New Rule To Spice Up Tennis

First topic message reminder :

Things are a bit boring at the moment so a new rule has been introduced to spice things up. The 25 second rule between points is to be more rigidly enforced. No ifs and buts if the server goes over 25 seconds they have to take a second serve. If the receiver is not ready no matter how quickly the server serves they receive a point penalty. (Ha ha! I can imagine some fun as servers run more between points than during them in order to win points)

At Doha we have been treated to the new Umpire lecture at the beginning of every match were players are told in no uncertain terms exactly were they stand. Take 26 seconds whatever the reason and they will be punished. To spice it up even more they will not be told exactly when the 26 seconds start and unless they carry a stop watch or have a very good body clock they will find it difficult to keep track of the time. (Ha ha! They could always use the trusty 1 elephant, 2 elephant counting method. I will be watching their lips)

Because tennis has been so boring the commentators have been extremely excited about this new rule and they can barely contain themselves with their excited chat about how this rule will change the game and how interesting it will be to watch players reactions to getting punished at crucial times in the match. (Much more fun than seeing how they respond in crucial times with backhands and forehands...). It has also given the commentators yet another opportunity to talk about everyone's favorite player who is sadly missing at the moment. Has anyone told him about the new rule? What will be his reaction? What fun it will be when he gets punished? Ha ha!

What is really needed though to introduce a little interest for the spectators and get them involved is for a huge clock to be placed in a prominent part of the court. They could then count down the seconds until a load buzzer indicates that a player will be punished. Maybe every time this happens they could respond with a Mexican wave and big hand painted signs saying "LOSER"? It would be great fun for everyone and would ensure that the crowd stays awake.

Lk you've got 25 seconds, or i'll disqualify you from future tournaments

Saw this comment elsewhere about a match yesterday in Brisbane

"Wow. Dolgopolov went to change his racquet and Nishikori gets a time violation?"

"Nishikori couldn't believe it. Not a guy to argue with umpire but he did. Damian Steiner could only laugh."

"Wow. Nishikori now goes to change his racquet and Steiner gives him a point penalty. Kei clearly dared Steiner to call the time violation."

hawkeye wrote:Saw this comment elsewhere about a match yesterday in Brisbane

"Wow. Dolgopolov went to change his racquet and Nishikori gets a time violation?"

"Nishikori couldn't believe it. Not a guy to argue with umpire but he did. Damian Steiner could only laugh."

"Wow. Nishikori now goes to change his racquet and Steiner gives him a point penalty. Kei clearly dared Steiner to call the time violation."

Shocking stuff imo

Shocking indeed - Nishikori daring the umpire to enforce a rule. That's football player level behaviour. Where's the respect for the officials and the game of tennis?

JuliusHMarx wrote:Shocking indeed - Nishikori daring the umpire to enforce a rule. That's football player level behaviour. Where's the respect for the officials and the game of tennis?

Spoilsport! Everyone was having a great time. The penalty was met with the usual mexican wave, homemade "looser" signs and a new added twist the sound of buzzers (on sale for £9.99 in the grounds)... even the umpire was laughing.

"looser" - why, was he too tight?

Julius I'm glad you spotted that deliberate error. I was trying to demonstrate what can happen if you try to do things too quickly. Of course I meant "loser".