DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Racquet Smashing: Time To Reconsider Fine?

**medshop** · 11-09-2008, 03:58 PM

Still, the counterpoint is, when you throw the racquet, you cannot absolutely guarantee that it won't fly out of control (and/or break apart) and hurt someone. It's happened. So, it really is impossible to say that there is absolutely no chance that someone will get hurt if you throw your racquet.

In any case, I'm fine either way, truth be told. And, hell, it ain't like I've never thrown and, ahem broken a racquet or two or..... (STILL, it ain't exactly like there were ball-kids and umpires around at the time. So there.) (Which is why I also DO get pissed off when folks boo when players throw their racquets or get upset or whatever. I feel like saying, as IF so many of you hypocrites haven't done the same things, and/or worse, and with a LOT less on the line.)

I agree with Nelslus that the player can't guarantee the racquet won't end up hurting someone. I played a mixed dubs match once where the guy got pissed when we won in a 3rd set tiebreak and threw his racquet at the net but it missed the net and came flying in my direction. It didn't hit me, but it could have.

As far as fines go, I think they're so small as to be no deterrent at all. A point penalty is more effective. I'm all for letting them smash their racquets should they so choose, but there should definitely be a stiff penalty if a ball kid or linesperson gets hit, even so far as to DQ the player. This is not to be confused with a racquet that unintentionally flies out of the player's hand.

11-09-2008, 03:58 PM	#24
medshop Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 375 Senior Member	Still, the counterpoint is, when you throw the racquet, you cannot absolutely guarantee that it won't fly out of control (and/or break apart) and hurt someone. It's happened. So, it really is impossible to say that there is absolutely no chance that someone will get hurt if you throw your racquet. In any case, I'm fine either way, truth be told. And, hell, it ain't like I've never thrown and, ahem broken a racquet or two or..... (STILL, it ain't exactly like there were ball-kids and umpires around at the time. So there.) (Which is why I also DO get pissed off when folks boo when players throw their racquets or get upset or whatever. I feel like saying, as IF so many of you hypocrites haven't done the same things, and/or worse, and with a LOT less on the line.) I agree with Nelslus that the player can't guarantee the racquet won't end up hurting someone. I played a mixed dubs match once where the guy got pissed when we won in a 3rd set tiebreak and threw his racquet at the net but it missed the net and came flying in my direction. It didn't hit me, but it could have. As far as fines go, I think they're so small as to be no deterrent at all. A point penalty is more effective. I'm all for letting them smash their racquets should they so choose, but there should definitely be a stiff penalty if a ball kid or linesperson gets hit, even so far as to DQ the player. This is not to be confused with a racquet that unintentionally flies out of the player's hand.
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