Calling out Match Point

[jswinf]

Originally Posted by beernutz

One reason I always raise the finger even on 'obvious' out calls is that many calls which appear obvious to the caller are not so to the other team or player. I think at least once a match when playing doubles there will be a high lob that hits 6 feet or more beyond the baseline and no call will be made, then someone on the other team will ask if it was in or out because their view was blocked.

But if a ball hits the fence on the fly several feet up, it's hard to have your view blocked. Probably some of your opponents in these situations have felt like "raising a finger" in return, even if they haven't.

[Posture Guy]

yeah, I've no problem pointing the out finger, and if it's landing within 10' of being in I'll call out. If it hits the fence, I'll do the finger signal.

never run into either someone incessantly calling blatantly out shots verbally 'out', or calling second serves (except for occasions of delay).

in fact, I don't recall ever playing anyone who called 'match point', either.

[beernutz]

Originally Posted by jswinf

But if a ball hits the fence on the fly several feet up, it's hard to have your view blocked. Probably some of your opponents in these situations have felt like "raising a finger" in return, even if they haven't.

Well I wish one of them would be man enough to go ahead and do it but like I said no one has ever said a thing to me or indicated their displeasure about this in all the years I've played. Perhaps this is because hitting the fence several feet up on the fly is something that rarely happens, at least in my matches?

[JT_2eighty]

Originally Posted by Larrysümmers

I call out match point. then when i win it, i go "game, set, match, Larry then the score"

made me laugh (kind of want to do this now...)

[jswinf]

Originally Posted by beernutz

Well I wish one of them would be man enough to go ahead and do it but like I said no one has ever said a thing to me or indicated their displeasure about this in all the years I've played. Perhaps this is because hitting the fence several feet up on the fly is something that rarely happens, at least in my matches?

Seems like Federer and those guys shank 1 or 2 per match into the stands...they do take a bit bigger cut at it than I do, though.

[gunnd5000]

Originally Posted by tamdoankc

You should always call matchpoint, double matchpoint, triple matchpoint. and if you've had prior match points before you should call that out also. "serving for 5th matchpoint!" etc. You should also call your shots as you prepare to hit them "Crosscourt winner.", "Down the line approach shot", "Down the line ace". Never call the shot after you hit the ball, that would be totally lame.

This post made my night - however I do call "love all" at the start of my own service games, I guess its a habbit

[Baxter]

I play regularly with a 67 year old veteran USTA certified instructor who has serious vision problems but is still a solid 4.0. He can see the lines on his side of the court pretty well, but he will honestly (I believe him anyway) ask, "was that out?" when he, or more commonly his partner, flies one three or four feet out. When I play him I just call everything.

[purge]

i assume we are only talking about matches that are not just toying around with friends. cause everyone calls out stupid stuff in those matches.

calling MP or SP or BP in competitive matches is something that appears to be alot more common in the older generation. at least around here that is.
to be specific i dont think ive heard anyone under 40 doing it.

about out calls.. i guess im standard. i call out when they were close but just give the finger sign otherwise. serves i usually call "no" just because i dont want to start the whole long - out - fault - wide - whatever debate. no means no so that should be clear.
if a ball hits the fence or misses it and goes straight for the river instead i dont do anything. if anyone ever feels like that point should be theirs id probably just leave and get something to eat.

[Posture Guy]

Originally Posted by purge

if anyone ever feels like that point should be theirs id probably just leave and get something to eat.

For the win.

[jht32]

Calling the ball out or signalling out with a finger when the ball hits the back fence is going overboard and stating the freaking obvious. Of course, there are plenty of people who love to state the obvious.

When someone "raises a finger" when my your tennis ball hits the back fence, just "raise a different finger" in response

[slice bh compliment]

HhhHaa, that reminds me of my daughter's reaction when a girl would loudly proclaim that any of my daughter's serve that went into the net were (ready for this?), "In the net... fault!" Her dad is one of the most competitive 3.5 hack ever.

This thread also reminds me of a 50s tournament player I used to play when I was a jr, who'd say, "SINGLEFAULT" on every out serve.

Yeah, sometimes 'the finger' is most appropriate. It's got to be stressful to be so pedantic on a tennis court. I wish people would just be laid-back and play some tennis.

[kylebarendrick]

While watching a pro match (SAP open) I saw a player shank a ball high into the air that landed in the stands. The linesperson dutifully waited the several seconds it took the ball to actually make contact with a fan before calling "out". I do think it is a good habit to signal every out ball as out. That way there is never an argument. I quick flash of an index finger shouldn't bother anyone.

[jht32]

Originally Posted by kylebarendrick

While watching a pro match (SAP open) I saw a player shank a ball high into the air that landed in the stands. The linesperson dutifully waited the several seconds it took the ball to actually make contact with a fan before calling "out". I do think it is a good habit to signal every out ball as out. That way there is never an argument. I quick flash of an index finger shouldn't bother anyone.

If we present this professional linesperson as an example of model behavior, then we might as well follow her lead and loudly and clearly announce "out" when the ball hits the back fence. That way our opponent and any spectator will clearly know the outcome of the point. Why sneak in a quick flash of the index finger?

Alternatively, I have found found it helpful to place those huge foam fingers



near the back fence during my matches. I use it to signal out using that whenever my opponent's balls hits the back fence. I wouldn't want an argument to ensue because it wasn't clear to my opponent that his ball was out.