Player Use Of Cell Phones Is Becoming A Problem On The Pro Tour

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 31st May 2013

Player Use Of Cell Phones Is Becoming A Problem On The Pro Tour

epa03612978 Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine returns a shot to Mischa Zverev of Germany at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 06 March 2013. EPA/PAUL BUCK |

So far the main trend as this year’s French Open is the dash for cover as another wave of inclement and wet Parisian weather disrupts play but it is closely followed by the use of mobile or cell telephones on court, which potentially contravenes outlines set by the Tennis Integrity Unit who are mindful of messages being sent to potential gamblers. It could also be a way coaches communicate with their players during matches.

Subsequently the rulebooks of both the ATP World Tour and International Tennis Federation clearly outlaw the use of electronic devices of any kind, computers, tablets or smart phones, on court during play.

First Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky used his phone to take a picture of a ball mark he disputed with the umpire during his defeat by Richard Gasquet. Consequently he was fined a seventh of his first round prize money, the approximate equivalent of $2,000, for his indiscretion.

Stakhovsky then admitted he was wrong saying: “Something just itched in my butt; it was a spontaneous thing to do.

“But it was wrong. The rule book says you can’t do it. Some media have made a big thing of it. But that’s pathetic – I was quite calm, I had a nice chat with the umpire. It was more a joke than anything and I hope people won’t judge me that badly. It was near the beginning of the match.”

Then Gael Monfils used his phone to record a keepsake of the Mexican wave that swept around Court Philippe Chatrier as crowd intensity mounted during his second round win over Ernests Gulbis. Monfils maintained he gained permission from the chair umpire and has subsequently received no financial reprimand.

Now Roger Federer, chairman of the ATP World Tour’s Players Council, has joined the debate and said stricter penalties could be written in the future.

“It’s happened before and it’s only going to happen more,” Federer said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they change the rules because of it again. If you do it, fines are going to be more severe, all these things, because we are moving this professional route.

“I think it’s pretty funny, actually. The problem is that clearly there could be coaching going on through mobile devices.

“It would probably be so easy to do. Go to the toilet and you hide it somewhere in the toilet—I’m just saying anything is possible. You have to hope that the players use it in a funny way and it’s not meant bad or disrespectful.”