Line Judge?

[tdhawks]

I'm playing in a tournament this weekend, and my 1st round opponent is notorious for making awful calls. In fact, I've had 2 different individuals email me this afternoon telling me to call a line judge to the court before we start.

Giving this guy the benefit of the doubt, how would the match play out with a line judge there? Do we still call our own balls and they overrule the calls, or do they make all the calls?

Thanks.

 

[schmke]

What I've been told by local league folks is that they won't actively call the lines, but can be consulted on calls there is a question or dispute on. So you continue to make the calls as you would normally, and in many cases simply having someone there watching results in both sides calling lines fairly.

 

[J_R_B]

What I've seen around here is that the line judges WILL actively make calls, but only to overrule a call the player has made. So, you keep calling your own lines, and if there is a call that the judge sees as incorrect, he/she will overrule it.

 

[JLyon]

officials should only overrule OBVIOUS calls, meaning 100% clear wrong call was made.

 

[OrangePower]

I'm playing in a tournament this weekend, and my 1st round opponent is notorious for making awful calls. In fact, I've had 2 different individuals email me this afternoon telling me to call a line judge to the court before we start.

Giving this guy the benefit of the doubt, how would the match play out with a line judge there? Do we still call our own balls and they overrule the calls, or do they make all the calls?

Thanks.

Perhaps you should forward those emails to your opponent :twisted:

You make your own calls as usual, and line judge overrules if an obviously bad call is made.

 

[tdhawks]

Thanks guys. Hopefully it doesn't get to this point.

 

[North]

Where I am, the line judge won't come to the court pre-emptively. You have to wait till there's a problem. Sounds like that might happen quickly with the guy you describe.

The line judges will decide a call if asked but are supposed to also overrule any call they see as wrong. It was a big deal a few years ago because they didn't want to "get involved" but the local League people sent around notices to players and even local teaching pros that the officials (ie: line judges) are supposed to correct wrong calls they may see, even if they are not asked. I can understand why they were (some still are) reluctant to do that cos some people get nasty toward the officials who call lines, foot faults, enforce the rules, etc.

Also - often the line judge will not stick around very long. When that happens and my opponent continues to be like the person that OP describes I just wait till the next bad call & get the line judge again. And I keep doing that - calmly & without any drama. If the match winds up taking forever, well that's up to the opponent.

 

[RetroSpin]

So what happens if the line judge overrules your opponent's "out" call? Do you then replay the point?

That means you still have to forfeit a number of your best shots. You get to replay then, which is better than losing the point but it's still unfair.

 

[gmatheis]

So what happens if the line judge overrules your opponent's "out" call? Do you then replay the point?

That means you still have to forfeit a number of your best shots. You get to replay then, which is better than losing the point but it's still unfair.

No, if a judge overrules your opponent's out call you win the point.

 

[Gut4Tennis]

the official on your court will only be at the level of the net, not in a chair up high with a better view, so he/she can only overrule obvious mistakes

 

[AELTC]

Giving this guy the benefit of the doubt, how would the match play out with a line judge there? Do we still call our own balls and they overrule the calls, or do they make all the calls?

In the Eastern section, officials rove from court to court, usually staying for an even number of games. You're required to call all the balls aimed at your side of the net, giving your opponent the benefit of the doubt. An official will promptly issue a correction if a mistake has been made.

Any person on the court can call a service let, including the official.

Any player can request an official watch games from their match. After a point, the player excuses themselves, finds an official and asks for help. A loud, long, drawn out argument with your opponent about where a ball landed is not necessary. Even in a match that goes smoothly, it's common for players to request officials at the start of tiebreaks.

If a ball rolls from another court (no lets for balls on the court at the start of point) and you'd like to replay the point, you should make that call immediately. As an official, if I don't think the ball is interfering with play (it's rolling near the net or back curtain) I might not stop play, but sometimes, I will stop play if it's rolling towards a player's feet or otherwise in a position where it might interfere. It's a tough balance to strike sometimes, so if you want to replay for something, stop play immediately. If you don't and continue play in good faith, it will be harder to make your case after the point is lost. The rules prohibit players from having 2 chances to win a point. Similarly for hindrances.

Officials will call foot faults.

If your match is in progress, don't leave the court (as in for a bathroom break, or change of attire) without notifying the official, except of course, if you need to leave to notify the official because they're not on your court.

 

[Cindysphinx]

Also, we were told we were not all owed to make/change a line call in response to a player appeal.

So if an official is watching and opponent makes a bad call, give the official a moment to overrule on their own before you blow your stack.