Why is there a double standard in tennis, at least? (explained below)?

Question

What I mean is, look, I'm sitting here watching the Champions Cup Tennis for example - I think it's one of the events for senior tennis players past age 30 or something. Now we have John McEnroe - who is abusive, disrespectful, and audacious in dealing with umpires, ball boys, and linesmen for most of his even ongoing career. And no one gets upset enough about it - it's like a joke - oh there goes McEnroe again - the announcers on TV will say "It's McEnroe being McEnroe", etc.

In this Champions Cup - he is going now to his towel, at his chair. mind you, between points for long periods, not having the towel behind him so the ball boy could get it like every other player does. Now finally the chair umpire - even just instructed by the tourney referee, gives McEnroe a time violation and he explodes at the guy - threatens "you will never work here again."

e.g. Serena Williams, one match calls her sister a name, b**** I think, and they say "she has no class", disgusting - what's up?

Answer 1

The rules on the Champions Tour are not as strict as the rules on the ATP Tour.  McEnroe behaves like this to put on a show, strictly for entertainment value, and the crowd loves it and even expects it from him.  That's one of the reasons why he's so popular, and why the Champions Tour is so popular with the fans.

Answer 2

Good question.  I think that all you have to do is look at the double standards that still exist in our society to find your answer.  

McEnroe annoys me, too!  Also, Jimmy Connors and his antics.  Nobody will call these guys out publicly, but just watch...there will be NO stadiums named after them, either.

Answer 3

I don't think you will see anyone saying McEnroe has a lot of class on the court, so I don't see your argument. People still appreciate him for his talent and love for the game though.

He also rarely attacked the integrity of his opponents like Serena constantly does. That is low class. He also didn't make excuses when he lost like Serena.

Have you one time in your life seen Serena say in an interview after she lost that her opponent was just too good. Never. It is always she had a bad day or she was injured. If you have to make an excuse, don't show up.

McEnroe has a bad temper, Serena has no class.

Answer 4

Well, the Champions tournament is kind of for show. The fans are all pumped and this is exactly what MacEnroe is known for, and that's what they want to see. Yes, it's definatly wrong, but in a Grand Slam situation, it's a big deal. I find it totally disgusting the way Roddick acts toward the umpires and in general. They are way too leniant on that. When MacEnroe played for real in the Grand Slams, they did punish him for that kind of stuff, and people thought he was a jerk. But now it's second nature and people literally come to see him snap.