“Top athletes must remain as role models,” Justine Henin slams Nick Kyrgios and others for on-court misconduct
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Justine Henin, Nick Kyrgios
Recently the tennis world has seen some unruly reactions from players and heated arguments with the match umpire. So much so that tennis fans from all around the world demanded a ban for such players. Former World No.1 Justine Henin recently slammed some of the players who have shown great misconduct on the court and have forced ATP to bring in stricter measures.
Recently there have been incidents involving players like Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios and Jenson Brooksby that have led to a lot of criticism and talk regarding misconduct in court. Henin slammed Alexander Zverev for his actions at the Acapulco Open, where the German kept whacking his racket at the Umpire’s chair and constantly abused him after crashing out of the double’s event.
While she slammed Zverev the most for his misconduct on the court at the Acapulco Open, Henin also criticised the actions of Nick Kyrgios and Jenson Brooksby. Nick Kyrgios is a perpetual offender as he has had several issues on the court for the last few months. The Australian in frustration hurled his racket which almost struck a ball boy. Although Kyrgios did not do it on purpose, Henin wants more awareness and focus from the players as she wants to act them as role models. The Australian’s issues continued in Miami as well as he was heavily fined for racket abuse and verbal obscenity.
“We don’t want to see players breaking rackets on television,” Justine Henin
Justin Henin, who is currently a tennis expert at Eurosport shared how the incidents are increasing every day and it is very unacceptable for everyone involved in the tennis fraternity. It even forced the ATP to opt for stricter measures of conduct in court.
“The misbehaviour is becoming unacceptable,” continued Henin. “I think we can rejoice in Kyrgios’ tennis, in the moments when he plays wonderfully well – I admire that too – but there are extremes that we cannot accept.”
The Belgian legend also calls out World No.2 Daniil Medvedev for his actions at the Australian Open. She then continued describing the incidents involving Nick Kyrgios and Jenson Brooksby. “Zverev… even Medvedev at the Australian Open,” Henin added. “Because where are we going to set the limit? Brooksby didn’t even go to apologise to the ball boy. Kyrgios smashed his racquet and almost hit a ball boy – under the excuse that it did not hit the ball boy, they did not sanction him!”
Lastly, the six time Grand Slam winner shared how people do not enjoy watching tennis players smash rackets on the court. She calls them out and hopes that they develop into role models, ones that kids can follow and admire.
“I think it’s time to stop racquet smashes because these are images that we don’t want to see on television. Top athletes must remain as role models, even if they are human,” the Belgian legend concluded.
Also Read: “She is a player who rarely disappoints,” Marc Rosset heaps praise on World No. 1 Iga Swiatek
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Atrayo Bhattacharya
(193 Articles Published)