How long do you go before saying something?

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Question is this......

How long will you go into a match before saying something about repeated bad line calls? How many will you let go? I had a match recently where my opponent did multiple things that were bad "tennis etiquette" and just downright annoying and after a blatantly horrible "out" call in the 3rd set (on a crucial, would be game winning point), I lost it and called him out on it.

This was a organized league match and unfortunately this situation will happen from time to time. Most of the guys do not call "tight" calls out...they just leave them as "in". But now and then you get someone who makes "selective" tight calls always go their way. How do you handle this?
Normally if a call seemed "questionable" to me, I will say "Are you sure"?
But if you suspect your opponent is purposely hooking you on important points, what do you do and how long before you say something?
 

ollinger

G.O.A.T.
"Perception is motivation" is axiomatic in cognitive psychology. Study after study indicates we see what we want to see; you are not in a position (psychologically) to reliably say that the other guy made a bad call. Accept this and move on. It's a game.
 

blakesq

Hall of Fame
were they bad line calls, or just tight line calls that didn't go your way? You bring up both but they are two different things. The fact that you bring up bad tennis etiquette, but don't give any examples of this bad etiquette, makes me wonder if you are just being a sore loser?

Sorry, just reading between the lines. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Question is this......

How long will you go into a match before saying something about repeated bad line calls? How many will you let go? I had a match recently where my opponent did multiple things that were bad "tennis etiquette" and just downright annoying and after a blatantly horrible "out" call in the 3rd set (on a crucial, would be game winning point), I lost it and called him out on it.

This was a organized league match and unfortunately this situation will happen from time to time. Most of the guys do not call "tight" calls out...they just leave them as "in". But now and then you get someone who makes "selective" tight calls always go their way. How do you handle this?
Normally if a call seemed "questionable" to me, I will say "Are you sure"?
But if you suspect your opponent is purposely hooking you on important points, what do you do and how long before you say something?
 

Turbo-87

G.O.A.T.
I haven't been in quite that situation, but I think I would have let it go the same amount of time as you did. I am pretty non-confrontational but bad calls can get to anyone. The only time this has really happened to me was after about three bad calls. I hit one that was clearly in and the guy called it out. I asked him if he was sure about it and he said he was pretty sure he saw it, asked his partner who said he didn't see it and then said we could replay the point. I said no, he could have it. I think that just put him on notice that I wasn't going to settle again. I don't think he was blatantly hooking ... just making bad calls. He was much more careful. Not that everything I think is in is really IN. :)
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
were they bad line calls, or just tight line calls that didn't go your way? You bring up both but they are two different things. The fact that you bring up bad tennis etiquette, but don't give any examples of this bad etiquette, makes me wonder if you are just being a sore loser?

Sorry, just reading between the lines. Please correct me if I am wrong.

They were balls so close to the line that it was imperceivable to call them "out". I said "how can you call something like that repeaditly out"? and he said "it's either in or out and that was out". I am talking about angled fast shots that skip accross or very close to the lines or fast serves that are close to the service line. Personally I always calls balls that close as "in" to avoid starting a "close call war".

My main question to all of you is...do you just let these go or do you definitely say something after a certain point? Some people respond well to you questioning their calls, but some take it not so well at all. Even if said very politely, some people seem shocked that you are questioning their calls.
 
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blakesq

Hall of Fame
well, if the balls are so close, that you cannot clearly see them IN, then how can you complain if your opponent calls them out, especially since he is much closer to the ball than you? Sounds like you just want your opponent to give you the "close ones" rather than to call them as he sees them.

Therefore, in your case, what I would do, is not hit the balls "so close to the line that it was imperceivable to call them out". problem solved.


They were balls so close to the line that it was imperceivable to call them "out". I said "how can you call something like that repeaditly out"? and he said "it's either in or out and that was out". I am talking about angled fast shots that skip accross or very close to the lines or fast serves that are close to the service line. Personally I always calls balls that close as "in" to avoid starting a "close call war".

My main question to all of you is...do you just let these go or do you definitely say something after a certain point? Some people respond well to you questioning their calls, but some take it not so well at all. Even if said very politely, some people seem shocked that you are questioning their calls.
 

slowfox

Professional
I played a pickup set earlier this week. After 4 games we're on serve. Then the "calls" start happening. A serve I saw as in (close but I could tell) was called out. Then an approach to the corner (which again I could tell was in) gets called as "just out". So I start thinking "If that's how this guy wants to play it, then I'm outta here." I pretty much tanked the set, shook hands, smiled and left.

Close ones on my side I will call as in. And I'm usually fine if close ones on the other side get called out if I really couldn't tell. But if I see it as in (not wish it as in, but see it), then I expect fair line calls. If not, then frak 'em. If they gotta win so badly, then I just let 'em.

And to answer OP's question... I guess I don't really say anything. I just bail. Tennis is just relaxation and fun for me.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
well, if the balls are so close, that you cannot clearly see them IN, then how can you complain if your opponent calls them out, especially since he is much closer to the ball than you? Sounds like you just want your opponent to give you the "close ones" rather than to call them as he sees them.

Therefore, in your case, what I would do, is not hit the balls "so close to the line that it was imperceivable to call them out". problem solved.

That's the point. Balls that u aren't 100% sure are out are supposed to be called in. That's the code. If everyone just calls those super close calls "as they see them", it would be crazy. 95% of my opponents leave those as "in" as do I.

So your solution is to not hit near the lines??? I wish it were that easy :)
 

Relinquis

Hall of Fame
Dunno if this applies to etiquette or formal rules or whatever...

be clear, are they clearly out, or merely "questionable"?

if the latter, then just cowboy up and continue playing as if the call was good... if the former, then i usually call them out on it after the 2nd one.... none of this "are you sure?" stuff rather "C'mon man, that was clearly out. make proper calls next time" and continue playing. usually that takes care of it... one of my regular hitting partners is a pathological liar* though, so whenever i play with him i have to get a third party to umpire otherwise we don't play points.


* He actually believes he is calling them correctly. Even when a ball is 30cm out, he'll call it in if it is an important point and he'll genuinely believe it. People have an amazing ability to lie to themselves. We all suffer of this to some extent, but for some it is a serious condition.
 
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gameboy

Hall of Fame
I just play my normal game and move on.

If I lose a match, so what? It is just a game.

If the person was particularly egregious, I might file a report with a coordinator, but this situation doesn't seem to be that serious.
 

spinorama

Rookie
I call them on it the first time. No reason to let them start down that road. You can do it gently, "you sure dude? Looked way in from here". Next one: "c'mon bro". Next one "alright I'm gettin a line judge hang on"

Simple
 

J_R_B

Hall of Fame
That's the point. Balls that u aren't 100% sure are out are supposed to be called in. That's the code. If everyone just calls those super close calls "as they see them", it would be crazy. 95% of my opponents leave those as "in" as do I.

So your solution is to not hit near the lines??? I wish it were that easy :)

Just because YOU aren't sure doesn't mean he isn't. When you called him on it, he told you he clearly saw it out. What's the problem? He saw it clearly out, you couldn't tell. What ground do you have to stand on to call him on it?
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
I just play my normal game and move on.

If I lose a match, so what? It is just a game.

If the person was particularly egregious, I might file a report with a coordinator, but this situation doesn't seem to be that serious.

That's a great attitude to have. I'm going to try that from now on. I get too competitive and I let the bad calls get to me too much and it brings my game down.
 

TennisYonex

New User
Question is this......

How long will you go into a match before saying something about repeated bad line calls? How many will you let go? I had a match recently where my opponent did multiple things that were bad "tennis etiquette" and just downright annoying and after a blatantly horrible "out" call in the 3rd set (on a crucial, would be game winning point), I lost it and called him out on it.

This was a organized league match and unfortunately this situation will happen from time to time. Most of the guys do not call "tight" calls out...they just leave them as "in". But now and then you get someone who makes "selective" tight calls always go their way. How do you handle this?
Normally if a call seemed "questionable" to me, I will say "Are you sure"?
But if you suspect your opponent is purposely hooking you on important points, what do you do and how long before you say something?

First time they do it give them the benefit of the doubt.
Second time they do it ask them directly "Are you sure?"
Third time they do it get the tournament officials involved.

That's how I would approach it.
 

RollTrackTake

Professional
That's a great attitude to have. I'm going to try that from now on. I get too competitive and I let the bad calls get to me too much and it brings my game down.

First occurrence, I like to stop and just look at where the ball landed for a long moment. 2nd blatant miscall I will verbally say I thought the ball was without a doubt in. If it continues, then I start calling his shots a lot tighter. I normally give a fair amount of leeway if I think a ball may have clipped a tiny fraction of the line. That stops when BS calls continue.
 

spot

Hall of Fame
They were balls so close to the line that it was imperceivable to call them "out". I said "how can you call something like that repeaditly out"? and he said "it's either in or out and that was out".

Wow. I think that you are out of line for questioning shots like that. If you consider them "imperceivable" from your side of the net how on earth are you going to whine about the other person's call?

Its one thing if you think that the ball was unquestionably and without doubt in, if you can't tell either way it makes you seem rather desperate to be irritated that the ball was called out.
 

stapletonj

Hall of Fame
At some point in this thread, I got confused.
Did somebody refer to being hooked by balls that were out being called in by the opponent? Except for the 2 chances service return, how is that possible?
 

floridatennisdude

Hall of Fame
My three step process:

1st bad call- say nothing, everyone makes mistakes

2nd bad call- say, "really? That felt really good coming off my racquet."

3rd time- say, "no no no, check that mark. I saw that hit right there." ....while pointing at it.

Any push back results in my not returning calls to play again as they are placed in my tennis purgatory. If its a USTA match, I just voice my displeasure about the opponent to my teammates and advise them to watch out in future matchups.
 

g4driver

Legend
Thankfully 99.9% of the people play fairly and don't hook.

I played a ladder match on Friday am. The weather was beautiful. sunny, low 70s, and the signs of spring all around us.

It was nice to play for the love of the game and not a spot in the playoffs, or state or better. If the ball was too fast and I couldn't call it out, several times I said "too close too call, nice shot". My generous opponent offered "lets replay the point, since my shot looked out, and you weren't in a good position to see it. "

He was that generous all match long. He played points that I thought were out. Maybe he and I played so much alike. Our calls, the long rallies, and the winners and unforced errors. It was recreational tennis and the mutual respect was evident.

In the second set, 5-5, I hit a forehand and he played it, but I knew it was out and stopped play and conceded the point. I simply said, "my ball was wide-your point"
I lost the match 6-4, 7-5 in 2 hours and 15 minutes but met a new friend that would like to play again. I would gladly play this guy anytime. He was the opponent you want in a match. He pushed me and was more than fair.

This match reminded of why I love tennis. Imagine if all USTA matches were like this --- Simply played for the love of the game.
 
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TTMR

Hall of Fame
I avoid this problem by preemptively making some 'out' calls of my own just to compensate for some of my opponents' bad calls he will inevitably make. That way, the total number of undeserved points is roughly even. This is a fair approach that balances it out for both involved.
 
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I avoid this problem by preemptively making some 'out' calls of my own just to compensate for some of my opponents' bad calls he will inevitable make. That way, the total number of undeserved points is roughly even. This is a fair approach that balances it out for both involved.

So you knowingly call your opponent's otherwise in balls, out?
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Thankfully 99.9% of the people play fairly and don't hook.

I played a ladder match on Friday am. The weather was beautiful. sunny, low 70s, and the signs of spring all around us.

It was nice to play for the love of the game and not a spot in the playoffs, or state or better. If the ball was too fast and I couldn't call it out, several times I said "too close too call, nice shot". My generous opponent offered "lets replay the point, since my shot looked out, and you weren't in a good position to see it. "

He was that generous all match long. He played points that I thought were out. Maybe he and I played so much alike. Our calls, the long rallies, and the winners and unforced errors. It was recreational tennis and the mutual respect was evident.

In the second set, 5-5, I hit a forehand and he played it, but I knew it was out and stopped play and conceded the point. I simply said, "my ball was wide-your point"
I lost the match 6-4, 7-5 in 2 hours and 15 minutes but met a new friend that would like to play again. I would gladly play this guy anytime. He was the opponent you want in a match. He pushed me and was more than fair.

This match reminded of why I love tennis. Imagine if all USTA matches were like this --- Simply played for the love of the game.

Sounds good G4. Thanks for sharing.
 

sundaypunch

Hall of Fame
Maybe eventually, "Hawkeye" technology will be dirt cheap and installed on most courts. It would be interesting to be able to review line calls and see how accurate our perceptions really are.
 

floridatennisdude

Hall of Fame
Maybe eventually, "Hawkeye" technology will be dirt cheap and installed on most courts. It would be interesting to be able to review line calls and see how accurate our perceptions really are.

It would be more interesting to see the fights this knowledge would lead to in junior tournaments. Think those parents that got their board removed are bad now? Just give them another tool to use showing how slimy their opponents and their parents are.
 

dizzlmcwizzl

Hall of Fame
This year I made a resolution not to question calls. i figured i would be good until league season started in late april.

Got suckered into a USTA mixed match last weekend and my streak was broken exactly 3 games in. I could not help myself ... the call looked so atrociously bad i had to say something on the first instance. Really spoiled the rest of the match for everybody .... I wish I had the control not to speak up and just play better.
 

dizzlmcwizzl

Hall of Fame
as a side note I have taped many matches with a high def camera ... even filiming itis often hard to go back and check someones calls unless you have the camera set perfectly.
 

andfor

Legend
Maybe eventually, "Hawkeye" technology will be dirt cheap and installed on most courts. It would be interesting to be able to review line calls and see how accurate our perceptions really are.
I really doubt this will ever happen on the amature level in our life time. I'll leave the room for this slight chance to unknown technolgical advances.

It would be more interesting to see the fights this knowledge would lead to in junior tournaments. Think those parents that got their board removed are bad now? Just give them another tool to use showing how slimy their opponents and their parents are.
"Their board"? Didn't you post there too?

We see pros calling for reviews often wrong and Hawkeye rarely changing the outcome of the match. Same goes for bad linecalling in junior tennis.
 

tlm

G.O.A.T.
They were balls so close to the line that it was imperceivable to call them "out". I said "how can you call something like that repeaditly out"? and he said "it's either in or out and that was out". I am talking about angled fast shots that skip accross or very close to the lines or fast serves that are close to the service line. Personally I always calls balls that close as "in" to avoid starting a "close call war".

My main question to all of you is...do you just let these go or do you definitely say something after a certain point? Some people respond well to you questioning their calls, but some take it not so well at all. Even if said very politely, some people seem shocked that you are questioning their calls.

As far as fast serves that are close to the serve line go in singles there are many of these that are long but get played as though they are in. At the indoor club I play at there are 3 courts on each side of the elevated viewing area. From above you can see very well especially on serves.

In singles there are numerous long serves played, the ones that are 2-5 inches long are played repeatedly. These serves blend in with the line to the receiver, but I know that most of the time the server can tell that they are probably long. But rarely if ever do I see the server say no that serve was long.

Which is just the way it is, but it is unfair to the player with the slower serve speed. He does not get near as many of these as the fast server does because his slower serves are easier to see than the fast ones that go a few inches long but are repeatedly played as in.
 

tlm

G.O.A.T.
That's the point. Balls that u aren't 100% sure are out are supposed to be called in. That's the code. If everyone just calls those super close calls "as they see them", it would be crazy. 95% of my opponents leave those as "in" as do I.

So your solution is to not hit near the lines??? I wish it were that easy :)

Well I know that there are times were I had plenty of court to hit into but hit on or near the line and lost the point on a close call, in which I would take some of the blame because there was no reason to be anywhere near the line.

You are correct if you are not 100% sure you should play it as in. What I have found is the higher level players do this the majority of the time. A shot that is close is just played and this prevents the problem.

So most reasonable players see this and do the same so there are no disputes. Which I think is the way it should be, the only problem with this is some start to get to generous were you can see the ball is a couple inches wide but yet they still play it.

So now what do you do play his shots that you can see clearly are a few inches out? So now you are making out calls that are only if the ball is 4-5 inches out. Were do you draw the line?

In the majority of matches even the most fair players will not be so generous as the set is close and towards the end the calls will tighten up. Which to me is no problem, just try to be as accurate as possible.
 

lobman

Rookie
That's a great attitude to have. I'm going to try that from now on. I get too competitive and I let the bad calls get to me too much and it brings my game down.

Way to go, Jack. I hope that I and all my tennis mates can look at this all-to-common problem that way. Also creds for taking some good advice to heart.
 

Fusker

Rookie
As far as fast serves that are close to the serve line go in singles there are many of these that are long but get played as though they are in. At the indoor club I play at there are 3 courts on each side of the elevated viewing area. From above you can see very well especially on serves.

In singles there are numerous long serves played, the ones that are 2-5 inches long are played repeatedly. These serves blend in with the line to the receiver, but I know that most of the time the server can tell that they are probably long. But rarely if ever do I see the server say no that serve was long.

Which is just the way it is, but it is unfair to the player with the slower serve speed. He does not get near as many of these as the fast server does because his slower serves are easier to see than the fast ones that go a few inches long but are repeatedly played as in.

The server is prohibited from calling their fist serve out, so no surprise that you don't see many called there.

As far as fairness to slower servers, speaking as a guy with a fast serve, I can safely say that while I've always felt that my opponent typically plays some balls that might be long, I usually lose several aces or service winners per match due to an incorrect call. The most common one incorrectly called is the ad court winner up the tee that is slicing away. From my (better) vantage point it's clearly in, but will sometimes get called out.

Unless it happens repeatedly I just accept that my serve can be a challenge on the returner to see clearly and that while they may make a few bad calls, it's unlikely to be intentional.
 

TomT

Hall of Fame
... if you suspect your opponent is purposely hooking you on important points, what do you do and how long before you say something?
Know that nothing will be accomplished by you saying anything to your opponent if he's doing it on purpose, and that it hurts your game to keep in in your mind.

In my view, the best response to the perception that your opponent might be cheating on line calls is to use it to motivate you to keep your mind clear and calm when not actually playing, and calm and focused on the ball when playing.

Oh, and don't hit quite so close to the lines. :)

Armed with this attitude at the outset of a match, you're able to prevent any actions by any would be cheaters from causing you any worry, and should play better tennis as a result.
 
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tlm

G.O.A.T.
The server is prohibited from calling their fist serve out, so no surprise that you don't see many called there.

As far as fairness to slower servers, speaking as a guy with a fast serve, I can safely say that while I've always felt that my opponent typically plays some balls that might be long, I usually lose several aces or service winners per match due to an incorrect call. The most common one incorrectly called is the ad court winner up the tee that is slicing away. From my (better) vantage point it's clearly in, but will sometimes get called out.

Unless it happens repeatedly I just accept that my serve can be a challenge on the returner to see clearly and that while they may make a few bad calls, it's unlikely to be intentional.

I do agree that the returners do miss the t serve from the add side sometimes. But I would bet you good money that you never get more calls against you than you get for your long serves.

I would love for you to watch single matches from my clubs viewpoint, you would see what really happens. The guys receiving especially against fast servers play many many long serves. In a 3 set match they are usually at least in double figures and I have seen many times were there are over 20 in one match.

So the occasional 1 missed up the t never make up for all the serves that are 2-4 inches long that are played. Also you are right the server is prohibited from calling their own serve out, but in pick up matches that I play with honest people both of us will over ride the receivers call when we can clearly see the serve is long.

We want our serves to be in and even if just a little long we want to have to 2nd serve for practice and it is only right being our first serve was long. That is one of the problems with guys with big first serves they get so used to the receiver playing long serves, so then when someone starts calling them correct they think they are being cheated.

This happens a lot when single players play some doubles were there is the non receiver watching from the serve line. All of a sudden all these 1st serves that are usually called in while playing singles are suddenly called out.
 
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Fusker

Rookie
I do agree that the returners do miss the t serve from the add side sometimes. But I would bet you good money that you never get more calls against you than you get for your long serves.

I would love for you to watch single matches from my clubs viewpoint, you would see what really happens. The guys receiving especially against fast servers play many many long serves. In a 3 set match they are usually at least in double figures and I have seen many times were there are over 20 in one match.

So the occasional 1 missed up the t never make up for all the serves that are 2-4 inches long that are played. Also you are right the server is prohibited from calling their own serve out, but in pick up matches that I play with honest people both of us will over ride the receivers call when we can clearly see the serve is long.

We want our serves to be in and even if just a little long we want to have to 2nd serve for practice and it is only right being our first serve was long. That is one of the problems with guys with big first serves they get so used to the receiver playing long serves, so then when someone starts calling them correct they think they are being cheated.

This happens a lot when single players play some doubles were there is the non receiver watching from the serve line. All of a sudden all these 1st serves that are usually called in while playing singles are suddenly called out.

I've seen all kinds of matches from a variety of angles (including the elevated viewing area) so I know exactly what you're talking about. It is one of the tougher calls to make. I would also agree that some servers get used to having a couple extra inches in play at the service line.

I guess where I disagree is the general statement about the server knowing it's long. As you might imagine, what is a difficult angle for the returner is also a difficult angle for the server. Throw in a view that's obstructed by a net and tape, and often you would be asking a server to call it out because it "feels" long.

As far as honesty goes, if I hit a serve up the line that I can clearly see as out and the ball is unreturned, I will call it. But not if the opponent puts it in play. That just opens up a can of worms.

I guess I would also say I have a hard time finding things unfair to slower servers as you imply. Big serves don't magically happen. It's a result of hard work and practice, not just body type or genetics. And those missed aces and service winners are points taken away every time. Some of those long serves returned actually are won by the returner.
 

tlm

G.O.A.T.
I've seen all kinds of matches from a variety of angles (including the elevated viewing area) so I know exactly what you're talking about. It is one of the tougher calls to make. I would also agree that some servers get used to having a couple extra inches in play at the service line.

I guess where I disagree is the general statement about the server knowing it's long. As you might imagine, what is a difficult angle for the returner is also a difficult angle for the server. Throw in a view that's obstructed by a net and tape, and often you would be asking a server to call it out because it "feels" long.

As far as honesty goes, if I hit a serve up the line that I can clearly see as out and the ball is unreturned, I will call it. But not if the opponent puts it in play. That just opens up a can of worms.

I guess I would also say I have a hard time finding things unfair to slower servers as you imply. Big serves don't magically happen. It's a result of hard work and practice, not just body type or genetics. And those missed aces and service winners are points taken away every time. Some of those long serves returned actually are won by the returner.

Okay I think you make some really good points here. You are correct that it is hard also for the server to always see if their serves are long for sure. But after watching so many matches from a good view point the majority of serve calls missed are the ones that are just long.

The point I am making about the slower servers is that because of them not having a fast serve they get very few of their long serves played as opposed to the fast server. But I agree it is not the big servers fault that they have a good serve and their opponent does not.

And I also agree that the fast server does get some taken away because their serve is so fast some that hit good are called out. But I don't think it is fair to say that some of these long serves returned are won by the returner. That really doesn't matter because the serve was not in and should not have been played in the first place.

From my experience many many more of the long serves are won by the server not the returner, so the few that they get rarely if ever make up for all the points lost.
 

floridatennisdude

Hall of Fame
I really doubt this will ever happen on the amature level in our life time. I'll leave the room for this slight chance to unknown technolgical advances.


"Their board"? Didn't you post there too?

We see pros calling for reviews often wrong and Hawkeye rarely changing the outcome of the match. Same goes for bad linecalling in junior tennis.

I did post there a few times. I don't have a tennis player, so I don't have a dog in the hunt as far as juniors go. I am more curious in the pipeline coming to the college and pro ranks from a spectator perspective.
 

OrangePower

Legend
I do agree that the returners do miss the t serve from the add side sometimes. But I would bet you good money that you never get more calls against you than you get for your long serves.

I would love for you to watch single matches from my clubs viewpoint, you would see what really happens. The guys receiving especially against fast servers play many many long serves. In a 3 set match they are usually at least in double figures and I have seen many times were there are over 20 in one match.

So the occasional 1 missed up the t never make up for all the serves that are 2-4 inches long that are played. Also you are right the server is prohibited from calling their own serve out, but in pick up matches that I play with honest people both of us will over ride the receivers call when we can clearly see the serve is long.

We want our serves to be in and even if just a little long we want to have to 2nd serve for practice and it is only right being our first serve was long. That is one of the problems with guys with big first serves they get so used to the receiver playing long serves, so then when someone starts calling them correct they think they are being cheated.

This happens a lot when single players play some doubles were there is the non receiver watching from the serve line. All of a sudden all these 1st serves that are usually called in while playing singles are suddenly called out.

Just my 2 cents as a guy who has a relatively big serve (for my 4.5 level anyway).

I do get several 1st serves played per set that I think are maybe 2-4 inches long. So I benefit there. But I serve a lot down the T from both sides, and like Fusker said, I also get a couple of bad calls on that line per set (and I have a better view to see that than my opponent).

The most questionable calls I find are on 2nd serve. I have heavy top on my 2nd, and I go for depth on it. Often my 2nd will initially look like it is going long, but then will drop in. I feel like I get one or two bad out calls on my 2nd per set, but I'm never sure, since I don't have a great view on it from my end either. So I just accept the call and move on.
 

TTMR

Hall of Fame
So you knowingly call your opponent's otherwise in balls, out?

I have seen so much hooking and cheating in my time that I have resolved to proactively rectify the situation before it affects the outcome and ultimate scoreline. You have to anticipate your opponent, for whatever reason--ignorance or malice--will make a few bad calls. It only follows that I do the same to balance the scales.
 

Overdrive

Legend
I have seen so much hooking and cheating in my time that I have resolved to proactively rectify the situation before it affects the outcome and ultimate scoreline. You have to anticipate your opponent, for whatever reason--ignorance or malice--will make a few bad calls. It only follows that I do the same to balance the scales.

Then that makes you no better than your opponent..

I swear the integrity of tennis players is dimishing..
 
Thankfully 99.9% of the people play fairly and don't hook.

I played a ladder match on Friday am. The weather was beautiful. sunny, low 70s, and the signs of spring all around us.

It was nice to play for the love of the game and not a spot in the playoffs, or state or better. If the ball was too fast and I couldn't call it out, several times I said "too close too call, nice shot". My generous opponent offered "lets replay the point, since my shot looked out, and you weren't in a good position to see it. "

He was that generous all match long. He played points that I thought were out. Maybe he and I played so much alike. Our calls, the long rallies, and the winners and unforced errors. It was recreational tennis and the mutual respect was evident.

In the second set, 5-5, I hit a forehand and he played it, but I knew it was out and stopped play and conceded the point. I simply said, "my ball was wide-your point"
I lost the match 6-4, 7-5 in 2 hours and 15 minutes but met a new friend that would like to play again. I would gladly play this guy anytime. He was the opponent you want in a match. He pushed me and was more than fair.

This match reminded of why I love tennis. Imagine if all USTA matches were like this --- Simply played for the love of the game.


This splendid, feel good story you gave is a rarity for some.....thats for sure.....
 

cknobman

Legend
2.

I will let 2 blatant (in my eyes) bad line calls go and no more.

After that I will say something to the opposing player.

Times I can remember this happening in the span of 8 years?
3
 
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