Fans disgusted as tennis chiefs approve ‘unhygienic’ new rule during Wimbledon

THE ATP Tour have approved a rule change allowing players to ask ball kids to hand them towels during matches.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the sight of ball kids having to give players their sweaty towels between points was a common one.

As hygiene measures were tightened amid Covid measures, players were forced to go and get their own towels.

With tennis chiefs eager to decrease time between points, however, the rule is now set to revert back.

Tennis reporter Jon Wertheim wrote on social media this morning: “Notice to prospective ballkids…From the @atptour recent meetings:
“Board approved a rule change to permit players to request and be handed towels between points, as was customary before the Covid-19 pandemic.

“All ATP tournaments must accommodate this provision. This rule change will take effect starting after Wimbledon.”

During his 2018 Shenzhen Open semi-final, former world No7 Fernando Verdasco was criticised for appearing to berate a ball kid when he felt a towel was not delivered to him quickly enough.

At the time, Judy Murray suggested: “What about a rule that makes players get their own towels?”

While former British No1 and Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup captain Anne Keothavong added of the incident: “I can’t stand this.”

Seeing the ATP’s intention to change the rule back, one fan wrote on social media: ” Horrible. Unhygienic.

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“Lots get harassed especially by players when they are losing taking it on the ball kids.”

While a second fumed: “That is a ridiculous change. Current system works just fine and ball kids should not have to do this.”

A third moaned: “Entitlement, much. Players can retrieve their own sweaty towels.”

And another added: “Get your own damn towels…”

The rule will not come into effect this week at Wimbledon.

It will commence on the ATP Tour next week, at events in Hamburg, Newport, Gstaad and Bastad.

Rafael Nadal is set to play in the event at Bastad.

The Spaniard, 38, has not been in action since losing to Alexander Zverev in round one of Roland Garros.

Nadal has entered the single event of the ATP 250 tournament, while he is also down to play doubles with Casper Ruud as he prepares for the Paris Olympics.

World No1 Jannik Sinner is also set to be in the field.