Ooooooouuuuuuuuu

DE19702

Rookie
Serving to a person I do not know (doubles). On the 4th point of the very first game the serve lands close to the line and the returner exclaims loudly, "OOOOOOUUUUU" while hitting the ball. The ball comes floating back and hearing what I thought was a clear declarative "out" do not move and wait till it lands barely hitting the outside sideline 10 feet away. There is a pause and then I say that I heard an out call. The returner says he didn't say out that he was only grunting. Now this was not a grunt. It was more like a yell. Anyway, I suggest we play a let and the server refuses and says its his point. I try to reason with him saying I had an honest belief that he said out. I asked him if he would take my word for it and he said no. I then said that the return was out and it was my point. His partner said he heard a grunt and thought the ball was out. My partner said nothing. Now at this point there is an impass. What was the fairest way to handle the situation?
 

jc4.0

Professional
Here we go again

I had a similar question recently and the response was about 50-50, replay or let the "grunter" take the point.

Your case is a little different in that you weren't sure whether your serve was in or out, seems like it would have been a close call; in my case the shot I "grunted" while hitting was two feet in, clearly in. Also in my case, one of my opponents tried to run the ball I hit down, then when she missed the shot she claimed she had "stopped playing". In either case I'd say it would have been a safer decision to continue playing the point until a definitive "out" is called.

Some would say it depends on the actual sound made. If it was just an "uungh" or "aaaah" or other gutteral air release as the ball was hit - then of course that doesn't resemble an out call to most ears. If the person, as you describe, yelled the whole word minus the "t" - then you may have a case.
 
I asked him if he would take my word for it and he said no.

I then said that the return was out and it was my point.

My partner said nothing.

Now at this point there is an impass.

At this point it's no longer tennis, so do whatever you feel like.

I liked your calling his return "out"--very creative!

Gotta' love "supportive" partners like that--get a divorce.

You could have packed up and left. How did you'll settle the impasse?
 

dcdoorknob

Hall of Fame
If you're trying to take the high road, calling his return out (when you thought it hit the line) after he refused to give a let is not the way to do it lol.

If you were trying to outdo him ******baggery then it was a fine choice though.

Seriously, once he says he won't play a let, just move on to the next point imo.
 
The rule is that you are supposed to play a let if there is any confusion between an out call or a grunt. However, if there is an official present, they can only intervene if asked the official ruling by a player. I learned this after this cost me one of the most important matches of the year.
 

DE19702

Rookie
At this point it's no longer tennis, so do whatever you feel like.

I liked your calling his return "out"--very creative!

Gotta' love "supportive" partners like that--get a divorce.

You could have packed up and left. How did you'll settle the impasse?

Tennis Tom - You're right. What's the point of continuing when it gets to that level. The guy turned to his partner (who I knew and who I thought was my friend) and says, "Good job to whoever got this guy to play with us." I threw a few F-bombs his way, retrieved the new balls I brought as a courtesy for inviting me to play and left. As I was leaving he said, "God bless you, sir." The funny part was that he after I complained to him he shouldn't use the Lord's name sarcasticly, his partner yelled over to me that he was a pastor. :)
 

Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
OP should have said he was hindered and tried to claim the point on that basis. Then, to be a good sport, they could have played a let.

You grunt at your own peril, IMHO.
 

Steady Eddy

Legend
I think this guy is violating the "two chance" rule. He's like, "OMG, I can't get to this serve." Starts to call it out. "Wait! I CAN reach it, let's see how this works." Since you didn't try to return, it's no surprise that he decides the serve was good.

When he went "Ooouuu..." he called it "out" IMO. The fact that he stretched it out so he could see if he needs to put the "t" on doesn't change things. Anyway, let him have the point, but when you get a chance, nail him when he's at the net, then say "Sorry", even though you don't mean it. Then you go home feeling good.
 
I threw a few F-bombs his way, retrieved the new balls I brought as a courtesy for inviting me to play and left.


BRAVO! I've only walked about three times in forty years of playing, but on those rare occasions, that's what you have to do to preserve the dignity of humanity and the game. I've never looked back or regretted those few times I've packed my rackets up and walked.
 

larry10s

Hall of Fame
Tennis Tom - You're right. What's the point of continuing when it gets to that level. The guy turned to his partner (who I knew and who I thought was my friend) and says, "Good job to whoever got this guy to play with us." I threw a few F-bombs his way, retrieved the new balls I brought as a courtesy for inviting me to play and left. As I was leaving he said, "God bless you, sir." The funny part was that he after I complained to him he shouldn't use the Lord's name sarcasticly, his partner yelled over to me that he was a pastor. :)

kudos to you for walking off the court. lifes too short for aggravation.
as for the guy being a pastor you read what i read about some of their ethics and morality:shock:
 
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