Here’s everything you need to know about the ‘Lack of effort’ rule in Tennis

Gael Monfils received a warning for a ‘lack of effort’ when he chose not to return Alexander Bublik’s serve during the Citi Open. At that moment, Monfils was leading 5-3 in the second set and knew he would have a chance to serve for the match in the following game. Instead of making an attempt to return Bublik’s serve, the 36-year-old conserved his energy, allowing Bublik to earn an ace with his soft serve. Monfils then proceeded to walk slowly towards his chair.

After witnessing the incident, the umpire issued a warning to Monfils, which amused Bublik, leaving him in stitches. Even the umpire found the situation amusing as he explained the reason for the warning to the former World No 6.

Surprisingly, Monfils began to argue his case with the umpire, which puzzled the commentators and left them stunned by his behavior. Despite the controversy, Monfils managed to serve out the set and ultimately won the match, avoiding any potential embarrassment.

What does the ‘lack of effort’ rule signify in Tennis?

The ATP Code of Conduct and WTA Rulebook share nearly identical definitions of a best-effort violation. Both guidelines stipulate that players must exert their utmost efforts during matches. The Supervisor and Chair Umpire hold the power to penalize players following the established ‘Point Penalty’ protocol.

Additionally, both organizations allow the designation of severe violations, described using strong terms like ‘flagrant’ and ‘egregious’, as ‘Aggravated Behaviour’, a more serious transgression. When the Umpire or Supervisor suspects a lack of effort from a player, they will impose penalties based on the standard code violation scale. This starts with a warning for the initial offense and escalates to point deductions, game losses, and ultimately, default.

This might not appear highly menacing, as it essentially accelerates an expected outcome. Nevertheless, it officially documents the Umpire’s disapproval and could potentially lead to a fine in the future. This fine can reach $10,000 in the WTA Tour or $20,000 in the ATP Tour.

Throughout the years, there have been numerous instances of players displaying a lack of effort. It’s important to differentiate between players who might not be in optimal physical condition, conceding a set where they’re considerably behind to conserve energy for a better chance in the next set, and players who appear disinterested in winning.

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