Mr. Ed is...The Line Judge (August 10, 2002)
by Ed Zafian
If you ask Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt how they are going, your answer this week might just be "Fine."  Both of the players were fined by the ATP Tour this week.  Agassi was fined $80,000 for his late withdrawal from the Tennis Master Series - Toronto, while Hewitt is looking at a $20,000+ fine for not fulfilling media commitments prior to the Tennis Masters Series - Cincinnati.  This week's "The Line Judge" looks at what the players had to say.  A warning, dear readers: do not expect to hear any violins playing in the background.

You wuld have been hard pressed to find many people in the world of tennis that were surprised about Andre Agassi's withdrawal from the Tennis Masters Series Toronto following his win at the Mercedes Benz Cup in Los Angeles.   Agassi was fined twice the standard $40,000 for the withdrawal since it was his second TMS withdrawal of the year.  Agassi responded to his pull-out stating:  "I don't have four weeks in a row anymore, I can't do that... The difficulty is the expectation that I can play the same schedule as a 20-year old."  Agassi offered an injured hip and back as the reason for not playing in Toronto further adding that he needs pay attention to "every sort of kink I may feel."  Agassi wrapped up by saying "Either I don't play anymore or I do it only the only way I can an accept the penalties that go along with it, which are unfortunately very steep."

Where do we start?   First, I would Agassi to look at the tournament calendar.  As a fellow 30-something, I can certainly relate to the desire of not wanting to overwork an aging body.  But with the back-to-back and geographically close TMS events in Canada and Cincinnati, why not just play those two weeks if one is worried about one's health?  Perhaps is Agassi just looking for "easier" paths (or dare we even bring up the probability of appearance fees) at the Los Angeles and Washington DC tournaments?  Finally, one can only roll their eyes over Agassi's view that these fines even border the outrageous.  So far this year, Agassi has pocketed $1.1 million (and over $24.5 million in career prize money, NOT including endorsements) - so while $80,000 is an exorbitant to us normal folks it is chunk change for Agassi.  Heck, if I had that much money I would not think twice about dropping that kind of cash at the mega-casinos that populate Agassi's hometown.  

Advice to Agassi - do what you want, play when you want to play - but do not complain about the financial consequences, especially when you know they are coming.


Agassi should consider himself lucky compared to the amount of cash Lleyton Hewitt may have to pay out.  The current #1 will be fined $20,000 or half of his total winnings at the Tennis Master Series Cincinnati - which ever amount is greater - for failing to complete a media interview prior to the tournament.  As part of the ATP's STARS program, players must do interviews with the tournament's host broadcaster (in this instance the American sports cable channel, ESPN).  The ATP apparently approached the media-phobic Australian three times (and days in advance) prior to his opening match to complete the required interview.  Hewitt stated the ATP attempted to secure the interview just minutes before he was due on court for his first round match versus American Robby Ginepri.  Hewitt was tempted to forfeit the match saying "If I am going to get fined for going out, what is the point of me going out to play."  The Australian plans to appeal the fine stating "Nothing has been resolved."

As with Agassi's situation, Mr. Ed has little sympathy for Hewitt's predicament.  As the top-ranked player in his sport, part of Hewitt's job is media obligations.  I can understand how players might not want to be grilled after a match, particularly a loss, but a pre-tournament interview is as innocuous an interview as they come.  So, the whole situation appears to be grandstanding on Hewitt's part.  That said, I do not agree with how the fine is being determined.  By reaching the Cincinatti quarterfinals, Hewitt has already exceeded the minimum fine of $20,000 and is now looking upwards of having to pay out at least $55,000.  So in other words, Hewitt will be penalized more with each additional match he wins this week in Cincinnati.  With his top ranking secure, what motivation does Hewitt have to even do well this week?   Heck, if I was in this situation the idea of tanking a match would surely cross my mind.  I give credit to Hewitt for sticking in and playing this week.  

Advice to Hewitt - Suck it up and do your job - both on and off the court.  Avoiding the media will only make things worse in the long run. 

Advice to the ATP regarding player/media commitments - Set up an escalating fine schedule for refusing media interviews and do not tie it to tournament prize money.  

You may read previous Mr. Ed columns by clicking here.