Hi everyone, After having watched the Sudirman Cup game between Lindaweni Fanetri against Sindhu, I wondered about a thing that happened during the match. After the interval, the umpire called Lindaweni and told her that she has to put her towel in her bag (as it was still on top of her bag). I've seen this happen before in other matches and tournaments, and I wonder why the umpires are so strict with it. I guess it has a logical reason, but can't think of anything as it still sounds so... trivial to me. Can anyone shed some light to it? Thanks!
Really? That's overly anal. I've seen the ump ask for the racket or towel (if they were hanging over the edge of the box) to be put back into the box, but never seen this type of request.
Surely it's to try to stop them breaking up the game as the towel is so easily accessible. By putting it in the box or bag it would discourage it.
The video at the exact moment when the umpire was asking for it: http://youtu.be/GlNBCVWwUa8?t=35m28s I'm just curious why. That argument about racket/towel covering the logo sounds plausible, just as it looks more presentable for viewers.
pretty standard for a ref to make the players put everything in there boxes accurately. a bit narrow-minded imho, but nothing special...
it is standard drill for any international umpire to watch out for, tidiness of the boxes. especially, it is covering the logo of sponsor. But, to what extend it is subjective. Covering the logo of course is not allowed. Rackets on top, towel on the bag is subjective, imho
For image, I think it is a good idea to keep things tidy. Those boxes are in the direct view of the court side cameras and it would be bad if they looks like a part of the local laundromat.
Hahaha.......I wouldnt want to be the empire of your match less I'll be branded another anal. Seriously, if you look back into the very early days of AE or other major event, you've to go to the opposite side yourself for shuttle changes, there's no service judge like today to keep the shuttles in a box neatly. It was left all over the court floor than. Your spare racket, towel, drink, etc was along the courtside. On TV it looks horrible BUT somehow when you're at courtside or in a game it doesnt seem to matter to the audience. In fact it looks "good" to see players leaving up to 8 rackets or more along courtside! Guess that's what presentation for media is all about.
what about putting the rackets on the floor (near the box)? is that allowed? i think i seen it in both MD and XD in the past, but not recently.
You're correct. There was some major events previously that the umpire allow it. This Sudirman event is very strict on service too and many top players have been faulted several times. Also, high speed cameras are in use for instant replay for disputed line calls.
your "previously matches" should be quite sometime ago not started from this Sudirman. Keeping court neat and tidy is always a to-do list for organizer/umpire.
Yeah, I would suspect that TV courts would have the instant replay system? In Jan O' Jorgensen vs. Kenichi Tago, there were a few line calls that some players were really displeased about, especially one near the end that seemed pretty obvious it was out and Tago was upset, but I did not see any challenges and was wondering why.