Federer warns against on-court phone usages

Johannesburg: Tennis ace Roger Federer has warned players that carrying their mobile phones onto the court for receiving coaching tips can be a serious threat to the game`s integrity and regulations.

Federer`s warning comes following two incidents where mobiles were used for the players benefit during the French Open.

Ukrainian tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky used his phone to take a picture of the ball imprint after a controversial line call during his first round defeat by Richard Gasquet.

Stakhovsky was later fined 2000 dollars for unprofessional conduct by posting the picture on Twitter.

French player Gael Monfils too clicked a picture of the crowd which rose to salute him during his second-round victory over Ernests Gulbis, but escaped punishment as he had asked the umpire for permission.

Federer said the breach of game rules is going to happen even more, adding that the problem is that the players might engage in receiving coaching ideas through their mobile devices.

The use of phones on court is prohibited as officials have instructed that no electronic device should be permitted `during matches unless approved by the ITF supervisor or the referee` and a fine can be issued of upto 20000 dollars if officials suspect a player of receiving coaching through their phones.

Grand Slam Committee director Bill Babcock said that although the existing rule prohibits players from not using devices at all unless approved, the authority must always consider ways to ensure that the rule is consistently enforced.

ANI ---------------------- ZEENEWS.com