Is it rude to dropshot old people?

Would you dropshot an 80 year old if it came handy and he was a good runner?

  • Total voters
    38
S

Standaa

G.O.A.T.
I’m playing a recreational tennis league this summer and there are some older people in my group. Two of them are over 80 years old, one of them even has a metal knee implants. There are lots of other guys over 50 as well. There are also couple of females in their 40s, one of them was a bit overweight and too much running seemed to be a problem for her.

I like to dropshot, but I didn’t have the courage to dropshot those 80 year olds because it seemed disrespectful, even though they were still pretty good runners for their age.

I was wondering, is it rude/disrespectful to dropshot anyone of any age, and if it is, where do you draw the age line on who’s okay to dropshot and who’s not?
 
StANDAA said:
I’m playing a recreational tennis league this summer and there are some older people in my group. Two of them are over 80 years old, one of them even has a metal knee implants. There are lots of other guys over 50 as well. There are also couple of females in their 40s, one of them was a bit overweight and too much running seemed to be a problem for her.

I like to dropshot, but I didn’t have the courage to dropshot those 80 year olds because it seemed disrespectful, even though they were still pretty good runners for their age.

I was wondering, is it rude/disrespectful to dropshot anyone of any age, and if it is, where do you draw the age line on who’s okay to dropshot and who’s not?
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As a 50+ year old I'd say go for it depending on how the match is going. If you are getting beaten, no shame in trying to claw back. If you are already winning don't rub it in.
 
StANDAA said:
I’m playing a recreational tennis league this summer and there are some older people in my group. Two of them are over 80 years old, one of them even has a metal knee implants. There are lots of other guys over 50 as well. There are also couple of females in their 40s, one of them was a bit overweight and too much running seemed to be a problem for her.

I like to dropshot, but I didn’t have the courage to dropshot those 80 year olds because it seemed disrespectful, even though they were still pretty good runners for their age.

I was wondering, is it rude/disrespectful to dropshot anyone of any age, and if it is, where do you draw the age line on who’s okay to dropshot and who’s not?
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Whenever facing Peg Leg Howell,
 
StANDAA said:
I’m playing a recreational tennis league this summer and there are some older people in my group. Two of them are over 80 years old, one of them even has a metal knee implants. There are lots of other guys over 50 as well. There are also couple of females in their 40s, one of them was a bit overweight and too much running seemed to be a problem for her.

I like to dropshot, but I didn’t have the courage to dropshot those 80 year olds because it seemed disrespectful, even though they were still pretty good runners for their age.

I was wondering, is it rude/disrespectful to dropshot anyone of any age, and if it is, where do you draw the age line on who’s okay to dropshot and who’s not?
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How old are you?

I dropshot guys around my same age (mid-40's), but don't dropshot guys that are more than a decade or so older, especially if I ever want to hit with them again.

Almost anyone I play seems to like to dropshot me, so it seems like the etiquette is no problem whatsoever if the guy is mid-40's or younger :-)
 
Over 80 and you are thinking about the drop shot? I feel like this is a troll post, but will answer anyways. Don't dropshot the 80 year olds.
 
StANDAA said:
I’m playing a recreational tennis league this summer and there are some older people in my group. Two of them are over 80 years old, one of them even has a metal knee implants. There are lots of other guys over 50 as well. There are also couple of females in their 40s, one of them was a bit overweight and too much running seemed to be a problem for her.

I like to dropshot, but I didn’t have the courage to dropshot those 80 year olds because it seemed disrespectful, even though they were still pretty good runners for their age.

I was wondering, is it rude/disrespectful to dropshot anyone of any age, and if it is, where do you draw the age line on who’s okay to dropshot and who’s not?
Click to expand...


Yes, but you should do it anyways

Tennis is a competitive sport

They know the rules, you do toi
 
Addxyz said:
It's not rude, it's dangerous. Don't want to give those old guys a heart attack.
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Why they play tennis then.

Is it that wrong if they played with ppl with a similar fitness and health condition level

Why restrict a fitter person’s game because of their own potential health problems
 
Drop shots are rude in general. Playing tennis is hitting the ball, not running foreward after it.

Drop volley though is legit, otherwise you look like a hack.
 
megamind said:
Why they play tennis then.

Is it that wrong if they played with ppl with a similar fitness and health condition level

Why restrict a fitter person’s game because of their own potential health problems
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You sound like a charming human being. This is a recreational tennis league. If I'm playing someone of a significantly lower level, I get no satisfaction and little benefit from blowing them off the court. Much better to challenge them by pushing them close to their limit... occasionally past their limit.

That way, you still have a good chance of getting a decent rally going. If you are unable to do this, then perhaps you need to work on control and on developing more variety in your own game.
 
Chadalina said:
Drop shots are rude in general. Playing tennis is hitting the ball, not running foreward after it.

Drop volley though is legit, otherwise you look like a hack.
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Odd, these geezers have no prob dropping each other. Heard that rude comment before when I used a service return dropper. In doubles.
 
If it is in a tournament or league match, i dropshot everbody, old, young, thin or fat, male or female. if it is just casual hitting or in a non competitive match, i prefer not to dropshot anyone.
 
JoaoN said:
If it is in a tournament or league match, i dropshot everbody, old, young, thin or fat, male or female. if it is just casual hitting or in a non competitive match, i prefer not to dropshot anyone.
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Still recall a league match, in which our #1 singles guy, despite working hard on his groundies every chance he could was beaten by droppers. Never got to use his best shot
 
StANDAA said:
sure, but what about 60 year olds? are they okay? where do you draw the line?
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If you think to yourself "I'm facing an old guy right now", I'd say lay off the drop shot. For each person, the age that you start thinking this is probably going to differ.
 
nothing in tennis is rude cause these old bastards will pull every trick that they got on you. at the end they will dropshot you and you will lose.

just go for whatever you want till age 70.. for the older guys you can think about excluding the dropshot from your game.
 
If you can beat me with drop shots then do it. It's my job to find a counter for that. If I can't counter it, it's time to play doubles. If i can't solve it in doubles, its time for pickle ball.

That being said, if it's for funsies then I'd probably avoid drop shots and try to keep rallies going. League and tournaments though, you make the best shots that will help you win the point.
 
Ronaldo said:
Odd, these geezers have no prob dropping each other. Heard that rude comment before when I used a service return dropper. In doubles.
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You would get the 60mph slomo moonball kicker. Good luck drop shotting a ball 2ft over your head :)

Same on the groundies, cant hit a good drop shot off high balls, stays in air too long
 
JoaoN said:
Or if they scream a loud "come on". (Hate players that keep screaming even on recreational and non competitive matches).
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Why do you hate screamers? Do you have sensitive ears?

I generally avoid guys who play like they're attending a funeral. You know, all serious, stoic, smile-less, noiseless.
 
acintya said:
nothing in tennis is rude cause these old bastards will pull every trick that they got on you. at the end they will dropshot you and you will lose.

just go for whatever you want till age 70.. for the older guys you can think about excluding the dropshot from your game.
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Head hunting or going for blood for intimidation (which might shake up your opponent and work in your favor later) is very rude and unacceptable for rec tennis though.

However, it's perfectly fine in ATP, WTA.

I can overhead above average but I rather err than take a chance of hitting someone.
 
Most of them cry about it as well, at least some can laugh it off. "I would have got to that 30 years ago!" "Disrespecting your elders like that!" I hardly ever drop shot old farts in casual play.

There's this one women, if you drop shot her in the first game of the match, whether it's casual or competitive, she's angry for the remainder of it. Even tanks at times. It's an unwritten rule at our club not to do it, so it doesn't become awkward lol :rolleyes:
 
StANDAA said:
I’m playing a recreational tennis league this summer and there are some older people in my group. Two of them are over 80 years old, one of them even has a metal knee implants. There are lots of other guys over 50 as well. There are also couple of females in their 40s, one of them was a bit overweight and too much running seemed to be a problem for her.

I like to dropshot, but I didn’t have the courage to dropshot those 80 year olds because it seemed disrespectful, even though they were still pretty good runners for their age.

I was wondering, is it rude/disrespectful to dropshot anyone of any age, and if it is, where do you draw the age line on who’s okay to dropshot and who’s not?
Click to expand...

You are welcome to dropshot this 61 year old ... you first. 8-B

 
The Green Mile said:
There's this one women, if you drop shot her in the first game of the match, whether it's casual or competitive, she's angry for the remainder of it. Even tanks at times. It's an unwritten rule at our club not to do it, so it doesn't become awkward lol :rolleyes:
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Likewise, we have a 4.9", about 300 lbs guy in his mid 60s who openly insults anyone who drop-serves on him. He stands way back and can't move forward fast enough to get to very soft, short service balls. He would quit playing if he got it twice.

The thing is other guys need him to play. LOL.
 
Chadalina said:
Who said it has to go in? I expect it to hit the baseline or you :) jk
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Last Saturday we just ducked. Thank goodness there was a fence behind us. Or those balls would be up a creek. Btw, I won my set with the kid.
We came to the net and drop volleyed those old men.
 
Up two breaks against someone 40 years older and trying to win points with drop shots? You're a jerk and should not be playing a gentleman's game.

In a close match (or losing) is a different matter. I'm a "mature" player and don't want to win a match because someone left shots on the table because of my age.
 
This is a question I've wrestled with myself. If you're playing against someone for fun and you know they have an injury it would be wrong to exploit it. For example, one time I went to hit with a friend and I had pain trying to hit my 2 handed backhand so I asked him to hit me only forehands and volleys. By the same token if someone can't run due to age and you're just playing for fun it would be wrong to intentionally drop shot him over and over.

I've encountered this situation at a few clinics. One time we did a game where I was at the net and I hit a drop volley and this old guy complained to the coach about me doing that. At that point I hadn't given it much thought, but in hindsight I shouldn't have done it.

On the other hand if it's a competitive match then by all means do whatever you want and if he can't handle it he should retire from the match.
 
Leagues are about competing so play to win. I regularly hit with a 72 year old man and even in practice I hit drop shots from time to time. There's no harm in it and if they don't want to play with you again so be it. There are plenty of people who play tennis and don't mind losing to a drop shot so find one of them.
 
MyFearHand said:
Leagues are about competing so play to win. I regularly hit with a 72 year old man and even in practice I hit drop shots from time to time. There's no harm in it and if they don't want to play with you again so be it. There are plenty of people who play tennis and don't mind losing to a drop shot so find one of them.
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Just don't drop a teenager. May come up short
 
I would drop shot to your heart's delight. Short slices, deep slices. Slices to both corners. Make their old legs run. Show no mercy.
 
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