John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors and Andy Roddick – tennis bad boys or entertainers?

In recent times tennis has had its fair share of problems in the media. Andy Roddick seems to be at the centre of one of them. The American star’s frequent outbursts on court are being scrutinised by some spectators as mere bullying tactics against less well known and experienced opponenents. But is this anything new in the sport?

I think not! Tennis has always had its fair share of bad boys. The obvious contenders for 'outburst kings' are John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors in the 1970s and ’80s and Jeff Tarango for his Wimbledon tirade back in 1995 when he stormed off the court to jeers from the crowd. Even the likes of Roger Federer and Stefan Edberg, true gentlemen on the courts, have had their bad days in the verbal department. McEnroe and Connors have always claimed they made the sport entertaining and added personality to tennis – so do we as fans really want this bad behaviour combated by the officials? Isn't a fine good enough?

What I think is more important to focus on at present is the poor media attention tennis is receiving for other issues relating to match fixing and drug taking. In recent years the likes of Martina Hingis and Guillermo Canas have been suspended amid allegations of drug taking and several players have hinted that many more players have escaped the officials and therefore avoided suspension. Surely drugs in tennis is a far more important issue than a few verbal tirades against opponents.

Match fixing is also a problem in the tennis world. Nikolay Davydenko of Russia is still at the centre of attention regarding betting allegations from last year. Several Italian players, such as Daniele Bracciali and Potito Starace, have also been fined and suspended in regard to betting on matches throughout the last couple of years.