Fans break the rules of decorum established in the 16th century and players react differently. “Times are changing, but it is normal for the tennis player to complain,” analyzes David Ferrer, former player, now organizer
“Come down here and tell me to my face,” he yelled. Novak Djokovic from the court to a fan during their Australian Open second round match against Alexei Popyrin and it could seem like an isolated event. A lazy spectator, even a crazy one or a drunk. But it wasn’t. Djokovic himself already asked in the first round to expel a disrespectful fan from the stands of the Rod Laver Arena and this Sunday, in the fourth round against Adrian Mannarinoblew kisses to the audience, who whistled at him.
The relationship between the world number one and the Australian fans is special, strange, somewhat unpleasant, but in recent years other tennis players have also complained about the commotion, such as Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas o Holger Runeand even the other day he did it John McEnroe. Invited by the Grand Slam to interview Carlos Alcaraz after their first round match against Richard Gasqueta Spanish fan couldn’t stop shouting during the conversation between the two and the American had to stop and tell him in Spanish: “Shut your mouth!”
McEnroe, next to Alcaraz. Kelly Define
At the Australian Open or the US Open, at the Mutua Madrid Open or the Paris Masters 1000, at the ATP 500 in Buenos Aires and Rio… since the pandemic, players’ complaints about the attitude of the fans have been They have become common. So much so that in the locker rooms a question is already being repeated: Has the silence in tennis been broken?
“The times they Are a changing”
«Times are changing and I understand that sport has to evolve. The issue of noise, the issue of moving, is a logical change, as long as there is respect. There are tournaments with more tennis culture, where that silence is maintained more,” he explains. David Ferrer, former number three in the world ranking and current director of the Conde de Godó trophy, in conversation with EL MUNDO. Next to Rafa Nadal, Feliciano Lopez y Fernando Verdasco He experienced several of the loudest matches in memory, in the 2011 Davis Cup final against Argentina in Seville, but in the country tournament the noise was always accepted. Now that atmosphere has transferred to most of the tracks. «It is normal for the player to complain because tennis is a precision sport. It is difficult to get used to it but with the passage of time the players will become more accustomed to it,” concludes Ferrer, who understands that everything is based on tradition.
Because tennis was always respectful of its protagonists to an exaggeration: the silence and stillness of the public. “The use of any anti-social, aggressive, disruptive or dangerous behaviour, rude, abusive or racist language may result in expulsion from the stands,” reads the Wimbledon rules, but no tournament requires fans to be seated. and quiet. It’s an unwritten rule, part of sport.
An aristocratic tradition
«Those who promoted tennis never wanted it to be a mass sport. “Everything comes from here,” he analyzes to this newspaper. Rob Lake, professor of Sports Sciences at Douglas University in Vancouver and author of numerous studies on the evolution of tennis. Tennis was born in the 16th century among European royalty and aristocracy, especially in France and England, and matches were then played in rooms with small audiences. Those who played were kings, dukes and marquises, who also observed, and the extremely decorous relationship that was established on both sides took root as part of the discipline. That distinction was later embraced by the bourgeoisie that made the sport grow in the rich neighborhoods on the outskirts of London, New York or Paris and reached the 21st century as something immovable. Until now.
«Quiet, please [Silencio, por favor]», chair umpires claim over and over again in numerous tournaments while the noise and even expletives multiply. Some tennis players consider that the construction of large covered stadiums, such as Rod Lover Arena itself or the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, makes it impossible to have peace: everything can be heard. Others play with their role as a villain for the fans like Medvedev, Rune and Djokovic in certain circumstances. And the last few embrace the mess and want the imposition of silence in the stands to be broken once and for all.
Tennis players on defense
«Imagine going to an NBA game and not being able to say anything. “We have to start changing things to attract younger fans,” the American claimed last year. Frances Tiafoe thus opening the debate. In the era of constant training perhaps tennis needs to stop being so stretched. How difficult it is now to sit for three or four hours sitting quietly, especially taking into account the many dead moments there are during the games.
In fact, both the US Open and the Australian Open have recently changed their protocols to allow fans to access their seats whenever they want, without having to wait for a game to end. The hustle and bustle, the noise and even the insults have come to tennis to stay: for better or worse, the sport is changing.
2024-01-22 00:57:02
#face
