heated USTA match

[blakesq]

So I recently played a usta men's double match. in the middle of the first set, the opponent questioned two of our calls--I had called two close serves out. They looked out to me. My partner didn't overrule me.

one of the opponents was mumbling under his breath, something about "hooking me". My first mistake was to say "What are you saying I can't hear you" and then he said, you hooked us on two points, I am on to you. then he slammed a ball into the net. We switched sides, then I slammed a ball into the ground, and it bounced over to their side and I said "I can slam balls too". And he said "At least I don't cheat". so I was basically very angry the whole rest of the match, which we lost. When I served next, for a couple of balls I served out, I looked at them and basically said "really, you are going to call that out?"---I was playing tit for tat. It was very unpleasant, and I didn't shake their hands, feeling that if they are going to call me a cheater, they didn't deserve a hand shake. as I was sitting on the bench, I told the guy that questioning a call is fine, but calling a guy a cheater because of 2 calls is an ****hole move, we argued some more, and I walked off.

About half hour later we were in the clubhouse watching the last match finishing up, the guy came up to me and apologized for what he said. I apologized back for ramping up the situation, and we shook hands. I also shook hands with his partner and apologized.

I felt pretty rotten. even though I thought I was justified, I was dumb to ramp up the situation. When the guy was mumbling under his breath, I should have just ignored him. When he said I hooked him twice, I should have just said, I saw the balls out, and ended it there. I haven't blown up on the courts for a couple of years now, and hopefully I won't again for a few more years. Lesson hopefully learned.

 

[gully]

I noticed you said the two serves "looked out." Was there any doubt? If not, I would have expected you to say they "were clearly out."

Were you the receiver or the receiver's partner on the calls? Were they on the back or side line? Usually the server's partner has the best, clearest look at the back service line--but can have a poor angle on the side or middle line. Sometimes the server can see the middle line and the server's partner the sideline the clearest.

Good to hear the apologies after the match, anyway. But it doesn't really sound like it needed to escalate. In my men's matches there are always some close calls on the serves, no discussion except for obvious or repetitive hooking.

 

[blakesq]

No doubt. I was the receiver calling a serve wide on the first ball, and I was not the receiver, calling the serve long for my partner.

I noticed you said the two serves "looked out." Was there any doubt? If not, I would have expected you to say they "were clearly out."

Were you the receiver or the receiver's partner on the calls? Were they on the back or side line? Usually the server's partner has the best, clearest look at the back service line--but can have a poor angle on the side or middle line. Sometimes the server can see the middle line and the server's partner the sideline the clearest.

Good to hear the apologies after the match, anyway. But it doesn't really sound like it needed to escalate. In my men's matches there are always some close calls on the serves, no discussion except for obvious or repetitive hooking.

 

[OnyxZ28]

You know, it happens, things get heated between people, but it was nice that everyone was able to own it and move on in a civil manner. It's like they say, no discord, no concord, yea?

 

[dizzlmcwizzl]

Conflict makes the match a little less enjoyable for sane people. However, there are some psychopaths out their that thrive on trying to turn the match into psychological warfare instead of an athletic competition.

----------

A couple weeks ago I had an opponent try to set the tone right after the coin flip. He stated that he was giving us an official warning about foot faults so that he could call it on the first offense. I had to point out that was not the rule and eventually ended the argument by pulling out the friend at the court. Led to 65 minutes of unfriendly tennis ... no foot faults were called. We won, so I guess it was ok, but still not very fun in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Mr.Lob]

I'd have probably done the same thing. Calling someone a cheater is a low blow. Should be used only as a last resort.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

This is awkward. Either OP is talking about me or I have a twin.
Ive played several matches just like this recently.
(I have a bad temper)
but each match some opponent calls my aces on the line out (or theyre so close to line that at 110mph it is too fast for these guys to CLEARLY see it as out)
or im at net when my partner hits inside out forehand that I can easily see right in front of me is in and the other net guy at a bad angle calls it out.
each match has built up the anger in me... and now when I start a match and the opponent calls a very close ball out I am close to exploding.
in each of the prior matches I got very angry and resorted to trying to legally peg the opponent at the net with serve returns or overheads.
In singles, I have a harder time venting my frustration and usually have to stop play to discuss why the opponent is calling my line shots out. It gets awkward and I usually overhit after that and lose the match.
Since then Ive played 2 opponents that both played what I would call proper tennis.
if its fast and near a line and doesnt leave a mark just call it Good!

The OP might actually be talking about me.
I definitely yelled Cheater! after a guy called an ace out recently. I didnt mean to say it though. maybe i have tourettes!
Its a part of tennis I struggle with... since in basketball you either make the shot or not without some blind old fool saying that you just missed the line by a centimeter on break point.
My matches against pushers lately all involve questionable line calls which also adds to my annoyance. My coaches have told me to just play safer to the middle of the court but that just isnt my game.
When I play PUSHERS they know their big worry is handling my power and not letting me hit winners and if they can shrink the court on me they are that much closer to winning. Or else they are just blind. Or they just want to make me lose my temper to get an advantage that way.
After Ive pegged my opponents a few times and upped my game to overcome the bad calls and WIN I usually am totally calm and become nice again.
But I have gottten very bad...cuz my family was watching me play when I was yelling cheater and throwing tantrums. It was embarrassing but I cant control myself.
sure its easy to blame me for my poor behavior, but there seem to be a LOT of tennis players that either dont know the rules or just want to win so badly that they cheat. It shocked me in doubles how glaring it is when u have 2 guys at the net and they still call balls out.
Guess im supposed to be a "good sportsman" and accept the clear cheating and possibly lose to inferior opponents with a smile...but right now I cant do it.
I think they play others who dont have the guts to speak up so they dont think I will. Well, guess what... im gonna let u know when u r getting sketchy on your calls. Last time I played I waited til the 5th close call went against me before telling the other guy... but I gonna do something. Of course the cheater said the last ball was 2 inches out.
I didnt agree but i said Im not talking about 1 ball. Im talking about 5 close calls.
If its doubles.... watch out cuz you are definitely getting a few balls blasted at you.
And im not putting my hand up and saying sorry either.

I think that OP admits to possible cheating when he said ball was close but he called it out.

if you dont cheat... im a perfect gentleman on the court. But if u start with bad calls... watch out... I feel like a caped crusader for line justice and will use all weapons available to get back at you!

Suck it Cheater!

Sadly I think ive said that after acing opponent after bad call.

JUST CALL CLOSE BALLS IN!!!! you are not HAWKEYE!

 

[MegacedU]

I find that exercising my right to request an impartial line judge solves many a dispute about line calling.

 

[tennis_ocd]

In my informal and impartial observations I find that 95% of those thinking they're being cheated are incorrect. Guys just want to think everyone of their balls are catching the outside line.

Bottom line, it's just part of the game. Even the pros and ump get it wrong .... if you accept hawkeye as being right.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

hawkeye is not always right. has a 7-10% chance at least of error and is mainly used as a "fan experience" and just the best tool they have to limit McEnroe/Serena meltdowns on TV.
you can get mad at the umpire.. but its hard to yell for too long at an animated screen.
(i made up the error percentage.. but it aint always right and they admit it)
in my personal experience.. humans cheat or think they're eyesight is better than it really is. their is inaccuracy for both opponents but they SPIRIT of the GAME is to call CLOSE shots IN!
i understand it is hard for me to tell in singles.. i just know mine in singles are close and i dont see any space between the ball and the line.
some might be out... no problem. but the odds of all my shots being out just ain't possible. in fact when i am playing well a lot of my serves hit the line on PURPOSE. that is a GREAT shot.
but my doubles experience (when im at net and i can see my partners serve or shot )shows that there are a LOT of clowns that have bad angles and bad eyes.
that is when i get angriest is when i can easily tell that the ball was in and they still have the gall to call it out. and then go on to argue with me about it. i'm not much for arguing because nobody can PROVE what happened so when somebody gets loud and obnoxious with me on the tennis court and just HAS to have the last word. I'll let them have it.. but then they are going to get pegged.. hard and often.

 

[dizzlmcwizzl]

hawkeye is not always right. has a 7-10% chance at least of error and is mainly used as a "fan experience" and just the best tool they have to limit McEnroe/Serena meltdowns on TV.
you can get mad at the umpire.. but its hard to yell for too long at an

I am curious where you are getting this from.

I have read error ranges in terms of millimeters but I would be surprised if the errors rate was any where near 0.01% .... let alone 7-10%

 

[datsveryinterestin]

http://m.espn.go.com/general/tennis/story?storyId=3452293&src=desktop
Tried to put link lower but effing phone not cooperating....

Also..
Sort of off topic and I admitted to making the numbers up....




(Link)

Hawkeye says their system is 99.9% accurate.
But others disagree but dont argue too much cuz its better than nothing.

According to the ITF criteria, any electronic line-calling system must be able to judge a ball in or out within 5 millimeters (0.20 inches). Incorrect calls are allowed, so long as they are not more than 10 millimeters (0.40 inches) off.

"On no occasion have we said that this technology is perfect," said Stuart Miller, head of science and technical issues at the ITF.

Miller said that accompanying Hawk-Eye's rulings with a disclaimer that the system's reconstructions were only a best guess of what happened would only confuse the public.

 

[tennis_ocd]

I am curious where you are getting this from.

I have read error ranges in terms of millimeters but I would be surprised if the errors rate was any where near 0.01% .... let alone 7-10%

Given the advertised accuracy, I'd think the standard "ball clips the very edge of line" zoom in graphic would be about 50/50 in term of true capture... the significant majority of challenges however aren't this close.

 

[SouthboundAgain]

f you dont cheat... im a perfect gentleman on the court. But if u start with bad calls... watch out... I feel like a caped crusader for line justice and will use all weapons available to get back at you!

You're entitled to questioning bad calls in a civil manner, and should definitely do so.

However, when you start calling people names, and try to physically injure them by pegging them on returns or when they are at net, in my opinion you don't have a place on the tennis court. If that happens in a league match, I think you should be disqualified.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

why is pegging somebody wrong? never seen a rule about that.
sometimes it is the only way i can leave "a mark" that i can point to to show them it was IN!
VAMOS!

and to the fired up AAtrain... good feedback.thanks!
you sound like a CHEATER. hahaha
i believe i hit one ball that was close to the line that was ACTUALLY out.
ONCE! but the rest have all been in! (joking.. but this dude will probably think im serious)
but this summer has been strange in the frequency of close calls and getting robbed by senile blind fools on the court (like aatrain). but i won ALL of my doubles matches this year too so i got the best of all of them and shook their hands at the end too.
but i don't usually get mad in singles..(just might question a series of bad calls and ask how long they will continue doing it) as i said when i get truely angry is when they mess with my partners great shot that i can clearly see.
that infuriates me.

 

[Maui19]

And my ignore list grows once again LOL!

 

[Gonzalito17]

Looked out doesn't = definitely out. You have to be CERTAIN it was out.

 

[Gonzalito17]

It's tough to see those when you're returning, your partner had the better view. If he confirmed the balls as out, good. If he didn't confirm, they may have touched line.

 

[tennis tom]

...I had called two close serves out. They looked out to me. My partner didn't overrule me.

That doesn't sound too convincingly out. There's a lot of rec players who won't overrule their partner.

 

[Turbo-87]

why is pegging somebody wrong? never seen a rule about that.
sometimes it is the only way i can leave "a mark" that i can point to to show them it was IN!
VAMOS!

and to the fired up AAtrain... good feedback.thanks!
you sound like a CHEATER. hahaha
i believe i hit one ball that was close to the line that was ACTUALLY out.
ONCE! but the rest have all been in! (joking.. but this dude will probably think im serious)
but this summer has been strange in the frequency of close calls and getting robbed by senile blind fools on the court (like aatrain). but i won ALL of my doubles matches this year too so i got the best of all of them and shook their hands at the end too.
but i don't usually get mad in singles..(just might question a series of bad calls and ask how long they will continue doing it) as i said when i get truely angry is when they mess with my partners great shot that i can clearly see.
that infuriates me.

You are seriously wired a little funny upstairs. I am so glad I will never have the displeasure of playing you, sir. lol

 

[datsveryinterestin]

Where can I get that bag homie?

 

[dcdoorknob]

In my informal and impartial observations I find that 95% of those thinking they're being cheated are incorrect. Guys just want to think everyone of their balls are catching the outside line.

Bottom line, it's just part of the game. Even the pros and ump get it wrong .... if you accept hawkeye as being right.

Yeah I agree. Most of the time when people get mad about line calls its on balls that were just clearly out. But there they are 50+ feet away thinking they can see the ball so much more clearly than me or my partner and just sure as they can be that they are being cheated when it's really all in their head.

When I hit a shot that I thought was close by my opponents call out, my reaction is "oh, I guess it was out." Not "THOSE CHEATERS ARE OUT TO GET ME THIS IS WAR!!!1!!!!" But to each his own I guess.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

Yall need to learn from Dr. HOUSE.

Glad to see the reasonable people that understand that too close & fast to see beyond all doubt means you give your opponent the point!

But because their are still way too many cheaters and blind fools in this world..and players that just dont understand the rules.... ive really gotta work on my moon ball down the middle of the court. Yay..wut fun tennis!

 

[Stevo Karlovic]

Threads like this make me laugh and cry at once. It is so common anymore, to see folks like all of you, hacks, out on the courts. If you knew the first thing about tennis, you would understand the barest essences of the sport - dignity and class. When you are bemoaning line calls, smacking balls around, and generally treating each other badly as opponents, you are actually not playing tennis, but rather just some hack, meat-head version of the sport.

Please understand that this is the First Commandment of Tennis!!

Stick to racquetball.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

^ dresses in all white... long pants.. and wears a glove on his wooden racquet!

And good day to you good fellow.
tata!

 

[Jay_The_Nomad]

(I have a bad temper)
but each match some opponent calls my aces on the line out (or theyre so close to line that at 110mph it is too fast for these guys to CLEARLY see it as out)

It is NOT your call. If the opponent thinks he saw it go out, it is out.

Onus is on YOU to hit with more margin inside the service box.

Sportsmanship works both ways. Your opponent hopefully has enough sportsmanship to call it in when in doubt. But you also need to accept his calls and deal with it.

 

[anubis]

People keep forgetting that tennis is a gentleman's game. Don't forget about your manners. Treat people with respect and they will likely return the favor -- and if they don't, then it only makes you look better to everyone else.

 

[ImNotCrazy]

hawkeye is not always right. has a 7-10% chance at least of error and is mainly used as a "fan experience" and just the best tool they have to limit McEnroe/Serena meltdowns on TV.
you can get mad at the umpire.. but its hard to yell for too long at an animated screen.
(i made up the error percentage.. but it aint always right and they admit it)
in my personal experience.. humans cheat or think they're eyesight is better than it really is. their is inaccuracy for both opponents but they SPIRIT of the GAME is to call CLOSE shots IN!
i understand it is hard for me to tell in singles.. i just know mine in singles are close and i dont see any space between the ball and the line.
some might be out... no problem. but the odds of all my shots being out just ain't possible. in fact when i am playing well a lot of my serves hit the line on PURPOSE. that is a GREAT shot.
but my doubles experience (when im at net and i can see my partners serve or shot )shows that there are a LOT of clowns that have bad angles and bad eyes.
that is when i get angriest is when i can easily tell that the ball was in and they still have the gall to call it out. and then go on to argue with me about it. i'm not much for arguing because nobody can PROVE what happened so when somebody gets loud and obnoxious with me on the tennis court and just HAS to have the last word. I'll let them have it.. but then they are going to get pegged.. hard and often.

Or some people overestimate their ability to hit on the line more than most...

How would you define "close"? One inch? Two inches? Of course if you aren't sure you call it in but it's your opponent's call to make. Humans make mistakes but having a "cheaters everywhere are out to get me" is unhealthy.

You say you're not much for arguing but judging from your first post, you seem like the spoiled brat who whines and yells when you don't get your way. There are no rules against pegging but if you're trying to do it on purpose just to prove a point, then you need help. Please don't have kids but if you do I feel sorry for them.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

Good name calling there!
well done sir!

 

[Turbo-87]

Or some people overestimate their ability to hit on the line more than most...

How would you define "close"? One inch? Two inches? Of course if you aren't sure you call it in but it's your opponent's call to make. Humans make mistakes but having a "cheaters everywhere are out to get me" is unhealthy.

You say you're not much for arguing but judging from your first post, you seem like the spoiled brat who whines and yells when you don't get your way. There are no rules against pegging but if you're trying to do it on purpose just to prove a point, then you need help. Please don't have kids but if you do I feel sorry for them.

That is a very very good point. I would tend to lean toward someone overestimating their ability to paint the lines rather than every player on the planet being blind. Blame others for faults. I am so glad I don't know any players like the guy in question. That in itself makes the sport enjoyable to me.

 

[tennis_ocd]

That doesn't sound too convincingly out. There's a lot of rec players who won't overrule their partner.

If one doesn't call the deep balls out we get a thread on cheaters playing out serves.

 

[cknobman]

After reading all the posts in this thread one thing is clearly apparent.

datsveryinterestin has issues

No one is perfect, to make errors in judgement is part of our nature.
Playing league tennis we should all know this first hand.
If you can't accept what you perceive to be a bad call or two then maybe you should not be playing USTA league tennis.

I've had it happen to me and I'm sure my opponents feel I've done it to them.
Just gotta man up and realize that maybe, just maybe, your opponent is not intentionally cheating you. If they are there is nothing you can do about it so take their opportunities away from them by not hitting close to the lines. Sure it sucks but the point is to get through the match and move on.

 

[blakesq]

looked out=out. if you disagree, please explain.

Looked out doesn't = definitely out. You have to be CERTAIN it was out.

 

[sovertennis]

Another vapid, insipid thread about line calls, dominated by posters with irrational conspiracy theories about how their opponents make a concerted effort to cheat them, and how their absurd, juvenile retaliations are entirely justified.

Yawn.

 

[tennis tom]

looked out=out. if you disagree, please explain.

"I'm 1000% SURE that ball was OUT and will cut off my little finger if it wasn't!"--otherwise, benefit of the doubt goes to the opponents (unless they are dick heads and been cheating you--then cheat them back and kind of blink when the ball is maybe +/- one inch.

 

[OrangePower]

"I'm 1000% SURE that ball was OUT and will cut off my little finger if it wasn't!"

This is a fantastic idea!

For my next match, prior to the match, I'm going to set up a few HD video cameras to record the action. Also, I will have a nice sharp hatchet in my bag.

Then, if and when my opponent makes a dubious call, I will ask:

Me: "Are you sure?"
Him: "Yes!"
Me: "100% sure? Because it looked clearly in to me..."
Him: "Yes, 1000% sure it was out! You calling me a cheater?"
Me: "No of course not, but let's put it this way, if you have any doubt you can't call it out. So for example, are you sure enough that you would cut off your little finger if in fact it was in?"
Him: "Yes, I told you already, I'm sure and it was out!!!"
Me: "Ok, Ok..."
(pointing to the HD cameras and pulling the hatchet out of my bag...)
Me: "...so let's take a look at the video evidence, and then if we see that it was in, I have this here hatchet that you can use to chop your finger off!"
Him: "Um, well, you see, I don't know, my finger and all, I'm pretty sure it was out, but, you know, maybe I had sweat in my eyes, and it was going fast, and, you know..."
Me: "Ok then, my point!"

 

[ImNotCrazy]

"I'm 1000% SURE that ball was OUT and will cut off my little finger if it wasn't!"--otherwise, benefit of the doubt goes to the opponents (unless they are dick heads and been cheating you--then cheat them back and kind of blink when the ball is maybe +/- one inch.

Your little finger is not enough. Next time put your Penn 15 on the line.

But seriously... if it looks out call it out. If it clips the line, it sure doesn't look out the don't call it out. You play sports with the same level of integrity as any other activity and you respect your opponent to do the same. Sport is played for enjoyment.

Of course there will be a minority who will argue every close call but hey, what can you do?

 

[Jay_The_Nomad]

That is a very very good point. I would tend to lean toward someone overestimating their ability to paint the lines rather than every player on the planet being blind. Blame others for faults. I am so glad I don't know any players like the guy in question. That in itself makes the sport enjoyable to me.

You are lucky.

I actually played against such a player once in a doubles match. He was one of those streaky power hitters lots of pace on the first serve and an intimidating game so probably not used to people calling his fast shots out (those that manage to cross the net anyway lol). I called a few of his first serves long when I was the net man and he really blew his lid despite the fact that I was the best person out of everyone to make the call that it was long. It was real ugly. Server starts swearing at me then asks my partner if it's in or out and my partner the wimp that he was caved in to the intimidation and offered them the point saying he wasn't sure but it might have been in. ****ed me off even more. Swore never to play with that spineless fool again. Didn't know who to be more angry with.

 

[Aurellian]

People keep forgetting that tennis is a gentleman's game. Don't forget about your manners. Treat people with respect and they will likely return the favor -- and if they don't, then it only makes you look better to everyone else.

It should be but it's not.

Until tech advances that enables clubs to use some variant of hawkeye at an affordable cost these problems will continue.

The fact of the matter is that lots of errors-- whether intentional or not--are made with line calls. I doubt if most casual players are able to judge if a ball clips a line or not if it is 2ft in front of them;when the ball is coming 90mph plus you can forget about it.

 

[floridatennisdude]

This is awkward. Either OP is talking about me or I have a twin.
Ive played several matches just like this recently.
(I have a bad temper)
but each match some opponent calls my aces on the line out (or theyre so close to line that at 110mph it is too fast for these guys to CLEARLY see it as out)
or im at net when my partner hits inside out forehand that I can easily see right in front of me is in and the other net guy at a bad angle calls it out.
each match has built up the anger in me... and now when I start a match and the opponent calls a very close ball out I am close to exploding.
in each of the prior matches I got very angry and resorted to trying to legally peg the opponent at the net with serve returns or overheads.
In singles, I have a harder time venting my frustration and usually have to stop play to discuss why the opponent is calling my line shots out. It gets awkward and I usually overhit after that and lose the match.
Since then Ive played 2 opponents that both played what I would call proper tennis.
if its fast and near a line and doesnt leave a mark just call it Good!

The OP might actually be talking about me.
I definitely yelled Cheater! after a guy called an ace out recently. I didnt mean to say it though. maybe i have tourettes!
Its a part of tennis I struggle with... since in basketball you either make the shot or not without some blind old fool saying that you just missed the line by a centimeter on break point.
My matches against pushers lately all involve questionable line calls which also adds to my annoyance. My coaches have told me to just play safer to the middle of the court but that just isnt my game.
When I play PUSHERS they know their big worry is handling my power and not letting me hit winners and if they can shrink the court on me they are that much closer to winning. Or else they are just blind. Or they just want to make me lose my temper to get an advantage that way.
After Ive pegged my opponents a few times and upped my game to overcome the bad calls and WIN I usually am totally calm and become nice again.
But I have gottten very bad...cuz my family was watching me play when I was yelling cheater and throwing tantrums. It was embarrassing but I cant control myself.
sure its easy to blame me for my poor behavior, but there seem to be a LOT of tennis players that either dont know the rules or just want to win so badly that they cheat. It shocked me in doubles how glaring it is when u have 2 guys at the net and they still call balls out.
Guess im supposed to be a "good sportsman" and accept the clear cheating and possibly lose to inferior opponents with a smile...but right now I cant do it.
I think they play others who dont have the guts to speak up so they dont think I will. Well, guess what... im gonna let u know when u r getting sketchy on your calls. Last time I played I waited til the 5th close call went against me before telling the other guy... but I gonna do something. Of course the cheater said the last ball was 2 inches out.
I didnt agree but i said Im not talking about 1 ball. Im talking about 5 close calls.
If its doubles.... watch out cuz you are definitely getting a few balls blasted at you.
And im not putting my hand up and saying sorry either.

I think that OP admits to possible cheating when he said ball was close but he called it out.

if you dont cheat... im a perfect gentleman on the court. But if u start with bad calls... watch out... I feel like a caped crusader for line justice and will use all weapons available to get back at you!

Suck it Cheater!

Sadly I think ive said that after acing opponent after bad call.

JUST CALL CLOSE BALLS IN!!!! you are not HAWKEYE!

Top 10 GOAT creepy posts

 

[datsveryinterestin]

wooo finally ive hit the big time!

 

[JoelDali]

Can we see Vimeo clips of the 4 of you spraying balls at each other all serious and amped up on Cortex?

 

[Steady Eddy]

It is NOT your call. If the opponent thinks he saw it go out, it is out.

Onus is on YOU to hit with more margin inside the service box.

Sportsmanship works both ways. Your opponent hopefully has enough sportsmanship to call it in when in doubt. But you also need to accept his calls and deal with it.

I know what you mean. Someone shouldn't be arguing calls every match. But what about when it is so far in that you are 100% certain that it's in? And you hear it called "out"? How could someone truly be 100% certain on their side that it was out, when you KNOW it was in? Someone isn't giving me the benefit of the doubt, as they should, according to the rules, i.e. The Code. Remember every set there might be about 5 points where I'm 90% sure it's out, but give the point to them, and they don't reciprocate. Especially on a DTL passing shot, where I aimed near the line, and it went where I aimed it, and then I lose the point anyway because of their call. Kinda sucks.

 

[Jay_The_Nomad]

IRemember every set there might be about 5 points where I'm 90% sure it's out, but give the point to them, and they don't reciprocate. Especially on a DTL passing shot, where I aimed near the line, and it went where I aimed it, and then I lose the point anyway because of their call. Kinda sucks.

The way I look at it is that if the other guy across the net plays his matches without giving his opponent the benefit of the doubt on uncertain balls, I am pretty sure most if not all his previous opponents would have done the same thing to him. So IMO it's probably ok for you to recalibrate your generosity towards this player after all he should be used to it. It's really a question about how to deal with a cheater because that's what it is isn't it? The rules say if unsure call it in, so to do otherwise would be cheating. I guess it's really up to the individual whether they want to cheat the cheater or to just play. Either way, a culture of cheating is bad for the sport and cheating the cheater just propagates it and turns it into a vicious cycle. But I won't condemn anyone if they choose to retaliate.

 

[tennis tom]

...It's really a question about how to deal with a cheater because that's what it is isn't it?

For rec tennis, I've found cheating them back works well to end it. When you are SURE you've been cheated, call a ball out on the sideline. It must be a blatant cheat, both of you have to be staring at the line as the ball lands square on the center of it. Look him in the eye and loudly proclaim "OUT". He'll know what it's for, and from then on will stop his cheating because he understands you are better at it and will beat him at that game.

 

[Steady Eddy]

The way I look at it is that if the other guy across the net plays his matches without giving his opponent the benefit of the doubt on uncertain balls, I am pretty sure most if not all his previous opponents would have done the same thing to him. So IMO it's probably ok for you to recalibrate your generosity towards this player after all he should be used to it. It's really a question about how to deal with a cheater because that's what it is isn't it? The rules say if unsure call it in, so to do otherwise would be cheating. I guess it's really up to the individual whether they want to cheat the cheater or to just play. Either way, a culture of cheating is bad for the sport and cheating the cheater just propagates it and turns it into a vicious cycle. But I won't condemn anyone if they choose to retaliate.

Just for the record...most good players don't make bad calls. You'll tend to see more bad calls when a bunch of 3.0s are playing than when 4.5s get together.

 

[corbind]

Onus is on YOU to hit with more margin inside the service box.

For the use of the word onus, sir, you win the match uncontested. A thousand points to you because 99.9% of people have never used it in a sentence.

 

[tennis tom]

For the use of the word onus, sir, you win the match uncontested. A thousand points to you because 99.9% of people have never used it in a sentence.

Yes, it is often mistakenly used for a word relating to the area of the tushy parts.

 

[kylebarendrick]

I know what you mean. Someone shouldn't be arguing calls every match. But what about when it is so far in that you are 100% certain that it's in? And you hear it called "out"? How could someone truly be 100% certain on their side that it was out, when you KNOW it was in? Someone isn't giving me the benefit of the doubt, as they should, according to the rules, i.e. The Code. Remember every set there might be about 5 points where I'm 90% sure it's out, but give the point to them, and they don't reciprocate. Especially on a DTL passing shot, where I aimed near the line, and it went where I aimed it, and then I lose the point anyway because of their call. Kinda sucks.

This is even worse in doubles when their partner confirms the out call! The first guy could simply have made a mistake. We've all done it (even those that claim they always give the benefit of the doubt). Their partner couldn't be sure it was out since it was in, so clearly they are lying to back their partner.

 

[chatt_town]

No, the servers partner does not have the best view on a serve across the service line. The receivers partner has the best view. If you don't believe that go look at any pro match on a video and look at where the line judge is calling it from.

I noticed you said the two serves "looked out." Was there any doubt? If not, I would have expected you to say they "were clearly out."

Were you the receiver or the receiver's partner on the calls? Were they on the back or side line? Usually the server's partner has the best, clearest look at the back service line--but can have a poor angle on the side or middle line. Sometimes the server can see the middle line and the server's partner the sideline the clearest.

Good to hear the apologies after the match, anyway. But it doesn't really sound like it needed to escalate. In my men's matches there are always some close calls on the serves, no discussion except for obvious or repetitive hooking.