When Your Doubles Partner Makes a Bad Line Call

[tennistim]

Happened to me last night. My partner called a ball out that was in. It was a big point in a tie-breaker and I wish I had said something straight away. In fact nobody said anything, but I think we all knew that it was in. It threw my concentration and we lost the tie-break.

Then in the next set the opposition got revenge by calling out some of my serves that were in.

Really ruins the spirit of the game when this happens.

I am just trying to figure out how to avoid this happening again. I think I need to overrule my partners bad calls straight away - no discussion. Otherwise it creates a much bigger problem....

[J_R_B]

You need to pull him aside, tell him the call was definitely wrong, and give hiim the opportunity to reverse it himself first. If he still refuses, then change it yourself. Don't cheat.

[storypeddler]

Originally Posted by J_R_B

You need to pull him aside, tell him the call was definitely wrong, and give hiim the opportunity to reverse it himself first. If he still refuses, then change it yourself. Don't cheat.

Exactly. Don't make a big deal out of it---just go to him and say you saw it in and let him reverse the call to your opponents. No shame in correcting a call you missed. Just be sure you are correct in calling the ball in. If you know for a fact it was in, correct the call. Otherwise, go with the call your partner made. Just do what is right. Be honest.

[Maui19]

I've got a partner that makes bad calls from time to time. I let them go for a while, now I overrule. He used to argue with me about them, now he just goes with my overrule. You can't let that stuff go.

[TennisDawg]

Originally Posted by tennistim

Happened to me last night. My partner called a ball out that was in. It was a big point in a tie-breaker and I wish I had said something straight away. In fact nobody said anything, but I think we all knew that it was in. It threw my concentration and we lost the tie-break.

Then in the next set the opposition got revenge by calling out some of my serves that were in.

Really ruins the spirit of the game when this happens.

I am just trying to figure out how to avoid this happening again. I think I need to overrule my partners bad calls straight away - no discussion. Otherwise it creates a much bigger problem....

Usually when this happens your opponents will give you a look or say something to indicate it was a bad call. At that point just look at your partner and tell him "thought it was in" if he still insists it was out, just say "okay" and go with her/his call. A reasonable person will usually agree with you and change the call. Replaying the point is usually not a good idea as it just adds insult to injury, depending on who wins the point. At least you've spoken up, without disrupting you're partner

[spot]

Originally Posted by TennisDawg

Usually when this happens your opponents will give you a look or say something to indicate it was a bad call. At that point just look at your partner and tell him "thought it was in"

Once you say that- the point automatically goes to the other team. To still take the point after that is cheating.

[TennisDawg]

Originally Posted by spot

Once you say that- the point automatically goes to the other team. To still take the point after that is cheating.

That's why you say "I thought it was in" it's quite possible that you're partner is right and you're wrong. So, if he still insists he's right maybe he had a better look at the ball. I'm also assuming that no one is trying to cheat, it's just two different looks at a ball. If the call is changed immediately and your partner doesn't agree, you've then accused (at least tacitly) him/her of cheating, not good for you and your partner. If you're partner willingly changes it to an "in" call then all should be fine.

[tennis tom]

Originally Posted by TennisDawg

...it's just two different looks at a ball.

Yes, by the player who has double-vision. I made a "bad" call in favor of my opponents yesterday. The serve was one inch out, it was so close and it was meaningless (to me) practice-rec tennis. I apologized to my partner and said I couldn't get the words out fast enough, but in reality I just didn't want to make a call that close--I SHOULD HAVE!--but I chickened out. The ***-hat server--and trust me, he IS an ***-hat, I know from decades of playing with him, (thankfully not too regularly), had the chutzpah to say it looked way in to him--right--to him standing "78" feet away. The ball left a mark that I circled. The code says everyone is supposed to help with the calls, even the opponents. You know your NOT playing with friends or fair people when they don't help with a call that you KNOW they had a good look at down the line.

[levy1]

Originally Posted by TennisDawg

Usually when this happens your opponents will give you a look or say something to indicate it was a bad call. At that point just look at your partner and tell him "thought it was in" if he still insists it was out, just say "okay" and go with her/his call. A reasonable person will usually agree with you and change the call. Replaying the point is usually not a good idea as it just adds insult to injury, depending on who wins the point. At least you've spoken up, without disrupting you're partner

It is only fair to overrule your partner if you are sure it was in or else you are cheating.By the rules you are not allowed to play a point over due to a call.

[Cindysphinx]

You must give the point to your opponent. Always. Period.

[tenniscasey]

If it was clearly in and you had a good sight line, you should have overruled immediately. If your partner gets mad at you for it, you should play out the match then find another doubles partner.

Last thing you want for yourself is to develop a reputation for hooking, even if it's only by association.

[TennisDawg]

Okay, I stand corrected. The opposing team gets the point, okay!

[Mauvaise]

Originally Posted by tenniscasey

If it was clearly in and you had a good sight line, you should have overruled immediately. If your partner gets mad at you for it, you should play out the match then find another doubles partner.

Last thing you want for yourself is to develop a reputation for hooking, even if it's only by association.

Exactly. I've overruled my partners and had them overrule me and no one (thankfully) has ever got in a tizzy over it.

It probably helps that I make a point before the match starts (if I'm with a new partner) of specifically telling them I want them to overrule any bad calls I happen to make and I'll do the same.

[jonnythan]

Just say "no, I think it was in." Other team gets the point.

[Baxter]

Originally Posted by jonnythan

Just say "no, I think it was in." Other team gets the point.

It's just that simple. Hooking for "the team" is still hooking.

[TeflonTom]

if ur partner hooks, find a new partner

but u dont ever, ever overrule ur partner. u dont break solidarity mid match

[jonnythan]

Originally Posted by TeflonTom

if ur partner hooks, find a new partner

but u dont ever, ever overrule ur partner. u dont break solidarity mid match

I disagree. I'd want someone to overrule me and I'd expect my partner to want to be overruled.

[tenniscasey]

Originally Posted by TeflonTom

if ur partner hooks, find a new partner

but u dont ever, ever overrule ur partner. u dont break solidarity mid match

Ridiculous. Your reputation carries forward beyond the match; when your partner hooks, "solidarity" becomes irrelevant.

[Larrysümmers]

Originally Posted by TeflonTom

if ur partner hooks, find a new partner

but u dont ever, ever overrule ur partner. u dont break solidarity mid match

i agree with this. me and partner will not overrule eachother. we have that trust and understanding. bad calls are apart of the rec game.

[OrangePower]

Originally Posted by Larrysümmers

i agree with this. me and partner will not overrule eachother. we have that trust and understanding. bad calls are apart of the rec game.

Yeah, sounds good... trust and understanding... you trust that your partner will only hook obviously on really important points, and he understands that you will keep quiet and not overrule in those situations. Way to go!

Bottom line: As others have already said, if your partner is deliberately cheating your opponents and you go along with it, then you are also equally cheating your opponents. There's just no way around this.