After waiting patiently for the Texas Section Discipline and Grievance Committee to do something about the incident mentioned below and seeing nothing done--its time to call for action from the Section and from this committee. Normally a grievance takes a little bit of time to be dealt with but the delay on this issue is far too long. We support the Discipline and Grievance Committee but its time to take some specific action on this grievance.
Seems that everyone wants to do nothing about it and shift the responsibility to someone or anyone else. The incident happened in a USTA event so its time to get with it and do something. This player should not be playing tennis anywhere in Texas. At least the Dallas Tennis Association (see previous blog posts) took immediate action and suspended the player for a year.
This is an issue that has ramifications for tennis officials everywhere. The Section cannot and should not permit players to continue playing when they abuse officials. Just imagine what they do to the opponents they are playing during a match.
We'll all be watching and waiting in the coming weeks to see some definitive action. Sure hope it comes sooner than later...
Here is the previous post about the incident:
"In a team playoffs tournament last weekend in Dallas we saw a "player out of control" at its greatest example. Seems that the player and his team showed up an hour late for their match and were defaulted. The captain demanded to speak to the referee so the site official called her and handed the phone to the player/captain. After he didn't get his way with the referee who upheld the default and finally got off the phone after their lengthy conversation, when the official asked for his phone back the player/captain said, "You can go get your f___king phone" and threw it over the building--completely destroying the phone.
The police were called to the site and said the official could press criminal mischief charges against the player while at the same time the player was offering the official $450 for his phone if he wouldn't press charges. Ultimately, the official did neither and chose to filed a complaint against the player.
When confronted by the police the player actually accused the official of attacking him and said that the phone "squirted out of his hand." The officer's reply was, "You are seriously going with that story?" Obviously they knew the truth about what happened.
This player needs to be suspended for a lengthy time and the DTA and the Texas Section Grievance Committee both need to take immediate and quick action. This guy is out of control and there is predicting what he will do in the future. He sure doesn't need to be playing any more USTA events in the foreseeable future."
10 comments:
the incident occurred almost 2 months ago. As I responded to the blog almost a month ago, I would write in stating that the USTA would ignore the issue. As I said, just talk, no action. All officials, if you don't have insurance, you better get it because the USTA, Texas Section or National, isn't going to take protect you before or after an issue with a player. Look at the Texas Association of Sports Officials or the National Association of Sports Officials.
Does the insurance cover a new cell phone?
Can you imagine what would of happened if the Officials hadn't of had lunch that day? There would of been a slap down right there in front of all USTA members!
Interesting things do indeed happen when a tournament director is too cheap to provide lunch.
Isn't it pink panties month. Maybe that's why the Texas Section won't take action.
I'm sure they will call in the adhoc committee to review the circumstances next month.
The USTA does not care about officials. End of story.
Be careful. You may hurt the Inclusion Committee's feelings.
This is my sixth season as an official, and I have never heard of an action near as egregious as this. I would have pressed charges against the player. The police were there, and took statements. This might have led to a more proactive ruling by the USTA section. I do think getting insurance is a good idea. Does it cover passing out from lack of food during a 14-hour shift?
Could it be possible, but, maybe the reason for no action yet by the USTA is the fact that this person was a triple-qualified DIVERSITY player? Gay, Black, Handicapped player?
Now that Nick Arnold is gone there will be nothing done in Austin. And you can take that to the bank.
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