Gamesmanship V.S. Sportmanship

[Eric89]

Which are you?
I myself am pretty much gamesmanship the entire way. Any bits of gamesmanship that you personally do to share?
I do a lot to get under my opponents skin. ex. a serve is close but in I will take a long look at where the ball landed then take my sweet time to go get the ball and then back to my return of serve position.

Another one is when my opponent frames a shot in or hits a net and it dribbles over I will say (louder than under my breath) "thats garbage" or something around there.

Of course these are only during a important close match, I will never pull any of this stuff with friends or if I am significantly worse or better than my opponent.

 

[10sguy]

Which are you?
I myself am pretty much gamesmanship the entire way. Any bits of gamesmanship that you personally do to share?
I do a lot to get under my opponents skin. ex. a serve is close but in I will take a long look at where the ball landed then take my sweet time to go get the ball and then back to my return of serve position.

Another one is when my opponent frames a shot in or hits a net and it dribbles over I will say (louder than under my breath) "thats garbage" or something around there.

Of course these are only during a important close match, I will never pull any of this stuff with friends or if I am significantly worse or better than my opponent.

I frankly cannot believe you posted that; it's bad enough to conduct yourself like that . . . even worse to write about it. Your one redeeming quality: Your honesty in accurately describing your actions as gamesmanship.

 

[lilminihorse]

Which are you?
I myself am pretty much gamesmanship the entire way. Any bits of gamesmanship that you personally do to share?
I do a lot to get under my opponents skin. ex. a serve is close but in I will take a long look at where the ball landed then take my sweet time to go get the ball and then back to my return of serve position.

Another one is when my opponent frames a shot in or hits a net and it dribbles over I will say (louder than under my breath) "thats garbage" or something around there.

Of course these are only during a important close match, I will never pull any of this stuff with friends or if I am significantly worse or better than my opponent.

this is a serious question..... Have you ever been in a fight? or have you ever gotten the crap kicked out of you?

 

[Eric89]

haha, sorry? that gamesmanship happens? Some people who are losing matches just start lobbing the ball back...that is also a form of gamesmanship... I don't cheat, I do not call balls out that are in. Frame shots that go in are lucky just as in basketball if a shot rattles around the hoop then falls its often called 'garbage' Ummm, no I have never gotten beat up in a fight I am not that uncivilized

 

[Eric89]

I frankly cannot believe you posted that; it's bad enough to conduct yourself like that . . . even worse to write about it. Your one redeeming quality: Your honesty in accurately describing your actions as gamesmanship.

10sguy, a good percent of your post are filled with rude sarcasm, so forget about sticking your nose up at me.

 

[lilminihorse]

haha, sorry? that gamesmanship happens? Some people who are losing matches just start lobbing the ball back...that is also a form of gamesmanship... I don't cheat, I do not call balls out that are in. Frame shots that go in are lucky just as in basketball if a shot rattles around the hoop then falls its often called 'garbage' Ummm, no I have never gotten beat up in a fight I am not that uncivilized

yes they are doing all that DURING play, not holding the game up and having poor sportsmanship just to be an a-hole....

Civilized or not, if you get popped in the face for being an a-hole your face is gonna hurt and you have no one to blame but yourself.

 

[the-robz]

why did u make this thread?? to show off your unsportsmanlike conduct??? :?

 

[chlsmo]

I actually like this thread. Not to proselytize from a soap box or anything, but I try not to use any kind of gamesmanship to the point of actually hindering my game. I sometimes kinda rush through my service games because I worry that my opponent may think I am taking too long or something.

Anyway, I like this thread because I am somewhat new to competitive tennis and I would like to know what people are doing to try to work me over with a psych job. My coach has already warned me of a few, and I have read through "Winning Ugly" but I am all ears to hear how some people try to fight dirty.

Recently I have run up against the ole' "hitting the great return off of the out serve" routine.

So, care to share?

 

[Moz]

Frequently gamesmanship achieves nothing but make the perpetrator look like an arse.

If you feel you have to do it at least evaluate it for effect.

 

[goldenyama]

F**k me, if I framed a shot while playing you and you audibly made a comment such as 'thats garbage' I would be sorely tempted to smash my least favourite frame in my bag on your skull at the next change of ends.

I also hate all the s**t that some players do when fetching and returning balls, and ESPECIALLY before changing ends after serving when they drop the balls any old place making you go pick them up:evil: I always take the balls and give them to my opponent - after all we arent playing for money and we dont have ballboys!! I think players should at least be careful to leave them at the middle of the baseline.

Final thought - gamesmanship is just a PC word for BAD SPORTSMANSHIP

 

[A.Davidson]

Your type of "gamesmanship" is referred to, more eloquently, by most as being simply "a total *********".

Real gamesmanship is doing things like focusing on the gal in mixed doubles, relentlessly attacking a guy's weak side, etc.

What you do sounds like a lotta b.s.

 

[WBF]

I prefer to win through superior talent and performance. People like you (eric) disgust me.

 

[OzNQc]

yes u can do that but not many people will respect you at the end of the day!

haha, sorry? that gamesmanship happens? Some people who are losing matches just start lobbing the ball back...that is also a form of gamesmanship... I don't cheat, I do not call balls out that are in. Frame shots that go in are lucky just as in basketball if a shot rattles around the hoop then falls its often called 'garbage' Ummm, no I have never gotten beat up in a fight I am not that uncivilized

Lobbing the ball back is not gamesmanship! If my opponent is not talented or not smart enough or patient enough to deal with that type of play then he's gonna lose it that way!! That's called winning mate!

And when the ball hits the hoop and goes into the basket,,,, that's still 1 pt or 2 or 3 pts too lmao

Who's the winner there?? lol

And yes, the last person i played who has your attitude received a nice 8-1 scoreline!

But hey, i think the best bit is if u can swallow your own medicine and deal with people who simply do not want to play with you!

 

[seb85]

I absolutely hate playing against people like you. Trying to get under my skin and p*ss me off. I played a guy like that three days ago and it was the least fun ive had on a tennis court for quite some time.

However, as far as I'm concered, anything that is within the rules is fair game. If Im not strong enough to deal with it then that my too bad. I don't go in for all that chatting to the opponent at change ends and putting the balls in nice places- who cares? just let the balls land where they land!

At the end of the day Im setting out on the tennis court to win and I understand that you are too. Just understand that as soon as you break the rules im gonna get an umpire down onto the court to referee our match!

Seb

 

[Moz]

I prefer to win through superior talent and performance. People like you (eric) disgust me.

...and we have a winner!

 

[raiden031]

I couldn't care less about gamesmanship and neither should any of you. Anyone who can so easily be distracted is mentally weak and needs to improve that aspect of their game. The only time I will have a problem with it is if someone is breaking the rules as part of their gamesmanship.

 

[WBF]

I couldn't care less about gamesmanship and neither should any of you. Anyone who can so easily be distracted is mentally weak and needs to improve that aspect of their game. The only time I will have a problem with it is if someone is breaking the rules as part of their gamesmanship.

I believe this is wrong. You are correct in that one should be strong and avoid the negative influences of gamesmanship, but to ignore it? It is a despicable practice and reflects poorly on the sport and the person instigating such behavior, regardless of technical legality. Oh, and last I checked one of the top motivations for playing tennis (apart from some professionals) is the fun. Gamesmanship takes away this motivation, unless you enjoy playing against poor sports who bend or break rules.

 

[raiden031]

I believe this is wrong. You are correct in that one should be strong and avoid the negative influences of gamesmanship, but to ignore it? It is a despicable practice and reflects poorly on the sport and the person instigating such behavior, regardless of technical legality. Oh, and last I checked one of the top motivations for playing tennis (apart from some professionals) is the fun. Gamesmanship takes away this motivation, unless you enjoy playing against poor sports who bend or break rules.

I will choose not to play with people again if they exhibit gamesmanship. But during the match I ignore it and not allow it to mess up my game.

 

[WBF]

I will choose not to play with people again if they exhibit gamesmanship. But during the match I ignore it and not allow it to mess up my game.

Oh, I misunderstood. Completely agree, this is how I treat it as well.

 

[HowardH]

I couldn't care less about gamesmanship and neither should any of you. Anyone who can so easily be distracted is mentally weak and needs to improve that aspect of their game. The only time I will have a problem with it is if someone is breaking the rules as part of their gamesmanship.

In a way I agree, tennis can be more of a mind game than anything. I don't play this way though, I'm one of the most polite players I've met. Win or lose I try and treat my opponent the way I would like to be treated. I know sounds self righteous. I just try and show respect. . . but if someone trys to play mind games with me then I realize I have to be strong enough to deal with it and not collapse, get pi**ed, feel intimidated and throw the game away. It's just one more variable you have to adjust to. Easier said than done sometimes though.

 

[darkhorse]

Man Eric, you're getting a lot of crap for this topic, huh?

Anyway, I try not to use gamesmanship in a match, I mutter some things under my breath but that's about it. The only time I'll real vocal is when I get an unlucky bounce off of the net cord or something, but I'm more mad at the net cord itself than the person who hit the shot.

I can think of only one instance where I got really upset at a line call (it was called out, and the ball was at least a foot in on every side literally), I gave the guy who made it a look of "You had better correct yourself or I'm jumping over this net", luckily for him his partner corrected the call for him.

 

[j30tennis]

"Another one is when my opponent frames a shot in or hits a net and it dribbles over I will say (louder than under my breath) "thats garbage" or something around there."

When I frame a shot and it actually lands in I feel that exact way. Something like that would not bother me because I am well aware that the shot was utter crap. The net cord would however bug me, because more times than not the tennis gods come down and strike vengeance on a shot.

 

[fe6250]

Really interesting to see the opinions and responses on here. I can't say that I'm a fan of gamesmanship, especially in amateur sports and specifically when it is done to grab an advantage or aggrevate an opponent intentionally. That said, I do believe there are times that you can use a form of this defensively against someone who is gaming you.

If you run into an opponent that is making very poor line calls, quick serving you, and generally being a poor sport - letting them know you aren't going to take it in an equal but measured response is sometimes an option. This could materialize in calling a close ball out, slowing the pace by chasing balls, or giving them a bit of attitude back. I hesitate to post this second paragraph as I view it as something you shouldn't have to do and shouldn't do in most cases, but I have to give some latitude to people who are being gamed to defend themselves.

At the end of the day, I still play for fun while trying to win and I'm sure not everyone draws the same lines as to what is acceptable. I personally will call a fair game, err in my opponent's favor and work like heck to exploit any weakness in their tennis game in order to win.

 

[North]

Final thought - gamesmanship is just a PC word for BAD SPORTSMANSHIP

Exactly. You can reword/reframe it all you want, but it's poor sportsmanship.

I just ignore that stuff when playing and let my racquet speak for me. In my own mind (never out loud), when a opponent pulls the kind of nonsense the OP describes, I imagine the opponent actually saying they are a jerk and can't win any other way. Brad Gilbert makes reference to that kind of mental imagery in "Winning Ugly" when he was playing Boris Becker.

Hopefully, poor sports will eventually be encouraged to think about why they feel the need to win that way.

 

[swimntennis]

Is this gamesmanship? I don't do this to be irritating but it's like an OCD thing of mine when I'm playing.

If my first serve goes into the net, and I have another ball in my pocket, but the ball rolled anywhere within a foot of the court boundaries, I'll go and get it. I just don't want to risk tripping on it or anything. Sometimes I feel like I could be holding up play but I don't think it's worth the risk.

 

[fe6250]

Is this gamesmanship? I don't do this to be irritating but it's like an OCD thing of mine when I'm playing.

If my first serve goes into the net, and I have another ball in my pocket, but the ball rolled anywhere within a foot of the court boundaries, I'll go and get it. I just don't want to risk tripping on it or anything. Sometimes I feel like I could be holding up play but I don't think it's worth the risk.

Certainly, it sounds like you are not doing it to game your opponent and taking a prolonged break between serves seems to bother the server more so than the returner in many cases. If you are concerened about your safety, you should clear the ball.

Reminds me a little of how Agassi used to move the ball retrievers around before each serve, but I don't think it's gamesmanship. ;-)

 

[HowardH]

Is this gamesmanship? I don't do this to be irritating but it's like an OCD thing of mine when I'm playing.

If my first serve goes into the net, and I have another ball in my pocket, but the ball rolled anywhere within a foot of the court boundaries, I'll go and get it. I just don't want to risk tripping on it or anything. Sometimes I feel like I could be holding up play but I don't think it's worth the risk.

Now if your taking your sweet time to clear every ball then I would be annoyed but I would even stop you from serving the second ball if there was a ball on the court in potentially bad spot. I don't want to see my opponent break an ankle or have to dance around a loose ball at the net. It's a distraction for both of us.

 

[JavierLW]

haha, sorry? that gamesmanship happens? Some people who are losing matches just start lobbing the ball back...that is also a form of gamesmanship... I don't cheat, I do not call balls out that are in. Frame shots that go in are lucky just as in basketball if a shot rattles around the hoop then falls its often called 'garbage' Ummm, no I have never gotten beat up in a fight I am not that uncivilized

No, just lobbing the ball back is not gamesmanship, it's strategy.

That's the trouble with your entire post, some things that some people may feel perfectly fine are not gamesmanship to them, but to other people they are insulting.

Gamesmanship is like the examples you used in your OP, it's doing outside things that are within the rules but are not part of playing tennis or are questionable.

Lobbing is not. That's just strategy. The reason why that is confused with gamesmanship is because many of us are lower level players who have a lot of trouble hitting balls that do not have any pace. But normal strategy is to take away your opponents best shots and lobbing (or moon balls) sometimes does that.

Not only is it not gamesmanship, Id give someone credit for doing that because they are exploiting their opponent's weaknesses.

 

[swimntennis]

Certainly, it sounds like you are not doing it to game your opponent and taking a prolonged break between serves seems to bother the server more so than the returner in many cases. If you are concerened about your safety, you should clear the ball.

Reminds me a little of how Agassi used to move the ball retrievers around before each serve, but I don't think it's gamesmanship. ;-)

Now if your taking your sweet time to clear every ball then I would be annoyed but I would even stop you from serving the second ball if there was a ball on the court in potentially bad spot. I don't want to see my opponent break an ankle or have to dance around a loose ball at the net. It's a distraction for both of us.

Thanks for the advice.

I've also played people who do the complete opposite thing. There could be a ball at the "T" that they definitely see and they'd leave it there and serve. Should I say something or is it their problem?

 

[LuckyR]

The OP is giving examples of gamesmanship, but in my experience the examples he chose are: 1- likely to not be effective in thowing off his opponent's game and 2- are likely to be understood as gamesmanship and pi55 off and inspire the guy to play harder/better. Not exactly the goal of effective gamesmanship.

 

[Eric89]

F**k me, if I framed a shot while playing you and you audibly made a comment such as 'thats garbage' I would be sorely tempted to smash my least favourite frame in my bag on your skull at the next change of ends.

I also hate all the s**t that some players do when fetching and returning balls, and ESPECIALLY before changing ends after serving when they drop the balls any old place making you go pick them up:evil: I always take the balls and give them to my opponent - after all we arent playing for money and we dont have ballboys!! I think players should at least be careful to leave them at the middle of the baseline.

Final thought - gamesmanship is just a PC word for BAD SPORTSMANSHIP

no, you would not smash a fame in the back of my head, it would upset you like it was supposed to, thanks for makeing my point however

 

[Eric89]

Well my first example I someone could be just checking if the ball is in, If I would have not used the term "gamesmanship" only about half of the people in this thread would have posted. Lobbing the ball CAN BE CONSIDERED "gamesmanship" I could term me looking at where the ball hit and then taking my time as "strategy" as well. I am sorry guys that gamesmanship happens I have or "strategy" happens. In football the offensive line is taught by coaches to hold on every play, its just a matter of not getting caught. In baseball you are supposed to slide into the player on second base to break up a play, it happens people. As far as everyone saying they think I play like a ****** bag (strong word) and how they would get pissed at me and "beat me up" or whatever else was said...THAT IS THE POINT. People all in all I am not the monster you are making me out to be really.

 

[Applesauceman]

Any way you sugar-coat the word gamesmanship, it's still poor sportsmanship. I see it all the time, from league tennis to the pros. Some players will do anything to win. The bigger challenge is to learn to ignore such behavior and concentrate on your game.

 

[HowardH]

Thanks for the advice.

I've also played people who do the complete opposite thing. There could be a ball at the "T" that they definitely see and they'd leave it there and serve. Should I say something or is it their problem?

I would stop them, that also gives me the control since I stopped the game and made them clear the ball since they "failed" to do so. I wouldn't let it go, too dangerous and not worth it. It makes them look like a lower level player when they have to be reminded to clear the balls.

 

[JavierLW]

Well my first example I someone could be just checking if the ball is in, If I would have not used the term "gamesmanship" only about half of the people in this thread would have posted. Lobbing the ball CAN BE CONSIDERED "gamesmanship" I could term me looking at where the ball hit and then taking my time as "strategy" as well. I am sorry guys that gamesmanship happens I have or "strategy" happens. In football the offensive line is taught by coaches to hold on every play, its just a matter of not getting caught. In baseball you are supposed to slide into the player on second base to break up a play, it happens people. As far as everyone saying they think I play like a ****** bag (strong word) and how they would get pissed at me and "beat me up" or whatever else was said...THAT IS THE POINT. People all in all I am not the monster you are making me out to be really.

Lobbing the ball is not gamesmanship. You can hit the ball anyway you want to. People who think it's okay to practice gamesmanship though obviously wouldnt know the difference. (because you think both are okay anyway)

Stalling, making comments just meant to make someone upset, or other tactics that have nothing to with hitting a tennis ball are gamesmanship.

Whether it's okay or not is debatable.

When I was younger, it might of caused me to lose a match or two, but nowdays if someone stoops to this level, not only am I going to be more motivated to win, Im going to make sure that you have the most miserable 2 hours of your life out there while you are losing.

Otherwise most of the people I play are cool, and I will give them the same respect they give me and not stoop to name calling, or making childish outbursts on the court. (or tooling them around on calls)

 

[JavierLW]

The OP is giving examples of gamesmanship, but in my experience the examples he chose are: 1- likely to not be effective in thowing off his opponent's game and 2- are likely to be understood as gamesmanship and pi55 off and inspire the guy to play harder/better. Not exactly the goal of effective gamesmanship.

Exactly. This would especially go for me because I have a lot more trouble suceeding in a friendly match, then in one where I hate the other guy.

Ive been in matches where I have having one of those days where I wasnt really into it, and nothing seemed to be going right, mostly because I wasnt moving my feet enough.

Then the other guy made some sort of childish gesture making himself look like a complete and utter tool, which inspired me to really WANT to beat him.

 

[Supernatural_Serve]

The game is best enjoyed when everyone plays honestly, fairly, and with respect for your opponent, the game, and the rules of tennis. Not many mature people disagree with that. Immature people might.

Tennis strategy and tactics are different things from gamesmanship.

There isn't too much debate about what gamesmanship is versus what strategy and tactics are. The lines aren't that blurry, possibly the area of stalling could be a blurry area.

For the most part, gamesmanship like porn, "we all know it when we see it"

 

[Eric89]

Lobbing the ball is not gamesmanship. You can hit the ball anyway you want to. People who think it's okay to practice gamesmanship though obviously wouldnt know the difference. (because you think both are okay anyway)

Stalling, making comments just meant to make someone upset, or other tactics that have nothing to with hitting a tennis ball are gamesmanship.

Whether it's okay or not is debatable.

When I was younger, it might of caused me to lose a match or two, but nowdays if someone stoops to this level, not only am I going to be more motivated to win, Im going to make sure that you have the most miserable 2 hours of your life out there while you are losing.

Otherwise most of the people I play are cool, and I will give them the same respect they give me and not stoop to name calling, or making childish outbursts on the court. (or tooling them around on calls)

ahhhh hahaha, wait...you get 'mad' then you become motivated thus becoming the incredible halk on the tennis court?

 

[safins back]

I disagree. If it is a match that matters, like a tournament or league match, its not my job to make the game fun for my opponent! Gamesmanship is part of the modern game period. I am not talking about being rude or disrespectful to someone just for the sake of it. I am talking about slowing it down when they wanna play fast or being in your face with come ons if I hit a great shot. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. When people say that tennis is supposed to be fun for all parties involved, again not my job. I do not have to compliment my opponent if they hit a winner, not my job. I do not have to say sorry if I hit net cord winner, not my job. I do not have to make tennis fun for my opponent because, in a match that matters, my job is to win at all costs, providing its fair.

 

[Swissv2]

Which are you?
I myself am pretty much gamesmanship the entire way. Any bits of gamesmanship that you personally do to share?
I do a lot to get under my opponents skin. ex. a serve is close but in I will take a long look at where the ball landed then take my sweet time to go get the ball and then back to my return of serve position.

Another one is when my opponent frames a shot in or hits a net and it dribbles over I will say (louder than under my breath) "thats garbage" or something around there.

Of course these are only during a important close match, I will never pull any of this stuff with friends or if I am significantly worse or better than my opponent.

I bet you have to resort to gamesmanship a lot, because thats probably one of the only ways you can even attempt to win a game.

 

[Applesauceman]

Perhaps we need to clarify the definition of gamesmanship vs. strategy/tactics. I've been talking about poor sportsmanship gamesmanship, not gamesmanship that involves strategy/tactics (i.e. smart tennis). Though, once again, being able to concentrate through any type of gamesmanship will make you a better player overall.

 

[Swissv2]

Gamesmanship is part of the modern game period.

I agree that it should be one's concern to win, yet the top 3 players in the world display a bit of sportsmanship on the court while managing to kick everyone's butt. I respect a person who is out there to win, but are able to pay a little bit of respect to the opponent at the same time.

 

[Cindysphinx]

This thread is so strange.

If someone took a bunch of time inspecting a mark, I would stand there bouncing the ball and thinking what I plan to do with the next serve. I wouldn't notice. If they were doing it for obviously out balls, I would think they were mentally challenged. It wouldn't occur to me to get angry.

Now, if they were walking really slowly to clear a ball, I might say something because our matches are timed. If the clock was working in my favor, I wouldn't say a thing. If they were stalling, I'd keep an eye on my watch and call them on it if they were really stalling.

Everything else people do that constitutes gamesmanship would probably just strike me as funny. My partner and I would be snickering at them at the changeovers, I think.

 

[Venetian]

I couldn't care less about gamesmanship and neither should any of you. Anyone who can so easily be distracted is mentally weak and needs to improve that aspect of their game. The only time I will have a problem with it is if someone is breaking the rules as part of their gamesmanship.

I like your style raiden. Some many people are whining about gamesmanship, but why? The score is what it is. If someone is being a jerk I just ignore them and continue to play. If it bothers you that much don't ever think about playing a sport other than tennis, because the other guys would laugh at you and tell you to grow a pair. Tennis players can be such wimps.

 

[Venetian]

This thread is so strange.

If someone took a bunch of time inspecting a mark, I would stand there bouncing the ball and thinking what I plan to do with the next serve. I wouldn't notice. If they were doing it for obviously out balls, I would think they were mentally challenged. It wouldn't occur to me to get angry.

Now, if they were walking really slowly to clear a ball, I might say something because our matches are timed. If the clock was working in my favor, I wouldn't say a thing. If they were stalling, I'd keep an eye on my watch and call them on it if they were really stalling.

Everything else people do that constitutes gamesmanship would probably just strike me as funny. My partner and I would be snickering at them at the changeovers, I think.

Another person I agree with. You go Cindy!

 

[JavierLW]

ahhhh hahaha, wait...you get 'mad' then you become motivated thus becoming the incredible halk on the tennis court?

What is a halk?

 

[Cindysphinx]

What is a halk?

Hulk, I think. As in "Incredible Hulk."

 

[10sguy]

Feedback to OP

Below is Eric89's original post, my reaction, & his "go to another level reply."
********************************************************
Gamesmanship V.S. Sportmanship

Which are you?
I myself am pretty much gamesmanship the entire way. Any bits of gamesmanship that you personally do to share?
I do a lot to get under my opponents skin. ex. a serve is close but in I will take a long look at where the ball landed then take my sweet time to go get the ball and then back to my return of serve position.

Another one is when my opponent frames a shot in or hits a net and it dribbles over I will say (louder than under my breath) "thats garbage" or something around there.

Of course these are only during a important close match, I will never pull any of this stuff with friends or if I am significantly worse or better than my opponent.
*********************************************************
Quote:
Originally Posted by 10sguy
I frankly cannot believe you posted that; it's bad enough to conduct yourself like that . . . even worse to write about it. Your one redeeming quality: Your honesty in accurately describing your actions as gamesmanship.
*********************************************************
Eric89's reply: 10sguy, a good percent of your post are filled with rude sarcasm, so forget about sticking your nose up at me.
*********************************************************
*********************************************************
My last thoughts on this thread:

First, althought I could be wrong (wouldn't be the first time), I'm guessing the "Eric89" implies born in 1989 . . . therefore 18 or no more than 19 years old; hmmmm, I should rest my case right there - except that would tend to paint most 18 - 19 year olds as similarly immature, That is NOT the case.

Eric, I seriously hope that after reading everything posted in response to your OP . . . you have come to the realization that the on court behavior you described is regarded by most as cheap and without class. I suppose how you choose to conduct yourself - on court - from this point forward depends on which you consider more important; possibly winning a simple tennis match . . . or long-lasting impressions others form about you as a result of your actions.

"The ball is in your court."

Postscript (after reading a few more posts): The referenced gamesmanship tactics may have the desired effect (whatever that is worth in the short term) on some . . . but, try that on me (and likely many others) and you have now created a much more motivated opponent. Bring it on!

 

[safins back]

I dont understand why it is considered wrong to try and win? Sometimes in an evenly matched contest it is the little things that make the difference. If something I say or do in a match throws you out of your game then that makes you a Mental Midget! It happens at all levels and I certainly hope most people dont play competetive tennis to try and make a good impression on other players! In competetive tennis the object is to WIN, not make friends and not to impress others. Its either a tournament match or a team match where others rely on the outcome so the gloves come off as long as its FAIR.

 

[HowardH]

Even compliments can be used as gamesmanship. "Wow, you have a really great serve, how long did it take you to learn that motion?" Now the server is self conscious about their serve and begins to try too hard and starts to double fault more and more. Got that from the Inner Game of Tennis. Subtle but sly. Still better than sarcastic comments meant to disrupt the focus or game but to the same effect and a form of gamesmanship nonetheless.