Tennis can be one of the most intense sports for players, while they are on court. Not only do they have to battle weather conditions like extreme wind, but they have to conquer their emotions as well. Is it so bad if a player smashes a racket in disgust, or utters a curse word because of an unforced error?

For instance, during the Bangalore Open final, Serena Williams was warned for racket abuse and foul language. In a high intensity match it should be expected to a certain extent. After facing two break points in the fifth game against Patty Schnyder, Williams received the warning.

After the warning Williams never violated court behaviour again. She wasn’t competing the way she intended to, and because of frustration she retaliated. It would have been a different story if Williams had kept on cursing and smashing her racket, but she didn’t.

The tournament directors and chair umpires seem to have the issue under control for the most part. For instance, Anastasia Rodionova was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct after she hit a ball in the direction of spectators who were rooting for her German opponent Angelique Kerber. Even though the ball did not strike anyone, it was obvious that it was accidental.

Last Season, Serena was terrorised by a local man, who incessantly yelled racist remarks to the American. But did Williams seek vengeance and hit a ball in his direction? No she didn’t; she simply went to the chair umpire, and eventually he was ejected. The big difference, is that fact that Williams was being bashed, and in Rodionova ‘s case she wasn’t being rooted for.

On-court behavior doesn’t really need to be changed because it seems to be well under control already. What more can be done besides fining, to stop things like racket abuse and vulgar language? Once a player is warned or fined, they usually fight back the urge to smash a racket or yell out in disgust. It isn’t out of control, so why bother taking immediate action?