Fayez Sarofim & Co US Men’s Clay Court Championship, Texas

Men’s Final: [25] Jack Sock vs. [148] Juan Monaco (ARG)

I have always wondered why it’s okay to call an injury timeout when the match seems to be slipping away from a player.  I am not saying that’s what Monaco did, but it is a bit suspicious that after the medical timeout for a back injury he won the set.  I know from first-hand experience that the little massage he had would not have made a difference if his back was truly an issue.  However, according to the rules of tennis there was nothing wrong with Monaco calling for the trainer and getting a medical timeout after he lost the set.  Who can deny a player’s statement of an injury?

The onus was on Jack to maintain his focus and continue to play the quality tennis than won him the first set.  It’s sad to watch young players squander opportunities to win matches.  Perhaps one day Sock will look back at his response to that medical timeout and realize what a drastic mistake he made mentally.  It is difficult enough to get to the final of a tournament and players should give one hundred percent to win the title.  I understand players may have an off day; however, to lose a match because you got upset at the tactics employed by your opponent indicates one’s immaturity.  I have never seen Pete Sampras, Roger Federer nor Rafael Nadal throw a match for any reason.  Sock is a great talent; however, he will have to mature a lot  more to live up to his potential.

The match ended strangely as Sock seemed to be injured late in the match, etiology unknown.  Sock tried to put up some resistance in the latter stages but it was a tad too late. Monaco made a miraculous recovery and with some help from Sock he won his first title since 2013. With the 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 defeat of Sock, Monaco will move back into the top 100 when the rankings come out tomorrow.