Do you talk to opponents during a match/changeovers?

[TagUrIt]

Does anyone else choose NOT to talk to their opponent during the changeovers? I like to stay focused. I don’t want to come across as a jerk or anything, it just helps me to really stay dialed into the match.

This actually happened to me today. My opponent (nice guy and all) but wanted to talk and even joke around a bit.

In the third game of the match, I served an ace and he said LET. I gave him a second look and he said just kidding nice serve. After three games of this (2-1) in my favor, I said to him “I’m not trying to be rude, but I really can’t talk to you DURING the match”. He responded well and said he understood.

I won 6-3, 6-2, 7 aces and I immediately after the match told him I wasn’t trying to be a jerk or anything, it’s just my style of play and that I can’t focus if I’m distracted with conversation, etc. He responded by saying he would have talked more if he had known that.

I said yeah I would have just ignored ya.

 

[Shaolin]

Very heroic of you to overcome such a jerk.

The nerve of the guy to talk and distract your Zen state with his friendly banter!

 

[TagUrIt]

Very heroic of you to overcome such a jerk.

The nerve of the guy to talk and distract your Zen state with his friendly banter!

Everyone has their own way playing.

 

[Chadalina]

Does anyone else choose NOT to talk to their opponent during the changeovers? I like to stay focused. I don’t want to come across as a jerk or anything, it just helps me to really stay dialed into the match.

This actually happened to me today. My opponent (nice guy and all) but wanted to talk and even joke around a bit.

In the third game of the match, I served an ace and he said LET. I gave him a second look and he said just kidding nice serve. After three games of this (2-1) in my favor, I said to him “I’m not trying to be rude, but I really can’t talk to you DURING the match”. He responded well and said he understood.

I won 6-3, 6-2, 7 aces and I immediately after the match told him I wasn’t trying to be a jerk or anything, it’s just my style of play and that I can’t focus if I’m distracted with conversation, etc. He responded by saying he would have talked more if he had known that.

I said yeah I would have just ignored ya.

If im working on something or its a real match, i dont say a word.

 

[fjcamry]

If it’s a real match with someone I know yes . It’s it’s in a tournament then no


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Morch Us]

At some competitive levels, this is taught as a tactic. Essentially a skill you are missing if you "never" talk during a match.
When you don't want to change ANYTHING, no talk, no bathroom breaks... when you want to change something... talk/bathroom break/dealy .. anything to break through

But at friendly competitive levels or usta matches, these would be considered dirty.

Does anyone else choose NOT to talk to their opponent during the changeovers? I like to stay focused. I don’t want to come across as a jerk or anything, it just helps me to really stay dialed into the match.

 

[R1FF]

Does anyone else choose NOT to talk to their opponent during the changeovers? I like to stay focused. I don’t want to come across as a jerk or anything, it just helps me to really stay dialed into the match.

This actually happened to me today. My opponent (nice guy and all) but wanted to talk and even joke around a bit.

In the third game of the match, I served an ace and he said LET. I gave him a second look and he said just kidding nice serve. After three games of this (2-1) in my favor, I said to him “I’m not trying to be rude, but I really can’t talk to you DURING the match”. He responded well and said he understood.

I won 6-3, 6-2, 7 aces and I immediately after the match told him I wasn’t trying to be a jerk or anything, it’s just my style of play and that I can’t focus if I’m distracted with conversation, etc. He responded by saying he would have talked more if he had known that.

I said yeah I would have just ignored ya.

Im the same. Totally locked in.

Only recently have I begun to talk to my hitting partners on changovers and it not totally derail me. Im definitely better when focused. But sometimes during training, I want to discuss strategy & whatnot.

Im a much nicer person after the match LOL.

 

[tennis tom]

No talking during tournament matches--anything said could be taken at gamesamanship. If the score is 0-6, 0-5, and the outcome is a foregone conclusion, it could be OK. Generally save the chit-chat for the sidelines, vacate the court to allow the next match to come on. Yesterday at the club the lady's team chatted at the net post for a FULL 30 minutes of their hour and a half before hitting a single ball. The gents do the same at their weekend morning hit-up to get stock tips or audition for a job. Save the chit-chat for mini-tennis, someone might actually want the court for tennis--the bench is not a Starbucks--yet.

 

[Chalkdust]

I take my cue from my opponent. I'm a friendly guy and am fine with some chat during changeovers. It doesn't impact my focus at all.
But I realize that some people don't like it and if my opponent is staying quiet then I will as well.

I do think it's a valuable skill to be able to maintain focus despite any chat etc. There are always going to be distractions of various kinds on and around the court, some of which are outside a players ability to control. Being able to keep focus during points regardless of anything else going on is an advantage.

 

[ChaelAZ]

Well, I am kinda known as a talker, but not during matches for the most part. I don't mind talking a bit on changeovers, but not during match play. Friendly banter or quick comments aren't bad though.

 

[OnTheLine]

Well, I am kinda known as a talker, but not during matches for the most part. I don't mind talking a bit on changeovers, but not during match play. Friendly banter or quick comments aren't bad though.

I can attest to this. Although not a match situation, was incredibly impressed with how you can hold full conversations while hitting and not miss a shot.

On a little banter or a quick comment in a match ... I actually like that. It is like a pressure release valve.

 

[TagUrIt]

Let me chime in by saying I don’t engage in conversation with my opponent, but I have NO problem acknowledging a good shot. I’ll say “good ball”, give them a racquet clap or a thumbs up.

 

[ChaelAZ]

I can attest to this. Although not a match situation, was incredibly impressed with how you can hold full conversations while hitting and not miss a shot.

lol. Some people develop their tennis skills and hone their competitvemess to reach amazing recreational levels. Me...I've mastered rally ball talking.

 

[Holdfast44ID]

I have heard "Great winner down the line! Let's see if you can do it again!" At a tiebreak changeover "Just three more points and I win the match." Pissed me off so I won the next three points and the match.

I wonder why the pros don't talk and play some mind games? I mean, is it against the rules? Hell, they do it in most other professional sports.

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[R1FF]

lol. Some people develop their tennis skills and hone their competitvemess to reach amazing recreational levels. Me...I've mastered rally ball talking.

I can rally ball talk, drives most people nuts.

I cant match talk tho. Not even during a changeover.

 

[Matthew ATX]

I leave it up to them. If they wanna talk, I'll talk. If they just want to play, that's fine too. I couldn't care less.

 

[zipplock]

Does anyone else choose NOT to talk to their opponent during the changeovers? I like to stay focused. I don’t want to come across as a jerk or anything, it just helps me to really stay dialed into the match.

This actually happened to me today. My opponent (nice guy and all) but wanted to talk and even joke around a bit.

In the third game of the match, I served an ace and he said LET. I gave him a second look and he said just kidding nice serve. After three games of this (2-1) in my favor, I said to him “I’m not trying to be rude, but I really can’t talk to you DURING the match”. He responded well and said he understood.

I won 6-3, 6-2, 7 aces and I immediately after the match told him I wasn’t trying to be a jerk or anything, it’s just my style of play and that I can’t focus if I’m distracted with conversation, etc. He responded by saying he would have talked more if he had known that.

I said yeah I would have just ignored ya.

Don't have to become BFF, but I'd consider no engagement rude. One can be friendly AND maintain focus.

 

[JW10S]

I remember playing an Open prize money event and when my opponent and I walked onto the court I went over to a bench on one side of the umpire's stand and I was surprised when my opponent came over to the same bench and sat down next to me. There was a little friendly chit-chat while we got our gear organized. Once the match started my opponent started on every change over to ask me question after question--'what's your arrangement at your club?', 'have you ever played so-and-so?', 'what other tournaments are you playing?' and on and on. I don't believe it was any sort of gamesmanship or anything--he was just a talker. But after a while it did get tiresome and at one point towards the end of the 1st set during a change over I picked up my gear and said 'I going to move over here (the other bench) and after the match we'll go get a beer and I'll tell anything you want to know'. There was still a little interaction across the net and the match was played in good spirit. Afterward we had that beer and had a good conversation. I mentioned to him that I had never before had an opponent come sit next to me in a tournament match and he said 'most people move way before you did'. I don't need complete silence to play and don't mind some friendly interaction but everyone has a limit and that was the time I was pushed to mine but I also feel having NO interaction with my opponent would be almost as weird because it's all about having fun.

 

[Max G.]

I wonder why the pros don't talk and play some mind games? I mean, is it against the rules? Hell, they do it in most other professional sports.

My guess is: probably poor risk-reward for those sort of mindgames during real matches.

Probably you won't mess up your opponent, because at the pro level everyone's got some skill at blocking out distractions once they step up to the line. And you might distract yourself more than them if you're unlucky.

It might **** off the chair umpire to see you doing that sort of gamesmanship. I don't know whether it's a code violation or not, but there's definitely a risk that a chair umpire is gonna call you for some other code violation a bit more strictly if you're being a jerk.

And at the end of the day, if you do that you're going to be known on tour as a jerk to other players. And these are the guys you're traveling with and practicing with all the time. It's gonna come back and bite you if you can't get practice partners or doubles partners.

Sure, you can get away with that sort of stuff if you're so good it doesn't matter. Connors or McEnroe can vault into the top 10 on pure talent and then give everyone the finger. But people who aren't ATG-level talent won't get away with that sort of nonsense as well.

Now, during PRACTICE matches, I bet there's pros that heckle each other to hell and back!

 

[R1FF]

My guess is: probably poor risk-reward for those sort of mindgames during real matches.

Probably you won't mess up your opponent, because at the pro level everyone's got some skill at blocking out distractions once they step up to the line. And you might distract yourself more than them if you're unlucky.

It might **** off the chair umpire to see you doing that sort of gamesmanship. I don't know whether it's a code violation or not, but there's definitely a risk that a chair umpire is gonna call you for some other code violation a bit more strictly if you're being a jerk.

And at the end of the day, if you do that you're going to be known on tour as a jerk to other players. And these are the guys you're traveling with and practicing with all the time. It's gonna come back and bite you if you can't get practice partners or doubles partners.

Sure, you can get away with that sort of stuff if you're so good it doesn't matter. Connors or McEnroe can vault into the top 10 on pure talent and then give everyone the finger. But people who aren't ATG-level talent won't get away with that sort of nonsense as well.

Now, during PRACTICE matches, I bet there's pros that heckle each other to hell and back!

Yep. I agree with this. As someone who is quite good at trash talk & mind games (basketball, monopoly, poker table) I just dont see the juice being worth the squeeze in tennis. I wouldnt do it while pitching in baseball either. Certain activities require you to be in your own head too much to be trying to get in the heads of others imo.

 

[tennis tom]

I wonder why the pros don't talk and play some mind games? I mean, is it against the rules? Hell, they do it in most other professional sports.

Kwazy Nicky Kyigos talks--ask Wawrinka about his gf and Kokanakis.

 

[TagUrIt]

Did anyone ever consider that for those players that do like to talk during matches it’s an advantage to the non-talking player? The chatty player is thrown off their game because there’s no communication. It can go both ways, at the end of the day do what works best for you.

I know there’s no ATP trophy/prize for me at the end of my matches, but I still choose to not engage in conversation until after the match. If my opponent or people on the board think it’s jerk-like behavior, that’s their problem.

 

[Chalkdust]

Yep. I agree with this. As someone who is quite good at trash talk & mind games (basketball, monopoly, poker table) I just dont see the juice being worth the squeeze in tennis. I wouldnt do it while pitching in baseball either. Certain activities require you to be in your own head too much to be trying to get in the heads of others imo.

Mind games in monopoly? Trying to picture that and coming up blank...

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Mind games in monopoly? Trying to picture that and coming up blank...

"Remember the last time you bought Marvin Gardens? You went bankrupt 4 turns later!" [from someone who wants the Yellows]

"You and your weak-*** Railroads." [to someone with an affinity for the iron horse]

Just be creative; you'll come up with something.

 

[R1FF]

Mind games in monopoly? Trying to picture that and coming up blank...

So how do you play? Just roll the dice and let luck decide your fate?

It’s all about wheeling & dealing. And breaking down your opponents. Turning others against each other. Etc.

During family get togethers, we do game nights. Monopoly is a 3-4 hour marathon. If you dont make deals & trade assets, you’re dead in the water. Nobody wins by just letting the dice decide their fate.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

So how do you play? Just roll the dice and let luck decide your fate?

It’s all about wheeling & dealing. And breaking down your opponents. Turning others against each other. Etc.

During family get togethers, we do game nights. Monopoly is a 3-4 hour marathon. If you dont make deals & trade assets, you’re dead in the water. Nobody wins by just letting the dice decide their fate.

Reminds me of the epic arguments we got into playing Risk. Friends would stop talking to each other temporarily. Ah, those were the days.

 

[R1FF]

Reminds me of the epic arguments we got into playing Risk. Friends would stop talking to each other temporarily. Ah, those were the days.

It’s a shame that other forms of entertainment have replaced weekly family game night in American culture. Kids are missing out imo. The arguing & banter was part of the fun.

 

[OnTheLine]

It’s a shame that other forms of entertainment have replaced weekly family game night in American culture. Kids are missing out imo. The arguing & banter was part of the fun.

LOL We are a game playing family. And we are cut throat.

We have moved on from Monopoly/Risk and the like to Settlers of Catan and all of the newer high-strategy games. We probably have over 30 games and expansion sets.

Also a lot of bridge and card games.

You know it is going to be a bad night when your husband and daughter decide to join forces to destroy you.

 

[denoted]

Didn't Wawrinka win that match with Kyrgios when he (Kyrgios) said the rude things handily?

 

[R1FF]

LOL We are a game playing family. And we are cut throat.

We have moved on from Monopoly/Risk and the like to Settlers of Catan and all of the newer high-strategy games. We probably have over 30 games and expansion sets.

Also a lot of bridge and card games.

You know it is going to be a bad night when your husband and daughter decide to join forces to destroy you.

I hate Catan. The way that game is designed it is impossible to get knocked out too early.

Monopoly is far more capitalistic, and thus my cup of tea.

 

[Chalkdust]

So how do you play? Just roll the dice and let luck decide your fate?

It’s all about wheeling & dealing. And breaking down your opponents. Turning others against each other. Etc.

During family get togethers, we do game nights. Monopoly is a 3-4 hour marathon. If you dont make deals & trade assets, you’re dead in the water. Nobody wins by just letting the dice decide their fate.

I rarely play monopoly; just at gatherings of family or friends where we want a game that the kids can play as well. The strategy is usually to play nice and let the kids have fun. But next time I will instead try to break them down and turn them against each other

 

[Chalkdust]

Reminds me of the epic arguments we got into playing Risk. Friends would stop talking to each other temporarily. Ah, those were the days.

Risk can be fun but not that much strategy. If you really want to see a group of friends disintegrate into a paranoid bunch of back stabbers, try Diplomacy!

 

[chatt_town]

Does anyone else choose NOT to talk to their opponent during the changeovers? I like to stay focused. I don’t want to come across as a jerk or anything, it just helps me to really stay dialed into the match.

This actually happened to me today. My opponent (nice guy and all) but wanted to talk and even joke around a bit.

In the third game of the match, I served an ace and he said LET. I gave him a second look and he said just kidding nice serve. After three games of this (2-1) in my favor, I said to him “I’m not trying to be rude, but I really can’t talk to you DURING the match”. He responded well and said he understood.

I won 6-3, 6-2, 7 aces and I immediately after the match told him I wasn’t trying to be a jerk or anything, it’s just my style of play and that I can’t focus if I’m distracted with conversation, etc. He responded by saying he would have talked more if he had known that.

I said yeah I would have just ignored ya.

At this point, it's more about connections I can make. I've won enough to the point if I don't win another match, I'll be fine(that's a lie...I lost like 3 straight single matches and about blew a gasguet).lol Seriously it's not that serious to me, but it doesn't distract me. I can do it either way. I've picked up a couple of customers with both of my lines of work so it's more important to me to pick up business than win a relatively meaningless match. I've been in City Finals, State Finals and Sectional finals where I did want to concentrate more.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I lost like 3 straight single matches and about blew a gasguet).

Was that intentional? Because it was a great one!

 

[tennis tom]

With a name like Chatt_town, I'd think you'd be on the chatty side.

 

[chatt_town]

With a name like Chatt_town, I'd think you'd be on the chatty side.

I am brother. I mean at the end of the day...How many people care about some match I won in Natchez Ms this past weekend. lol It's not that serious... I was there trying to run up on some business more than I was to play tennis. lol

 

[MRfStop]

I played a guy yesterday that said “good shot” or “good try” on every point

 

[TagUrIt]

I played a guy yesterday that said “good shot” or “good try” on every point

Could have been a tactic or could have been sincere. Either way that’s annoying. Did you win the match?

 

[tennis tom]

I played a guy yesterday that said “good shot” or “good try” on every point

Apparently, you really impressed him! Was he sincere or trying to get in your head? There's a lot of people out there with marginal borderline personality disorders.

 

[Johnr]

I played a guy yesterday that said “good shot” or “good try” on every point

That’s a bit much. But in general people who complain about opponents talking need to lighten up. It’s just a rec tennis game and if you are so easily thrown off by some cordial chit chat you are mentally weak.

 

[MRfStop]

Apparently you really impressed him! Was he sincere or trying to get in your head? There's a lot of people out there with marginal borderline personality disorders.

He was sincere...and it didn’t bother me.

 

[MRfStop]

Could have been a tactic or could have been sincere. Either way that’s annoying. Did you win the match?

I lost 0-1

 

[tennis tom]

I lost 0-1

Condolences.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

There's a lot of people out there with marginal borderline personality disorders.

As opposed to the rest of us with definite personality disorders.

 

[tennis tom]

As opposed to the rest of us with definite personality disorders.

As long as you bring a new can of balls along with your two rackets tucked under your arm, you're sane enough for gov work.

 

[dgold44]

Does anyone else choose NOT to talk to their opponent during the changeovers? I like to stay focused. I don’t want to come across as a jerk or anything, it just helps me to really stay dialed into the match.

This actually happened to me today. My opponent (nice guy and all) but wanted to talk and even joke around a bit.

In the third game of the match, I served an ace and he said LET. I gave him a second look and he said just kidding nice serve. After three games of this (2-1) in my favor, I said to him “I’m not trying to be rude, but I really can’t talk to you DURING the match”. He responded well and said he understood.

I won 6-3, 6-2, 7 aces and I immediately after the match told him I wasn’t trying to be a jerk or anything, it’s just my style of play and that I can’t focus if I’m distracted with conversation, etc. He responded by saying he would have talked more if he had known that.

I said yeah I would have just ignored ya.

When I played I often did if I liked the guy and thought I would win
I would say great shots or you are tough

 

[Bigfoot Fault]

If I were playing in my normal 3.5 rec level tennis league and my opponent told me he couldn't talk at all because he needs total concentration to be able to hang with my terrible game... that would be hilarious.

 

[TagUrIt]

When I played I often did if I liked the guy and thought I would win
I would say great shots or you are tough

Just because I don’t talk during the changeovers, doesn’t mean I won’t acknowledge a good shot. I have no problem giving a racquet clap, saying nice shot or thumbs up.

It’s interesting we all (most of us) want to play like the pros, but did you notice they don’t shake hands until the end of the match and they certainly don’t talk to each other during changeovers. I’m not saying for two seconds I’m a professional, but I’m competitive and I like to win! (not at all costs) I really don’t see anything with staying in the zone during a match.

I’m referring to USTA matches btw, those matches actually do count for something. If it’s just social tennis, we can chat across the court the whole match for all I care.

 

[R1FF]

Just because I don’t talk during the changeovers, doesn’t mean I won’t acknowledge a good shot. I have no problem giving a racquet clap, saying nice shot or thumbs up.

It’s interesting we all (most of us) want to play like the pros, but did you notice they don’t shake hands until the end of the match and they certainly don’t talk to each other during changeovers. I’m not saying for two seconds I’m a professional, but I’m competitive and I like to win! (not at all costs) I really don’t see anything with staying in the zone during a match.

I’m referring to USTA matches btw, those matches actually do count for something. If it’s just social tennis, we can chat across the court the whole match for all I care.

Well said.

 

[Bluefan75]

Just because I don’t talk during the changeovers, doesn’t mean I won’t acknowledge a good shot. I have no problem giving a racquet clap, saying nice shot or thumbs up.

It’s interesting we all (most of us) want to play like the pros, but did you notice they don’t shake hands until the end of the match and they certainly don’t talk to each other during changeovers. I’m not saying for two seconds I’m a professional, but I’m competitive and I like to win! (not at all costs) I really don’t see anything with staying in the zone during a match.

I’m referring to USTA matches btw, those matches actually do count for something. If it’s just social tennis, we can chat across the court the whole match for all I care.

Yeah what is with not shaking hands before a match?