Is a let called warrantied for this?

[g4driver]

Team One hits a ball to Team Two, one of the players from team two is in position to hit a average speed ball that is coming directly to the opponent's forehand. The player is in position to hit the forehand, and all of sudden he hears a loud booming crash on the court next to him. He immediately stops play and calls a let unsure of what had just happened on the court next to him

The new maintenance man decided to drop a 55 gallon metal trash can into the back of John Deere Gator (also made of metal) on the court next to the player who called the let in the middle of the rally. It sounded like a car crashing into something. Several players watching the match from the clubhouse thought the let call was appropriate given the level of noise and distraction just as the player was about to hit the ball.

There are rules regarding spectators and player's cell phones, but I can't find anything about this. The new court maintenance guy obviously knows nothing about tennis.

Here is the only close references I could find"

USTA Comment 26.3: What happens if a player’s cell phone
rings or vibrates while the ball is in play?

USTA Comment 26.5: Is an out call or other noise from a spectator a
hindrance that allows a point to be replayed? No. The actions of a spectator
in an area designated for spectators is not the basis for replaying a point.

What provision of USTA Rules or Code cover this type of distraction?

Thanks for the help.

 

[OrangePower]

Not sure what the official rules say, but in my opinion a let is warranted (assuming the player stopped play immediately rather than making an attempt to play the ball). I guess it's a judgement call based on the extent of the distraction. The USTA rule regarding spectators is not a direct analogy since spectators making noise is almost an 'expected' thing.

 

[g4driver]

OrangePower, thanks again.

I'm the guy who called the let, and I stopped my swing immediately. It just seems the USTA might have a rule about unexpected events to cover things like this.

 

[kylebarendrick]

My understanding is that (technically) a let is never warranted due to events that take place outside the court. I don't have the rules handy so I can't even attempt to quote anything. The most common types of things I've seen are train whistles and loud bird noises (turkeys at one local court) causing a disturbance. I've seen plenty of flubbed shots and strange looks from people when these happen, but never have I seen a let called.

 

[Wakenslam]

I would have given you a let if you asked for it.

 

[Angle Queen]

I'm with the OP...and OP.

Let call is probably the most appropriate...especially for social or even "local" tennis (e.g. not a playoff situation...but then again, how likely would the maintenance guy be doing such stuff...during a playoff).

We just put in some new clay courts in a large grassy field we had...and have had to learn to deal with lawn mowers and leaf blowers. No different than playing down at The Beach where the F-16s do routine fly-bys. Par for the course, so they say.

Did your opponents question/argue your call?

 

[g4driver]

My understanding is that (technically) a let is never warranted due to events that take place outside the court. I don't have the rules handy so I can't even attempt to quote anything.

If you can find the reference, I'd appreciate it.

 

[Cindysphinx]

In televised matches, I have seen umpires call lets when the sound system malfunctioned and there was a loud screech or boom. I say this situation is the same and a let would be appropriate.

I would feel differently about a car crashing outside the venue, sirens, distant fireworks. That is because of the proximity of this accident on the adjacent court.

 

[g4driver]

Imagine a guy picking up a 55 gallon drum barrel and body slamming it onto metal 70 feet away. This is the noise we heard.

I was just looking for a reference that says lets can be called for ________

This seems like it should be addressed, otherwise, people would just make-up there on rules on when to call a let. I called a let and I still don't know if I was right to do so. Granted situations like this are rare, but I think loud startling noises on or near a court are probably more common than a ball hitting a bird during play, but the USTA addresses the ball hitting a bird.

 

[jswinf]

I'd have called a let. After all, tennis is a game even if it's a match, and unexpected loud noises raise the possibility of "bad things" happening.

"Did you hear that, Buffy? I say, that chap was just struck by a meteorite. Should we go see if he needs help?"

"Don't talk during the point, Missy. You'll have 2 minutes when we change ends if you want to check."

 

[LuckyR]

This case seems similar to a doubles match I played in, in Kona several years back. There was very heavy surf that year and a wave crashed over a 2 story townhome adjacent to the court, So I called a let on an insignificant shot so everyone could enjoy the spectacle.

 

[OrangeOne]

I once coughed and swallowed a fly. Mid point. Saturday morning comp. No let was offered or requested, which is correct according to the rules. My opponent was a dweeb though, if the same thing happened to my opponent, personally, I'd offer a let, just because that's who I am....

For this case, without knowing the exact rule I'd support the let call.

 

[g4driver]

I bet the USTA didn't envision tidal waves crashing onto and over buildings. Wow!

Anybody find a reference to any rule or provision that let calls for situations like these?

 

[tennis tom]

The player is in position to hit the forehand, and all of sudden he hears a loud booming crash on the court next to him. He immediately stops play and calls a let unsure of what had just happened on the court next to him

It didn't happen on your court--KEEP PLAYING! It will only take a second or two to finish the point. Then you can look over to see what happened. This is a good test of focus. At ATP tennis tournaments indoors you may have two courts playing next to each other separated only by a curtain. There may be loud rock music and outbursts of cheering on one court while play proceeds on the other, players paying no mind.

I've had partner's fall on the court and I kept playing, me stopping play will not mend their sprained ankle any faster.

 

[athiker]

I bet the USTA didn't envision tidal waves crashing onto and over buildings. Wow!

Anybody find a reference to any rule or provision that let calls for situations like these?

Wow...you seem to have found a tough one. I would've certainly allowed a let but it doesn't look like technically it would be covered in the rules or code as a let.

This is the closest I could find and its not that close:

http://www.**********.com/forum/index.php?topic=12916.0

3. Player A serves and after he hits the ball the racket slips out of his hand and hits hard into the court making a loud noise and bounces around the court. The racket does not hit the net or his opponent's court. Can Player B claim a hindrance?

PLAY CONTINUES. NO LET OR HINDRANCE CAN BE CALLED IN THIS CASE. THIS IS CONSIDERED TO BE AN ADVANTAGE TO THE RECEIVER IF THE SERVER DOES NOT HAVE A RACKET IN HIS HAND. THE SERVER CAN'T CALL A LET BECAUSE YOU CAN'T HINDER YOURSELF. IF THE RACKET HITS THE NET OR THE OPPONENT'S COURT, THE SERVER LOSES THE POINT.

Maybe Woodrow will chime in here.

Here is another one...again, far, far from the same situation but I thought the Rick Macci story was interesting nonetheless:

http://origin-www.usta-dns.com/Improve-Your-Game/Instrcution/Etiquette/Cheating_and_Gamesmanship/

Q. During the USTA Boys 14’s Hard Courts in San Antonio, TX, during the 2nd set at 6-5 (my son was up after being down match point), his opponent decided to take a bathroom break. Naturally, this opponent came back composed and won the tiebreaker and then the match. What are your comments on this type of behavior and how should my son handle it?

A. My comment is that if this was gamesmanship that caused your son’s opponent to leave the court for a bathroom break at that juncture in the match, then it is deplorable behavior. It is against the rule, but this rule is VERY difficult to enforce. If, on the other hand, your son’s opponent had a “bathroom attack” or something like that, then it is perfectly acceptable behavior to be excused from the court.

One of our country’s greatest coaches, Rick Macci, told a story last week at the USPTA World Conference in La Quinta, CA. He talked about a match that ended 7-5, 6-4, so clearly there was not much difference between the players. Afterwards, the losing player complained about the loud background noise that a train kept making which continuously distracted him throughout the contest. The winning player asked: “What train?”

The moral of this story is that your son needs to learn to concentrate solely on what he can control and not to get sidetracked by anything else. If an opponent makes bad line calls, takes too long between points, or decides to take a pre-meditated bathroom break late in the match, then there is little recourse. However, he can control his emotions, his effort level, his thought process and his shot selection. I suspect that this match you described was lost because the questionable behavior affected your son. If so, then it is a great lesson. I hope that he learns from it and comes back stronger.

 

[OrangeOne]

It didn't happen on your court--KEEP PLAYING! It will only take a second or two to finish the point. Then you can look over to see what happened. This is a good test of focus.

It happened on the court nextdoor, which can be as close to the players as the other end of their own court, or closer.

It's not always about wanting to look, it's that basic human instinct to check for danger and assist if required (what if the bin fell on a kid?)

I've had partner's fall on the court and I kept playing, me stopping play will not mend their sprained ankle any faster.

You need to go take up a different sport... like kickboxing, or mma, or maybe cage-fighting.

 

[OrangePower]

It's not always about wanting to look, it's that basic human instinct to check for danger and assist if required (what if the bin fell on a kid?)

Exactly. And what if there's a truly dangerous situation developing? E.g. a gas main blew up and a fire is starting. Sometimes a few seconds can make a big difference - I'd be hot-tailing it out of the area... and hopefully I'd be partnered with Tom so that he can finish off the point on our behalf

 

[tennis tom]

It happened on the court nextdoor, which can be as close to the players as the other end of their own court, or closer.

It's not always about wanting to look, it's that basic human instinct to check for danger and assist if required (what if the bin fell on a kid?)



You need to go take up a different sport... like kickboxing, or mma, or maybe cage-fighting.

Thank you, it happened on the court next door, NOT YOURS! carry on.

Danger on a tennis court, hardly, if it'd been a bullet, it would have been too late and if it'd been a knife, you wouldn't have heard it.

The basic human instinct you're alluding to is looking to be distracted by anything. If the bin fell on the kid he would have been screaming for help. The reality is NOTHING of danger happened. Where does it end, car alarms, club bar loudly recycling it's glass, helicopters overhead, gate slamming, squeaky shoes?

In tennis, if it's not on your court, finish your point. It's a matter of discipline, professionalism, and it's the Zen thing to do.

Maybe you need to take up another sport like jacks, marbles or pillow fighting.

 

[OrangePower]

Thank you, it happened on the court next door, NOT YOURS! carry on.

Danger on a tennis court, hardly, if it'd been a bullet, it would have been too late and if it'd been a knife, you wouldn't have heard it.

The basic human instinct you're alluding to is looking to be distracted by anything. If the bin fell on the kid he would have been screaming for help. The reality is NOTHING of danger happened. Where does it end, car alarms, club bar loudly recycling it's glass, helicopters overhead, gate slamming, squeaky shoes?

In tennis, if it's not on your court, finish your point. It's a matter of discipline, professionalism, and it's the Zen thing to do.

Maybe you need to take up another sport like jacks, marbles or pillow fighting.

Ok, so what if there really was a kid screaming for help? By your logic, since that's not in your court either, you finish off the point?

Sometimes you can't tell how bad a situation might be without stopping to evaluate. I agree that unless the commotion is 'major and unexpected', you should stay focused on the point. But there is an element of judgement and common sense involved here, whereas you're trying to make it black or white.

 

[OrangeOne]

Thank you, it happened on the court next
door, NOT YOURS! carry on.

It is impossible to know where a major sound comes from until one checks.

If the bin fell on the kid he would have been screaming for help.

Such a definitive statement is complete rubbish.

Danger on a tennis court, hardly, if it'd been a bullet, it would have been too late and if it'd been a knife, you wouldn't have heard it.

So wait, if it's a knife you don't hear it, but if bin falls someone screams?

The basic human instinct you're alluding to is looking to be distracted by anything.

I believe - and I coach - in the sanctity of the 4 fences. Players need to block out the area outside the court. Cars driving, crowd cheering, opposing parents staring. But there are some instances that are just too intrusive.

In tennis, if it's not on your court, finish your point. It's a matter of discipline, professionalism, and it's the Zen thing to do.

Sorry, but I'll stick with being human. Also, professionalism... is for professionals. I don't get paid to hit a ball in a match.

For the record, I have once been involved in calling an ambulance and administering first aid for a person that collapsed - and proceeded to stop breathing as the ambulance was arriving - behind a tennis court. Happened last year.

I'll be the guy, if necessary, losing the point and checking out an accident or helping my ailing partner. You can be the guy who becomes 'famous' on YouTube as 'that tool who kept playing while his partner lay on the ground with a broken ankle / heart attack / etc'.

 

[OrangePower]

For the record, I have once been involved in calling an ambulance and administering first aid for a person that collapsed - and proceeded to stop breathing as the ambulance was arriving - behind a tennis court. Happened last year.

I'll be the guy, if necessary, losing the point and checking out an accident or helping my ailing partner. You can be the guy who becomes 'famous' on YouTube as 'that tool who kept playing while his partner lay on the ground with a broken ankle / heart attack / etc'.

Somewhat off-topic, but I've actually been on the receiving end of help on the court... this was maybe 7 years ago, I ruptured my Achilles tendon while playing. Didn't know what it was at first; all I knew is it wouldn't support my weight. There was a doctor on an adjacent court who came over to help, and he diagnosed it. But I don't know if he stopped in the middle of his point or not

 

[AELTC]

I would replay the point under Rule 26 from the Rules of Tennis:

26. HINDRANCE
If a player is hindered in playing the point by a deliberate act of the opponent(s), the player shall win the point. However, the point shall be replayed if a player is hindered in playing the point by either an unintentional act of the opponent(s), or something outside the player’s own control (not including a permanent fixture).

You should know there's also this comment:
USTA Comment 26.5:
Is an out call or other noise from a spectator a hindrance that allows a point to be replayed? No. The actions of a spectator in an area designated for spectators is not the basis for replaying a point.

but I wouldn't apply USTA comment 26.5 because:
1) I would not consider a garbage man on an adjacent court a spectator.
2) I would not consider an adjacent court to be an area for spectators unless spectators assembled themselves there for the purposes of watching your match.

 

[g4driver]

It didn't happen on your court--KEEP PLAYING! It will only take a second or two to finish the point.

I've had partner's fall on the court and I kept playing, me stopping play will not mend their sprained ankle any faster.

Tennis Tom, you don't have a reference do you? So you say keep playing, but you can't offer any reference that says a let isn't warranted. You can only offer your opinion. Noted.

I didn't look over until after play had stopped. It happened on a court next to us, separated by a bench. The fact is, everyone looked. Everyone stopped. I'm just the guy who happened to call the let, as I was about to strike the ball.

If a car flew off a bridge and crashed into the court, would you say keep playing? Even as a vehicle dropped 120' out of the sky onto the court next to you? Even if two people died? If you would, you are likely the only person who would. There were twelve people watching the match, including members of both teams. Everyone agree a "let" was the proper call.

The story about a car flying off a bridge. It happened three years ago one bridge prior to the courts in question. The right front tire blew and a Ford Explorer departed the bridge plummeting 120' into the marsh in Charleston, SC. Both people died instantly. If the tire had blown on the next bridge a few miles later, the Explorer could have easily landed on the same court in question (look at the link and the courts closest to the bridge).

Vehicles depart bridges in Charleston once or twice a year. It's not as uncommon as you might think.

Here's the map: look at I-526 East bound which goes up like a ramp toward the courts. If a vehicle going east in the lanes closest to the courts, were to depart the bridge, the vehicle would

http://www.google.com/maps?q=google...A&ved=0CEgQpQY&sa=X&ei=Z636TLWqCZ_wyAXB2OHMDQ

OrangeOne and PyroKid , Thanks.

Athiker, Thanks for the examples. Your examples are the best I've seen.

I will ask the USTA the question and see if I get a response.

 

[g4driver]

I would replay the point under Rule 26 from the Rules of Tennis:

26. HINDRANCE
If a player is hindered in playing the point by a deliberate act of the opponent(s), the player shall win the point. However, the point shall be replayed if a player is hindered in playing the point by either an unintentional act of the opponent(s), or something outside the player’s own control (not including a permanent fixture).

You should know there's also this comment:
USTA Comment 26.5:
Is an out call or other noise from a spectator a hindrance that allows a point to be replayed? No. The actions of a spectator in an area designated for spectators is not the basis for replaying a point.

but I wouldn't apply USTA comment 26.5 because:
1) I would not consider a garbage man on an adjacent court a spectator.
2) I would not consider an adjacent court to be an area for spectators unless spectators assembled themselves there for the purposes of watching your match.

Thanks AELTC.

I was aware of USTA Comment 26.5, but hadn't thought to apply the part of Rule 26 you highlighted in bold. Very much appreciated.

g4driver

 

[OrangeOne]

Thanks AELTC.

I was aware of USTA Comment 26.5, but hadn't thought to apply the part of Rule 26 you highlighted in bold. Very much appreciated.

g4driver

^^Yeah, he hit it with that part of the hindrance call.

As a ref in such a scenario if that didn't come to mind I'd just have covered it with a 'spirit of the game' style catch-all

 

[tennis tom]

To the OP, you must have NO peripheral vision. You say this happened on the court right next to you. If it were ME, I would be aware that there was a John Deere Gator on the court next to me and there was a maintenance man doing some maintenance and I would not be surprised when I heard a loud sound. I would KNOW that it was the maintenance man therefore I would NOT be shocked. I think it's a matter of having good peripheral vision, being aware of one's surroundings and what could occur and be possible in such surroundings.

Now, it's cars flying off freeways and landing on tennis courts. If it were on the court next to me, I would finish the point. If it were on my court, I may call a let, if it truly hindered play--was it a SUV or a compact? With the number of air-bags they have in cars today they would probably not feel a thing. Personally, I have a strict rule to never play at a club that's situated under an over-pass. Maybe the Explorer that flew off the freeway was trying to get to a league match before being defaulted.

You post a thread asking for opinions on some obscure situation. Sorry I'm not a tennis attorney, if I were I would charge you at least $1000 for an opinion, you got mine for free. Maybe the maintenance man was a spectator and dropping a 55 gal barrel into the John Deere was his comment as to the quality of play he was observing.

 

[RoddickAce]

Thank you, it happened on the court next door, NOT YOURS! carry on.

Danger on a tennis court, hardly, if it'd been a bullet, it would have been too late and if it'd been a knife, you wouldn't have heard it.

The basic human instinct you're alluding to is looking to be distracted by anything. If the bin fell on the kid he would have been screaming for help. The reality is NOTHING of danger happened. Where does it end, car alarms, club bar loudly recycling it's glass, helicopters overhead, gate slamming, squeaky shoes?

In tennis, if it's not on your court, finish your point. It's a matter of discipline, professionalism, and it's the Zen thing to do.

Maybe you need to take up another sport like jacks, marbles or pillow fighting.

Unlike professional matches, there usually aren't any umpires or officials to watch for danger. So professional tennis players can afford to play on because they know that the officials around them can anounce danger or help a screaming kid. In local tournaments, players often have to watch out for themselves, so stopping play to check is very reasonable.

As for the bolded comment, the shooter can shoot more than once. So it's not too late because it's not just about saving the person who is shot, but it's also about preventing yourself or other people from being shot.

I agree that a few seconds isn't a long time, but some points can drag on for a long time. Also, during that point, you would be wondering whether something dangerous is going to happen, so it would affect your focus. I don't know what the USTA rulings on this, but, to me, it would seem reasonable that a let be called in this situation.

 

[g4driver]

To the OP, you must have NO peripheral vision. You say this happened on the court right next to you. If it were ME, I would be aware that there was a John Deere Gator on the court next to me and there was a maintenance man doing some maintenance and I would not be surprised when I heard a loud sound. I would KNOW that it was the maintenance man therefore I would NOT be shocked. I think it's a matter of having good peripheral vision, being aware of one's surroundings and what could occur and be possible in such surroundings.

Now, it's cars flying off freeways and landing on tennis courts. If it were on the court next to me, I would finish the point. If it were on my court, I may call a let, if it truly hindered play--was it a SUV or a compact? With the number of air-bags they have in cars today they would probably not feel a thing. Personally, I have a strict rule to never play at a club that's situated under an over-pass. Maybe the Explorer that flew off the freeway was trying to get to a league match before being defaulted.

You post a thread asking for opinions on some obscure situation. Sorry I'm not a tennis attorney, if I were I would charge you at least $1000 for an opinion, you got mine for free. Maybe the maintenance man was a spectator and dropping a 55 gal barrel into the John Deere was his comment as to the quality of play he was observing.

The guys in the Explorer died. They weren't trying to get to a match. They were driving on a freeway around noon. The right front tire blew, the Explorer flipped

It seems you have all the answers, but none of the facts. You are the guy who can't envision my feet turned 45 degrees toward the AD court when I'm on the AD court near the service line, in the middle of a point, when the guy drives up in a Gator behind me and to my left. Peripheral vision is to your sides, not eyes in the back of your head.

I don't practice Buddism on or off the court, however, I've spent the last 20 years of my life training to stay focused and tune out all kinds of noise, and distractions in my profession. I do it for a living with 100s of human lives in my hands multiple times per week. I would put my Situational Awareness, and Peripheral Vision above yours any day of the week. I get paid to have and use both.

If you were an attorney, you would be broke and out of business. You didn't find a reference to my original question that AELTC did. You might send a bill to someone for $1000, but if you sent one to me, I would own you in small claims court proofing the answer was available, but you couldn't find it. In my OP, I asked for help. You threw rocks. Other people gave the help I was looking for, and I thanked them.

And finally, If you would like to see the quality of my play, please let me know. I travel around the country for a living. Maybe you would care to hit?

Please send me a PM. Let's see if we can meet on the court.

 

[g4driver]

And by the way, I know the court MX guy who works at the Club at night where I play. He's been there for years. He would never had done what the new guy did since he plays tennis and has enough SA not to do this.

The guy who dropped the trash can was for his first night, since the normal night guy was on his honeymoon.

So, no I didn't expect a guy to drop a 55 gallon trash can onto a metal flatbed in the middle of a point. I've played at this club for three years, and I've never had this experience.

So according to you, I should have envisioned a guy driving up behind me, and doing this. You must be a real joy for the people you encounter in life.

 

[OrangeOne]

And finally, If you would like to see the quality of my play, please let me know. I travel around the country for a living. Maybe you would care to hit?

Please send me a PM. Let's see if we can meet on the court.

Please, oh please, YouTube it.

I'll be the guy not one, but two courts away... firing an AK47 into the sky, audio-testing a 20,000w stage sound system and with some people from the local radio-control-petrol-car club, who will be conducting a meet.

All of the above will only occur every time Tennis Tommy is due to hit a shot.

 

[SoBad]

The issue is whether or not g4driver was entitled to call a let as a result of what he claims to have been a loud, unexpected, and distracting sound, allegedly originating from an adjacent court.

To prevail on a motion for a let, the claimant is required to demonstrate that the event was sufficiently distracting, not caused by the claimant or the claimant’s agent(s), and no good-faith attempt was made by the claimant to hit the ball. There is sufficient evidence that those requirements are met in this case. In Djokovic v. Federer 2010, the chair umpire ruled that the noise from a line umpire tripping all over the stands behind Djokovic (like a freaking wino) was sufficient cause to grant a let call despite Federer’s vehement (and very very dishonest and unsportsmanlike) objection to the ruling. The proximity and the nature of interference in this case renders Djokovic v. Federer 2010 applicable, and g4driver is entitled to appeal the denial of a let call he suffered unjustly.

just my 2c

 

[athiker]

AELTC seems to have found the relevant rule...nicely done. We had a somewhat similar situation I guess this season. One end of the courts we were playing on backs up right to the parking lot. It was a night match. Mid-point an SUV pulls in and sits there with its headlights on full blast. We lost the point and after the point my partner was irritated and mentioned it bothered him. I just said I don't know if that counts as a hindrance b/c it was off the court but I know you would've had to stop play immediately...before you hit the ball...to have any chance of making it stick. He had played the point so it was a non-issue.

I don't know it that is an uncommon enough occurrence to be considered a hindrance considering the layout of the courts. I rarely notice anything outside the court so not sure how often it happens. From the description I think I would've noticed the metal drum being dropped though! From the rule cited above though it sounds like there doesn't need to be general mutual agreement, just that a player feels they were hindered, and it being outside their control (and not a permanent fixture).

 

[pyrokid]

That's a matter of opinion, takes one to know one. You'll be one some day too if you're not one already. At least I'm not a pyromaniac like you profess to be. That's why I wouldn't stop play because maybe you were the kid under the dumpster. See kid, I can name call too. Isn't it past your bedtime or shouldn't you be out starting fires somewhere?

I find it hilarious you're insulting me over my username, when you clearly have no idea what it means. You then continue on for the rest of your post saying incredibly mature things like
"Isn't it past your bedtime?"
and
"It takes one to know one."
Ooh, and then you say that you wouldn't stop play because I was smashed by a dumpster! Somebody's getting a little worked up now, aren't they? Is the internet making you mad?

And I might as well point out that I never actually said anything about you. I said you were acting like a jerk so maybe you would realize and correct it so you wouldn't seem like a jerk. Unfortunately, you took a blunt remark a little too seriously, and it looks like it may have hurt your feelings a little, making you lash out a little.
Sorry, I assumed someone who likes to think of themselves as a tough, manly, zen master of focus wouldn't get distracted by little things like this so easily.

You went from just seeming to be someone who cared a bit too much about the letter of the law to someone who mocked the deaths of innocent people pretty quickly. Not many people will give you props for that. Now would be a great time to back out of the thread, my favorite exit line is always something along the lines of
"You people have no idea what you're talking about and are terrible at tennis, I'm much smarter and have clearly proven you are wrong and see no further need to reply in this thread, etc, etc."

It was a summary, but if you put your mind to it I'm sure you can fill the basic outline in with much more creativity.

And to summarize my thoughts on the thread- There might not always be a rule for something that seems necessary. Unless you feel like being a tool, just let everyone play a let.

 

[li0scc0]

You went from just seeming to be someone who cared a bit too much about the letter of the law to someone who mocked the deaths of innocent people pretty quickly. Not many people will give you props for that. Now would be a great time to back out of the thread, my favorite exit line is always something along the lines of
"You people have no idea what you're talking about and are terrible at tennis, I'm much smarter and have clearly proven you are wrong and see no further need to reply in this thread, etc, etc."

It was a summary, but if you put your mind to it I'm sure you can fill the basic outline in with much more creativity.

And to summarize my thoughts on the thread- There might not always be a rule for something that seems necessary. Unless you feel like being a tool, just let everyone play a let.

I wish I had 3 thumbs, 2 thumbs up isn't quite enough! Well done, love this post!

 

[fleabitten]

Yes, I think a let is warranted; but I'm not sure how one would be "warrantied". I guess if you let call fails, you can get your money back.

 

[Taxvictim]

Wow, you folks need to chill. In a social match, I would have given the let without thinking twice. It's just a game, and it seems like the rules of the game allow a let.

 

[snark]

Wow, you folks need to chill. In a social match, I would have given the let without thinking twice. It's just a game, and it seems like the rules of the game allow a let.

A voice of reason. Come on, a sudden loud noise is very distracting and could mean potential danger. It would be pretty rude not to give a let in that situation even if it is against the technical rules.

Frankly, if requested, I would give a let in most situations within reason, unless the opponent starts abusing it.

 

[pyrokid]

A voice of reason. Come on, a sudden loud noise is very distracting and could mean potential danger. It would be pretty rude not to give a let in that situation even if it is against the technical rules.

Frankly, if requested, I would give a let in most situations within reason, unless the opponent starts abusing it.

Everyone here agrees with you except tennis tom.

Now we should really just let this die...