Has any player ever won an argument with a chair umpire?

[MiamiWeekendWarrior]

Players argue with chair umpires all the time but other than a line call challenge on video, has a player ever won an argument about things like code violations, time violations, or any of the other million things they argue about? I've never seen a situation where a chair umpire says "hmm...you know what? You're right...I take it back..." or something like that?

 

[ibbi]

Shapo won a fight with a chair umpire.

Definitely never heard of anyone winning an argument with one though. I suppose there was that one time where Roddick yelled condescendingly at the line judge who gave him a foot fault call until she gave him the wrong answer in a fluster and he ran with it, and the umpire agreed with him, but I still don't think the foot fault call was rescinded, so he didn't really win.

 

[Permitlady]

If the player wins an argument the other opponent will go ballistic. Therefore back at square one. Fools game. Umpire is there to babysit.

 

[Return_Ace]

Mattek-Sands & Murray had an argument with the Umpire over Murray calling challenge (somewhat quietly), and the Umpire calling it a hindrance (since they didn't stop the point because BMS didn't hear it), awarding the point to their opponents.

There's a bit more too it than that, but they basically called the Tournament referee down who said that if he agrees that Murray called a challlenge which hindered the opponent, then he should take it as a challenge (which they then still won).

 

[MonkeyBoy]

Players argue with chair umpires all the time but other than a line call challenge on video, has a player ever won an argument about things like code violations, time violations, or any of the other million things they argue about? I've never seen a situation where a chair umpire says "hmm...you know what? You're right...I take it back..." or something like that?

A million years ago I remember Tin Henman calling an umpire on a mistake, and the guy actually reneged on a decision.

 

[Rattler]

Yes, I know of a few, very rare occasions.

A women’s doubles match at the US Open, Gigi Fernandez protested a call/ruling and the chair umpire reversed it, apologized and said to Gigi “I f@&$ed up.” Gigi got such a huge kick out of the chair umpire saying this, that she smiled and continued to repeat the phrase

 

[The Green Mile]

I've seen John McEnroe win a couple through consistent argument and intimidation. Though a lot of the Umpires weren't as professional as today. For example, in his match with Nystrom at the USO 85, he managed to get another first serve when he said somebody in the crowd distracted him. The Umpire initially said no. A lot of crap was going on in that match, it was ridiculous. Mac had a bone to pick with everyone, the crowd, the Umpire, the Linesman, the Tournament Referee...

 

[Aabye5]

Well, I've definitely seen players argue with the ump, and then challenge and get it right. I feel like there's an example where they actually changed their mind, too...but I don't remember who was playing.

 

[jm1980]

I've seen John McEnroe win a couple through consistent argument and intimidation. Though a lot of the Umpires weren't as professional as today. For example, in his match with Nystrom at the USO 85, he managed to get another first serve when he said somebody in the crowd distracted him. The Umpire initially said no. A lot of crap was going on in that match, it was ridiculous. Mac had a bone to pick with everyone, the crowd, the Umpire, the Linesman, the Tournament Referee...

Mac was one of the few players who played more focused when he was angry

 

[Deleted member 629564]

Players argue with chair umpires all the time but other than a line call challenge on video, has a player ever won an argument about things like code violations, time violations, or any of the other million things they argue about? I've never seen a situation where a chair umpire says "hmm...you know what? You're right...I take it back..." or something like that?

2021 RG, QF
Tsitsipas vs Medvedev

Medvedev forced an umpire to admit that Medvedev was right

‘If I lose the match, it’s your fault’ - Medvedev's French Open antics cannot stop Tsitsipas

The Russian was outclassed by his Greek rival on the court and was left desperately trying to gain an advantage at every possible juncture

inews.co.uk

watch at 01:05 here:

'If I lose the match now it's your fault!' - Medvedev in row with umpire over scoreboard

French Open tennis - 'If I lose the match now it's your fault!' - Daniil Medvedev in a row with the umpire over the scoreboard. Watch all the action from the 2021 French Open live on Eurosport, eurosport.co.uk and the Eurosport app with 13-time champion Rafael Nadal eyeing a remarkable 14th...

www.eurosport.com

 

[Nostradamus]

John Macenroe has

 

[Third Serve]

Mac was one of the few players who played more focused when he was angry

Too bad that one of the even fewer exceptions to that rule came when he was a set from winning what could have been his sole French Open.

 

[MeatTornado]

About as often as MLB managers have won arguments

 

[Tshooter]

I've seen John McEnroe win a couple through consistent argument and intimidation. Though a lot of the Umpires weren't as professional as today. For example, in his match with Nystrom at the USO 85, he managed to get another first serve when he said somebody in the crowd distracted him. The Umpire initially said no. A lot of crap was going on in that match, it was ridiculous. Mac had a bone to pick with everyone, the crowd, the Umpire, the Linesman, the Tournament Referee, photographers…

Not unique to JMac but for some reason if you act like a DB but do it long enough it somehow redeems itself and becomes to many endearing. For example, “you can not be serious” becomes a punchline. You also get gigs commentating as an elder statesman. Frank Hammond never put up with his BS though.

 

[Rattler]

Not unique to JMac but for some reason if you act like a DB but do it long enough it somehow redeems itself and becomes to many endearing. For example, “you can not be serious” becomes a punchline. You also get gigs commentating as an elder statesman. Frank Hammond never put up with his BS though.

One good thing about Mac is he campaigned hard to get Frank Hammond into the International Tennis Hall of Fame…I believe he is the only umpire inducted.

 

[Rattler]

Mac was one of the few players who played more focused when he was angry

I think that has more legend to it than reality, he really should’ve had a few more slams with how talented he is.

Or it may have been true early in his career, but it certainly wasn’t later….nor is it true today…and he still gets angry today….it starts off as his act, but you quickly realize that he really is that angry.

 

[Johnny505]

Jeff Tarango had a very small argument with Bruno Rebeuh at Wim in 1985. He managed to get back to the locker room soon after and get some much needed late lunch from the free restaurant. Rebeuh was fired as a tennis umpire and he said in an interview he regretted becoming an umpire.

I would hire Tarango as a body guard to accompany me to tournaments if I had the money.

 

[Jokervich]

What about when Federer argued that the ball bounced twice?

He gave a scientific explanation, was polite about it, and still the umpire didn't give him the point.

Umpires are more bothered about doubling down on their original decision, rather than backtracking and accepting they are wrong. You see this in a lot of areas in life, not just tennis.

 

[Tshooter]

One good thing about Mac is he campaigned hard to get Frank Hammond into the International Tennis Hall of Fame…I believe he is the only umpire inducted.

That he couldn't control himself on court doesn't mean he lacks self-awareness or won't do the right thing off the court. And I think sometimes maybe he was playing to the crowd but I'm not sure. The NY crowd certainly goaded him though no doubt about that. I saw him post-career too and doing some of the same stuff and at first you think he's kidding but then it seems he's actually angry.

Hammond deserves to be in the Tennis HOF. I think he was instrumental in turning umpiring into a profession which in turn helped make tennis more professional and not incidentally more lucrative. But I don't see him in the HOF? I see Bollettieri but I don't see Harry Hopman? The politics of getting in as a "contributor" must be something.

International Tennis Hall of Fame

www.tennisfame.com

 

[Tshooter]

Jeff Tarango…

 

[Oval_Solid]

 

[Tshooter]

what is this nonsense why do they have the most brain dead idiots as chair umpires?
if someone calls a challenge its a challenge not a hindrances

Why don't you sit in a chair for several hours on a hot day and try to focus on a little yellow ball flying back and forth in addition to everything else you're required to keep an eye on and see how you do before you call someone a brain dead idiot. Alternatively, once you join the labor market we can put a camera on your every move at work and cut together some highlights.

 

[Raul_SJ]

It simply does not happen. About as much chance as talking your way out of a speeding ticket with a California cop. Nil.

CA also uses speeding tickets as a means of revenue generation... And the cop has a quota to meet (although they will never admit to this).

 

[Raul_SJ]

2021 RG, QF
Tsitsipas vs Medvedev

Medvedev forced an umpire to admit that Medvedev was right

‘If I lose the match, it’s your fault’ - Medvedev's French Open antics cannot stop Tsitsipas

The Russian was outclassed by his Greek rival on the court and was left desperately trying to gain an advantage at every possible juncture

inews.co.uk

watch at 01:05 here:

'If I lose the match now it's your fault!' - Medvedev in row with umpire over scoreboard

French Open tennis - 'If I lose the match now it's your fault!' - Daniil Medvedev in a row with the umpire over the scoreboard. Watch all the action from the 2021 French Open live on Eurosport, eurosport.co.uk and the Eurosport app with 13-time champion Rafael Nadal eyeing a remarkable 14th...

www.eurosport.com

Medvedev is forever branded as "Bullsheet Russian" thanks to The Philosopher. The most devastating putdown in tennis history.

 

[Tshooter]

It simply does not happen. About as much chance as talking your way out of a speeding ticket with a California cop. Nil.

CA also uses speeding tickets as a means of revenue generation... And the cop has a quota to meet (although they will never admit to this).

Dr. Raul. You're not supposed to "talk your way out if it." You're supposed to casually display your PBA card.

Doesn't every jurisdiction use speeding as revenue generation. And many I'm sure have quotas and not just on speeding violations. But if you try to ask the arresting officer point blank about it in the Grand Jury room the ADA shuts you down. Or so I'm told.

 

[Fedforever]

That he couldn't control himself on court doesn't mean he lacks self-awareness or won't do the right thing off the court.

I think it's in his first autobiography where he says that late in his career he found himself giving a tirade and actually wondering whether it was coming from "inside" or whether he was doing it for the crowd, like a ritual. There's also a brilliant documentary he did with the BBC - I don't know whether it's around on YouTube.

It is funny to me seeing him turn from "Superbrat" into an elder statesman but he is intelligent and charismatic.

 

[Tshooter]

Medvedev is forever branded as "Bullsheet Russian" thanks to The Philosopher. The most devastating putdown in tennis history.

Don't start up with small kids.