OK to troll outside of the match? (before start)

[TazerTotts]

Hi all. I'm adding a TL;DR because people are replying obviously without reading.

TL;DR
is it OK to get into another players head before the match for a competitive advantage, or is it bad manners?


I got called out on be bad mannered (BM).

Had a match vs a guy I knew was a huge a-hole:

-He has a new 150$ bag every month
-Rocks 6 Wilson Clashes (pulls them out and lines them up on the bench for every match, still wrapped in the "stringers bag")
-refuses to warm up with you
-has said to people, "you are going to play in that?!" when its just like old navy athletic gear and some sub 100$ tennis shoes
-consistently makes bad calls (in his favor) when he worked really hard and still lost the point .
-calls out the score when he is not serving, but only if he is up. He won't do it if his opponent is up.
-be calling foot faults all the time vs big servers.
-sometimes wont come to the net and "good game" after the match if he thinks he is better (but still lost lmao)
-Our local rule is if you're 15+ mins late, its a default. Most people are cool about communication and understand sometimes things come up. This guy will strictly adhere to this and report the Win as you're pulling up 16 mins late.

So vs this guy, I was coming from work. I didn't want to stop at home (to change into tennis apparel and get my racquet) because I might be more than 15 late.
I showed up in some regular cotton shorts, a graphics tee, and basketball shoes.
I have 2 beater racquets in the car which I used. They are aluminum 110+si wal-mart racquets that cost like 14$ new
I have balls, which I open up on the way to the court (its a 5 min walk from parking) to get some hand-eye coordination going on the walk.

Essentially this guy criticizes my attire, my racquets (says its cheating because they are Oversized), and he refuses to use my balls because he didn't see them get opened.

I personally believe he was so irate that he ended up throwing the match because he couldn't manage his anger.

I'm thinking about doing this to other players to try and get in their heads since it accidently worked so well.

Is it rude or a part of the game?

 

[nyta2]

if true, epic story! love it.
i used to show up to play in my "work khakis" (eg. hiking type pants), and tee shirt , carrying 2 racquets, all the time. generally cautious though of folks that show up with nothing but their matching racquets in hand.

 

[Aslan T]

This never happened.

 

[TazerTotts]

This never happened.

Thank you for your input!

 

[TazerTotts]

if true, epic story! love it.
i used to show up to play in my "work khakis" (eg. hiking type pants), and tee shirt , carrying 2 racquets, all the time. generally cautious though of folks that show up with nothing but their matching racquets in hand.

Ya for sure this guy can beat me if he was chill, I'm always nervous about those guys too.

 

[Aslan T]

Thank you for your input!

I was still entertained. Looking forward to reading more of your work!

 

[nyta2]

This never happened.

that was my first thought,... reminded me of the stories that @TTMR posts...

 

[TazerTotts]

that was my first thought,... reminded me of the stories that @TTMR posts...

Thank you for your input and adding to the post replies/views!

 

[Turbo-87]

It is always better to be the ill-equipped guy who comes in with low spec gear and then proceeds to win the match. Much cooler.

 

[DeeeFoo]

I got called out on be bad mannered (BM).

Had a match vs a guy I knew was a huge a-hole:

-He has a new 150$ bag every month
-Rocks 6 Wilson Clashes (pulls them out and lines them up on the bench for every match, still wrapped in the "stringers bag")
-be calling foot faults all the time vs big servers.

Everything else you mentioned I can understand, but I don't see what's so negative about the above traits? Assuming his foot fault calls are actually accurate.

 

[Purestriker]

Hi all. I'm adding a TL;DR because people are replying obviously without reading.

TL;DR
is it OK to get into another players head before the match for a competitive advantage, or is it bad manners?


I got called out on be bad mannered (BM).

Had a match vs a guy I knew was a huge a-hole:

-He has a new 150$ bag every month
-Rocks 6 Wilson Clashes (pulls them out and lines them up on the bench for every match, still wrapped in the "stringers bag")
-refuses to warm up with you
-has said to people, "you are going to play in that?!" when its just like old navy athletic gear and some sub 100$ tennis shoes
-consistently makes bad calls (in his favor) when he worked really hard and still lost the point .
-calls out the score when he is not serving, but only if he is up. He won't do it if his opponent is up.
-be calling foot faults all the time vs big servers.
-sometimes wont come to the net and "good game" after the match if he thinks he is better (but still lost lmao)
-Our local rule is if you're 15+ mins late, its a default. Most people are cool about communication and understand sometimes things come up. This guy will strictly adhere to this and report the Win as you're pulling up 16 mins late.

So vs this guy, I was coming from work. I didn't want to stop at home (to change into tennis apparel and get my racquet) because I might be more than 15 late.
I showed up in some regular cotton shorts, a graphics tee, and basketball shoes.
I have 2 beater racquets in the car which I used. They are aluminum 110+si wal-mart racquets that cost like 14$ new
I have balls, which I open up on the way to the court (its a 5 min walk from parking) to get some hand-eye coordination going on the walk.

Essentially this guy criticizes my attire, my racquets (says its cheating because they are Oversized), and he refuses to use my balls because he didn't see them get opened.

I personally believe he was so irate that he ended up throwing the match because he couldn't manage his anger.

I'm thinking about doing this to other players to try and get in their heads since it accidently worked so well.

Is it rude or a part of the game?

The guy is rude, but I doubt most people will care if you rock $14 rackets or play in Jorts. So not really a winning strategy.

 

[McLovin]

I have balls, which I open up on the way to the court (its a 5 min walk from parking) to get some hand-eye coordination going on the walk.

I’m curious: how does opening a can of balls walking to the court “get some eye-hand coordination going”? Are you juggling them?

And to be fair, he has a point: balls should be opened in each other’s presence if it’s a meaningful match.

 

[travlerajm]

My mixed teammates used to make fun of me for showing up with my racquet handles sticking out of a brown paper grocery bag.

 

[Bambooman]

What could possibly be going on with the balls opened away from the court? They both have to play with them.

Tennis is filled wannabe pros.

That's what Wal-Mart racquets and khakis are for.

 

[Bambooman]

My mixed teammates used to make fun of me for showing up with my racquet handles sticking out of a brown paper grocery bag.

How does their background figure in this?

 

[EggSalad]

That guy sounds awful.

Only recommendation I have is to jot open the balls before you arrive.

 

[Purestriker]

What could possibly be going on with the balls opened away from the court? They both have to play with them.

Tennis is filled wannabe pros.

That's what Wal-Mart racquets and khakis are for.

So that you know that they are new and not used. Nobody want's squishy balls.

 

[Purestriker]

How does their background figure in this?

Co-ed.............league

 

[TazerTotts]

I’m curious: how does opening a can of balls walking to the court “get some eye-hand coordination going”? Are you juggling them?

And to be fair, he has a point: balls should be opened in each other’s presence if it’s a meaningful match.

Great question! I bounce them on my racquet as I walk. I feel it helps get my eyes focused for making clean contact.
I will make a note in my mind that it is good tact to let the opponent hear that vacuum seal

 

[Bambooman]

So that you know that they are new and not used. Nobody want's squishy balls.

Exactly, including the guy that brought them.

 

[Purestriker]

Exactly, including the guy that brought them.

Of course...but I have seen people try to use slightly used ones. I just tell them no and offer to open new can.

 

[nyta2]

My mixed teammates used to make fun of me for showing up with my racquet handles sticking out of a brown paper grocery bag.

the ultimate hustler move... followed by warming up with opposite hand...

 

[Aslan T]

My mixed teammates used to make fun of me for showing up with my racquet handles sticking out of a brown paper grocery bag.

You're the guy that shows up to league matches wearing an arm sling, aren't you?

 

[PaddyDutch]

My mixed teammates used to make fun of me for showing up with my racquet handles sticking out of a brown paper grocery bag.

A guy at my club has his tennis gear in a plastic bag from a supermarket. Looks like the same bag was used for years, it’s tattered completely.

I love it and the guy can play too.

 

[Moon Shooter]

Exactly, including the guy that brought them.

I don't know I think if one guy knows the balls are flat and the other guy doesn't the guy that knows has an advantage. Especially if he knows one of the 3 is flat and had it marked or could otherwise recognize it.

Open the can in the other player's presence.

 

[Bambooman]

I don't know I think if one guy knows the balls are flat and the other guy doesn't the guy that knows has an advantage. Especially if he knows one of the 3 is flat and had it marked or could otherwise recognize it.

Open the can in the other player's presence.

That's why you examine them minutely before every serve like a pro and feel them out in the warm-up. Then you know too.

 

[Cashman]

why do you need my permission to be a ****ty person?

 

[Aslan T]

why do you need my permission to be a ****ty person?

Harsh.

 

[Bambooman]

the ultimate hustler move... followed by warming up with opposite hand...

People get irate when I hit with either hand. First they show modest admiration and then increasing anger, especially when they were sure a winner has been struck and then I channel JJ Wolf.

I've been booted from a supposed friendly hit because I couldn't confirm if I was left or right handed.

 

[sureshs]

and he refuses to use my balls because he didn't see them get opened.

hehe I always let others provide the balls so I can save money hehe

 

[J_R_B]

I used to do that in high school. If we were playing a school with the country club kids with fancy clothes big racket bags, I'd purposely just show up with one racket with no cover and a jug of iced tea and nothing else just to be a dick. We always won. I think we lost one match total in all four years in high school.

 

[Max G.]

Man, it's weird people even consider that trolling. I'm not sure I've ever cared what equipment or racquets my opponents showed up with.

 

[Creighton]

I used to do that in high school. If we were playing a school with the country club kids with fancy clothes big racket bags, I'd purposely just show up with one racket with no cover and a jug of iced tea and nothing else just to be a dick. We always won. I think we lost one match total in all four years in high school.

Was it Wawa tea at least?

 

[Soho78]

Dude sounds like a jerk. I’ve played a few guys who absolutely won’t warm up. It’s complete crap. Guys like you bring into the net and tee off.

 

[J_R_B]

Was it Wawa tea at least?

Icy Tea, but I did buy it at Wawa sometimes.

 

[Cashman]

I'd purposely just show up with one racket with no cover and a jug of iced tea and nothing else just to be a dick.

#alabamathings

 

[TennisOTM]

I'd purposely just show up with one racket with no cover and a jug of iced tea and nothing else just to be a dick.

If people think you're a dick for doing this, they are actually exhibiting their own dickishness. There's a clever proverb here somewhere, like the pot calling the kettle black, except with dick.

 

[Matthew ATX]

Everything else you mentioned I can understand, but I don't see what's so negative about the above traits? Assuming his foot fault calls are actually accurate.

I don't care about the bag thing. I don't care how many rackets you have (I have 4 of the same racket) but pulling them all out and lining them up on the bench is dumb.
I've never once seen a player call a foot fault on another player. Pretty much everyone foot faults. No one cares. That's for the wandering refs to call so it looks like they're actually working.

 

[Matthew ATX]

I don't know I think if one guy knows the balls are flat and the other guy doesn't the guy that knows has an advantage. Especially if he knows one of the 3 is flat and had it marked or could otherwise recognize it.

Open the can in the other player's presence.

I adhere to this practice, but at the same time I do kind of laugh at it. You only have to hit the ball one time to know it's flat. Also, idk if its different for indoor court players, but balls here are filthy after five minutes of play. No one is going to be able to pass off used balls as having come from a freshly opened can.

What annoys me are the players who refuse to play with the brand of ball you brought. Played an 8.0 match a couple weeks ago and my partner opened up a can of balls. After a little bit of warmup the other team was like, these balls are trash, can we open one of our cans? I laughed but said sure. Then we beat them. With their own fancy balls.

 

[Rosstour]

You were definitely not in the wrong if everything happened as you said.

I have been having this dilemma lately, been playing with a really good player who started the psychological tactics as soon as the matches started getting closer.

 

[beltsman]

I don't care about the bag thing. I don't care how many rackets you have (I have 4 of the same racket) but pulling them all out and lining them up on the bench is dumb.
I've never once seen a player call a foot fault on another player. Pretty much everyone foot faults. No one cares. That's for the wandering refs to call so it looks like they're actually working.

Players only don't call foot faults because it's nearly impossible to see. But players should not be foot faulting. It's not okay.

 

[Bambooman]

Players only don't call foot faults because it's nearly impossible to see. But players should not be foot faulting. It's not okay.

I play a doubles league where guys seem to walk halfway up the court on their serve. I can see it from either end.

 

[DeeeFoo]

I don't care about the bag thing. I don't care how many rackets you have (I have 4 of the same racket) but pulling them all out and lining them up on the bench is dumb.

I can understand being annoyed by that, but only if they're taking up space on the bench that other people need to use. If there's no one else using the bench, I really don't see the issue. Just seems like a harmless personality quirk.

 

[Bambooman]

I can understand being annoyed by that, but only if they're taking up space on the bench that other people need to use. If there's no one else using the bench, I really don't see the issue. Just seems like a harmless personality quirk.

Pretty sure that quirk is "look at me, I've got a whole bunch of racquets like a pro!"

 

[sureshs]

It is also OK to troll on this forum.

 

[5sets]

I used to do that in high school. If we were playing a school with the country club kids with fancy clothes big racket bags, I'd purposely just show up with one racket with no cover and a jug of iced tea and nothing else just to be a dick. We always won. I think we lost one match total in all four years in high school.

Come to think of it when I enjoy watching old videos of Borg, McEnroe and all the players of that time they just carried seven racquets under their arm with no bag and drank out of small paper cups.

 

[g4driver]

Buddy of mine showed up with a jug of water in an old gallon jug anti-freeze container.. sure I've drank from a metal tennis can but an old anti-freeze container.. uh no..

beware the player with no 12 pack bag, two frames and a water bottle, sans towel who is 5 to 10 mins late. Almost always two levels underrated

 

[stapletonj]

metal ball can water is the best! Especially if you fill it from a garden hose!

 

[MRfStop]

Buddy of mine showed up with a jug of water in an old gallon jug anti-freeze container.. sure I've drank from a metal tennis can but an old anti-freeze container.. uh no..

beware the player with no 12 pack bag, two frames and a water bottle, sans towel who is 5 to 10 mins late. Almost always two levels underrated

Absolute ringers...the dudes who show up with two completely different frames are on a whole-nother level.