WTA and ATP Tours told to introduce new ‘blanket rule’ which could see more players disqualified

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After controversy at the Laver Cup, the ATP and WTA tours have been urged to adopt a far more cut-throat approach.

The Laver Cup is meant to be all about entertaining match-ups and an insight into how the top ATP players get along behind-the-scenes.

While the tensions are meant to be high and the level incredibly competitive, it does of course remain an exhibition event.

This year, a buoyant Berlin crowd witnessed Team Europe pull off a thrilling comeback on the final day, with Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz’s match deciding which way the trophy would go.

With Alcaraz taking his tally to a record eight points after defeating Fritz, departing captain John McEnroe was denied a third Laver Cup trophy in a row.

Daniil Medvedev’s behavior prompts Rennae Stubbs to issue stern warning to the ATP and WTA

Earlier on in the final day, Ben Shelton’s ultimately futile win over Daniil Medvedev arguably should have seen the Russian defaulted mid-way through the match.

Hurling his racquet out of the court in frustration, Medvedev was fortunate not to hit a spectator. A slightly disgruntled Andy Roddick highlighted tennis’ inconsistent rules, while journalist Jose Morgado insisted the only reason he was not disqualified was because the event was an exhibition.

Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs has since urged the WTA and ATP for consistency, admitting she was completely shocked by Medvedev’s behavior.

Stubbs said on her tennis podcast: “What was he [Daniil Medvedev] doing throwing that racket that, well, it didn’t go into the crowd because there was this gap between the court and the actual audience, so for him to throw it at the crowd he would have to really throw it higher or bounce it a lot harder.

“But it went near a couple of the crew and a couple of people sitting around the court,” Stubbs continued.

“I think the WTA and ATP Tour need to make a blanket rule; if you throw your racket and it leaves the court, no matter what, you are defaulted,” the former doubles player concluded.

Medvedev in turn responded apologetically saying it was ‘horrible’ and that he ‘got lucky’. However he was quick to point out that because his racquet didn’t touch anyone, the rules say he can’t be disqualified.

Does tennis have a discipline problem or is it a lack of consistent rules?

A week before the US Open, rising American star Alex Michelsen endured a terrible start to his match against Lorenzo Sonego. After missing a routine half volley, the teenager misfired a ball into the crowd in frustration, hitting a member of the audience as a result.

Despite the incident however, Michelsen was controversially not defaulted from the match.

Novak Djokovic’s notorious disqualification at the 2020 US Open came after he hit a ball towards the back of the court hitting a line judge – something far more innocuous than both Michelsen and Medvedev’s recent outbursts.

While tennis players need to have their on-court behavior penalised more strongly, a lack of consistency in rules is doing nobody any favors.

Objectively, players throwing racquets around and hitting spectators is a bad look for everyone if the ATP and WTA don’t clamp down on it.