Male Aggression in Sport

I love watching tennis. I was even a tennis champion myself in high school days. I am puzzled and disturbed however at the continual tantrums displayed by Nick Kyrgios and the indulgence shown him, despite his outbursts of verbal, emotional and physical abuse. Yes, smashing tennis racquets on the ground is intimidating behaviour and if he did that in a house, it would come under the category of domestic violence, by law.

So why is he allowed to get away with it seemingly? Instead it seems he is gathering quite a large following and gaining notable notoriety for his abusive behaviour and being lovingly called a brat!

Here we are trying to change the culture of male violence in this country. As a role model to young men and boys, Nick Kyrgios is appalling! No impulse control at all, as he projects his frustrations onto umpires and others alike whenever he feels like it. He even seems proud of it at times! What will other young males watching this behaviour learn? That if one is angry, stressed or frustrated, one may abuse others, smash things and generally vent however one feels like.

As a male role model to young girls, young women are getting the message that its alright to put up with such behaviour if the man is handsome, charming and excels at his chosen profession.

So come on Tennis Australia and tennis fans everywhere, step up and call out Nick’s behaviour for what it is. Not just a tantrum …… but an expression of male violence and aggression that should not be tolerated anywhere and certainly not on public display in professional tennis.