A move by the ATP to enforce stricter punishments against those who break the rules could have negative consequences, according to Alexander Bublik.
The governing body of men’s tennis has recently issued an internal document to players confirming that they will be reviewing their code of conduct and have urged officials to be more stricter when it comes to dealing with those who commit code violations. It comes after a series of high-profile incidents earlier this season involving the likes of Alexander Zverev and Nick Kyrgios, as well as others.
Zverev was disqualified from the Mexican Open after repeatedly swearing and hitting the umpire’s chair with his racket during his doubles match. At one stage he narrowly missed hitting the umpire’s foot. He was later fined and put on a year-long probation where he faces an eight-week suspension should he commit another “verbal or physical abuse of an official, opponent, spectator or any other person while on-court or on-site” within that period.
As for Kyrgios, the Australian has already been fined at least $70,000 for violating the rules in 2022 at various tournaments. He was ordered to pay $10,000 at the Australian Open for swearing and racket abuse. Then in Indian Wells he was docked $25,000 for nearly hitting a ball boy with his racket and swearing. Finally, in Miami he was hit with a $35,000 penalty for two cases of unsportsmanlike conduct, swearing and verbal abuse.
The series of incidents have triggered the ATP to crack down on bad behaviour on the court with many others calling for a stricter approach to be taken. CEO Andrea Gaudenzi, who is a former player himself, says such incidents have ‘shone a bad light on our sport.’
However, world No.36 Bublik has criticized the decision by arguing he and his peers are being put into ‘cages.’ The Kazakh admits Kyrgios’ antics are at times ‘not appropriate’ but says he is a valuable asset to the sport because he brings fans to the game.
“Nick brings tonnes of fans, what are they here for?” He told Tennis Channel.
“This is sport, it’s supposed to be a bit of emotion and they (the ATP) try to put in some kind of a cage where we cannot talk. I am 24 and I see who brings attendances and fans to the game. Have you ever seen doubles fans? No. He brings doubles fans.
“Sometimes he does something not appropriate for tennis and they want to make a cage even tighter for us. I don’t think it’s good for sport, maybe if you are 65 and you come with your grandkids and they don’t want to hear bad words, but the reality is in America the stadiums were full. Australia they were filled, everywhere.”
“For me I am not a fan of it, we should have more room. I think we need people who bring attendances. Of course you cannot do certain things and you need to be punished, but let us talk, don’t look at us every minute when we talk.”
The ATP hasn’t said how long their review into the code of conduct will take or if there will be any significant changes made.
Bublik began his clay court campaign on Monday at the Monte Carlo Masters where he defeated Stan Wawrinka in the first round. Although the 24-year-old was far from happy with his performance on what is his least favorite surface.
“I wish him a speedy recovery because I did not deserve to win this match,” Bublik said of the three-time Grand Slam champion.
“It’s clay court, I am running like an elephant, I cannot stop, I cannot explode, I cannot do anything. We all hope he will back on top of the game very soon.
“On clay even with his recovery from injury he is the better player than me. In three months from now, three and three [6-3 6-3], thank you very much, I go peacefully to the beach.”
Bublik will play Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta in the second round.
Bubliks full interview with The Tennis Channel can be watched below :-
