What to do when you are 100% SURE the ball was in?

[JackB1]

What do you guys do when your oppponent calls a ball out on you that you CLEARLY saw as 100% in? Do you just let it go or what? This happened to me the other day. I hit a crosscourt winner and was looking "straight on" at the left sideline and saw the ball totally inside the line...not evern partially out. My opponent was running back from the other side of the court and got a sideways view of the ball. He called it out and I just stood there in amazement. I NEVER argue a close call, but this wasn't even close to me. If I had ANY doubt, I would let it go in a second, but I couldn't let this one go. He took the point and continued serving and I was so angry I lost the next several points in a row and then lost the match.

How do you guys deal with something like this? It was a pivotal point and
I feel we should have replayed the point at the very least.

 

[Bartelby]

negotiate immediately satisfactory terms or let it go immediately

 

[NoQuarter]

For me, I need to just ask "are your sure?" and then go on because it will effect my next couple of shots if I do not. Other people can use it for motivation and play better....I can not. Besides, that is a tough call for him...he's on the run and at an angle. In a match earlier this year, I had the same situation....ball was way in, even left felt mark on the hard court...but the guy was running at the same angle. I let it go and went on to win. Others saw the point and could not believe I did not put up a fight about it. Couple of weeks later, the guy was playing my team mate and the same exact shot came up and once again the guy called it out...but it was clearly in. My team mate was not as gracious...even going over to point out the spot where it hit. He ended up blowing the next couple of points and the game. I think the guy honestly seeing that ball out because of the angle.

 

[JackB1]

negotiate immediately satisfactory terms or let it go immediately

What else can you do except ask "Are you sure it was in"? He said "yes" even though I had a better look at it and was 100% positive it was in.

 

[PimpMyGame]

negotiate immediately satisfactory terms or let it go immediately

Agreed. It's your opponent's call. If he refuses to budge then you have to make him aware that you contest it. If it happens again, escalate further. And if it happens a third time, wrap your racket around his neck.

Finally, remove from tennis buddy list.

 

[JackB1]

For me, I need to just ask "are your sure?" and then go on because it will effect my next couple of shots if I do not. Other people can use it for motivation and play better....I can not. Besides, that is a tough call for him...he's on the run and at an angle. In a match earlier this year, I had the same situation....ball was way in, even left felt mark on the hard court...but the guy was running at the same angle. I let it go and went on to win. Others saw the point and could not believe I did not put up a fight about it. Couple of weeks later, the guy was playing my team mate and the same exact shot came up and once again the guy called it out...but it was clearly in. My team mate was not as gracious...even going over to point out the spot where it hit. He ended up blowing the next couple of points and the game. I think the guy honestly seeing that ball out because of the angle.

That's exactly what happened. The problem is very few guys will admit they weren't "sure" of the call and when you ask them, they will say "yes" even though they may not have been sure. If I am at an angle and my opponent hits an angled winner and he has a better look at it, I will sometimes say "I'm not sure...it's your call".

 

[PimpMyGame]

I think the guy honestly seeing that ball out because of the angle.

This is a good point. I have rarely been subject to what I believe to be outright hooking. Most people make mistakes because of the angle, or because their eyesight is bad. When I have come up against deliberate calling, I have not dealt well with it, but this is in the past and as time goes by I get mellower. Unless I feel the urge to wrap my racket around someone's neck.

 

[ATP100]

What do you guys do when your oppponent calls a ball out on you that you CLEARLY saw as 100% in? Do you just let it go or what? This happened to me the other day. I hit a crosscourt winner and was looking "straight on" at the left sideline and saw the ball totally inside the line...not evern partially out. My opponent was running back from the other side of the court and got a sideways view of the ball. He called it out and I just stood there in amazement. I NEVER argue a close call, but this wasn't even close to me. If I had ANY doubt, I would let it go in a second, but I couldn't let this one go. He took the point and continued serving and I was so angry I lost the next several points in a row and then lost the match.

How do you guys deal with something like this? It was a pivotal point and
I feel we should have replayed the point at the very least.

Just curious, how do you hit cross court and see straight down the line?

 

[J_R_B]

What else can you do except ask "Are you sure it was in"? He said "yes" even though I had a better look at it and was 100% positive it was in.

Nothing. There is nothing else you can do. Move on and play the next point. Unless it becomes a pattern, I don't worry about one point anyway. If it becomes a pattern and you are sure he is intentionally hooking you, get an official to watch the lines if you can or just finish the match and never play with this cheater again. You're not a pro. This isn't something you should allow to be a negative or get all worked up about.

 

[NoQuarter]

That's exactly what happened. The problem is very few guys will admit they weren't "sure" of the call and when you ask them, they will say "yes" even though they may not have been sure. If I am at an angle and my opponent hits an angled winner and he has a better look at it, I will sometimes say "I'm not sure...it's your call".

I agree with this as well....some will stick with their call even if they are unsure. That did not happen in my example but it does happen often. I think what has made these increase is the USTA change that if there is any doubt the point is your opponents...you don't play a let. Our team captain even addressed this before we started our league this year.

 

[Mike Hodge]

For me, I need to just ask "are your sure?" and then go on because it will effect my next couple of shots if I do not. Other people can use it for motivation and play better....I can not. Besides, that is a tough call for him...he's on the run and at an angle. In a match earlier this year, I had the same situation....ball was way in, even left felt mark on the hard court...but the guy was running at the same angle. I let it go and went on to win. Others saw the point and could not believe I did not put up a fight about it. Couple of weeks later, the guy was playing my team mate and the same exact shot came up and once again the guy called it out...but it was clearly in. My team mate was not as gracious...even going over to point out the spot where it hit. He ended up blowing the next couple of points and the game. I think the guy honestly seeing that ball out because of the angle.

If my opponent pulls me to a part of the court where I don't get a good look at the ball and the shot's close to the line, and I'm not sure it's out, it's in. Period.

I agree with the OP. I can't stand it when an opponent is in no position to make a play or even see a close call and they call it out. Some people use it as a way to bail themselves out. In my book, my opponent A) pulled me way out of position and B) put the ball on the line or really close to the line. Because of that, they've earned the point.

 

[blakesq]

When he is sleeping, place a severed horse's head in his bed.

What do you guys do when your oppponent calls a ball out on you that you CLEARLY saw as 100% in? Do you just let it go or what? This happened to me the other day. I hit a crosscourt winner and was looking "straight on" at the left sideline and saw the ball totally inside the line...not evern partially out. My opponent was running back from the other side of the court and got a sideways view of the ball. He called it out and I just stood there in amazement. I NEVER argue a close call, but this wasn't even close to me. If I had ANY doubt, I would let it go in a second, but I couldn't let this one go. He took the point and continued serving and I was so angry I lost the next several points in a row and then lost the match.

How do you guys deal with something like this? It was a pivotal point and
I feel we should have replayed the point at the very least.

 

[sphinx780]

As several have said, ask if they're sure and move on. Yes, you know what their answer will be but at least you have made your point which may get you the benefit of the doubt on the next close call.

I take it personally when I perceive I'm hooked like that and use it as a form of motivation. My intensity picks up and I do everything I can to show that I can take this game from him even though he is making bad calls.

That being said, what I don't do is make the assumption that the player was intentionally making a bad call. I assume the opposite: that he saw it out in his mind and tried to make the right call...to me that's more than enough reason to beat him in the middle of the court and not give him the opportunity to make an errant call again.

 

[spacediver]

I hit a crosscourt winner and was looking "straight on" at the left sideline and saw the ball totally inside the line

I'm not contesting your observation, but if you hit a crosscourt winner, how were you able to see down the sideline from your angle? The only way I can think this is possible is if the crosscourt winner was actually a crosscourt lob, and in the time it took for the ball to reach the ground, you ran sideways across the court.

 

[slewisoh]

It's not just that you disagree with the call. The circumstances suggest that the individual is not in any position to make the call. You have to "call" him out on that (har har) and then move on.

How about, "Wow! That's a pretty tough call to make from all the way over there."

or

"Wow! I'm not sure I could make that call from all the way over there...with my back to the ball."

Whether he responds appropriately or not, you can't let the one point dictate the rest of the match.

 

[JackB1]

I'm not contesting your observation, but if you hit a crosscourt winner, how were you able to see down the sideline from your angle? The only way I can think this is possible is if the crosscourt winner was actually a crosscourt lob, and in the time it took for the ball to reach the ground, you ran sideways across the court.

I was in the middle of the court and I hit the ball inside the left sideline and was running to the left, so I had a better angle at it. Yes, I was not looking directly down the line. My opponent was running parallell to the baseline towards the sideline, so his angle was 90 deg. to the line.

 

[jdubbs]

Two words: Make up call.

Oh wait. That's three words.

 

[slewisoh]

I was in the middle of the court and I hit the ball inside the left sideline and was running to the left, so I had a better angle at it. Yes, I was not looking directly down the line. My opponent was running parallell to the baseline towards the sideline, so his angle was 90 deg. to the line.

Oh, now this is entirely different.

It's possible for him to have a good view of this shot and make a call, so you cannot question whether he should even make the call.

You can still disagree...something like, "you know, I'm right here on the line and clearly saw the ball hit inside the line." But then you have to move on, as it's his call to make.

Sorry that I misunderstood the original post.

 

[beernutz]

It's part of the game, it happens, accept the call and move on.

You are free to ask the, "Are you sure?" question but imo you have to live with what the opponent calls.

I don't believe in make up calls although there have been a few times that I thought I deserved one.

 

[dizzlmcwizzl]

Look bad calls happen. Also, sometimes what you think is the right call is not.

Last night for example, my partner and I had easily won the first set and were on serve early in the second. I made a call that I was in position to make and I am certain was the correct call. My opponent, clearly not in a good position, saw it the other way and he was equally certain I had screwed him.

The upshot is, he chose to get upset and then completely fell apart. We won the next 4 games to coast to a 6-2, 6-2 win. What I do in the same situation is to let it go by saying, "good call". Somehow by verbalizing it, I let the emotions go and move on.

This is simply one of those situations where you cannot make it better, and very likely make one little issue a major one.

 

[Satch]

Agreed. It's your opponent's call. If he refuses to budge then you have to make him aware that you contest it. If it happens again, escalate further. And if it happens a third time, wrap your racket around his neck.

Finally, remove from tennis buddy list.

ahahaha... that's why i use only 12oz+ he can't argue with me..

 

[slewisoh]

What I do in the same situation is to let it go by saying, "good call". Somehow by verbalizing it, I let the emotions go and move on.

Do you say this sarcastically or sincerely?

 

[precision2b]

Agreed. It's your opponent's call. If he refuses to budge then you have to make him aware that you contest it. If it happens again, escalate further. And if it happens a third time, wrap your racket around his neck.

Finally, remove from tennis buddy list.

LOL!!! I like your style…:evil:

 

[dizzlmcwizzl]

Do you say this sarcastically or sincerely?

Quick and loud enough to hear, but not to loud ... a curt good call.

It would not work for me if it was sarcastic.

 

[J_R_B]

I actually usually say something (politely) to make sure they know I think they missed it, like "well, it's your call, but I don't know about that" or something to that effect. 99% of the time, people are not trying to hook you and just innocently missed one, and if you let them know that you saw something differently, a lot of times, you will get a make up call from them.

Definitely, though, the key to not get upset and not let it affect you.

 

[sureshs]

What do you guys do when your oppponent calls a ball out on you that you CLEARLY saw as 100% in? Do you just let it go or what? This happened to me the other day. I hit a crosscourt winner and was looking "straight on" at the left sideline and saw the ball totally inside the line...not evern partially out. My opponent was running back from the other side of the court and got a sideways view of the ball. He called it out and I just stood there in amazement. I NEVER argue a close call, but this wasn't even close to me. If I had ANY doubt, I would let it go in a second, but I couldn't let this one go. He took the point and continued serving and I was so angry I lost the next several points in a row and then lost the match.

How do you guys deal with something like this? It was a pivotal point and
I feel we should have replayed the point at the very least.

We deal it with like this:

 

[mucat]

What do you guys do when your oppponent calls a ball out on you that you CLEARLY saw as 100% in? Do you just let it go or what? This happened to me the other day. I hit a crosscourt winner and was looking "straight on" at the left sideline and saw the ball totally inside the line...not evern partially out. My opponent was running back from the other side of the court and got a sideways view of the ball. He called it out and I just stood there in amazement. I NEVER argue a close call, but this wasn't even close to me. If I had ANY doubt, I would let it go in a second, but I couldn't let this one go. He took the point and continued serving and I was so angry I lost the next several points in a row and then lost the match.

How do you guys deal with something like this? It was a pivotal point and
I feel we should have replayed the point at the very least.

It is not your call to make. Replay the point would be against the rule.

 

[Baxter]

I actually usually say something (politely) to make sure they know I think they missed it, like "well, it's your call, but I don't know about that" or something to that effect. 99% of the time, people are not trying to hook you and just innocently missed one, and if you let them know that you saw something differently, a lot of times, you will get a make up call from them.

Definitely, though, the key to not get upset and not let it affect you.

Easier said than done. There's a guy I play two or three times a year that ALWAYS questions my baseline calls, from HIS baseline. Anything less than six inches out he sees as in. I get a stomach ache just thinking about playing the guy, and when the inevitable obnoxious and aggressive challenge comes, which his partner always backs up, I get really upset and it negatively affects my game, which I'm sure is his intention. These two bozos are famous for this, and do it in both City and USTA play, but nobody seems to be able to do anything about it. Grrrrrrr.

 

[tennis4josh]

It is not your call to make. Replay the point would be against the rule.

That's not right. As far as I remember USTA rules are meant to help run the match smoothly, but the two (or four) opponents can make up whatever rules they want and follow them as long as they all are in agreement.

I think replaying a point is often a good compromise. If I feel that my opponent is not happy or has some doubt about my call I always offer to replay the point. Normally when I am not in a position to make a call correctly (like OP's opponent) I don't call the ball out. Even if I believe that ball is out, I tell my opponent that I thought the balls was out, but I can't be sure and hence I am giving him benefit of doubt.

If my opponent made a very close call, I just ask "are you sure?". If he clearly made a bad call, then on the first such call I tell him that "Its your call, but I saw that ball clearly in". At this point any decent person will either concede the point or at least offer a replay. I will take the replay.
If he insists that "it's his call" and takes the point then I will question every close call he makes, and would not hesitate to call in a line umpire if the pattern continues.

My experience is that even the cheaters don't like being questioned. Even if they stick to their bad call and take the point, they will shortly make a sympathy call in your favor (quite often its your first serve that is little bit long and the guy fails to return it).

-Josh

 

[slewisoh]

Easier said than done. There's a guy I play two or three times a year that ALWAYS questions my baseline calls, from HIS baseline. Anything less than six inches out he sees as in. I get a stomach ache just thinking about playing the guy, and when the inevitable obnoxious and aggressive challenge comes, which his partner always backs up, I get really upset and it negatively affects my game, which I'm sure is his intention. These two bozos are famous for this, and do it in both City and USTA play, but nobody seems to be able to do anything about it. Grrrrrrr.

I have a partner who questions every baseline call and it drives me NUTS! It wastes a ton of time, creates animosity, and pretty much ensures that all close calls will go against you. If I clearly see it out I will say "good call" and try to move my partner along. Hate doing that.

I've found that when I'm generous with calls, my opponents tend to be generous with calls - even at critical points in the match.

Why don't you tell this jerk that you are sorry he disagrees with your call and remind him that he's free to ask for line judges. People like him don't want the extra scrutiny of line judges - they want to bully and distract their opponents. For goodness sake, don't allow him to manipulate the situation.

Hmmm. It occurs to me I'm allowing my poorly-behaved partner to manipulate me. Hmmm.

 

[beernutz]

That's not right. As far as I remember USTA rules are meant to help run the match smoothly, but the two (or four) opponents can make up whatever rules they want and follow them as long as they all are in agreement.

I think replaying a point is often a good compromise. If I feel that my opponent is not happy or has some doubt about my call I always offer to replay the point. Normally when I am not in a position to make a call correctly (like OP's opponent) I don't call the ball out. Even if I believe that ball is out, I tell my opponent that I thought the balls was out, but I can't be sure and hence I am giving him benefit of doubt.

If my opponent made a very close call, I just ask "are you sure?". If he clearly made a bad call, then on the first such call I tell him that "Its your call, but I saw that ball clearly in". At this point any decent person will either concede the point or at least offer a replay. I will take the replay.
If he insists that "it's his call" and takes the point then I will question every close call he makes, and would not hesitate to call in a line umpire if the pattern continues.

My experience is that even the cheaters don't like being questioned. Even if they stick to their bad call and take the point, they will shortly make a sympathy call in your favor (quite often its your first serve that is little bit long and the guy fails to return it).

-Josh

That's not right either. Replays are clearly against the rules and players don't pick and choose which rules to apply even if everyone is in agreement.

It *is* the opponents call to make and you are also free under the rules to question close calls if you truly feel they were incorrectly made. However, if you are questioning all calls just as a retaliation measure IMO you are just sinking to the level of your opponent.

I don't think there was anything in the original post to indicate the opponent was cheating, but just that the OP thought he'd made a bad call. We've all made them and we've all had them made against us. Move on folks, nothing to see here.

 

[tennisdad65]

Just curious, how do you hit cross court and see straight down the line?

exactly what I was thinking. No way OP can be 100% sure the ball was in unless it was in by a clear 3-4 inches. If it was on or around the line, you cannot be 100% sure when looking cross court from ~60 feet away with the net in the middle.

 

[J_R_B]

Easier said than done. There's a guy I play two or three times a year that ALWAYS questions my baseline calls, from HIS baseline. Anything less than six inches out he sees as in. I get a stomach ache just thinking about playing the guy, and when the inevitable obnoxious and aggressive challenge comes, which his partner always backs up, I get really upset and it negatively affects my game, which I'm sure is his intention. These two bozos are famous for this, and do it in both City and USTA play, but nobody seems to be able to do anything about it. Grrrrrrr.

You must learn the way of the Zen, my son. Keep your mind quiet and clear.

 

[Baxter]

You must learn the way of the Zen, my son. Keep your mind quiet and clear.

I am completely blown away. I don't know if that was meant as a joke or not, but I'm taking it to heart. I try to numb my mind on big points, to the point where you are thinking of absolutely nothing, but this guy is so evil that he makes me ill. I shall try to rise above it. Thank you Zen Master.

 

[NoQuarter]

Easier said than done. There's a guy I play two or three times a year that ALWAYS questions my baseline calls, from HIS baseline. Anything less than six inches out he sees as in. I get a stomach ache just thinking about playing the guy, and when the inevitable obnoxious and aggressive challenge comes, which his partner always backs up, I get really upset and it negatively affects my game, which I'm sure is his intention. These two bozos are famous for this, and do it in both City and USTA play, but nobody seems to be able to do anything about it. Grrrrrrr.

There are guys like this everywhere. Listen, they know you get upset...they are praying on that. They know good and well it is out, but they want to get you (and your partner) off your game. Be ready for it....when the question's come just answer confidently and keep your response short and move on to your position for the next point without showing any emotion. That will frustrate them because you are not falling for their games. Now, I have had people even escalate it further and not play the next point and just keep on and on and on. At that point, I have just walked off the court and went directly to their team captain to file a complaint.

 

[Wakenslam]

I've found that when guys make a bad call against me it's often purely to get under my skin because they are losing. I just move on and act like nothing happened. Usually the momentum immediately swings in my favor.

 

[a10best]

I usually give them a big jersey James Gandolfini " Ohhhhh!! very close, very close".

 

[Z-Man]

Never ask if they are sure. That's bush league 2.5 ladies hit and giggle stuff. Instead, politely inform them that it was in. Say something like "I'm sorry but I think you might have missed that call. It was in. I could see it from here." Thats the only way i have ever gotten someone to reverse a call. People can't nail every call-especially in singles. When I play with friends we actually help each other make calls. There is just no way you can see every bounce when you and your opponent are pounding balls and yanking each other all over the court. In a competitive match you just have to do your best and concede any call you aren't sure on. If your opponent doesn't return the courtesy, you can tighten up your calls. That really only applies to hard courts. On clay there is usually a mark.

 

[Limpinhitter]

What do you guys do when your oppponent calls a ball out on you that you CLEARLY saw as 100% in? Do you just let it go or what? This happened to me the other day. I hit a crosscourt winner and was looking "straight on" at the left sideline and saw the ball totally inside the line...not evern partially out. My opponent was running back from the other side of the court and got a sideways view of the ball. He called it out and I just stood there in amazement. I NEVER argue a close call, but this wasn't even close to me. If I had ANY doubt, I would let it go in a second, but I couldn't let this one go. He took the point and continued serving and I was so angry I lost the next several points in a row and then lost the match.

How do you guys deal with something like this? It was a pivotal point and
I feel we should have replayed the point at the very least.

If it's a tournament match I'd ask for a linesman for the remainder of the match. If you're playing on clay, ask him to show you the mark.

If it was a practice match, and I thought my opponent was purposely cheating, I'd say "thanks" walk off the court, and never play with him/her again. If I were certain it was in, and he was genuinely certain it was out, I'd suck it up and forget about it. If it happened again, then I'd re-assess whether he was cheating.

 

[pc1]

If it's a tournament match I'd ask for a linesman for the remainder of the match. If you're playing on clay, ask him to show you the mark.

If it was a practice match, and I thought my opponent was purposely cheating, I'd say "thanks" walk off the court, and never play with him/her again. If I were certain it was in, and he was genuinely certain it was out, I'd suck it up and forget about it. If it happened again, then I'd re-assess whether he was cheating.

I was watching a buddy of mine play doubles. One guy playing against him was one of these super competitive people that you get the impression would punch you out to win a point. I was on the sidelines and a couple of balls were in that he called out. The marks were clearly there but he pointed to different marks. I mentioned this to my friend afterwards but he chalked it up to his friend making a mistake. I don't think so. It was too obvious.

 

[Jim A]

I think it depends on the person and the match. Yesterday we had a guy go ballistic in our playoff match for Mixed. It was one of those close to the sideline and my partner made the call, I was pretty sure it was out but didn't call it because I'm trying to hit it on the bounce and he went all ape. It basically sealed the match for us....

today in the semi we weren't sure on one and the guy just told us it was out...we were both far away....we did the same on one of ours after he fell and I pushed a volley wide

 

[tennis tom]

In a competitive match you just have to do your best and concede any call you aren't sure on. If your opponent doesn't return the courtesy, you can tighten up your calls.

I like that.

 

[rh310]

I was playing in a club's prize-money round-robin tourney a few weeks back. One of the guys (ex-200s ATP player now in his 40s) was hooking EVERYBODY; even spectators couldn't contain themselves after a while.

After one particularly bad call on deuce on match game, the server told the guy that he didn't accept the call. The hooker said it was his call to make, but the opponent told him the ball was clearly good, the score was ad-in, and he could either accept it and line up to receive the next serve or resign the game. After some failed bluff calling, he lined up to receive the serve (and lost the match).

May not be the legit way to handle it, but his calls weren't legit either.

 

[bms2011]

I argue it until I can get a redo. In one of my matches though a guy kept on calling my winners and aces out and I kept on arguing but he wouldn't give me the redo. It's very easy to solve this. When he hits a ball that's in the center of the court, call it out. Do this once and refuse to give him a redo. It's stops them dead in their tracks. Only do this if they are cheating you a lot. You don't want to be known as a cheater.

 

[forthegame]

You climb over the net, grab him/her/them by the throat and shove the ball really hard......


Seriously, nothing you can do but move on.

 

[J_R_B]

You climb over the net, grab him/her/them by the throat and shove the ball really hard......

LOL. They can't call it out if they're dead. Just sayin'

 

[rh310]

I argue it until I can get a redo. In one of my matches though a guy kept on calling my winners and aces out and I kept on arguing but he wouldn't give me the redo. It's very easy to solve this. When he hits a ball that's in the center of the court, call it out. Do this once and refuse to give him a redo. It's stops them dead in their tracks. Only do this if they are cheating you a lot. You don't want to be known as a cheater.

I completely agree and have done the same thing on the very rare occasion I am being blatantly cheated out of winning placements.

Call their next ball out no matter what, then look them right in the eye.

It absolutely does stop them every time.

"A person who professes goodness in all things will suffer at the hand of those who are not good. Therefore, learn to be good, and how to be not good, and do either depending on the necessity of the case."

- Nicholi Machiavelli, "The Prince"

 

[mucat]

What to do when you are 100% SURE the ball was in?

Lots of people are 100% sure about themselves yet they are wrong 90% of the time.

 

[SoBad]

This is not a tennis issue, this is an interpersonal scheduling issue. If a hitting partner is persistently pathetic, replace him with a better one.

 

[saigonbond 2.0]

Never whine about a line call.
Firmly tell your opponent you thought the ball was in.
Its his call, so move on to the next point.
Simple as that.