In Tennis, Racket Smashing Gets Out of Hand

Kyrgios was fined $20,000 for nearly hitting the ball boy after his loss to Nadal at Indian Wells, where he collected nearly $180,000 for making the quarterfinals. He, too, will earn $94,575 in Miami, less whatever fines he receives for his behavior on Tuesday.

Zverev, who has earned more than $30 million in career prize money, had to forfeit his earnings from the Mexican Open, and the ATP fined him $65,000, but the suspended ban has allowed him — in less than two tournaments — to more than triple in prize money what his outburst cost him.

The ATP is considering whether, given recent increases in prize money, an increase in fines could deter players. Fines for racket abuse on the ATP Tour begin at $500, compared with $2,500 on the WTA Tour.

Other than that, the codes for men and women are similar: No violently hitting or kicking or throwing a racket — or any piece of equipment, for that matter, and no physical abuse or attempted abuse against ball people, umpires, judges or spectators.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/30/sports/tennis/racket-smash.html