The unwritten rules of tennis and why postmatch handshakes sometimes go awry at the US Open
NEW YORK: There’s been a lot of talk about the unwritten rules of tennis during Week 1 of this US Open, whether it’s the necessity of a ” sorry, not sorry ” raised hand after a let cord or the proper way to warm up with an opponent or the legitimacy of an underarm serve. Another part of the game drawing attention — thanks to players’ complaints about each of the above — is the postmatch greeting at the net, which usually involves shaking hands and, sometimes, a hug or kisses on the cheek. It would seem to be a simple act of sportsmanship, but every so often ends up going awry. Not every contest in every sport displays that sort of civility, but it is an entrenched ritual in tennis, from kids starting out to the pros, even if the word “handshake” never appears in the 61-page Grand Slam rule book. “You do it in the juniors.
