German tennis legend Bpris Becker says showing a little bit emotion and passion on the court isn’t neccessary a bad thing as he has stated that he doesn’t want to see “machines” and “robots” on the court.
Following recent player outbursts and meltdowns on the ATP Tour, the ATP has said it would be handing out stricker punishment for on-court misdemeanor.
Becker, who wasn’t a stranger to on-court outbursts and meltdowns during his days, admits he is happy back in his days there was no social media.
“I’m quite happy that we were allowed to play and ultimately go berserk under the exclusion of the social media and the microphones so to speak,” he told Eurosport Germany’s tennis podcast.
“It’s more difficult for the players today. Everything is extremely transparent, too transparent for my taste. And then the question is how does the tennis authority deal with it?
“Tennis is also an entertainment sport. I don’t want to see computers and machines on the court either.
“Emotions are good, a bit of blood, sweat and tears, that stimulates, that was already the case with us. But everything has a limit.”
Becker: I was punished for my behavior but never suspended
Alexander Zverev, who had a stunning meltdown in Acapulco, was put on a one-year probation by the ATP Tour.
If Zverev commits a similar act over the next 12 months, he would be suspended for eight weeks.
Daniil Medvedev went off at the chair umpire during his Australian Open semifinal, while Nick Kyrgios wasn’t happy with officiating in Indian Wells and Miami.
“I know how to chop up rackets or how to treat the referee badly,” Becker said.
“That’s why I won’t criticise him now. But I was also punished. I wasn’t suspended either, but I was punished and then you wake up. And yes, the line is thin. What else do you allow?
“The way [Daniil] Medvedev insulted the referee in Melbourne [at the Australian Open]. That makes John McEnroe almost harmless. Or Nick Kyrgios – the things he does on the court… We in our generation were also bad, but the boys today, they are at least as bad.
“If you forbid a player to play in tournaments, that’s the maximum punishment. Where they are guaranteed to wake up is when they are not allowed to play in four or five tournaments.”