Things ATP players do and have done that drive me nuts

[Luxilon Borg]

I left out a BIGGIE.

I DESPISE back ward baseball caps. Just HATE it. Grown men should not be wearing backwards caps.

I like Haas, but he really looks ridiculous at 35.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Agree with most , but there is one that really upsets me: Grunting a second AFTER you hit your shot...right about the time your opponent is about to hit the ball...Ferrer does this a lot. He should not.

This is the biggest one and should truly be monitored more than it is. There is only one reason to grunt like that well after hitting a shot...

Also those who towel off after being aced is an obvious attempt to try to break a server's rhythm.

Toweling off after YOU ace someone is not something I appreciate either. There was no rally involved, just keep playing..

 

[DarthFed]

Agree with most , but there is one that really upsets me: Grunting a second AFTER you hit your shot...right about the time your opponent is about to hit the ball...Ferrer does this a lot. He should not.

This is the biggest one and should truly be monitored more than it is. There is only one reason to grunt like that well after hitting a shot...

Also those who towel off after being aced is an obvious attempt to try to break a server's rhythm.

Toweling off after YOU ace someone is not something I appreciate either. There was no rally involved, just keep playing..

I don't see it that often and even still that is the server playing at his own pace which is fine if he doesn't go over the limit. Seems that it'd be weird for the server to want to towel off, usually they want to get to the line quickly to keep the momentum.

 

[Cosmo]

These lists are funny!
I especially like I.Haychew's and agree with all of it
My boy Roger isn't guilty of ANY of these things....except sometimes not consolidating his breaks.
Of course, it does drive me nuts when he loses to players he's beaten in TEN prior matches, but whatcha gonna do?

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Agree with most , but there is one that really upsets me: Grunting a second AFTER you hit your shot...right about the time your opponent is about to hit the ball...Ferrer does this a lot. He should not.

This is the biggest one and should truly be monitored more than it is. There is only one reason to grunt like that well after hitting a shot...

Also those who towel off after being aced is an obvious attempt to try to break a server's rhythm.

Toweling off after YOU ace someone is not something I appreciate either. There was no rally involved, just keep playing..

I don't see it that often and even still that is the server playing at his own pace which is fine if he doesn't go over the limit. Seems that it'd be weird for the server to want to towel off, usually they want to get to the line quickly to keep the momentum.

I wonder why the loser on Ashe always runs off court as soon as possible. Just once I would love to see the loser hang around and just sit there and freak everybody out. In the old days the loser did not just bolt.

 

[Didi]

I've got no issues with current players but what really did drive me nuts back in the days was Agassi's pigeon walk. At its most excessive it used to appear kinda hypnotic, especially when he went forward with two more pointless steps, suddenly stopped and went backwards towards the baseline with his arms simultaneously follwong his legs where he stopped again only to make again further 8 steps inside the court only to go backwards yet again behind the baseline. You just couldn't break away from it. I remember one match with Kuerten I believe where Agassi simply could not stand still for the entire match. I would much rather watch Nadal going through his 100 rituals, I am dead serious. I liked Agassi and even more so after reading his book but his antics were way too much sometimes.

Edit: His pigeon walk looked like a confused robot on drugs.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

I've got no issues with current players but what really did drive me nuts back in the days was Agassi's pigeon walk. At its most excessive it used to appear kinda hypnotic, especially when he went forward with two more pointless steps, suddenly stopped and went backwards towards the baseline with his arms simultaneously follwong his legs where he stopped again only to make further 8 steps inside the court again only to go backwards yet again behind the baseline. You just couldn't break away from it. I remember one match with Kuerten I believe where Agassi simply could not stand still for the entire match. I would much rather watch Nadal going through his 100 rituals, I am dead serious. I liked Agassi and even more so after reading his book but his antics were way too much sometimes.

That is hilarious. How about the famous and ridiculous shirt crumple? He literally almost single handed destroyed tennis in regards to fashion. Thank god sanity was restored with Federer, Joker, and Murray.

Special mention to Nadal. I HATED, I repeated H A T E D the pirate pants and sleeveless. Pure non sense.

 

[Andrew William]

Special mention to Nadal. I HATED, I repeated H A T E D the pirate pants and sleeveless. Pure non sense.

Awww. I thought the pirate pants and sleeveless shirt was original. It gave Nadal a rugged commoner look - someone anyone could get behind. I don't mind the more mature look, but I still prefer his old style.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Special mention to Nadal. I HATED, I repeated H A T E D the pirate pants and sleeveless. Pure non sense.

Awww. I thought the pirate pants and sleeveless shirt was original. It gave Nadal a rugged commoner look - someone anyone could get behind. I don't mind the more mature look, but I still prefer his old style.

Original does not always mean good. LOL. Remember Dominic Hyrbaty's shredded pink shirt? Major yellow card.

 

[Fiero425]

Special mention to Nadal. I HATED, I repeated H A T E D the pirate pants and sleeveless. Pure non sense.

Awww. I thought the pirate pants and sleeveless shirt was original. It gave Nadal a rugged commoner look - someone anyone could get behind. I don't mind the more mature look, but I still prefer his old style.

I called them clam-diggers! Nadal looked like a homeless person! Just a horrible look back then; showing off his artificially pumped up arms as well with the sleeveless shirts! Can we say PED's; cycling on, then off in time for testing? :nono

 

[Denis]

Already mentioned, but...
* Towelling off after every point
* Taking forever to challenge
* Asking umpire if he's sure about a call
* "Dead fish" handshakes with the umpire and refusing to even look at him
* Routinely going over the serve time limit
* Excessive, unnecessary grunting

Others...
* Jumping backhands
* Two-handed volleys
* Isner and del Potro always lumbering around like they're about to keel over and die
* Pretty well everything about Nadal
* Djokovic's ball bouncing
* Michael Llodra
* The Gael Monfils clown act
* The way both Gasquet and Berdych bounce the ball pre-serve
* Murray's grabbing of body parts when he loses a point
* Players who intentionally hit a player at the net and then apologize
* Wearing black socks with white shoes

Not stuff players do, but...
* Linesmen refusing to attempt to catch the ball when it's about to hit them
* An entire stadium of fans clapping in unison every time a challenge is shown on the big screen

Good one! They love doing that in Germany. Speaking of which, I'd like to add Boris Becker's ridiculous serve motion... The ball really isn't that heavy.

 

[Fiero425]

Already mentioned, but...
* Towelling off after every point
* Taking forever to challenge
* Asking umpire if he's sure about a call
* "Dead fish" handshakes with the umpire and refusing to even look at him
* Routinely going over the serve time limit
* Excessive, unnecessary grunting

Others...
* Jumping backhands
* Two-handed volleys
* Isner and del Potro always lumbering around like they're about to keel over and die
* Pretty well everything about Nadal
* Djokovic's ball bouncing
* Michael Llodra
* The Gael Monfils clown act
* The way both Gasquet and Berdych bounce the ball pre-serve
* Murray's grabbing of body parts when he loses a point
* Players who intentionally hit a player at the net and then apologize
* Wearing black socks with white shoes

Not stuff players do, but...
* Linesmen refusing to attempt to catch the ball when it's about to hit them
* An entire stadium of fans clapping in unison every time a challenge is shown on the big screen

Good one! They love doing that in Germany. Speaking of which, I'd like to add Boris Becker's ridiculous serve motion... The ball really isn't that heavy.

They talked about Andy today during his match and said the other players don't care for his act either! In his mind, I guess he feels he shouldn't lose even one point; the height of arrogance during his silly way of playing! Be a counter-puncher if you want, but don't be surprised if you're not "on," you'll lose in straight sets like today! Djokovic is bouncing the ball and toweling off excessively to keep up with Nadal's act out on the court so I don't blame him too much!

 

[isabelle]

And when Nadal touches his underbrief every 30 seconds ???
Isn't it exasperating ?

OP didn't watch tennis in last 30 years so he doesn't know about the grotesque Spaniard

You do realize he's not actually picking his ass right, but rather his shorts...

Don't want to know what he's touching but....he gets on my nerve !!

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

^^ rafa needs to stop it..its pervy and unhygienic, and tedious.

 

[tented]

Damn, watching tennis must pain you!

This applies to more than just one person.

I can't understand why so many of you even watch tennis. It sounds like you hate it.

 

[I.Haychew]

Agree with most , but there is one that really upsets me: Grunting a second AFTER you hit your shot...right about the time your opponent is about to hit the ball...Ferrer does this a lot. He should not.

This is the biggest one and should truly be monitored more than it is. There is only one reason to grunt like that well after hitting a shot...

Also those who towel off after being aced is an obvious attempt to try to break a server's rhythm.

3 grunt related things that upset me (I'm narrowing it down to the men's tour, since WTA grunting is just unbearable on the whole):

1) Grunting after a slice. Makes zero sense, since you're not particularly exerting a whole lot of effort.
2) Delayed grunting, the one you mention above.
3) Extended grunting when you fire a shot you think it's going to be a winner. Djokovic does this a lot. In his defense, almost every time, it does end up being a winner, but you never know, and there's always a chance your opponent might get a racket on the ball. The the hole "uhhh-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah" is unnecessary.

Djokovic is pretty much the only one I've seen do #3 and even then it isn't that often. It is a dangerous thing to do as Serena can attest. Aside from that I see it as a way to fire yourself up but it just so happens that the ball is still in play.

Gasquet actually did it the other day during his match with Ferrer. He absolutely crushed a backhand down the line for which he apparently thought was gonna be a winner. He did the extended grunting thing only to see the ball come back at his feet and then go into the net. It was one helluva get by Ferrer. That point made me chuckle because Gasquet got what he deserved for doing that stupid "I just hit a winner" extended grunt.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Already mentioned, but...
* Towelling off after every point
* Taking forever to challenge
* Asking umpire if he's sure about a call
* "Dead fish" handshakes with the umpire and refusing to even look at him
* Routinely going over the serve time limit
* Excessive, unnecessary grunting

Others...
* Jumping backhands
* Two-handed volleys
* Isner and del Potro always lumbering around like they're about to keel over and die
* Pretty well everything about Nadal
* Djokovic's ball bouncing
* Michael Llodra
* The Gael Monfils clown act
* The way both Gasquet and Berdych bounce the ball pre-serve
* Murray's grabbing of body parts when he loses a point
* Players who intentionally hit a player at the net and then apologize
* Wearing black socks with white shoes

Not stuff players do, but...
* Linesmen refusing to attempt to catch the ball when it's about to hit them
* An entire stadium of fans clapping in unison every time a challenge is shown on the big screen

I too can't stand two handed volleys..OR forehands..Connors was the only two handed volley I liked.

DelPo 's lumbering is tedious. But gotta give Big John a break..you try dragging that frame around lol.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Damn, watching tennis must pain you!

This applies to more than just one person.

I can't understand why so many of you even watch tennis. It sounds like you hate it.

Actually it is the opposite. I love watching tennis more than life itself. It is a total addiction. 2 days off the court for me is torture. That is why we get so annoyed by useless and uneeded ticks, quirks, delays, and nonsesne.

Here is one I don't miss at ALL. The STUPID stringalings. God that was awful. Sampras with his tongue hanging out taking out that contraption after every point. Thank god he and gut strings are gone.

While we are at it, one more...

And this is one I have not seen mentioned. COMB YOUR FREAKING HAIR..and shave..maybe once a month at LEAST...grow a beard or don't, this inbetween, contrived disheveled look is getting old.

 

[Iona16]

Meh... don't agree with the first two of your fixtures, the others are fine

Comparatively speaking IMO Murray has a much more negative attitude than other players. Can't stand the whining and can't stand the excessive swearing (although you can't understand it, you can tell when the others do it, and it happens less frequently).

In all seriousness why do you not just turn him off?

 

[Fiero425]

Meh... don't agree with the first two of your fixtures, the others are fine

Comparatively speaking IMO Murray has a much more negative attitude than other players. Can't stand the whining and can't stand the excessive swearing (although you can't understand it, you can tell when the others do it, and it happens less frequently).

In all seriousness why do you not just turn him off?

I do unless he's getting blown out by a player! Only Nadal and Murray aggravate me as much with the ugly way they play the game! Andy's ranting makes no sense; not giving his opponent any credit for having a good play! It's as if he doesn't think he should lose a point; so offensive to me! The whinging and screaming is just over the top; normally at his own camp! Why do they put up with it; so juvenile? I think commentary brought up his histrionics, grabbing at his leg or flexing his arm or wrist, then runs like the wind the following point as if nothing's wrong! A real jerk IMO; from day one!