Sunday chat "nice shot" during matches

FuzzyYellowBalls

FuzzyYellowBalls

Legend
Played some doubles, I like to say "nice shot" or "nice play all around" or "good serve". Nothing unusual there I am sure, but I had a match where I was the only person out of 4 who ever said it, I only realized afterward. That's a bit odd isn't it? On a scale of interesting, 1-10, this post probably scores a 2, but fun to see what/if anyone has any thoughts.
 
FuzzyYellowBalls said:
Played some doubles, I like to say "nice shot" or "nice play all around" or "good serve". Nothing unusual there I am sure, but I had a match where I was the only person out of 4 who ever said it, I only realized afterward. That's a bit odd isn't it? On a scale of interesting, 1-10, this post probably scores a 2, but fun to see what/if anyone has any thoughts.
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The ultra-competitive, win-at-all-costs people think complimenting an opponent is bad because it will make them play better.
The gamers think complimenting an opponent is good because it will make them play worse.
Some are so inwardly-focused they can't spare any energy on others [I would think these people wouldn't make great doubles partners].

I approach it from the standpoint of enjoyment: I have the most fun when both of us are firing on all cylinders which means we're both making the occasional great play. If I can encourage that, I will. Who wins is not the important thing.

One way to look at it is from a neutral fan standpoint: if I see a great play, I cheer. It doesn't matter who makes the play, what matters is that the play was great.

Does this change all that much just because I happen to be one of the players?
 
YUP! Unless scores are being reported then it's just rec play--but for the strong silent type of hackers who think they're playing Wimby Finals it's dead-joyless-serious business--they would curtsey with their butt to the Royal Box. I'm generous with my compliments even if it's tournament play--a nice shot or well-constructed point is praiseworthy.

These players are usually the same ones who are last to open a can of balls, don't chit-chat on the changeovers, jump in front of you on the way to the court, etc.,etc., They're just using others for their ego gratification and exercise. Use them back--practice your worst shot on them, hone your drop shot that bounces back over the net or your lob aimed for the baseline, tweeners.

Let them win--give them a false sense of how great they are--who cares! Not many kind words spoken on the courts these days--mirrors some of the resident trolls at this board who relish in name-calling behind their crumb filled keyboards.
 
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Oh, I know the type for sure. These guys were normal, my partner on the quiet side, no big deal, but they did indeed do some chit-chat during changeovers. We weren't in danger of losing, we played line 1 and it was a 2 and 0 beatdown. Maybe that made it more unusual, they didn't even chit chat much about tennis to each other, just to us a couple times about the normal small talk thee days. The match wasn't boring though and there were good rallies, so I would comment on those occasions or shots, all byyyyyyy myyyyy sellllllf (as the song goes).
 
FuzzyYellowBalls said:
...they didn't even chit chat much about tennis to each other,...
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If it was a league match they should have been talking strategy and tactics with each other on the changeovers--sounds like they didn't have any. League matches should be about having some competition, meeting some new players from different places and sharing a beer and some kali dip afterward.
 
Permitlady said:
The people that say nice shot tend to say dammit when you're about to crush a sitter
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Yes, rec players do their talking DURING points--(it's known as a hindrance)--and then have nothing much to say on the changeovers--many just walk over to the other side without even a sip of water. If you want a conversation with them they expect a consultancy fee. Many are Harvard grads, doctors or lawyers--they will only converse with other Harvard grads, or fellow docs or lawyers--the clock is running in 100's of an hour. You're there for their recreation.
 
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I also say nice shot often. However many times I’m aggravated that I lost a point because of my opponent’s nice shot, and when I say “nice shot” I often don’t look too happy. I hope they don’t think I am being sarcastic.
 
You hit a nice shot, you get a “nice shot” from me. You hit a bad or lucky shot, you likely will get a good natured ribbing If I know you well.

I love playing dubs just because there is so much more opportunity for socializing in one way or another. Preferably with good folks you know.
 
FuzzyYellowBalls said:
Oh, I know the type for sure. These guys were normal, my partner on the quiet side, no big deal, but they did indeed do some chit-chat during changeovers. We weren't in danger of losing, we played line 1 and it was a 2 and 0 beatdown. Maybe that made it more unusual, they didn't even chit chat much about tennis to each other, just to us a couple times about the normal small talk thee days. The match wasn't boring though and there were good rallies, so I would comment on those occasions or shots, all byyyyyyy myyyyy sellllllf (as the song goes).
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FYB
if its a social match, chatter is expected to be part of the game, even "trash talking" if the audience is receptive.
in league, there is nothing wrong with saying "good shot" or "well played point", but some people are so serious
that any talking except for calling out the score, or talking strategy among the team is all you hear.
z
 
Doesn't bother me. Some people are all business on the court. Even some people I'm friends with off the court won't tell me good shot during a match.
I still say it to them, because that's how I like playing the game.
The only time I stop saying it is when I genuinely do not like the person/people I am playing against.
 
In doubles I hit at the other players and say nice shot when they hit a good one. Just seems to be part of the game, imo.
 
I say ‘good shot’ when it is a shot of a quality that is rare at my level. Happens maybe a couple of times per set in singles and much more often in doubles where it is more common to see high-quality volleys including the ‘quick reflex’ kind. I am also likely to do it whether I am winning or losing.

There are some opponents who say ‘good shot’ 10-15 times per set usually when they are winning and I find that mildly annoying because I feel like it is a backhanded compliment if they are complimenting me on what I consider ’normal’ quality shots for our level. They are typically the types who go silent when they start losing.

In life off the court also, I give compliments sparingly, but sincerely and I think I am the same on court.
 
The occasional “nice shot” or “good serve” is fine and expected. But anything more than occasional can be viewed as gamesmanship in a competitive match. In a social match, you have to read the room. If you’re the only one doing it, maybe you need to rethink your approach.
 
Personally I’m very complimentary when shots are truly good. Not so much as to be a distraction but when well earned I’m the first to give props.

having said that, my pet peeve is when people (esp my partner) say “nice shot” to a situation where they ought to have covered it yet either dropped the (metaphorical) ball, gave the point away or flubbed it somehow. (Really? You hit a lobby creampuff to the net player and they put it away. Is that a nice shot or did you just gift them the point?) In other words it wasn’t really a nice shot as much as terrible play by you (or me as is often the case)!)
 
oodlesoftennis said:
Personally I’m very complimentary when shots are truly good. Not so much as to be a distraction but when well earned I’m the first to give props.

having said that, my pet peeve is when people (esp my partner) say “nice shot” to a situation where they ought to have covered it yet either dropped the (metaphorical) ball, gave the point away or flubbed it somehow. (Really? You hit a lobby creampuff to the net player and they put it away. Is that a nice shot or did you just gift them the point?) In other words it wasn’t really a nice shot as much as terrible play by you (or me as is often the case)!)
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My pet peeve is the "nice serve" after they net a return off a dink second serve. If you screw up an easy shot, the opponent doesn't deserve kudos.
 
Always applaud when your opponent in doubles when they hit a return winner down the line when you didn't poach. And don't partner with players who will tell you to guard that small part of the court that is immediately adjacent to the area that is outside the court which also requires the opponent to change the direction and hit over the higher part of the net. Great shot.
 
mikelikesgatorad said:
Always applaud when your opponent in doubles when they hit a return winner down the line when you didn't poach. And don't partner with players who will tell you to guard that small part of the court that is immediately adjacent to the area that is outside the court which also requires the opponent to change the direction and hit over the higher part of the net. Great shot.
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yep. If you can change direction on the ball and nail it into the doubles alley, I'm applauding. Still not going to cover it though. Still haven't seen a player that makes more of those than he misses.
 
Dartagnan64 said:
yep. If you can change direction on the ball and nail it into the doubles alley, I'm applauding. Still not going to cover it though. Still haven't seen a player that makes more of those than he misses.
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If I call for a wide serve for my partner, I will cover more of the alley, but yea, for the most part, that area is yours for the taking until it gets to the point where we're losing more points than winning by my pinching the middle and leaving the alley open. The more low percentage shots our opponents take, the better.
 
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