One More Reason Not To Throw A Tantrum

[floridatennisdude]

Originally Posted by li0scc0

Happened to me a couple weeks ago!
In mixed doubles. My return of serve went to the net player. This opponent popped the ball up. I was at the baseline (as I had just returned serve), and came sprinting in as it looked as if the ball might make it over the net.
The ball hit the tape and popped back on their side. The opponent (the woman who was at the net) swung as hard as she could at the ball crushing it. Unfortunately, I was just a couple feet away on the other side of the net, having sprinted in to get the ball that I thought might drop on our side.
Ball hit me right above the eye. Gorgeous shiner.

Can I point out the obvious 3 ways that "IT" didn't happen to you a couple weeks ago, but rather something totally different?

[jswinf]

Originally Posted by J_R_B

My brother and I were palying golf in college once at about a beer per hole pace. On about the 6th or 7th hole... I didn't actually feel any pain until the next day.

Good thing you pre-medicated with those 6 or 7 beers.

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by Tammo

Does the name Natasha really have to be used.

It is her real name

[li0scc0]

Originally Posted by floridatennisdude

Can I point out the obvious 3 ways that "IT" didn't happen to you a couple weeks ago, but rather something totally different?

Enlighten me, yes.

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by Tammo

Does the name Natasha really have to be used.

Yes!

See, I know this lady. She is Russian. I partnered with her once, and I found her really intimidating.

The accent didn't help at all. When she was talking to me, all I could hear was, "Mooose and sqwirrrel, mooose and sqwirrrel."

[TroutSc]

I like Natasha's passion

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by sureshs

I am still having trouble visualizing this. How can Nuts hit someone on the face with a racket without facing her? You mean to say the victim was looking at Nuts while standing within striking distance, Nuts did not notice it and swung the frame into her face thinking that part of space was empty.

It does not add up.

As I said, I wasn't there, but the players who were there told and re-told the story in email afterward, so it definitely happened.

I imagine that the point ended. It was time to change ends. Natasha's partner comes over to offer condolences on the error, or to consult on strategy.

Natasha is in the deuce court, so partner is approaching from behind. Natasha picks up a ball, and partner figures she is going to hold it and keeps coming. Natasha winds up and blasts her forehand, still facing away from her partner. The follow-through catches partner in the face.

I have had partners come a little closer than they should when I was sending a ball back over, but I've never hit anyone. Then again, I've never taken a full cut, either.

[sureshs]

See I knew it happened on the follow thru.

So Nuts is really her real name? A Russian called Natasha? Really? That sounds improbable.

Does she have a daughter called Maria whom she calls Masha?

[floridatennisdude]

Originally Posted by li0scc0

Happened to me a couple weeks ago!
In mixed doubles. My return of serve went to the net player. This opponent popped the ball up. I was at the baseline (as I had just returned serve), and came sprinting in as it looked as if the ball might make it over the net.
The ball hit the tape and popped back on their side. The opponent (the woman who was at the net) swung as hard as she could at the ball crushing it. Unfortunately, I was just a couple feet away on the other side of the net, having sprinted in to get the ball that I thought might drop on our side.
Ball hit me right above the eye. Gorgeous shiner.

Differences:

1) The ball was in play in your example & the ball was dead in Cindy's
2) Your opponent was the one that swung & Cindy's example was a partner swinging
3) You were struck by a ball whereas Cindy's teammate was struck by her partnerS racquet

[sureshs]

Cindy has "swinging" partners

Originally Posted by JLyon

Hopefully this player gets suspended for this act, just plain stupid.

wow. harsh. suspended from 4.0 league play. that'll teach her not to almost kill people.

[jswinf]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

Yes!

See, I know this lady. She is Russian. I partnered with her once, and I found her really intimidating.

The accent didn't help at all. When she was talking to me, all I could hear was, "Mooose and sqwirrrel, mooose and sqwirrrel."

Is she really pale? Does she hang out with a short, shifty-looking guy named Boris?

[MesQueUnClub]

That's why you should always smack the ball at the back fence or if you have to throw the racquet, throw it at the net or the fence. Learning the hard way...

[li0scc0]

Originally Posted by floridatennisdude

Differences:

1) The ball was in play in your example & the ball was dead in Cindy's
2) Your opponent was the one that swung & Cindy's example was a partner swinging
3) You were struck by a ball whereas Cindy's teammate was struck by her partnerS racquet

They hit the ball, which hit their side of the net and bounced back on their side. The ball was therefore DEAD.

My point was that a player's stupidity in taking their frustration out on the ball caused an injury to their opponent (me). Not that I had a direct and perfect 1-1 correlation in experiences, but that I could relate.

[Bagumbawalla]

Years ago, I was preparing to serve in a singles match. At the same, exact moment, the wife and daughter of the opponent arrived to watch him play.

Just before my racket struck the ball, the wife called out to her husband. He turned his head as the ball zoomed over the net and bounced up into his (groin area).

The next few minutes seemed like hours as his family, myself and others watched, helplessly, while he writhed in pain.

Eventually, he continued play- but there was no contest.

[jswinf]

^^^Hmm. Sounds like the serve was maybe a few feet long and 'short-hopped' him. Did he give you another first serve after the delay?

[Wuppy]

Why are tennis people such psychos?