"After battling 14-time Grand Slam singles champion Rafael Nadal for more than four hours in the second round of this year's Australian Open, Tim Smyczek did something no one expected him to do. He was down 5-6, 0-30, in the fifth set, when Nadal missed a first serve badly during a verbal outburst from the crowd. This prompted Smyzek to allow Nadal to take his first serve over, and Nadal soon won the set 7-5, and along with it, the match.
"Smyczek's sportsmanship drew praise from the crowd and attention from the media, but he isn't as impressed at his move as so many others have been. He considers it routine, since his parents only allowed him to pursue a professional tennis career on the condition that he conduct himself as a gentleman on court.
Smyczek, who has been ranked as high as No. 68 in the world in singles (he is currently ranked 95), spoke with [National Catholic] Register correspondent Trent Beattie before the U.S. Open, which runs Aug. 31-Sept. 13 in New York City.
To access the complete Register report, please visit:
National Catholic Register: A Gentleman's Guide to Pro Tennis (and Life) (24 AUG 15)
Background information:
Tim Smyczek
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