Nationals Delay of Game What to do?

[dsp9753]

So I was playing MXD 9.0 nationals this past weekend in Orlando. During the day, it got up to 85-90 degrees in the blazing sun. Long story short, it was hot.

At the time of the specific match in question, my team had more or less already cinched the final day and the court I was playing on more or less didn't matter too much.

My partner and I were playing what appeared to be 2 younger adults around their mid twenties. They played and moved as if they had played in either college or HS if it matters. They came out ripping balls and got up to a quick lead but eventually cooled off (maybe due to the heat/exhaustion and maybe my partner and I got used to their play style). As the match dragged on, they started to take longer and longer breaks in between every point, game, and set. They would go towel off in between every point etc. Sit, slowly walk back, and chat for a few minutes in between games. And disappear for awhile in between sets. Prior to the 3rd set TB, I didn't time it but I am pretty sure it was around 10-15 mins. I hate to admit it but it got on my nerves. And I started to play like crap for awhile before doing just enough to win the 3rd set TB.

I did not say anything to the opponents because they were clearly suffering from heat exhaustion/etc and I felt bad. Needing water, ice, bathroom breaks, etc etc. They even commented on my fitness level and not needing as much water/breaks as they do. But I also felt they were taking advantage of the situation to help recover and drag out the time. They played poorly during the 2nd set but was able to come back hot in the beginning of the 3rd set TB.

My team mates believe that saying nothing was the right move as the match was meaningless but that I should have called for an official if it had meant something.

I am still conflicted if I should have said anything or not? Fitness is part of the game, especially at 9.0 and nationals. Honestly it is one of my few advantages as a recreational player who was able to get to 4.5.

So my question is what would you have done?

 

[naylor73]

First off being from Texas, 85-90 degrees is a fairly enjoyable temp, even with higher humidity.

I’m sure that they came out swinging and weren’t able to sustain that level throughout the match. Esp if you and your partner were making them play.

Maybe as bit of gamesmanship, trying to slow down the tempo of the match as the momentum switched. I’ve been in a similar situation in a tournament and my partner started making comments about stalling. 2 games later the other team retired the match.

I think that in your situation I would have definitely called for an official and have him/her time changeovers and overall match pace. Fitness is a big part of tennis and you’re not a bad person for trying to stop the stall tactics.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

First off being from Texas, 85-90 degrees is a fairly enjoyable temp, even with higher humidity.

I’m sure that they came out swinging and weren’t able to sustain that level throughout the match. Esp if you and your partner were making them play.

Maybe as bit of gamesmanship, trying to slow down the tempo of the match as the momentum switched. I’ve been in a similar situation in a tournament and my partner started making comments about stalling. 2 games later the other team retired the match.

I think that in your situation I would have definitely called for an official and have him/her time changeovers and overall match pace. Fitness is a big part of tennis and you’re not a bad person for trying to stop the stall tactics.

Me too, 90 degrees and playing doubles, could do that 8 hours a day.

Normally I would never complain, but this seems way out of the ordinary, I'd probably complain, and look for footfaults/warn the official abou them if they were doing taulting just to be a dick. Of course, have to make sure you and your partner arn'tt foot faulting lol.

I'd also small talk them, focusing on the weather, ask them about how hot it is back home, etc., make them talk about the heat and think about it too. Just be an annoying goober.

 

[naylor73]

Me too, 90 degrees and playing doubles, could do that 8 hours a day.

Normally I would never complain, but this seems way out of the ordinary, I'd probably complain, and look for footfaults/warn the official abou them if they were doing taulting just to be a dick. Of course, have to make sure you and your partner arn'tt foot faulting lol.

I'd also small talk them, focusing on the weather, ask them about how hot it is back home, etc., make them talk about the heat and think about it too. Just be an annoying goober.

Funny enough, same tournament, we had an official show up at 5-4 30 all 2nd set, down a set, and call me for a foot fault. I asked him to stay and call foot faults for both teams as one of the other guys foot faults every time. He immediately left the court. Pissed me off enough I brought it for the rest of the match and we won a match we probably didn’t deserve to win.

Point is, be careful calling an official for foot faults, esp if you or your partner is doing it too. Sometimes poking the bear doesn't turn out the way you want it to.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

Funny enough, same tournament, we had an official show up at 5-4 30 all 2nd set, down a set, and call me for a foot fault. I asked him to stay and call foot faults for both teams as one of the other guys foot faults every time. He immediately left the court. Pissed me off enough I brought it for the rest of the match and we won a match we probably didn’t deserve to win.

Point is, be careful calling an official for foot faults, esp if you or your partner is doing it too. Sometimes poking the bear doesn't turn out the way you want it to.

That's pretty awesome, was the official acting like he had to go look at every match, he should have at least come back, that's unfair, but usually the officials are coocoo.

I don't worry about poking bears, if someone can play above their level from that kind of interaction, I'm just the type to be able to mess with their heads enough to get them out of that state. If the other team is better they will win, but I can muck up any match with my mouth if something like that makes them focus, as soon as I see that happen, I'll just mess with them
enough to get their level back down to normal.

 

[naylor73]

That's pretty awesome, was the official acting like he had to go look at every match, he should have at least come back, that's unfair, but usually the officials are coocoo.

I don't worry about poking bears, if someone can play above their level from that kind of interaction, I'm just the type to be able to mess with their heads enough to get them out of that state. If the other team is better they will win, but I can muck up any match with my mouth if something like that makes them focus, as soon as I see that happen, I'll just mess with them
enough to get their level back down to normal.

No it was an absolute joke. I never saw him walk on the court, I was serving for the set and really just trying to stay focused. It was just really bad timing at an important time in the match. I hit my first serve and he apparently called ff. I didn’t hear him and assumed the serve was called out. He called ff on the 2nd serve. Get this, he then tells me that I get another serve. This is a f-ing usta official enforcing rule infractions lol. We all explained the rule to him and he was really embarrassed. Maybe that’s why he refused to stay and call ff for both teams.

I say poking the bear because honestly at that point in the match, we had been outplayed and I could feel that we both knew it was just not our day. Until that moment happened.

We need to play some time. Sounds like I have a lot to learn about the game inside the game.

 

[dsp9753]

Me too, 90 degrees and playing doubles, could do that 8 hours a day.

Normally I would never complain, but this seems way out of the ordinary, I'd probably complain, and look for footfaults/warn the official abou them if they were doing taulting just to be a dick. Of course, have to make sure you and your partner arn'tt foot faulting lol.

I'd also small talk them, focusing on the weather, ask them about how hot it is back home, etc., make them talk about the heat and think about it too. Just be an annoying goober.

Haha I foot fault a bit so I probably wouldn't do that. I also wouldn't try to get back at them in "other" ways. Only with the issue on hand.

 

[BallBag]

So I was playing MXD 9.0 nationals this past weekend in Orlando. During the day, it got up to 85-90 degrees in the blazing sun. Long story short, it was hot.

At the time of the specific match in question, my team had more or less already cinched the final day and the court I was playing on more or less didn't matter too much.

My partner and I were playing what appeared to be 2 younger adults around their mid twenties. They played and moved as if they had played in either college or HS if it matters. They came out ripping balls and got up to a quick lead but eventually cooled off (maybe due to the heat/exhaustion and maybe my partner and I got used to their play style). As the match dragged on, they started to take longer and longer breaks in between every point, game, and set. They would go towel off in between every point etc. Sit, slowly walk back, and chat for a few minutes in between games. And disappear for awhile in between sets. Prior to the 3rd set TB, I didn't time it but I am pretty sure it was around 10-15 mins. I hate to admit it but it got on my nerves. And I started to play like crap for awhile before doing just enough to win the 3rd set TB.

I did not say anything to the opponents because they were clearly suffering from heat exhaustion/etc and I felt bad. Needing water, ice, bathroom breaks, etc etc. They even commented on my fitness level and not needing as much water/breaks as they do. But I also felt they were taking advantage of the situation to help recover and drag out the time. They played poorly during the 2nd set but was able to come back hot in the beginning of the 3rd set TB.

My team mates believe that saying nothing was the right move as the match was meaningless but that I should have called for an official if it had meant something.

I am still conflicted if I should have said anything or not? Fitness is part of the game, especially at 9.0 and nationals. Honestly it is one of my few advantages as a recreational player who was able to get to 4.5.

So my question is what would you have done?

I think you are just trying to flex winning 9.0 Nationals and also having better fitness than the college kids.

 

[Ronaldo]

Recall my first matches at State playoffs nearly 40 yrs ago our 3.5 Mens team was convinced one of their opponents was DFing. Their teammate that was watching the match found an official and he called a foot fault on the offending player. Blew his mind and his serve was broken and team lost the match and tie.

 

[silverwyvern4]

What's dfing

Recall my first matches at State playoffs nearly 40 yrs ago our 3.5 Mens team was convinced one of their opponents was DFing. Their teammate that was watching the match found an official and he called a foot fault on the offending player. Blew his mind and his serve was broken and team lost the match and tie.

 

[Ronaldo]

What's dfing

My bad FFing................................1st thought was double faulting. My 4.0 partner was lucky nothing was called. He took a running start and leaped into the court while serving.

 

[ktx]

I probably would have done what you did if the match did not matter, but if I saw the official come by I would have asked them to consider watching the time delays. Of course I would NEVER footfault! but it is always a risk when you invite the official to judge the opponent that you are opening yourself up to judgment also. I think at nationals tho nobody would fault you for saying something to them and then getting an official - that is pretty egregious delaying, plus it then becomes an additional element to the match that you have to deal with.

 

[dsp9753]

I think you are just trying to flex winning 9.0 Nationals and also having better fitness than the college kids.

When you are as swole as I am, you are flexing all the time.

 

[Ronaldo]

When you are as swole as I am, you are flexing all the time.

It's Hard To Be Humble, eh?

 

[dsp9753]

It's Hard To Be Humble, eh?

What are you talking about? I am the humblest!

 

[Ronaldo]

What are you talking about? I am the humblest!

Hard & Humble, whatta combination, perfect in every way

 

[StoicBoxer]

I think you are just trying to flex winning 9.0 Nationals and also having better fitness than the college kids.

I think you are just trying to flex winning 9.0 Nationals and also having better fitness than the college kids.

I’m not sure why you read it that way. it could also be that nationals and playing younger kids that tired out are relevant details of the situation.