Health Rules Are Being Bent on the Tour

Written by: Staff on 20th January 2012

Health Rules Are Being Bent on the Tour

Mardy Fish of the United States returns to Alejandro Falla of Colombia in their men's second round match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 18 January 2012. Falla won the match. EPA/BARBARA WALTON |

Feelings are rising amongst the playing fraternity at the Australian Open that rules are once again being bent by players intent on holding up play by maintaining they are cramping.

Mardy Fish was the most vocal critic of the process after his round two conqueror Alejandro Falla seemed repeatedly reliant on a trainer to get him through the pair’s spirited clash on Melbourne Park’s Show Court Two.

But many other players are wondering whether something new needs to be done to firm up rules, amended in 2009, to determine what is a legitimate case for players to receive medical time outs.

The Grand Slam Rule Book clearly states: “A player who has stopped play by claiming an acute medical condition but is determined by the trainer or doctor to be suffering from muscle cramping shall be ordered to resume play immediately.”

However in the women’s singles Italy’s Romina Oprandi had repeated treatment during her upset over compatriot and 10th seed Francesca Schiavone.

But Belgium’s Steve Darcis was denied treatment to the court after being stricken with a severe cramp in his leg and was penalized two games when he was basically unable to move before eventually being forced to retire.

Fish had several heated exchanges with umpire Enrich as Falla repeatedly called for a trainer to help him with what appeared to be a case of cramps. The no.8 seed argued his opponent had manipulated the rules in order to overcome his inferior physical preparation.

Afterwards Fish insisted: “You’re going to have guys that are going to abuse the rules. I was under the impression that you can’t get treatment for cramps. I guess you can.”

John Isner clearly felt the same thing during his five set win over David Nalbandian but opted against calling for the trainer when feeling the agonies of cramp creeping into his long legs after nearly five hours of play. “I thought I knew that,” said the American.

Topics: Mardy Fish