In recent weeks, a number of unsportsmanlike behaviors by tennis players on the court have reignited the debate on how athletes should behave during matches. In particular, the reactions shown at some key tournaments by Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios and Jenson Brooksby have sparked public opinion.
The German completely lost control in Acapulco and kept hitting referee Alessandro Germani’s chair with his racket. Kyrgios and Brooksby, on the other hand, risked hitting two ball boys with their racquet in Indian Wells and Miami, respectively.
ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi spoke to Sky Sport about this delicate topic: “There are different philosophies of thought. Some think that this is also a form of entertainment. People also looked to John McEnroe or Marat Safin because they expected their reaction.
The other philosophy of thought regards tennis players as an example to follow; People therefore think that they must follow perfect behavior.”
Gaudenzi: “I’m not afraid of tennis without the Big 3”
He then added: “I’m in the middle, to be honest.
There are two types of utterances. You are against yourself and you can be acceptable. However, if you risk injuring a spectator, linesman or ball boy, this is not an acceptable situation.
We have to be an example. When anger is against yourself, it’s a different story. It is not easy. The other important thing we are working on is a unified code of conduct between ATP, WTA and ITF.
Fragmentation creates confusion.” Finally, Gaudenzi focused on the future of tennis after the era marked by the exploits of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal: “The strength of the product is related to the mental and tactical aspects of tennis; due to the uncertain duration of the matches.
The beauty of the event and the personalities of the players certainly help. I’m not afraid of generational change. Obviously we owe a lot to Roger, Novak and Rafa for what they’ve accomplished over the past twenty years.
But I’m sure other characters will be born that will entertain audiences. We were also scared after Borg-McEnroe or Sampras-Agassi. Then look who has arrived. We don’t know what the future will bring.
The weakness could be related to leadership or media management. There is no body that fully controls the product.”
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![Mourenx: The MI media library [X] organizes its 2022 edition of “Echos du Son”.](https://i0.wp.com/media.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/10596784/1200x-1/ap5w9331.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 "Mourenx: The MI media library [X] organizes its 2022 edition of “Echos du Son”.")
