Argument at the Courts.

[VexlanderPrime]

Got in a really dumb argument at my local public courts tonight, just wondering about opinions on it.

So generally if the courts are reasonably sparse and no one is playing a match, I'll toss on some music thru my iphone and a mini portable speaker. Got to the courts with a friend; there were just 2 other guys who appeared to just be doing rally practice so I tossed on some tunes.

Unexpectedly one of the guys appears a couple feet away in an aggressive stance and jabs a finger at my speaker and says "No. That goes off."

I match his confrontational tone and say "what?"

He proceeds into some muttering argument about Court rules prohibiting music and first references me to a sign. I ask him where the sign is and turns out he was B.S.'ing so then he mutters "the rules are on the internet" followed by "everyone knows you don't play music at the courts."

After some lame toe to toe alpha male BS, I realize that he and his partner either were actually playing a match which I misinterpreted or started just after I arrived. Regardless, I said "If you're playing a match I'll turn it off." He then backtracks and tries to claim he said that when he confronted me, but thats total garbage, he was trying to be a tough guy and didn't expect me to refuse to be cowed.

Anyway, long story short my question:
[1] Is it inappropriate to play some music (at a reasonable level) if no one is playing a match? Should I just NEVER play music at the courts? Is this some unwritten public court rule or was this guy just a liar?

 

[LeeD]

You can please everyone all the time.
If you music bothers them, your music is bothering them.
You can bring your own spectator crowd of drunken sailors heckling everyone, and that might qualify as bothering other players.
You can play quiet as a mouse, and your mere presense might bother those guys.

 

[Mr.Lob]

The Tennis Center I play at pipes music over their outdoor speakers during match play. The Tennis Club does a cardio fast feed on a court next to ours, while playing upbeat music, during our doubles league. Initially I found it a bit annoying, but quickly tuned it out.
The guy was being a jerk though. If it was bothering him he should have politely asked you to turn it off. Never heard there being a rule not to play music on a public court though.

 

[VexlanderPrime]

Appreciate the feedback gents.

 

[newpball]

Anyway, long story short my question:
[1] Is it inappropriate to play some music (at a reasonable level) if no one is playing a match? Should I just NEVER play music at the courts? Is this some unwritten public court rule or was this guy just a liar?

The answer is yes it is inappropriate!

You can always politely ask but if other players say no that ought to be respected.

:grin:

 

[LakeSnake]

I think it would be inconsiderate to play music while others are playing/practicing.

 

[Will Wilson]

Nope to the music. Not even if they are just hitting. You were the one being a jerk.

 

[VexlanderPrime]

k, getting some difference of opinions now. Interesting. I def wasn't being a jerk.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

Got in a really dumb argument at my local public courts tonight, just wondering about opinions on it.

So generally if the courts are reasonably sparse and no one is playing a match, I'll toss on some music thru my iphone and a mini portable speaker. Got to the courts with a friend; there were just 2 other guys who appeared to just be doing rally practice so I tossed on some tunes.

Unexpectedly one of the guys appears a couple feet away in an aggressive stance and jabs a finger at my speaker and says "No. That goes off."

I match his confrontational tone and say "what?"

He proceeds into some muttering argument about Court rules prohibiting music and first references me to a sign. I ask him where the sign is and turns out he was B.S.'ing so then he mutters "the rules are on the internet" followed by "everyone knows you don't play music at the courts."

After some lame toe to toe alpha male BS, I realize that he and his partner either were actually playing a match which I misinterpreted or started just after I arrived. Regardless, I said "If you're playing a match I'll turn it off." He then backtracks and tries to claim he said that when he confronted me, but thats total garbage, he was trying to be a tough guy and didn't expect me to refuse to be cowed.

Anyway, long story short my question:
[1] Is it inappropriate to play some music (at a reasonable level) if no one is playing a match? Should I just NEVER play music at the courts? Is this some unwritten public court rule or was this guy just a liar?

I mean generally I don't do it, because it's a bit of a hassle, but still for him to take it to a hostile level immediately like that is just classless and pathetic on his part. He could have been nice about it and said, hey man I know you like music, but we're playing a match so can you wait until we finish to crank up the tunes. Probably he would have had a much easier time getting what he wanted if he was just civil about it.

 

[VexlanderPrime]

^ If he had just said, "Hey can you turn your music off while we are playing a match?" I'd have immediately felt in the wrong and turned it off. For what thats worth.

 

[J_R_B]

If anyone else is there at all, you probably should leave the iPod in the bag. We can debate whether the guy was wrong in the way he handled the confrontation, but the bottom line is that playing music when someone else is playing is bad form, and that's on you.

 

[floydcouncil]

Got in a really dumb argument at my local public courts tonight, just wondering about opinions on it.

So generally if the courts are reasonably sparse and no one is playing a match, I'll toss on some music thru my iphone and a mini portable speaker. Got to the courts with a friend; there were just 2 other guys who appeared to just be doing rally practice so I tossed on some tunes.

Unexpectedly one of the guys appears a couple feet away in an aggressive stance and jabs a finger at my speaker and says "No. That goes off."

I match his confrontational tone and say "what?"

He proceeds into some muttering argument about Court rules prohibiting music and first references me to a sign. I ask him where the sign is and turns out he was B.S.'ing so then he mutters "the rules are on the internet" followed by "everyone knows you don't play music at the courts."

After some lame toe to toe alpha male BS, I realize that he and his partner either were actually playing a match which I misinterpreted or started just after I arrived. Regardless, I said "If you're playing a match I'll turn it off." He then backtracks and tries to claim he said that when he confronted me, but thats total garbage, he was trying to be a tough guy and didn't expect me to refuse to be cowed.

Anyway, long story short my question:
[1] Is it inappropriate to play some music (at a reasonable level) if no one is playing a match? Should I just NEVER play music at the courts? Is this some unwritten public court rule or was this guy just a liar?

Unless someone asks you to turn off the music (politely or not), it's fine. Some people are bothered by the smallest things on court, yes...
I think it's the polite thing to do if someone asks.

Last weekend, I had 3 of the 4 courts reserved at my courts. We had courts #1, 2 and 3. When we got there there were 4 people on court 3 playing casual mixed dubs. I knew 3 of the 4 players. So we took courts 1, 2 and 4.

One of the ladies that I knew came up to me during a changeover and asked me if I wanted them to move to court 4. I said "no, you guys are fine where you are".

I found her asking me the most polite thing to do since she knew that we always got the 3 courts on Saturday.

See... politeness/kindness goes a long way on court and in life.

 

[newpball]

k, getting some difference of opinions now. Interesting. I def wasn't being a jerk.

The question is will you do it again?

:grin:

 

[gmatheis]

From the sound of it the guy was a ***** about it and should have simply asked nicer.

BUT what you should do is:

If anyone is already hitting (or playing a match) ask if it would bother them before turning it on.

If anyone comes along after you already have music on, say "let me know if the music bothers you and I'll turn it off"

 

[VexlanderPrime]

The question is will you do it again?

:grin:

From the sound of it the guy was a ***** about it and should have simply asked nicer.

BUT what you should do is:

If anyone is already hitting (or playing a match) ask if it would bother them before turning it on.

If anyone comes along after you already have music on, say "let me know if the music bothers you and I'll turn it off"

I'm definitely not giving up on music. Its a public court not a private club. At the same time I'll prob be a bit more aware of others' sensitivity to it. But if there are no matches going on I don't see an issue. If you want to practice in silence you can join a private club. If its a big deal for even your practicing then ask like a human not a neanderthal.

 

[newpball]

I'm definitely not giving up on music. Its a public court not a private club.
...
But if there are no matches going on I don't see an issue. If you want to practice in silence you can join a private club.

I see, well that settles the jerk issue for me. :shock:

:grin:

 

[beernutz]

If anyone else is there at all, you probably should leave the iPod in the bag. We can debate whether the guy was wrong in the way he handled the confrontation, but the bottom line is that playing music when someone else is playing is bad form, and that's on you.

Thanks for saving me the trouble of typing all that.

 

[Nostradamus]

you can play music on court if it is classical music like Mozart. there is proven research that it improves your timing of the ball by 20 %

 

[Bartelby]

How is it being a good neighbour by intruding your music into other people's space?

It's even more important to be concerned about other people's concerns in public spaces.

I'm definitely not giving up on music. Its a public court not a private club. At the same time I'll prob be a bit more aware of others' sensitivity to it. But if there are no matches going on I don't see an issue. If you want to practice in silence you can join a private club. If its a big deal for even your practicing then ask like a human not a neanderthal.

 

[Nostradamus]

is it ok to give the finger if some player is extremely rude to you on court ?? Like let's say if you catch your bad toss on serve several times and opponent starts yelling profenities at you...... and then are you justified in giving him the finger ???????

 

[beernutz]

is it ok to give the finger if some player is extremely rude to you on court ?? Like let's say if you catch your bad toss on serve several times and opponent starts yelling profenities at you...... and then are you justified in giving him the finger ???????

What color is the sky in your little world?

 

[tennis tom]

Anyway, long story short my question:
[1] Is it inappropriate to play some music (at a reasonable level) if no one is playing a match? Should I just NEVER play music at the courts? Is this some unwritten public court rule or was this guy just a liar?

YES! Wear headphones. Just because they were rallying/practicing doesn't mean they weren't trying to concentrate.

 

[skraggle]

I'm definitely not giving up on music. Its a public court not a private club. At the same time I'll prob be a bit more aware of others' sensitivity to it. But if there are no matches going on I don't see an issue. If you want to practice in silence you can join a private club. If its a big deal for even your practicing then ask like a human not a neanderthal.

You weren't a jerk before, just being less than considerate. You ARE being a jerk now that everyone didn't rush to support your way of thinking.

That said, the other guy needs to learn to deal with others like an adult.

 

[newpball]

Wear headphones.

Perfect win-win solution!

:grin:

 

[Topspin Shot]

Playing music on the tennis courts isn't good form unless you're the only ones there.

 

[tennis tom]

Yes, no personal music on the courts. It's bad enough some gas stations have muzak coming out of their pumps. BUT, if you insist on doing it, do it right, bring a couple of Klipschorn Voice of the Theater speakers with you, hooked up to a Scott amp with tubes, play the 1812 Overture, and fire off a real cannon for the finale.

Or if it's the Hare Krishna Giant Juggernaut parade going by at Golden Gate Park, with hundreds of devotees in saffron robes chanting Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, that's OK since it's the right place and the right vibe. That actually helped me come from behind in a tournament match to win--I still need to send them a donation of $20. Hare Krishna, Krishna Rama is exactly the right rhythm for playing baseline tennis.

 

[SweetH2O]

The guy handled it poorly but I don't think you should expect to be able to play music while others are around. It doesn't make a difference whether they are playing a match or just practicing.

 

[directionals]

Did you put your iphone and speakers on the bench? That might have been what annoyed him.

 

[tennis tom]

Did you put your iphone and speakers on the bench? That might have been what annoyed him.

That was it! Everyone knows benches are for BAGS only!

 

[Moz]

Count me in the "two jerks on court on this occasion" camp.

 

[encylopedia]

^ If he had just said, "Hey can you turn your music off while we are playing a match?" I'd have immediately felt in the wrong and turned it off. For what thats worth.

To be frank, your thinking is not rational (not to mention rude and inconsiderate). You are actually claiming that if he asked nicely, then you'd recognize what you were doing was "wrong"....but he asked aggressively so now you were "right"?

Ridiculous. You were flat out rude...he shouldn't have to ask nicely, in fact, he shouldn't have to ask at all.

If that had been Roger Federer on the court beside you, would you have pulled out your music and started playing it? No. To answer for you: no, you wouldn't. Even if he were "just practicing". Now why does Roger Federer deserve more polite decency and consideration that anyone else? Answer: he doesn't, you should be considerate to all.

You're following a ridiculous set of made-up rules from your irrational mind: It's OK for me to play music IF people are only practicing, and then, it's only wrong if they ask nicely for me to stop.

 

[encylopedia]

I see, well that settles the jerk issue for me. :shock:

:grin:

Yep. Confirmation...even in his own version and interpretation of events the OP is a first-class loser.

 

[VexlanderPrime]

Yep. Confirmation...even in his own version and interpretation of events the OP is a first-class loser.

Lol ok. Don't overreact or anything. That said, more people are objecting to music while merely practicing than I expected, which is what I created the thread for. Something to consider.

 

[Alchemy-Z]

He approached it wrong-

but playing music on court (unless it's just you seems annoying)

even if it's practice people are working on rhythm ...so having a beat that does not really match what they are going for could be counter productive...

if you really need it- get some bluetooth ear buds and play away.

 

[VexlanderPrime]

He approached it wrong-

but playing music on court (unless it's just you seems annoying)

even if it's practice people are working on rhythm ...so having a beat that does not really match what they are going for could be counter productive...

if you really need it- get some bluetooth ear buds and play away.

Fair enough, message received. Can let the thread die.

 

[eelhc]

you can play music on court if it is classical music like Mozart. there is proven research that it improves your timing of the ball by 20 %

Shouldn't matter what the musical preference is or the net effect. Not appropriate on tennis courts. But I find excessive grunting/screeching in a match on the next court the most annoying of all.

is it ok to give the finger if some player is extremely rude to you on court ?? Like let's say if you catch your bad toss on serve several times and opponent starts yelling profenities at you...... and then are you justified in giving him the finger ???????

No... One should behave like a grownup/gentleman/lady. To retaliate a childlike behavior with another childlike behavior makes you also look like an idiot.

 

[kevrol]

You shouldn't play music if there are others around. If it's just you then fine. However if others are there the music should be turned off. Yes the other guy could have handled it better but if I'm in the middle of playing with someone and all of a sudden some guy rolls up on the court next to me and starts up his iPod I'd probably be a little ticked off about it too.

 

[ace18]

Anyway, long story short my question:
[1] Is it inappropriate to play some music (at a reasonable level) if no one is playing a match? Should I just NEVER play music at the courts? Is this some unwritten public court rule or was this guy just a liar?

I guess the proper thing to do is ask if it bothers the others practicing on the court. But, next time you go to the courts and want to play music, invite me, I love listening to music while I practice or play a match. It doesn't bother my focus either way. It actually keeps me from berating myself. "I can't believe I missed another BH, oh man, I love this song" lol.

 

[sovertennis]

^ If he had just said, "Hey can you turn your music off while we are playing a match?" I'd have immediately felt in the wrong and turned it off. For what thats worth.

That, or you could have asked before you turned the music on.

IMO, basic tennis etiquette requires general quiet on the courts, ie no ongoing discussions that can be heard on adjacent courts, no cell phone conversations, and no music. Maybe that's old school, but I think it makes sense and helps to avoid confrontations.

 

[dman72]

1) Playing music with anyone else around is rude..you should have asked them first before even starting it up
2) To approach it the way the other guy did, he was being a tough guy and a jerk. This is why fights start, road rage, etc..2 people who basically don't respect others and cross paths..boom. Whenever I pull up to a gas station and some kid pulls up, opens their windows, and leaves their horrific hip hop blasting while they run inside to get a red bull...I think about how I should carry some fireworks around to deposit in their front seat. Then I realize I'm a grown up and just move on.

 

[Coolio]

Only play music if you are the only ones at the courts.
Playing music with others around is not cool at all unless you want to be a jerk.
Best way to handle this situation is to tell them to stop their game and vacate the courts because you want to listen to music.

 

[tennytive]

Ditch the speaker and use your earbuds. Then you can play as loud and long as you want, and it won't bother anyone else.

 

[Mongolmike]

Gotta weigh in with the majority here.

If you and a friend only... do what ever you want.

ANYONE else... kids, adults, internet tough guys, matches, private lessons... many people would prefer to not have music... me included. And I crank up music all the time.

Solution- ear buds.

The other guy acted like a jerk, but, we are only reading one side of the story too. Usually there is another point of view which doesn't match the original.

As for your comment about "join a private club". Do you think people who join a private club don't like music??

And let say you have your music out, and are playing it on a speaker... so the next court whips theirs out, and they start playing a completely different type of music... but they turn theirs up louder, drowning out your music. Now what?

 

[Turbo-87]

I am as easy going as they come on the courts but I have to say I wouldn't like you playing music either. I don't want to listen to your choice of music nor do I want it bothering my game. Just my opinion. I certainly would have approached the situation differently compared to the guy who was mad at you. He could have been more tactful, that's for sure.

People that play music like that certainly assume everyone likes the same type of "cool" music. Bad assumption.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

Ditch the speaker and use your earbuds. Then you can play as loud and long as you want, and it won't bother anyone else.

agree here

OP. problem is your taste of music is not everyones
really hard for me to nail a perfect 1hbh down the line, while i got metallica blasting on the courts next to me.. haha

 

[OrangePower]

I don't see a problem with playing music at the public courts even with others there, as long as:
1. You keep the volume low, and
2. If anyone asks you to turn it off, you (politely) do so

If you are the guy on the court next door being bothered by music, just ask (politely) to have it turned off.

No need for chest-pounding by either party.

 

[mikeler]

Tennis is generally a quite sport. Leave the music at home or pipe it into some ear buds. Don't put other people in a position of playing with music which is not the norm.

 

[sureshs]

Music should not be played on tennis courts. The sound of the tennis ball is an important part of the game. In my club, there are times when juniors come out as a group and times when cardio tennis is happening. Both these events are accompanied by loud music and it bothers the others. Unfortunately, I am in very good terms with the coaches who volunteer their time for this (proceeds go the club) and so I don't feel comfortable complaining to them. Cardiac Tennis in particular is supposed to be accompanied by music, so there are no grounds for complaining about it.

 

[amorris525]

Next time just ask before playing it. I personally would actually like having someone play music while I hit around. But everyone is different, just ask.

 

[Mongolmike]

agree here

OP. problem is your taste of music is not everyones
really hard for me to nail a perfect 1hbh down the line, while i got metallica blasting on the courts next to me.. haha

I thought he said he was rockin' out to Shania Twain's "Feel Like a Woman", but when he cranked up Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" and started singing along, the other guy got all huffy...

I dunno, maybe it was deleted.....