point. It is clearly changing the outcome of some matches and this cannot be right.
Pleeze stop giving Rafa unfair TVW..VamosRafa!!
the time rule is definitely not upheld consistently and certain players are targeted more than others. Players can make rude comments, slam rackets and throw balls at ball boys without any penalty but if a player takes too long on a hot humid day or after a long rally they are punished. I think this time penalty rule needs to be reconsidered.
It should be fair, not at an important point. Allowance could be allowed after an exceptionally long rally.
Stop the madness!!!
I think it's disgusting that certain players are hounded by umpires yet others get away with taking advantage of favouritism
It appears that umpires have been directed to give Nadal a point violation at break point because of the number of times this has happened recently; it cannot be a coincidence. Why not have a shot clock? How can someone be penalized with no evidence? The witch hunt against Nadal is all too obvious and shames a great sport like tennis. All violations of ATP/ITF rules should be punished or not at all. Targeting one player diminishes the integrity of the sport.
Every point played is unique. Some points require a few more seconds recovery. Some key moments in a match do as well. When players are punished with time violations it often means that the chair umpire has inserted him or her self into the match. Time violations also penalize fans and viewers who are interested in seeing a great match, not a quick one.
The rules are evidently being applied inconsistently and unfairly. Why do players who swear or smash rackets not get penalised? Surely that's worse than going a few seconds over the time?
The rules should be applied consistently. No player should be penalized only (or primarily) on break points, deuce points, or 30-all.
It's time for the ATP & ITF to introduce the shot clock (25sec - 30sec), this will be one way to ensure that everyone is treated the same.
The time violation rule appears to be directed at certain players only, Rafael Nadal to be specific. Other players who exhibit verbal and/or racquet abuse, and questionable on-court behaviour, regularly escape punishment. Their actions are more offensive for me as a viewer than a few extra seconds taken before the serve. Time violations could be avoided with the use of an on-court clock. I wholeheartedly agree with the points made in this petition.
The rule which is used very unfairly and often in crucial moments of the match.
If TVs are penalized, so should obscenities and racquet abuse.
All penalties for all infractions must be enforced and enforced fairly.
As an avid tennis fan, I feel that this inconsistent and unfair rule affects both me as a fan and my favourite players. Its about time the rule is revised.
Either the time violation is stricly applied to every player without exception or simply stop utilizing the ridiculous rule so randomly, And by the way, it doesn't make sense to apply it when players are coming back from long rallies and very long games. They are human and the rule was never really paid any attention until now. If a timer is going to be set, get rid of the umpires,
I totally agree with the various previous comments, that this rule is being used unfairly and possibly changing the outcome of matches. Why have the rule at all? Most fans would rather see great tennis with a few more seconds between points, than a procession of aces (which sadly seems to be the way the game is going).
the controversy over enforcement of this rule is making tennis look bad, umps look biased, and arguably affecting results. Also ridiculous that shorter time is allowed in Majors than Masters. Until there are clocks on all courts this rule should be ignored just as many others are.
As a fan of tennis for many years, I find the time violation rule is being used unfairly especially for Rafa Nadal. He does not do it to disrupt the opponent . Everyone knows this. He's an exceptional human being and a incredible player with so many talents. The time violations are almost always given during crucial moments such as break points. I have heard many commentators express their disgust including John McEnroe and Jim Courier and Paul Annacone just to name a few. This must stop! I will stop watching and supporting tennis very soon. It's disgusting that one player is singled out and he's such a role model for thousands of kids and adults alike.
It is clear who instigated this rule and equally clear who it was made for. Most players are not being given tv's when warranted,only one Rafael Nadal and always on break point. It is clearly changing the outcome of some matches and this cannot be right.