Watch what you Tweet – The Age

That’s the message tennis authorities are delivering as the US Open authorities have warned players and their entourages to be careful about what they post on the social networking site Twitter.  They are concerned that Twitter messages could violate the sport’s anti-corruption rules.

Watch what you tweet signs are being posted in the players’ lounge, locker rooms and referee’s office at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre with the header: “Important. Player Notice. Twitter Warning.”

The notices read:

“Many of you will have Twitter accounts in order for your fans to follow you and to become more engaged in you and the sport – and this is great. However popular it is, it is important to warn you of some of the dangers posted by Twittering as it relates to the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program Rules.”

Andy Roddick, for one, is not a fan of the warning. His tweets:

Aug 29 12:21 pm

Andyroddick: i think its lame the US Open is trying to regulate our tweeting.. i understand the on-court issue but not sure they can tell us if we can

Aug 29, 12:21 PM

Andyroddick: cant do it on our own time…. we’ll see

Aug 29, 12:28 PM

Andyroddick: i definitely respect the rule about inside info and on court, but u would seriously have to be a moron to send “inside info” through a tweet

Told of Roddick’s comments, tournament spokesman Chris Widmaier said, “We agree with Mr Roddick that it would be ‘moronic’ to provide what might be construed as insider information. However, in the age of new media, it is imperative to ensure the absolute integrity of the game.”

Check out the full details of the story at the Age/Technology Roddick slams US Open’s ‘lame’ Twitter rules