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Wawrinka: Umpires Not As Strict With Top Players


Stan Wawrinka says chair umpires are not as strict on top players for fear of losing the opportunity to work finals.

Following his Roland Garros second-round win today, Wawrinka was asked if he had ever requested a chair umpire not work his match as Rafael Nadal has done in asking umpire Carlos Bernardes not work his matches.

More: Nadal Says He Asked Not to Have Bernardes Umpire His Matches

Wawrinka confirmed he had made such a request, but believes it should only be granted "if the umpire has made mistakes or faults."

The 2014 Australian Open champion suggested some umpires are apprehensive about enforcing time-violation rules over concerns they will fall from favor with top players and not be selected to officiate finals.

"I'm not aware of Rafa's motivations. I have read a few articles that said that it would be about the pressure this particular umpire put on him with regards to timing," Wawrinka said. "So you need to be more strict about the 25 seconds, and umpires don't all keep the same watch for all players because they know that if they have trouble with one of the top players and they can't be on their match, well, tough for them, because they like being there for the finals, and if they have problems with top players it becomes difficult with them."

The Swiss said those concerns can create a double-standard enforcing rules.

"So that's the problem we have on the tour with regards to particular rules," Wawrinka said. "Umpires are not as strict on the center court when they are with the top players as compared to when they are on court No. 17."

Wawrinka said player requests should only be honored in the case of umpire errors and not because of personality conflicts.

"I have already made such request over a short period of time for direct problems and issues I had with the umpire," Wawrinka said. "So when a player makes such a request, it should be granted only if the umpire has made mistakes or faults. If it's just because you don't like the person, this request should not be accepted."

Photo credit: Roland Garros

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