Doubles question

[hhascup]

Maybe someone can answer this for me:

When playing doubles, our opponent hit the ball into the net then my racquet touched the net after the ball had already hit the net and the point was over. Who wins the point?

 

[oldguysrule]

You do........

 

[Rickson]

Maybe someone can answer this for me:

When playing doubles, our opponent hit the ball into the net then my racquet touched the net after the ball had already hit the net and the point was over. Who wins the point?

I offered this question as trivia a long time ago and this is the answer. You win the point if you touch the net after the ball hits the net and the ground, but you lose the point if you touched the net and the ball didn't hit the ground yet. The ball isn't considered dead until it bounces twice or if the ball hits the net and doesn't reach the ground because through some miraculous wind, the ball could possibly go over the net.

 

[hhascup]

That's what I thought!

Thanks a lot!

 

[papa]

I offered this question as trivia a long time ago and this is the answer. You win the point if you touch the net after the ball hits the net and the ground, but you lose the point if you touched the net and the ball didn't hit the ground yet. The ball isn't considered dead until it bounces twice or if the ball hits the net and doesn't reach the ground because through some miraculous wind, the ball could possibly go over the net.

This isn't exactly correct because, for example, the ball can/does occasionally get lodged in the net strap, the net itself or in the curl at the base of the net. In other words, the ball doesn't have to touch the actual surface. If your opponent hits the ball and it strikes the net the point is over when the ball has bounced just once back on his side on his side, except in the cases mentioned above (there are others) where it doesn't have to bounce even once.

The ball also does not have to bounce twice on your side of the net either for the point to be over - examples are overheads/shots that either go out of the court, get lodged in the fencing, hit any fixed object, etc.

I know Rickson know all this but just trying to prevent others from getting the wrong impression of his answer.

 

[Rickson]

This isn't exactly correct because, for example, the ball can/does occasionally get lodged in the net strap, the net itself or in the curl at the base of the net. In other words, the ball doesn't have to touch the actual surface. If your opponent hits the ball and it strikes the net the point is over when the ball has bounced just once back on his side on his side, except in the cases mentioned above (there are others) where it doesn't have to bounce even once.

The ball also does not have to bounce twice on your side of the net either for the point to be over - examples are overheads/shots that either go out of the court, get lodged in the fencing, hit any fixed object, etc.

I know Rickson know all this but just trying to prevent others from getting the wrong impression of his answer.

Hmm, interesting point. Now what if the ball gets lodged into the net and the opponent who touches the net releases the ball? What if all this happens in a split second? I believe there should be a 2 second rule to make sure the ball is actually stuck in the net.

 

[papa]

Hmm, interesting point. Now what if the ball gets lodged into the net and the opponent who touches the net releases the ball? What if all this happens in a split second? I believe there should be a 2 second rule to make sure the ball is actually stuck in the net.

Well, this has to be a judgement call - whichever happened first. The ball either became lodged into the net or the opponent touched it - one or the other. I surpose it could happen like you suggested, now that I think about it but I've never seen anything that comes that close to what your talking about - but it "could" happen.

Two second rule sounds good but you can imagine the problems - I think we have enough time considerations without adding another. Can't you just see everyone counting, one-thousand one, one-thousand two.

 

[Rickson]

So the bottom line is don't touch the net at all until you're certain the ball is dead!

 

[bhaskart]

What does this have to do with doubles?

 

[papa]

What does this have to do with doubles?

Because the chances of touching the net are far greater in doubles than singles if for not other reason than your generally playing closer to the net and there is twice as many people in the game.

 

[papa]

So the bottom line is don't touch the net at all until you're certain the ball is dead!

I think thats good advice. Kinda like (but not really) those that like to "catch" the ball "knowing" that its going out. I tell people to treat the net like its an electric fence - just get in the habit of staying away from it. There isn't any reason to be touching the net with your hand or racquet and in the long run it will cost you. Incidently, as most of you know, a flying racquet, even if you didn't mean it, into the net will cost you also.

 

[simi]

...Incidently, as most of you know, a flying racquet, even if you didn't mean it, into the net will cost you also.

But, apparently, it is okay to throw your racket over and across the net in front of your opponent as he is about to hit an overhead smash, in an effort to distract him.

 

[papa]

But, apparently, it is okay to throw your racket over and across the net in front of your opponent as he is about to hit an overhead smash, in an effort to distract him.

Of course not - where did I say that?

If the racquet comes out of your hand(s) and touches the net, at any time, during play, you lose the point. At no time can you toss your racquet over the net during play - it would be the same thing as walking to the other side during the play of a point -- you lose the point.

 

[dmastous]

Of course not - where did I say that?

If the racquet comes out of your hand(s) and touches the net, at any time, during play, you lose the point. At no time can you toss your racquet over the net during play - it would be the same thing as walking to the other side during the play of a point -- you lose the point.

Good point by Simi.
I think he was referring to Kiefer's racquet toss at the Australian. I don't think it was ment to cap on you.

 

[papa]

Good point by Simi.
I think he was referring to Kiefer's racquet toss at the Australian. I don't think it was ment to cap on you.

OK, sorry didn't see Kiefer do that but he does seem to have some problems. Seen him play quite recently and one minute he's fine and then you hear that he has exploded. Think he's gone through quite a few coaches - like maybe four or five in so many years. Fine player and quite interesting to watch because he's a little smaller than the average player but can cover the court well.

 

[simi]

Good point by Simi.
I think he was referring to Kiefer's racquet toss at the Australian. I don't think it was ment to cap on you.

No, Papa, no slight on you. I should have stayed out of a serious discussion. I was indeed referring to Kiefer's "stunt" in the AO. And . . . he got away with it!