Getting repeatedly accused of hitting a mishit on my slice overheads...

[puppybutts]

I play with a guy who always gets incredulous and says "You mishit that!" when I hit a slice overhead winner because of the sound a slice overhead makes. He literally rejects any explanation I give him and says, "No I can tell you mishit that because of the sound. You don't want to admit it, fine.", even though I literally call whenever I mishit a shot. I have no idea why, since I hit a lot of slice serves out wide too, and it's not like he has a problem with those. But whatever, one salty guy, no big deal.

But I'm starting to find other people starting to do the same thing. "You got lucky! That was a mishit" after I hit a slice overhead. I do these multiple times a game because I'm not always set up properly for a flat smash when I'm tired and the feet aren't moving as well (or they hit a good ball that's not quite easy to reach), so it's easier to execute. It's particularly problematic in doubles with other people around, because even after I explain I just hit a slice overhead so that's why it sounded like a mishit, the damage is already done from the accusation alone and people look at me with doubt, like I'm a disingenuous or dishonest player. It's starting to get quite aggravating. I mean, even if I was hitting 6 or 7 mishit overhead winners every match, what, do you want me to apologize for every single one? Doesn't it make more sense that I'm doing it on purpose than getting lucky that many times?

Am I doing something wrong? Are my slice overheads supposed to sound the same as a flat smash? I feel like I'm getting gaslit. Sometimes I wish it was possible to play tennis by yourself.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I play with a guy who always gets incredulous and says "You mishit that!" when I hit a slice overhead winner because of the sound a slice overhead makes. He literally rejects any explanation I give him and says, "No I can tell you mishit that because of the sound", even though I literally call whenever I mishit a shot. I have no idea why, since I hit a lot of slice serves out wide too, and it's not like he has a problem with those. But whatever, one salty guy, no big deal.

But I'm starting to find other people starting to do the same thing. "You got lucky! That was a mishit" after I hit a slice overhead. I do these multiple times a game because I'm not always set up properly for a flat smash when I'm tired and the feet aren't moving as well (or they hit a good ball that's not quite easy to reach), so it's easier to execute. It's particularly problematic in doubles with other people around, because even after I explain I just hit a slice overhead so that's why it sounded like a mishit, the damage is already done from the accusation alone and people look at me with doubt, like I'm a disingenuous or dishonest player. It's starting to get quite aggravating. I mean, even if I was hitting 6 or 7 mishit overhead winners every match, what, do you want me to apologize for every single one? Doesn't it make more sense that I'm doing it on purpose than getting lucky that many times?

Am I doing something wrong? Are my slice overheads supposed to sound the same as a flat smash? I feel like I'm getting gaslit. Sometimes I wish it was possible to play tennis by yourself.

"You mis-hit that!"

Translation: "I couldn't read it and you fooled me."

If you hit it once, it might be luck. Maybe twice. But 7 times? Those opponents just aren't paying attention.

I sometimes hit an inside-out OH where I switch to an Eastern FH grip and pronate so the ball travels in the opposite direction than normal. The difference is that all of my opponents recognize that I did it on purpose.

 

[Max G.]

Why are you even discussing it at all? Like, you say that they don't believe your explanation, but why are you giving an explanation at all?

Point's over, go back to the baseline and either get ready to serve or return, they can say whatever they want about it.

 

[ATX Tennis]

I don’t care if people think I’m getting lucky. I use a slice overhead on occasion too…mine is a relatively slow shot but it elicits a lot of errors from opponents. I try to have as little a tennis ego as possible. If people think I was lucky to beat them…fine, maybe they won’t work as hard to find ways to beat me.

 

[RyanRF]

No argument. Just tell him he is right.

You mishit the ball on purpose to win the point.

 

[One Handed Dynasty]

Him: “You mis hit that”

You: “That was a clean winner, but you can make all the excuses you need to feel better. I win the point either way”

 

[puppybutts]

Why are you even discussing it at all? Like, you say that they don't believe your explanation, but why are you giving an explanation at all?

Point's over, go back to the baseline and either get ready to serve or return, they can say whatever they want about it.

Well, it's not a full blown discussion. Just while walking backwards to the baseline I explain, "I sliced the overhead." Some players get mad when you don't apologize, and like I said, other people are looking at me like I'm not someone they want to play with for not calling my supposed mishit, so that's why I'm saying anything at all. One or two people I can ignore, but it's a rather small group at a residential court with regulars, so I can't have multiple people thinking I'm an arrogant mishitter who just ignores people.

 

[Dartagnan64]

This must be in bizarro land tennis. Who the hell is paying attention to the sound of an overhead let alone whining about it? Amazing the things people fuss about.

I hit many slice overheads on lobs to the baseline. Safest way to control the shot while making it a challenge to read and return.

 

[Max G.]

Well, it's not a full blown discussion. Just while walking backwards to the baseline I explain, "I sliced the overhead."

Stop doing that. You shouldn't even acknowledge anything unusual about the point - put away the overhead, walk back to the baseline, don't say anything.

Some players get mad when you don't apologize,

you play with some weird people, I guess.

and like I said, other people are looking at me like I'm not someone they want to play with for not calling my supposed mishit, so that's why I'm saying anything at all.

you're reading far too much into "weird looks". They're looking at you after the point? What?

One or two people I can ignore, but it's a rather small group at a residential court with regulars, so I can't have multiple people thinking I'm an arrogant mishitter who just ignores people.

This is literally the first time I've heard anyone describe anyone as an "arrogant mishitter". I bet that none of the people around you are thinking that about you either, because that is a thing that makes no sense.

This is one of those things where it's only as weird as you make it. Stop worrying about the sound of the ball, hit your overhead and get ready for the next point, and stop overthinking "looks" that other people are giving you.

 

[Kralingen]

Sounds like you’re just way too good bro

Bragging on the Internet like this under the guise of humility is kind of embarrassing I have to say.

 

[puppybutts]

Stop doing that. You shouldn't even acknowledge anything unusual about the point - put away the overhead, walk back to the baseline, don't say anything.

you play with some weird people, I guess.

you're reading far too much into "weird looks". They're looking at you after the point? What?

This is literally the first time I've heard anyone describe anyone as an "arrogant mishitter". I bet that none of the people around you are thinking that about you either, because that is a thing that makes no sense.

This is one of those things where it's only as weird as you make it. Stop worrying about the sound of the ball, hit your overhead and get ready for the next point, and stop overthinking "looks" that other people are giving you.

It's one thing to read into something, it's another thing to look at the evidence of multiple people accusing me to my face. you want me to listen to people saying these things to my face and think it's just in my head? what?

 

[Raul_SJ]

Am I doing something wrong? Are my slice overheads supposed to sound the same as a flat smash?

Overheads, almost invariably, are supposed to be offensive flat shots.
This was the instruction given to us by USPTA 1 certified instructors at our 3.5 clinic.
We had a few overhead slicers and the coaches mocked and shamed them. Stop the wimpy slices. And you will be respected and feared.

 

[Arak]

I immediately apologize every time I hit a winner. Then I hit another one, and so on.

 

[McLovin]

Meh…frame cost more than the strings, may as well use it…

 

[Steady Eddy]

Reminds me of a time Jimmy Connors was having trouble with an opponents serve. Connors said, "You don't know where they're going either!"

Could be true. Think how hard it is to anticipate when the server himself doesn't know where the serve is going! But...that's not the point, a winner is a winner.

 

[esgee48]

Just say "I was were lucky"....7 or 8 times.

I look at it this way. You hit the OH into an open area or at opponents' legs. That means deep flat OH or sharp sliced OH, whatever you need to do.

 

[mikeler]

Next time ask "Are mishits illegal now?"

 

[Karma Tennis]

Next time ... just smile at them and say "Thanks!".

 

[Mr.Lob]

Compromise. It was an intentional miss hit.

 

[puppybutts]

Sounds like you’re just way too good bro

Bragging on the Internet like this under the guise of humility is kind of embarrassing I have to say.

if you think talking about hitting a few overheads in a doubles match is bragging, i don't know how to help your dull brain, sorry. i suppose i should have made everyone read a post twice as long so I could make note of every error and mishit I produced and every overhead winner hit against me during the match that led to me and my partner's defeat. or oops, would that be padding the humble brag for my crappy amateur level? please, guide me internet sensei dou che.

 

[golden chicken]

I would say something like, if you think I'm so good that I could intentionally mis-hit, don't you think I'd rather hit cleanly?

And stop apologizing for every mishit.

 

[Matthew ATX]

Who cares? Mishits give you the same amount of points as clean winners.
I hope every mishit I dish out goes for a winner.

 

[Mr.Lob]

I apologize for net cord winners and accidentally shots to the groin. That's it.

 

[Curtennis]

I apologize for net cord winners and accidentally shots to the groin. That's it.

I guess there’s no reason to apologize if it was a purposeful shot to the groin

 

[Matthew ATX]

I mean, yea, if I shank a winner I'll hold up a hand and be polite but inside, I'm like, f-yea, 30-0. Let's go.

 

[Karma Tennis]

if I shank a winner I'll hold up a hand and be polite

If Roger Federer did that every time he shanked a shot he would have retired five years ago because his shoulders would have been worn out

 

[socallefty]

Where I play, players apologize only for net cords and occasional mishit winners if the ball goes at a weird angle or ends up as an unintentional drop shot. Mistimed smashes are so common that people just laugh about it in doubles and no one says anything in singles. The last thing I would worry about on court is tennis etiquette after a mishit ball.

Where does the OP play and what level of tennis are we talking about?

 

[HelenCH]

And what does this change? They still haven't returned it. Say sorry if that makes them feel better. But I think usually people apologise only after they hit the net cord as those often come during an open play. If you intend to go for a likely winner and it turns up to be a winner even in unintended way, what is there to apologize for? You played with intention.

 

[Connor35]

Even when I do hita mis-hit winner, I oftentimes joke "Id apologize, but the framed winner is my specialty."

But if you do it multiple times a match, guys should learn.

Overall though, it's not like street basketball where you have to call "bank" if you misshoot. So I guess I'm amazed they complain, and amazed you care about their complains (no offense).

 

[Yamin]

I currently don't have the overhead motion for flat overheads so I slice them all.

I've played with around 20 different people over the last month, 6 to 8 hours a week, with players 3.0 to 5.0 and I have never heard such an absurd thing.

Just for laughs, what level is this at? Is it just recreational? It's possible they're just pulling a joke on you....

 

[King_olaf_the_hairy]

I'm in agreement with the others about just not worrying about it.

However, if you genuinely are playing with a group who've been gaslit by the original accuser, then the next time he says you're mishitting your shots...

1. take two or three balls
2. toss them high up, one after the other
3. slice each one just like you would your overheads
4. ask him how many times in a row you need to repeat before he's going to acknowledge you're doing it deliberately

 

[nuclearmedicineman]

What the heck is a slice overhead? I thought that an overhead is just an overhead, a la Sampras.

 

[nyta2]

I play with a guy who always gets incredulous and says "You mishit that!" when I hit a slice overhead winner because of the sound a slice overhead makes. He literally rejects any explanation I give him and says, "No I can tell you mishit that because of the sound. You don't want to admit it, fine.", even though I literally call whenever I mishit a shot. I have no idea why, since I hit a lot of slice serves out wide too, and it's not like he has a problem with those. But whatever, one salty guy, no big deal.

But I'm starting to find other people starting to do the same thing. "You got lucky! That was a mishit" after I hit a slice overhead. I do these multiple times a game because I'm not always set up properly for a flat smash when I'm tired and the feet aren't moving as well (or they hit a good ball that's not quite easy to reach), so it's easier to execute. It's particularly problematic in doubles with other people around, because even after I explain I just hit a slice overhead so that's why it sounded like a mishit, the damage is already done from the accusation alone and people look at me with doubt, like I'm a disingenuous or dishonest player. It's starting to get quite aggravating. I mean, even if I was hitting 6 or 7 mishit overhead winners every match, what, do you want me to apologize for every single one? Doesn't it make more sense that I'm doing it on purpose than getting lucky that many times?

Am I doing something wrong? Are my slice overheads supposed to sound the same as a flat smash? I feel like I'm getting gaslit. Sometimes I wish it was possible to play tennis by yourself.

stop it. you're already getting "credit" by winning the point. why do you need to rub it in? let him "save face" by calling you lucky.
practices these responses in the mirror:
"better lucky than good"
"shankyou very much"
"i'll open my eyes next time"
"i paid alot for this frame, i better use all of it"

 

[Actual_Professional]

I'm confused about this dispute...does your opponent think you should apologize for "mishits" that result in winners?

 

[Connor35]

What the heck is a slice overhead? I thought that an overhead is just an overhead, a la Sampras.

Imagine a serve (overheads are a lot like serves).

Most people hit them flat -- because it's easier and you dont have to keep them short of the service line, so there is more leeway.
But you could (and the OP does) hit them the same way you'd hit a slice serve. you just angle the racquet such that the side near you is further back and the outside is further forward. This causes a return that's more like sliced serve.

 

[Actual_Professional]

I've taken lessons from coaches who say you're supposed to be slicing overheads, since it's a more natural motion when you're in continental grip.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I've taken lessons from coaches who say you're supposed to be slicing overheads, since it's a more natural motion when you're in continental grip.

Of course that presumes you are in a continental grip. Frypan serves and frypan overheads with eastern grips are pretty ubiquitous in rec league tennis.

I certainly slice overheads from behind the baseline because the flat overhead is harder to control from back there. I don't tend to slice when I'm up at the net because i generally want the racket angle pointed down in a hurry.

 

[nyta2]

I've taken lessons from coaches who say you're supposed to be slicing overheads, since it's a more natural motion when you're in continental grip.

i usually slice my overheads unless i'm around or inside the service box (where i tend to hit flat)
but typicaly slice or topslice overheads when between the baseline and service line.

 

[fishepa]

I only slice overheads when I'm out of position or towards the baseline.

 

[mikelikesgatorad]

Do your opponents get points for their comments? You won 1 point. Do that every point until you're no longer winning.