Cheering on an opponents unforced error: Do you do it? [HONESTY REQUIRED]

[-RF-]

I'll be honest. I do it. And i'm not ashamed. For why should I be? The logic of tennis is to win points, and if I win a point- in any shape or form- I am one step closer to victory.

I would simply coin it competitiveness. Though reading on these forums it seems that it has its critics- some feel that it's an act of classlessness; that there's no need to cheer for a point that you haven't 'deserved'.

Do you cheer when your opponent hits a UE?

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Random unforced error? Hell no, I have more class than that.

Forced error? Fair game.

Forced/unforced error after a long and crazy rally? Yes.



However, since your poll only has 2 options, I'm going to have to side with "no".

 

[Chip 'n Charge]

Pro's screaming "COME ON!" are bad enough, but at the rec level its beyond obnoxious . . . reminds me of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hcZ2Hc4pmI

about 22 seconds through 29 seconds

 

[Maui19]

I'll be honest. I do it. And i'm not ashamed. For why should I be? The logic of tennis is to win points, and if I win a point- in any shape or form- I am one step closer to victory.

I would simply coin it competitiveness. Though reading on these forums it seems that it has its critics- some feel that it's an act of classlessness; that there's no need to cheer for a point that you haven't 'deserved'.

Do you cheer when your opponent hits a UE?

Never. But when some wanker does it to me, it motivates me tremendously.

 

[osutennis24]

depends on the situation

so my answer is both

 

[Maximagq]

Mostly after long rallies or crucial points

 

[TeamOB]

YES! When it's a big point, I yell "come on" (or "allez" or "vamos" or "davai" or "komm jetzt") no matter how I won the point. On a big point anything goes. I have little respect for people who complain about their opponent celebrating. Tennis is a competitive sport, not a tea-and-crumpet party. Guys who get mad about their opponents celebrating need to grow some balls.

 

[tenniscasey]

I'll be honest. I do it. And i'm not ashamed. For why should I be? The logic of tennis is to win points, and if I win a point- in any shape or form- I am one step closer to victory.

I would simply coin it competitiveness. Though reading on these forums it seems that it has its critics- some feel that it's an act of classlessness; that there's no need to cheer for a point that you haven't 'deserved'.

Do you cheer when your opponent hits a UE?

If winning is the only reason you're playing tennis, and your opponent has the same mindset, then I guess maybe it's fine.

Winning isn't the only reason I play, so I'm voting "no."

 

[darrinbaker00]

Never. But when some wanker does it to me, it motivates me tremendously.

Played a guy in a tournament the other day who was doing it to me. Squeaked through the first set in a tiebreak, but made him eat a breadstick in the second. Most satisfying win I've had in years.

 

[CaptainCool309]

If it's match point, and my opponent hits an unforced error, I'll probably give out a little victory cry and a couple fist pumps. But other than that, I never really "cheer" whenever my opponent hits an unforced error. I just breathe a sigh of relief and get on with trying to win the match.

 

[winstonlim8]

I don't cheer when my opponent makes an UE because I had nothing to do with winning it. And the only celebrating I'll do when I force an error or hit a winner is to turn around (so my opponent can't see) and tap my heart with my fist twice to remind myself to keep on believing.

But then I am an old-fashioned old fart and believe good sportsmanship does not include exulting over my opponent (unless he really ticks me off by cheating or with attempts at mind games - he's no longer an opponent then, but a piece of scum that needs to be put out of its misery.)

Mind you, I don't mind if my opponent needs to fist pump or "come on", when I make an unforced error, however. The way I see it, little people need that kind of little psychological lift to give me a good game, so that's fine by me.

It's more important to me what I do or can do to him - NOT what he needs to do to himself - before we shake hands and head for the locker room.

 

[Edburger]

Premise of thread, flawed.

Is not cheering the error. Is cheering opportunity created. Error, incidental. Point won, is point won.

People who take offence at this, very stupid.

 

[Maximagq]

In my League finals, my opponent hit a ball into the net on match point and then I took off my shirt after if that counts.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

In my League finals, my opponent hit a ball into the net on match point and then I took off my shirt after if that counts.

Weak, I go Hulk Hogan on my opponents

 

[-RF-]

In my League finals, my opponent hit a ball into the net on match point and then I took off my shirt after if that counts.

Janowicz would be proud

(Rome 2013)

 

[Dan Z]

Of course not. Turn away from the net and smile to yourself perhaps but outwardly showing your glee at someones UE is simply a sign of poor breeding.

 

[heninfan99]

Only return errors on my serve.

 

[MisterP]

I don't cheer ever. I don't understand the "Come on!" thing that I hear so often now. I guess people see it on TV and think that's what you're supposed to do when you win a point.

I prefer to stay emotionally even keeled. That means I don't get all excited when I hit a big winner or ace or win a long rally. But it also means I just move on to the next point when I miss a shot. Never too high. Never too low. It's kind of a zen thing.

 

[OrangePower]

Depends what you mean by "cheer"

If you mean make an audible sound or visible gesture, then no, I don't cheer on error. In fact I rarely cheer even on winners, unless it's a really big point and I am fired up. I cheer maybe once or twice a match on average.

But if I'm being honest, I do sometimes cheer on the inside after the opponent makes an error. Just a silent yes or cmon to myself.

 

[beernutz]

I think I'm doing the 'come on!' thing wrong because I only say it when I fudge-up, and it is really short for 'come on you dingleberry, get your head out of your *****!'.

 

[kevrol]

I'll celebrate it if it's a big or hard fought point.

 

[dlk]

I try to do it as quiet & unassuming as possible. But on the other hand, I often congratulate my opponents on their good shots.

I got one friend I play and he gets very angry if I fist pump or gently say "yes" when he misses. I can't help it, I usually save it for a game point or big comeback:shock:

 

[TennisCJC]

I will cheer if I hit a winner or force an error with a good shot, but I don't cheer if my opponent DFs or makes UE like missing a sitter.

 

[tennixpl]

define cheering?
sometimes glad yes but usually followed by a sigh of relief for not being good enough to force an error or hit a winner.

I don't care how competitive you are screaming C'mon (or the like) for a random UE is sad and actually shows how insecure you are about your own game and self.

 

[sovertennis]

It's bad form to cheer when you opponent makes an error. Try to show some dignity.

 

[Alchemy-Z]

I am super vocal during a friendly hit or practice with team mates.....smack talk...sayin BAM! when I hit a winner etc..poking fun at them missing easy shots and double faults- calling my shots like babe ruth "Okay I am returning this down the alley get ready"

during a real match- silent and emotionless like ivan lendl

 

[Brian11785]

I think I'm doing the 'come on!' thing wrong because I only say it when I fudge-up, and it is really short for 'come on you dingleberry, get your head out of your *****!'.

You beat me to it. I try (and sometimes fail) to keep both extremes pretty hidden, but there is a lot more audible self-loathing on the tennis court from me than there is audible self-congratulation.

I might do a subtle fist clench after winning a big point or a long rally (regardless of how the point is won), but that is about the extent of it.

 

[big_j_tennis]

Yes, but only if it's an important point at an important stage of the match.

 

[ednegroni]

Opponent is serving 5-4, you haven't broken him/her once and you finally get it when he/she double faults after a long game.

I don't have a problem with people celebrating, especially in doubles.

 

[winstonlim8]

Opponent is serving 5-4, you haven't broken him/her once and you finally get it when he/she double faults after a long game.

I don't have a problem with people celebrating, especially in doubles.

I am ashamed to admit I have often said, "Thank you, God," when that happens. I don't think I've ever said that loudly enough for my opponents to hear, though. Thank goodness for THAT at least.

 

[CurrenFan]

I am ashamed to admit I have often said, "Thank you, God," when that happens. I don't think I've ever said that loudly enough for my opponents to hear, though. Thank goodness for THAT at least.

Good thinking - an allegedly all-powerful deity has nothing better to do than see to it that you win a point if you work and pray hard enough.

=================

I never cheer unforced errors. It's completely classless and bad sportsmanship. People who celebrate unforced errors are self-absorbed dooshbags and the sort of individual that the rest of the people in the league avoid when making plans to go out for a beer afterwards.

Nadal will do more than minimal celebrating of an opponent's unforced errors and it's one of the many reasons I find him to be the most loathsome player in tennis.

Honestly, I don't really celebrate any points in most games. If we've just won a long rally with multiple good points, I might high-five my partner, but that's pretty rare. I'll compliment good shots by my partner or opponent, though.

 

[winstonlim8]

Good thinking - an allegedly all-powerful deity has nothing better to do than see to it that you win a point if you work and pray hard enough.

=================

I never cheer unforced errors. It's completely classless and bad sportsmanship. People who celebrate unforced errors are self-absorbed dooshbags and the sort of individual that the rest of the people in the league avoid when making plans to go out for a beer afterwards.

Nadal will do more than minimal celebrating of an opponent's unforced errors and it's one of the many reasons I find him to be the most loathsome player in tennis.

Honestly, I don't really celebrate any points in most games. If we've just won a long rally with multiple good points, I might high-five my partner, but that's pretty rare. I'll compliment good shots by my partner or opponent, though.

I don't thank God for my opponent's UE. I thank God because I didn't make an UE before my opponent did.

I am always talking to God. I'm always saying things like, "Please God let me win the lottery today," for example. Or (more usually), "Please God, let me find space in my tummy for one more piece of curried chicken."

 

[purple-n-gold]

Had to laugh at this guy's wife last night for doing this, we were playing a dubs match against him. You would think a doctor's wife at the country club would know some "proper etiquette" lol

 

[BigBlueYanks]

I'll celebrate it if it's a big or hard fought point.

This and if it's against an opponent(s) I know, I tell him/her thank you for dbl faults...lol

 

[EpitomeOfAwesome]

If it was an especially long point in a tense situation, I pump fist and yell "come on!". It's just a way for me to congratulate myself.

I wish I changed and would no longer do this, though. Almost 90% of my opponents don't.

 

[SpitFire]

I'll do it quietly and facing away from the opponent.
Let's be honest, it's rude. Would you want someone to openly do that to you?

 

[AtomicForehand]

OP must be an immigrant. That is the most un-British thing I've heard in a long time. Very dooshbaggy.

 

[bluegrass_stringer]

Looking at this as if you are cheering on a teammate....If it is a quick unforced error , then no. If it is a good point, then maybe. All depends on the situation. I had opponents teammates cheer when I double faulted at a crucial point. I got the last laugh saving 2 match points and winning

 

[wrxinsc]

i just yell f+(K you all the time. esp if we are both close to the net.

 

[SOY78]

One of my regular tennis partners/friends does this all the time, it ****es me off and I end up yelling at myself like good old Johnny Mac but I don't do that in return on his UE's.

 

[InspectorRacquet]

I never cheer unforced errors, because it doesn't feel like I won the point but rather the opponent lost the point. I also never cheer when I win a great point on a winner, either, because I'm just a generally boring and quiet person.

 

[thebluereverend]

I try not not show any emotion no matter what happens. That way if i hit a good shot it's sort of a, "yes I am destroying you no big deal" sort of thing. Dont see any reason to cheer an opponents errors either.

 

[navigator]

I acknowledge exceptional shots.

 

[Hi I'm Ray]

Since it says "HONESTY REQUIRED" in the thread title, I'll say I think its pretty lame/weak to cheer on UE's or dbl faults - it makes the guy look like he can't win his own points so his only chance to celebrate is when his opponent messes up on their own. lol

 

[LuckyR]

"Cheer" an UE? I will silently to myself but never out loud, that's hacker territory.

 

[lew750]

I generally acknowledge my opponent's good shots, not his bad shots, but I'll occasionally pump my fist or say, "yes!" or something like that when I win a big point, whether I won it or my opponent lost it. I guess technically I'm cheering a UE if that's what won it for me, but that's not my intent.

 

[epicondylitis]

Played a guy in 3.0 singles tournament in Los Angeles. Kept yelling Vamos! every time I dunked one in the net. He also ripped me on two crucial line calls that weren't close. Afterwards, it was determined that he was actually a 3.5 who had been playing leagues since 2011, and had created another USTA account so that he could play as a 3.0 in tournaments.

Coincidence? I think not.

 

[NTRPolice]

No. ****** move unless you're playing competitively. Never acceptable in the social environment, but I accept that people do it.

 

[eelhc]

Only when it results in a set or match win. Actually I'm not technically cheering the opponents error so much as celebrating the win.

 

[West Coast Ace]

Pro's screaming "COME ON!" are bad enough, ...

Maybe, maybe not. Many times the pros are yelling because they played great defense to stay in a point and were eventually able to get back to even and then the UE by the opponent ended the point. Which is totally different than some 4.0 hack yelling on the 4th shot in a rally.