Tennis experts Mark Petchey and John Fitzgerald have called for change in the game following Ugo Humbert’s actions during his match against Hubert Hurkacz. In a passionate plea, Petchey and Fitzgerald criticized Humbert for taking a break for a change of clothes after winning the first set. They believe such breaks disrupt the flow of the game and proposed two potential solutions to address the issue.
The match between Humbert and Hurkacz saw an intense battle, with Humbert winning the first set 6-3. However, Hurkacz made a strong comeback, taking the second set 6-1. Eventually, Hurkacz emerged victorious with a score of 3-6, 6-1, 7-6, 6-3.
During a break at the end of the second set, Humbert left the court to change his clothes, causing frustration among spectators and competitors alike. Fitzgerald expressed his displeasure, stating, I don’t like this either, one hour and two minutes, why do you have to go off? … I think it’s bad for the game.
Agreeing with Fitzgerald, Petchey suggested two potential solutions to tackle the issue. He proposed penalizing players who take breaks by making them lose the first point of their next game. This would force players to reconsider if they genuinely need to leave the court or if they are using it as a tactic to slow down their opponents. Another suggestion put forward by Petchey is to introduce timeouts, similar to the NBA, where players are allowed one timeout per set. This would allow players to catch their breath and relieve some pressure, while also providing fans with a break.
Petchey emphasized the need for penalties to be imposed on medical timeouts as well, stating that this would drastically reduce the number of such timeouts taken.
The frustration during Humbert’s break was evident, with Hurkacz standing and waiting for over a minute and a half. Fitzgerald expressed disbelief at the need for a break after only a short period of play, stating, He doesn’t need a clothing change after one hour and one minute. Now it’s going to turn into one hour six minutes before they start again.
Fitzgerald further proposed a timeframe before players can consider taking a break, ensuring that a certain amount of time is played before any interruptions occur. He suggested docking a game from players who take breaks, emphasizing the need for continuous gameplay.
Despite Humbert’s previous illness, Fitzgerald argued that it should not be a reason to delay the match, stating that illness is part of competing. He also highlighted the impact of the delay on Hurkacz’s mindset and preparation.
In conclusion, the calls for change made by tennis experts Mark Petchey and John Fitzgerald highlight the issue of breaks during matches and their impact on the game’s flow. Both experts proposed penalties for players who take breaks, with Petchey suggesting the loss of the first point of the next game and the introduction of timeouts similar to the NBA. The frustration surrounding Ugo Humbert’s break emphasizes the need for reform to ensure continuous gameplay and the fair treatment of all players.
