Dishonorable Capriati

Some of you may have heard about the US Open tennis controversy which took place during the Serena Williams / Jennifer Capriati match. The chair umpire made a bad overrule which many have said caused Williams to lose the game and eventually the match.

(As a fair disclaimer, I should tell you that I was at the US Open as a tennis official but was not on court during the controversy.)

To her credit, Williams said afterward that the overrule didn't cost her the match--implying that one bad call is not to blame for a loss of an entire match.

To her discredit, Capriati could have yielded the point to Williams, but chose not too. Instead, Capriati most likely lied when she said she didn't see the ball and therefore couldn't determine whether the ball was in or out. Replays clearly show the ball in. Replays also clearly show Capriati looking at the ball as it struck in.

Some have called for the immediate institution of instant replay in tennis. Most players seem to want to keep the status quo despite the human error rate (which is not possible to calculate with any certainty).

Others want more cameras on court which may better assess whether a ball is in or out. Still others think have nearly 10 officials for 2 players is ridiculous.

While the debate continues over instant replay, the debate over Capriati's behavior is likely closed. Simply put, Capriati's behavior is unacceptable and deplorable.

What makes tennis different from other sports (aside from possibly golf) is a special code of conduct. Good sportsmanship is written into the rules of tennis--for example--if a player is not certain that a ball is out, s/he must call it good.

Some argue that at the high level in which Capriati and Williams play, they are held to a different standard and need not capitulate points in gross error. I totally reject that rationale and, furthermore, believe it harmful to the game as a whole. When young players learning what good sportsmanship is emulate players like Capriati by lying and calling "in" balls as "out", it's bad for the game. Period.