What would you do?

[AR15]

During a men's league match Monday night, a player threw a royal hissy fit on the court next to mine. The player, from the opposing team, got very angry about a line call. My partner and I, playing on the next court, witnessed the point and agreed (to our selves) with our team mates that the shot was long. There was a mark in the rubico that showed the ball about 3 or 4 inches out. My team mates circled the mark and asked the hot head to come look at it. He said they were "efing cheaters" and there were a lot of marks back there. This guy threw a temper tantrum by throwing his racket, loudly cussing, and saying he might as well quit if they were going to keep cheating. But, they played on.

The next point was the hot head's serve during the tie-break. They called his serve long (by TWO FEET), and the guy went ballistic again - disturbing all courts.

The hot head and his partner finally lost the tie-break, and the match. He stomped off the court, loudly kicked open the gate, and left muttering loudly about the "efing cheaters...."

After the match his team captain apologized for the display.

What should our captain, who was playing on the court next to all of this, have done (if anything)? Should he take any action now, with the league coordinator etc.?

What would you have done if your game was being interrupted by this display of rudeness?

 

[Chauvalito]

I am sure there is some way in which you could file an official complaint?

I think you all did well by letting him fume instead of feeding into his anger. He is the one that made himself look like a fool, and not anyone on your team.

 

[JavierLW]

During a men's league match Monday night, a player threw a royal hissy fit on the court next to mine. The player, from the opposing team, got very angry about a line call. My partner and I, playing on the next court, witnessed the point and agreed (to our selves) with our team mates that the shot was long. There was a mark in the rubico that showed the ball about 3 or 4 inches out. My team mates circled the mark and asked the hot head to come look at it. He said they were "efing cheaters" and there were a lot of marks back there. This guy threw a temper tantrum by throwing his racket, loudly cussing, and saying he might as well quit if they were going to keep cheating. But, they played on.

The next point was the hot head's serve during the tie-break. They called his serve long (by TWO FEET), and the guy went ballistic again - disturbing all courts.

The hot head and his partner finally lost the tie-break, and the match. He stomped off the court, loudly kicked open the gate, and left muttering loudly about the "efing cheaters...."

After the match his team captain apologized for the display.

What should our captain, who was playing on the court next to all of this, have done (if anything)? Should he take any action now, with the league coordinator etc.?

What would you have done if your game was being interrupted by this display of rudeness?

I would of just ignored him, there isnt anything you can do about it.

Unless you're offended, he's making himself look bad more then anything. I try not to get offended just because other people do not know how to behave themselves, that's their problem, not mine.

It sounds like you guys made it worse by getting involved and pointing out the spot, etc.... You are all spectators to that match and have no place in determining whether the ball was out or not. Your teammates should be able to handle it.

Like most things in a unofficiated match all sorts of crazy things happen sometimes and there isnt much you can do about it.

You can complain to the league afterwards if you want (if they care), but it's sometimes like calling the police because your hub caps were stolen. You may not get your hub caps back but if enough people call, the police might drive by your apartment or house more often.

If he has a history of being a moron like this, and enough people complain then the league might think about doing somthing but it's unlikely.

 

[AR15]

We did not get involved. We kept to ourselves. Only the players on that court pointed out the ball marks.

 

[Nellie]

When I was in high school, the rules allowed you to claim a point off of an interference from actions from the opponent's teammate on another court.

Anyway, I would file a formal complaint, and my local league admin takes these things seriously, and you can be banned from playing.

(as my teammate found out, you can also be disciplined for drinking beer on the court after the match.

 

[JavierLW]

When I was in high school, the rules allowed you to claim a point off of an interference from actions from the opponent's teammate on another court.

Anyway, I would file a formal complaint, and my local league admin takes these things seriously, and you can be banned from playing.

(as my teammate found out, you can also be disciplined for drinking beer on the court after the match.

what about drinking beer off the court?

or drinking beer during the match (during the change over)? Ive seen that before as well.

Here it depends on the courts, there is no such league rule about such things. (beer consumption....)

 

[Ace]

Just ask him if he needs his diapers changed.

 

[10sjunkie]

You should be able to file a grievance for unsportsmanlike conduct.

 

[Sakkijarvi]

My answer to the OP: Just cool it and get on with your life. For all you know the guy's wife just got diagnosed with cancer and he couldn't get a replacement that night and didn't want to stiff his team. Why does everyone feel so ready to judge, 'file a complaint'...were you like, all scared...fearing for your lives? I've seen plenty of guys pop off in sports...not every time does someone have to 'run and tell'...his cappy already apologized...this reminds me of the differences between tennis guys and guys that play pickup basketball, my softball buddies...give it a break.

 

[ten10]

The good thing is that the captain apologized for the guy.

Sounds like he pretty much just harmed himself--from a tennis standpoint and character standpoint.

I have been on a court next to a very heated dispute. We asked them to please settle the dispute quickly and quietly since it was causing a delay in our game as well.

So he had a bad day, took it out on "safe" people--those with whom he has no relationship. Who cares, it's all on him.

 

[tfm1973]

 

[saram]

First, I'm glad he lost. I would also second the notion for filing a formal complaint. Guys like this ruin the essence of league tennis. If he is dropping the f-bomb all the time--it is time for him to be banned from the courts.

 

[saram]

Men that ride unicorns scare me....

 

[AR15]

I'm mostly in agreement with the comments that suggest simply letting the incident go, and that the guy made an arse of himself more than anything else.

However, I also believe that if no action is taken, he may throw more tantrums that others will have to suffer through. The guy obviously violated several points of The Code of tennis:

1. Courtesy. Tennis is a game that requires cooperation and courtesy from
all participants. Make tennis a fun game by praising your opponents’ good
shots and by not:
• conducting loud postmortems after points;
• complaining about shots like lobs and drop shots;
• embarrassing a weak opponent by being overly gracious or
condescending;
• losing your temper, using vile language, throwing your racket,or slamming a ball in anger; or
• sulking when you are losing.

Are we not lowering our standards by allowing such behavior to go unpunished?

 

[spot]

nothing you can do about it at the time. HIS captain may have been able to do something but your captain could have only made it worse.

But saying somethign to the league may help. If nothing else the coordinator will probably put a call into him asking for his side and that will embarrass him now that he has cooled down about it.

 

[caverick]

My answer to the OP: Just cool it and get on with your life. For all you know the guy's wife just got diagnosed with cancer and he couldn't get a replacement that night and didn't want to stiff his team. Why does everyone feel so ready to judge, 'file a complaint'...were you like, all scared...fearing for your lives? I've seen plenty of guys pop off in sports...not every time does someone have to 'run and tell'...his cappy already apologized...this reminds me of the differences between tennis guys and guys that play pickup basketball, my softball buddies...give it a break.

I disagree. First off, the chances about that happening with the guy's wife is highly unlikely. The guy probably doesn't even have a wife because no one wants to be with such a baby. I think the OP has the right to complain because the guy was acting like an a-hole and was distracting to the other players. If you don't feel like complaining you could always just yell back at him like sakkijarvi's softball buddies.

 

[JLyon]

If I were the Tennis Facility Manager I would ban this player from the facility for abusing the facilities and for the use of loud abusive language. Also a formal complaint should be filed with the local league coordinator for no other reason than to ensure that there is a not a pattern of behavior being displayed by this player/team.

 

[AR15]

If I were the Tennis Facility Manager I would ban this player from the facility for abusing the facilities and for the use of loud abusive language. Also a formal complaint should be filed with the local league coordinator for no other reason than to ensure that there is a not a pattern of behavior being displayed by this player/team.

Do you think he should get a warning first?

 

[10sjunkie]

I would think that he already has had some sort of warning. In my experience, behavior like this isn't a one-time thing.

 

[TenniseaWilliams]

What a jerk that guy is. You did the right thing, as did your captain. (nothing but perhaps stunned look) I would mostly depend on his partner and his captain to do the right thing. I wouldn't complain to the league.

As far as it going unpunished, it is unlikely to be consequence free no matter what you do. Consider that he lost the match, it must have meant something to him, or he wouldn't have gotten upset. I would think his lack of emotional control contributed, few people can pull a McEnroe and have it actually help. Also, his captain likely won't soon forget, and who wants that on their team? Captains have enough hassles already. I've certainly not put players in the lineup for less provocation. He also might have trouble getting his partner enthusiastic about playing with him again in a league match.

Be strict with your own teams/partners/kids, not my business with anyone else. You don't have to like everyone you play with to make it fun, and my tennis standards aren't high enough to get them lowered by maroons.

 

[JavierLW]

I'm mostly in agreement with the comments that suggest simply letting the incident go, and that the guy made an arse of himself more than anything else.

However, I also believe that if no action is taken, he may throw more tantrums that others will have to suffer through. The guy obviously violated several points of The Code of tennis:


Are we not lowering our standards by allowing such behavior to go unpunished?

I think you would be lowering your standards to allow yourself to "suffer" by anything this guy does.

The embarressment he's causing himself, his captain and his team, is far worse than whatever you had to put up just in one incident as an innocent bystander.

Neither you, your captain, his captain, or the league coordinator are his parents, and you are not a bunch of 12 year olds who are being abused.

The guy has a behavioral problem. That's his problem, dont make it yours. (unless you are some sort of grief counselor or something)

You can throw him an old Bill Clinton quota "III FEEEEEL, YUUUUURR PAAAAIN".

 

[Cindysphinx]

File a grievance. That will help the league create a record so they have a basis to boot this dude sooner or later.

If everyone remains silent, nothing can be done.

As for whether he is acting like this because his wife just got diagnosed with cancer . . . let the league investigate. They can drop the grievance if the guy has extenuating circumstances.

Me, I'd bet the farm that he is just a jerk with severe Anger Management Issues.

 

[tbini87]

i think a guy who is out playing tennis after his wife was diagnosed with cancer has bigger problems than a ball landing out by a few inches. not to mention that i don't care what is happening in that guy's life off the court, that is no excuse to let him behave like a 2 year old and ruin a good time for everyone else.

 

[ten10]

Wow! All you folks in favor of filing official complaints, etc., sure must have a lot more time on your hands than I do. Or maybe I just hate paperwork more than most. Perhaps you (OP) can delegate the task to your captain.

One question though. Is your partner as overtly concerned about "what to do" as you are?

 

[JavierLW]

Wow! All you folks in favor of filing official complaints, etc., sure must have a lot more time on your hands than I do. Or maybe I just hate paperwork more than most. Perhaps you (OP) can delegate the task to your captain.

One question though. Is your partner as overtly concerned about "what to do" as you are?

Im with you on this one. There are enough knuckleheads out there that you might as well file a complaint for all of them as well since you have the time.

Some people have nothing better to do than labeling people and concentrating on how they have "suffered".

Maybe some particular person would like to belittle anyone with an anger management problems, but if the guy has a problem just leave him alone.

Are you going to take some pleasure in getting him kicked out of the league? If you really care that much about that, then you are just making this guy's problem, your problem.

Personally I think that if anyone has to go to the extent that they feel that they have "suffered" due to this guy's bad behavior then they have a few issues themselves. (although maybe more minor)

He's defiantely not the first person who's thrown a tantrum on the tennis court before, and he sure wont be the last.

The best thing you can do is just ignore him and put him out of your mind and continue on with the match and you'll be better for it later.

 

[Nellie]

Well - I should say that the players on that court and/or the captain may file a complaint, if they desire.

If I am on a court, and a team on the other court is going nuts, I may call a let.

Interestingly, my USTA section (Mid Atlantic) has a rule that says if your cell phone rings, the opposing team on the next court(s) can call a hinderence point! But there does not seem to be a rule about other types of hinderences from another court.

 

[Cindysphinx]

Im with you on this one. There are enough knuckleheads out there that you might as well file a complaint for all of them as well since you have the time.

Some people have nothing better to do than labeling people and concentrating on how they have "suffered".

Maybe some particular person would like to belittle anyone with an anger management problems, but if the guy has a problem just leave him alone.

Are you going to take some pleasure in getting him kicked out of the league? If you really care that much about that, then you are just making this guy's problem, your problem.

Personally I think that if anyone has to go to the extent that they feel that they have "suffered" due to this guy's bad behavior then they have a few issues themselves. (although maybe more minor)

He's defiantely not the first person who's thrown a tantrum on the tennis court before, and he sure wont be the last.

The best thing you can do is just ignore him and put him out of your mind and continue on with the match and you'll be better for it later.

I disagree. Totally.

The behavior described was extreme. So extreme that in the 3+ years I have played league tennis, I have not witnesses this in any of my matches. Nor have I seen it in anyone else's matches.

League tennis is supposed to be a fun hobby for all of us. We pay good money and invest quite a lot of time preparing for and traveling to our matches. If someone has *Issues* to this extent, they are wrongfully interfering with the enjoyment of others. They need to be stopped. What they don't need is for everyone to look the other way so that they keep at it.

In our league, having someone act like this jeopardizes the league itself. We play a number of our matches in private country clubs that, for whatever reason, are willing to sell time to our league. The private clubs can be quite inhospitable. Club members resent it when a bunch of county league players kick them off of the courts, leave debris, are haughty with the staff, soil the restrooms, use the fitness facilities without permission, etc.

As a result, the league recently instituted a policy allowing for the banishment of any player who causes a problem at a private club (rudeness to members and staff, failure to abide by club rules etc.). Banned players are not allowed to play at the club in question and if they do so their match result will be changed to a default.

We just had an incident a week ago where the league was officially kicked out of a private club because of the conduct of a few players and the remaining matches this season had to be rescheduled. The decision to kick us out has since been rescinded, but the country club in question now will not schedule a league match within 15 minutes of the end of a members' match, just to make sure there is no unfortunate contact between league players and members. This means we cannot have matches at that facility on weeknights, all because a couple of people behaved badly.

You have one guy acting like this guy acted in the OP and you could get a complaint. Yes, report him and let the league handle it.

Javier, if someone else decides they don't have time to file the paperwork or don't wish to be bothered, fine. But please don't dismiss the concerns of us who feel differently.

 

[tailofdog]

bad conduct

:twisted:Bad conduct by people spoils it for everyone and only continues
if people dont report it. It also just keeps getting worse as other people are tempted if there is nothing being done to the idiots.

 

[TenniseaWilliams]

In our league, having someone act like this jeopardizes the league itself. We play a number of our matches in private country clubs that, for whatever reason, are willing to sell time to our league. The private clubs can be quite inhospitable. Club members resent it when a bunch of county league players kick them off of the courts, leave debris, are haughty with the staff, soil the restrooms, use the fitness facilities without permission, etc.

Wow, am having home town east coast class war flashback. Surely your example involved more outrageous behavior than described by OP...

 

[MSL]

AR15,

I'm interested in your racquet.. please email me: matt @ bluechiprecovery.com

Thanks,
Matt

 

[DangerDan]

Wow, I've been playing league tennis/tournamanets coaching HS tennis for 20+ years. I've seen a few outbursts & arguments, even been involved in a few (we play with a guy who has selective vision at times oddly enough on the really big points) I have never seen a tantrum like that at any level.

I think I'd been inclined to call my league coordinator & just mention it. Let her decide what to do with it. Then if it happened again ....

 

[fe6250]

what about drinking beer off the court?

or drinking beer during the match (during the change over)? Ive seen that before as well.

Here it depends on the courts, there is no such league rule about such things. (beer consumption....)

This is a rule that I'm going to need clarified in much greater detail. I have been known to bring large quantities of malt beverages to USTA matches to be consumed liberally by my team mates after the match - win or lose. Am I in danger of being disciplined for combining two of my favorite things in life??? Say it ain't so!

 

[Xisbum]

The best response to boorish behavior is just what you did - beat his butt, briefly shake his hand and walk away. Then tell your captain exactly what happened and let him/her decide on the official complaint stuff.

Never let an idiot take away the joy of a clean win and of playing this great game. Win honorably and walk away.

That's just my humble opinion, of course.

 

[JavierLW]

I disagree. Totally.

The behavior described was extreme. So extreme that in the 3+ years I have played league tennis, I have not witnesses this in any of my matches. Nor have I seen it in anyone else's matches.

League tennis is supposed to be a fun hobby for all of us. We pay good money and invest quite a lot of time preparing for and traveling to our matches. If someone has *Issues* to this extent, they are wrongfully interfering with the enjoyment of others. They need to be stopped. What they don't need is for everyone to look the other way so that they keep at it.

In our league, having someone act like this jeopardizes the league itself. We play a number of our matches in private country clubs that, for whatever reason, are willing to sell time to our league. The private clubs can be quite inhospitable. Club members resent it when a bunch of county league players kick them off of the courts, leave debris, are haughty with the staff, soil the restrooms, use the fitness facilities without permission, etc.

As a result, the league recently instituted a policy allowing for the banishment of any player who causes a problem at a private club (rudeness to members and staff, failure to abide by club rules etc.). Banned players are not allowed to play at the club in question and if they do so their match result will be changed to a default.

We just had an incident a week ago where the league was officially kicked out of a private club because of the conduct of a few players and the remaining matches this season had to be rescheduled. The decision to kick us out has since been rescinded, but the country club in question now will not schedule a league match within 15 minutes of the end of a members' match, just to make sure there is no unfortunate contact between league players and members. This means we cannot have matches at that facility on weeknights, all because a couple of people behaved badly.

You have one guy acting like this guy acted in the OP and you could get a complaint. Yes, report him and let the league handle it.

Javier, if someone else decides they don't have time to file the paperwork or don't wish to be bothered, fine. But please don't dismiss the concerns of us who feel differently.

Unless you were there to witness the royal hissy fit, you cant comment on if it's the "worst you've ever seen".

Ive seen people get upset about line calls before, and he's certainly not the first person to throw his tennis racquet. Even private club members are known for doing that. (doesnt make it right, but it's not to the level of littering, ******* off the staff, or intruding without permission)

Again you are taking something that you havent even seen, and throwing it into the context of your own unique situation.

3+ years is not a long period of time. Tennis is full of people like this at times. I agree that they are not a whole lot of fun to deal with and if I wasnt forced to, I would choose never to play with them again.

But other then that, you need to mind your own business and move on. (within reason)

Maybe if he does something that's harmful enough it's worth a complaint, but to make it out like you are "suffering" because someone else is having a tantrum is silly.

 

[JavierLW]

This is a rule that I'm going to need clarified in much greater detail. I have been known to bring large quantities of malt beverages to USTA matches to be consumed liberally by my team mates after the match - win or lose. Am I in danger of being disciplined for combining two of my favorite things in life??? Say it ain't so!

I would think it would have to be a local rule, and then of course it's a rule with wherever you choose to play.

Here it's normal that we have beer and food after a match, but if you are playing at a school, it's against school rules obviously to have beer on school grounds because of "NO DRUG ZONES", plus it's creepy sitting there drinking beer when kids are getting out of school.

Indoor private clubs here usually serve their own beer (and pizza, etc....).

As the captain though, I think this is one of the hassles that makes me enjoy away matches more, but my players like it so we keep doing it anyway. (plus when you play away and they have a good spread everyone feels cheap if they have nothing at their home courts)