Doubles opponent hugging the net and complaining about getting hit

[GodlessEndeavor]

In social doubles play, I was at the baseline and did a desperation backhand slice in response to a strong shot. This happened to hit (or almost hit, not sure) an opponent who likes to hug the net and smash volleys hard from there - I think he gets a lot of points this way.

At this moment he complained that this was a "borderline illegal shot" or something like that. Apparently I'd already almost hit him a few other times (which I didn't even realise). I apologised and said I'm not good enough to aim at him even if I wanted to. I'm not sure he was satisfied with my response but I didn't know what else to say.

I understand that hitting opponents from close up (say if both of you are at the net) is definitely poor etiquette as it could hurt someone, but is there really grounds to complain if a shot from the baseline hits you when you're almost hugging the net?

 

[thelimfactor]

No- is the answer to your question. You are totally in the right.

If he's right up at the net, he needs to be aware of the risks...even if on a different point you both were at the net.

Is he a real whinger and sour in general? I've come across players like this. Usually they are less skilled players trying to draw your concentration off your game. Pathetic.

 

[GodlessEndeavor]

No- is the answer to your question. You are totally in the right.

If he's right up at the net, he needs to be aware of the risks...even if on a different point you both were at the net.

Is he a real whinger and sour in general? I've come across players like this. Usually they are less skilled players trying to draw your concentration off your game. Pathetic.

Thank you. That's what I thought but I wanted to double check.

I haven't noticed him being sour in general, he seems fine but I'm pretty new to this club so I wouldn't know. Most people are really nice there.

 

[Jono123]

Well a backhand slice is probably one of the slowest ground stroke in tennis. If the old codger cant get out the way he should stand further back.

 

[GodlessEndeavor]

Well a backhand slice is probably one of the slowest ground stroke in tennis. If the old codger cant get out the way he should stand further back.

I think it went with quite a bit of pace since I was reflecting the opponent's shot's pace

 

[Pass750]

They want to hug the net they need to deal with any consequences. Now if you got a sitter, they were prone and you hit them from close range that’s a different story, but your situation is exact opposite. And if they are so slow they get hit by a backhand slice from baseline they shouldn’t be at net.

 

[jimmy8]

Did the center of the ball hit the center of his eye going at 140 mph?

 

[GodlessEndeavor]

Did the center of the ball hit the center of his eye going at 140 mph?

Lol no, if anything it hit his torso.

 

[jimmy8]

Lol no, if anything it hit his torso.

You need better aim then.

 

[am1899]

Part of the game. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

 

[Connor35]

Well a backhand slice is probably one of the slowest ground stroke in tennis. If the old codger cant get out the way he should stand further back.

That was my thought.

If a guy is hugging the net, my first 2nd serve return of the game is a smoked forehand right at him. Just to let him know that if he's going to be there, I'm going to challenge him.

A (1) backhand (2) slice (3) from the baseline is literally the combination of the 3 slowest shots you can hit without lobbing it.

You'd have been in your right to say "If you can't handle a backhand slice from 39 feet maybe you should back up." And I'm not a jerk on court, but seriously if a guy complained about that, I may have said that.

But the simple fact is, the only time its NOT ok to aim at someone is if they've conceded the point. For example if you have an overhead slam right at the net and they turn their back. Hitting at them isn't cool. if they're facing you, ready to return, you can hit WHEREVER you want as HARD as you want.

 

[mikej]

Did the center of the ball hit the center of his eye going at 140 mph?

Yep, if this happens, apologize

But 130 mph and hits orbital rim = occupational hazard, tell him to suck it up

 

[tennis3]

It's a great doubles tactic at club level. Stand right on the net and slam away all of the easy sitters. Any hard shot hit near you is "illegal" because you can't go at another player.

It's brilliant really.

 

[jimmy8]

Yep, if this happens, apologize

But 130 mph and hits orbital rim = occupational hazard, tell him to suck it up

130 mph and hits orbital rim means sharpen your aim and beef up your weak sauce power.

 

[Connor35]

It's a great doubles tactic at club level. Stand right on the net and slam away all of the easy sitters. Any hard shot hit near you is "illegal" because you can't go at another player.

It's brilliant really.

And if you move into the line of the ball, but screw up the volley invoke this rule too.
It's also totally illegal to hit where I *might* be.

 

[Lord Of The Strings]

lol. it's a tennis ball. worst case scenario for a torso shot at club level is a bruise.

Honestly, him saying would just make me hit it at his head next time.

 

[nyta2]

Lendl has not made friends with his policy of drilling players near the net. He hit Vitas Gerulaitis in the forehead in the last Masters, after Gerulaitis had won the first two sets. Then, in perhaps the best comeback of his career, Lendl won the next three sets. His theory about drilling people is, ''I did not invite anybody to the net.''

Lendl Feels The Fury (Published 1982)

www.nytimes.com

***

I had a similar story... except i was doing it intentionally... not to injure, but because that the easiest way to win points...
years ago i was in a PUG at a public park... some 60-70y olds asked me to fill in their doubles match, like 3.5 level
i was paired with the weakest player (who they picked on incessantly)... and i wanted to win... so i was really active at net (being the youngest and most agile of them all)...
so everything i poached was aimed at the feet of the net person... the ball was moving so slow that there was zero chance i'd accidently hit them higher than his waist... almost always bounced before them...
after a while, he accused me of trying to hit him... even threatening to swing at me....
i ended up leaving the game...
fast forward a few weeks, he sees me again at the park, approaches me, and apologizes,... turns out his friends talked to/educated him and said that it's just part of the game...
moral: most folks think that it's everyone else's responsibility to work around them... IMO kinda a universal truth for most, as evidenced by the way people drive, walk on nyc sidewalks (3 abreast), etc...

 

[struggle]

NO ONE is forcing anyone/opponent to stand at or on top of the net.

End of story.

 

[Purestriker]

In social doubles play, I was at the baseline and did a desperation backhand slice in response to a strong shot. This happened to hit (or almost hit, not sure) an opponent who likes to hug the net and smash volleys hard from there - I think he gets a lot of points this way.

At this moment he complained that this was a "borderline illegal shot" or something like that. Apparently I'd already almost hit him a few other times (which I didn't even realise). I apologised and said I'm not good enough to aim at him even if I wanted to. I'm not sure he was satisfied with my response but I didn't know what else to say.

I understand that hitting opponents from close up (say if both of you are at the net) is definitely poor etiquette as it could hurt someone, but is there really grounds to complain if a shot from the baseline hits you when you're almost hugging the net?

I would find another social group to play with.

 

[Purestriker]

lol. it's a tennis ball. worst case scenario for a torso shot at club level is a bruise.

Honestly, him saying would just make me hit it at his head next time.

Worse case scenario is a shot in the eye that can have serious damage. That said, the player can move back from the net. It's on them.

 

[Connor35]

Worse case scenario is a shot in the eye that can have serious damage. That said, the player can move back from the net. It's on them.

That's my take. Anyplace except the eye and I don't care. And I live at the net and get hit all the time.

When someone hits near me and apologizes, I say "I prefer you hit it at me! I have a chance to return it if you hit it AT me."

 

[tennis3]

Worse case scenario is a shot in the eye that can have serious damage. That said, the player can move back from the net. It's on them.

 

[Roforot]

It's also irritating when they do this in a tennis clinic to receive a feed for a drill and smash or angle it off.

 

[Lord Of The Strings]

Worse case scenario is a shot in the eye that can have serious damage. That said, the player can move back from the net. It's on them.

so let's ignore that i qualified it with "worst case for a torso shot" (since that's what this guy was complaining about)...but cool.

Doesn't matter regardless. If you play tennis and you're at the net, you can't possibly be upset when the ball comes at you. If someone is afraid to get hit with a tennis ball, then maybe sports aren't their thing.

 

[Purestriker]

so let's ignore that i qualified it with "worst case for a torso shot" (since that's what this guy was complaining about)...but cool.

Doesn't matter regardless. If you play tennis and you're at the net, you can't possibly be upset when the ball comes at you. If someone is afraid to get hit with a tennis ball, then maybe sports aren't their thing.

Your qualifier was not all that clear that you referring to that specific instance. I do know someone that had to have surgery from taking a ripped forehand to the eye. Had serious cornea damage.

 

[mikej]

Your qualifier was not all that clear that you referring to that specific instance. I do know someone that had to have surgery from taking a ripped forehand to the eye. Had serious cornea damage.

Have myself broken someone’s thumb in several places with a body shot - thumb of off hand on a backhand volley got smashed between the ball and the throat of the racquet - obviously not intentional but yeah tennis like any other sport has its (rare) risks

 

[norcal]

Part of the game. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

Alternatively if you can't take the tennis heat, play pickleball and get IN the kitchen!

 

[Ronaldo]

Did the center of the ball hit the center of his eye going at 140 mph?

His other eye glass?

 

[Ronaldo]

Worse case scenario is a shot in the eye that can have serious damage. That said, the player can move back from the net. It's on them.

Recall a foul tip from the racquet hitting a player in the eye. Partner hit in the grill with her own racquet. Swung on a half-volley. Looked at me and asked "Is It Bad?" I was speechless

 

[stapletonj]

Was about to recite the Lendl quote when somebody beat me to it!

 

[Connor35]

I took a hard forehand 2nd serve return off the collar bone tonight.

Said good shot and moved on.

 

[Purestriker]

Recall a foul tip from the racquet hitting a player in the eye. Partner hit in the grill with her own racquet. Swung on a half-volley. Looked at me and asked "Is It Bad?" I was speechless

Ouch. That’s brutal.

 

[mauricem]

Worse case scenario is a shot in the eye that can have serious damage.

Getting hit in the genitals is not much fun either. A mate got hit squarely from a full blooded drive volley from about 4 meters away and it was over a week before the swelling went down (I took his word for that) and several days before he could walk normally and return to work. Who was the aggressor? A female acquaintance of his who he was at the time in a dispute with.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Clearly not an issue, basic volley practice is hitting directly at someone from the baseline.

 

[Ronaldo]

Ouch. That’s brutal.

Forgot the last statement, "I'm Glad that I'm Married" Never saw her agin. Broke up before a match. Recall My partner left me stranded in Indy after losing our first match. We were undefeated till USTA Sectionals

 

[Ronaldo]

Getting hit in the genitals is not much fun either. A mate got hit squarely from a full blooded drive volley from about 4 meters away and it was over a week before the swelling went down (I took his word for that) and several days before he could walk normally and return to work. Who was the aggressor? A female acquaintance of his who he was at the time in a dispute with.

Thanks for the memory,

 

[Dartagnan64]

I have a simple rule: Any shot that would have landed in the court is fair. If your BH slice was going to land in the court, then it's a legal and frankly encouraged shot to make.

Head hunting can only be ascribed to people that hammer balls at the net person with no intent of the ball being able to land in the court. I've experienced a few of those guys who hit those slappy flat FH lasers from NML and whiz by your ear before hitting the back fence. That's head hunting and should get a few choice words if it continues.

 

[nyta2]

I have a simple rule: Any shot that would have landed in the court is fair. If your BH slice was going to land in the court, then it's a legal and frankly encouraged shot to make.

Head hunting can only be ascribed to people that hammer balls at the net person with no intent of the ball being able to land in the court. I've experienced a few of those guys who hit those slappy flat FH lasers from NML and whiz by your ear before hitting the back fence. That's head hunting and should get a few choice words if it continues.

i shank my overheads into the back fence, more often than i like to admit... don't intend to hurt anyone, and usually don't hit anyone when i do, but it happens... and definitely happens alot more at the intermediate/beginner levels.
"fh lasers from NML"... when i'm playing good doubles players, or when i'm playing well at net,... i am absolutely hitting&getting balls hit at me at full RIP, aimed usually/ideally at my right hip.... sometimes it goes higher than I or my partner want...
if you're not comfortable getting those shots at you, accidental or otherwise, DO NOT COME TO NET.

that said, if it's a social game, or if net person is not very good, and clearly can't defend/protect themselves, i won't go at them when i get a sitter... but if they are actively poaching at net (as they should be IF they were good at net), they need to expect to get hit from time to time.

when i'm playing folks that are hitting a bit faster than i'm used to or if my partner's serve sucks and i'm constantly getting hit... i move back.

side note i've been hit plenty of times... usually in the posterior chain (back, hamstrings, calves) as i turn away... .had my glasses knocked off (glancing blow from racquet), and have been hit clean in the back of the head off a rec-level overhead... stung (but compared to getting hit in the head pointblank&knocked out by a soccerball while in goal... no comparision)

 

[Roforot]

I seecollege players hug the net in dubs where the returns are fast enough to hurt if you get zinged. fortunately most amateurs dont have that level of pace. as for a jock strap, the only time I saw someone take a shot there was when he jumped out perhaps reacting to the bang of the return. If he had stayed down it probably would have deflected of his racquet or chest.

 

[Cage Rattler]

In our local leagues have played against a couple of Slam doubles champs. Invariably in the first return or so they hit hard straight at you at the net to see the quality of your volley.

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

In our local leagues have played against a couple of Slam doubles champs. Invariably in the first return or so they hit hard straight at you at the net to see the quality of your volley.

Yes. That's what I was gonna ask OP. Is he any good? If not, he should back off.

 

[nyta2]

In our local leagues have played against a couple of Slam doubles champs. Invariably in the first return or so they hit hard straight at you at the net to see the quality of your volley.

same, i always test, especially when given an early (usually second) serve sitter.

 

[Ronaldo]

same, i always test, especially when given an early (usually second) serve sitter.

Vlad the Impaler, eh?

 

[Gemini]

Whether it was a slice or not, you have the right to send the next shot back however you see fit. Not your problem that he's so close to the net that it gives him no time to react. If it's unintentional (even it was intentional once), I'd say move on.

 

[chic]

As others have said, fair game to go at him with a drive, let alone a block.

The one spot where I think he may have a valid point is if there is a huge age differential. When I join a social doubles that's 60+ and I'm 29 I try very hard to not go at the netman unless I'm in full control.'
I'm a natural big hitter so I'm actually concerned about hurting someone (although there's probably more risk of them flinching and falling than actual damage from the ball.)
I think it's valid to say there should be social norms differences when you're much fitter than the opponent and it's not a league/ladder/etc competitive format.
Besides which, a lot of that crowd grew up playing s&v and respect a good pass.

But even in that case of age mismatch they shouldn't be haranguing you about it. If anything just pulling you to the side and saying, hey good shot but you're a little quicker/stronger than we're accustom to in this group and would appreciate if you don't send faster shots at the net guys.
They gotta butter you up a little though not be a**holes about it.

 

[Bambooman]

There's a reason the term body serve is used. It applies to all shots.

 

[EggSalad]

LOL at getting hit at the net by a backhand slice from the baseline.

 

[nyta2]

Vlad the Impaler, eh?

nyta2-the-tester?

 

[nyta2]

...even in that case of age....

i'm playing ex-atp guys in their 60's, they are crushing balls at me at net... and definitely can handle anything i can throw at them from just inside the baseline
not necessarily an age thing ;P

 

[chic]

i'm playing ex-atp guys in their 60's, they are crushing balls at me at net... and definitely can handle anything i can throw at them from just inside the baseline
not necessarily an age thing ;P

Oh yeah, and I've hit with plenty of older guys who would never worry about taking one to the chest or arm.

But, if it's social tennis, read the room lol