Video: Petkovic’s Racquet Toss Too Close for Comfort

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Video: Petkovic’s Racquet Toss Too Close for Comfort

Andrea Petkovic ended up on the short end of this call during her straight-sets, 7-5, 6-3 loss to WTA rising star Zarina Diyas, and her frustration with the call is certainly understandable. No Hawk-Eye means no challenge, which only seemed to add to Petkovic’s frustration.

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But what starts out innocently—and actually quite humorously—as a Viktor Troicki-inspired on-court outburst, morphs into a dangerous and questionable lack of sportsmanship by Petkovic soon after.

After she drops the set, Petkovic tosses the racquet in the direction of an on-court official, and while she clearly had no intention of hitting the linesman, the dangerous and disrespectful act is simply too much risk to be taking for Petkovic.

For instance, what if the racquet slips out of her hand and ends up making direct contact with the linesman?

We want to give Petkovic a pass because it’s clear that she didn't intend to go anywhere near the linesman, but once you go in the direction of on-court officials, who work for miniscule wages all for the good of the game, we draw the line there and break out the digital hand cuffs.

Petko, you’re under arrest for bad conduct! Next time, smash it into the court or on your chair. Fans still get to see the unbridled passion, the player gets a release, and nobody gets hurt.

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