McEnroe blasts MTO rule, mentions Tsitsipas's conduct against Roger Federer
Speaking on Eurosport, the three tennis legends Mats Wilander, Boris Becker and John McEnroe commented on how the medical time out rule should be used. Sometimes players call the trainer in order to take a break or break the opponent's rhythm. Wilander said: "If you cramp, the trainer is not allowed to help you but if you have tired legs and the trainer comes up at the changeover, it should not be part of the game. If you have an injury, it's okay, but if you have got tired legs, that can't be right. That's why you train so hard, especially at the best of five. It's a big difference between the three and five sets."
Becker added: "You have seen too many matches especially on the men's side where players, especially young players, called the trainer in the fourth set because they were tired and then they got better. That's a terrible rule.
McEnroe pointed out a clear example happened at the Australian Open, criticizing Stefanos Tsitsipas's behaviour against Roger Federer. "He (Tsitsipas) called the trainer in the fourth set. It's within the rules so he is allowed to, but it should not happen. More people talk about it and from the spectator and commentator's view it changes the dynamic."
Becker concluded: "Roger made a commentary to the umpire, "so he called the trainer ten minutes ago, why?" And on clay especially, when you play for three or four hours, it changes the elements. Terrible rule."
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2EcD3oK
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