Time limits for tennis players? Time for a response - a request to the ATP & ITF

Federer abused his position as president of the players council to create the 25sec rule. He has deliberately misinterpreted the Mike Davies 30sec rule into a blanket time rule. The original rule was aimed at troublesome players who would deliberately stop play for up to a quarter of an hour or more with tantrums and arguments with umpires and even spectators! The rule really came into its own during McEnroe's time. Federer has manipulated the entire ATP Machinery ( eg commentators and even graphics and cameramen ) to empower umpires to disrupt Nadal's concentration during his service games ( occasionally some poor sod gets a warning as well for appearance sake! ). All this is to protect his 17 slams from being overtaken. This was Federer's sole contribution to the players council - everything else was spearheaded by Nadal and this was why he got rid of him and any other players of substance and surrounded himself with minions! DISGRACEFUL!

It's only right that players like Nadal (especially) and Djokovic should be punished for failing to obey the rules. Instead they get away with because umpires are scared of them. Hopefully the ATP will see this petition and crack down on them and make them play by the rules like other players do..

This rule is completely stupid. It's a ridiculous witch-hunt. It was fine before 2013. No need to change it.

This rule is completely stupid. It's a ridiculous witch-hunt. It was fine before 2013. No need to change it.

This rule is completely stupid. It's a ridiculous witch-hunt. It was fine before 2013. No need to change it.

I am more bothered by the racquet throwing/breaking, cursing and other antics on display than by a player who takes >20-25s.. Given the increased level of intensity necessary in tennis matches over the past 20 years, perhaps it is time to revisit how much time is allowed between points. Tennis rules should evolve with the game not be mired in the early 20th century when wood racquets and long pants were worn!

Stop picking on one player. Either penalise everyone who goes over the time limit or get rid of this stupid rule. A few seconds longer to serve does not spoil the enjoyment of a match for spectators but umpires handing out violations on crucial points does.

The ridiculous lack of fairness in the enforcement of this rule is getting in the giving the umpire too much control of the outcome and could be construed as "match fixing." . Also the Grand Slams and the remaining tournaments should have the same time (30 seconds consistently enforced) between points. There should be consistent penalties for players that yell obscenities and rack smash, which is much more disruptive than a few extra seconds for the server.

The time warning is not being given fairly by umpires. During the same match I have noticed both players are taking longer than the allotted time but only one is penalised more often than not on a crucial point in the game. Not only can it affect the outcome of a match but therefore the outcome of a tournament. Code violations are being broken repeatedly. When a player deliberately smashes a racquet he is given extra time to replace it. Now you have a coach of one of the top players actually admitting he coaches from courtside.. this coach should be banned from the box.

I too feel there is gross inconsistency of the time warning rule being handed out by umpires. Some players go over and are not penalised whilst another is given a violation mainly at break point times. If you are going to enforce time violations so eagerly, then audible obscenities and racquet abuse violations need to be issued as well. Many of these are ignored by umpires and on court behaviour has deteriorated as a general rule. All of this is taking away the enjoyment of following my beloved tennis.

I am much more irritated by the swearing and bad behaviour of some players than by any of them taking a few more seconds between points. Don't umpires realise the Microphones pick up every word and the commentators have to apologise for some players throughout the match? Also it's the inconsistency of time warnings and the apparent preference for issuing them when a player is break point down that bothers me. Enforce the rule early or don't bother and don't let umpires influence the match result.

This rule is so silly because some players go over the time on most points but the umpires choose when they want to penalise them which interferes with the match. Also why is the time limit 5 seconds less at the Gland Slams when the men's matches are longer than the rest of the tour. Some players are picked on more than others. One American female went over the time a lot at Roland Garros but I didn't hear one warning!! Umpire was probably scared of her.

The way this rule is being enforced unfairly penalises a style of play that requires extra effort by the players and provides exciting tennis for the spectators. Notice the silent crowds during the recent grass servefests. There was nothing wrong with the way things were before. Taking time between points is necessary for exciting tennis. It is not cheating or gamesmanship.

The time limits are too short - especially after a long rally or when there is a lot of crowd noise. Umpires should not not have the power to choose if and when to apply the rule. Their role would be more transparent if they had a time clock and always applied the rule.

The way this rule is applied is currently inconsistent and unfair. It does not enhance the game and causes frustration to players and spectators.

The inconsistency of enforcing this rule leads to unwanted tension as a spectator. Other than timing every point it is impossible to know if the server is about to get a warning or even lose a first serve on a crucial point.

penalties should not be given at crucial points of the game, ie break point

This ridiculous new rule, or at least the way it is being applied, is spoiling my enjoyment of tennis. The application is so sporadic, with some players going over the limit many times with no consequences while others are targeted regularly. It varies from umpire to umpire and from game to game which is absolutely unfair. Meanwhile, violations of other rules are routinely ignored and the cursing and swearing (often in languages other than English) that is allowed is appalling. Tennis has been fortunate that it's had a couple of players who exemplified good sportsmanship at the forefront of the game for the last decade and they have contributed immensely to the growth and popularity of the game but the unfairness in the past couple of years is turning off a goodly number of us.

Little effort seem to be made to implement the use of audible obscenities which is embarrassing to spectators and far more damaging to the reputation of the game than a server taking an extra few seconds to serve after a long rally. As a ex coach I wonder how current coaches explain to their fledgling proteges that being passionate and showing flair does not require the constant use of 4 letter words when umpires almost condone it by their lack of action.

Umpires should try to maintain parameters, order and some evenness in and through a match. They should not be persnickety especially at strategic points of match. They should err on the side of allowing a few seconds extra rather than hurting flow and concentration.