i was in a club singles tournament.we play among the members. each person sets up there match with a bracket so the winners know who to play next on up to the finals. my first match i split sets both sets won by a tiebreakerr respectively. we go to start the 3rd set when my opponent says ill have to retire if we play a 3rd set my arm is killing me, will you play a 10 point super tiebreaker instead. i said ok and lost the tiebreaker. isaid ok because i felt #1 if i couldnt win the tiebreaker than i shouldnt win even tho i would win by default .#2 more important i felt to be "politically correct" no one could say any snide remarks behind my back if i was "sportsman like" even if it cost me a chance to proceed.. btw i am an impriving relatively new to tennis player(7 years) and this was my first club singles tournament
I give you credit for your sportsmanship, but I have to question the sportsmanship of your opponent. Sounds kind of fishy that his arm is good enough to beat you in the tie-breaker, but not in another set.
Part of being a gentleman/ good sport, is knowing when you are beat and being willing to concede the match to your opponent if you honestly can't continue.
IMHO - I don't think it's good sportsmanship to decide to change the rules/scoring of the match because you are injured. IIRC - No where in the rules or the code does it say that an injury allows changing the match format.
I wasn't there, but sounds like a bit of gamesmanship to me. His request made you put extra pressure on yourself because you felt you didn't deserve the match if you couldn't beat an "injured" player. Maybe your mentality or the way you played changed a little because you felt sorry for him or were concerned that he was hurt? I wouldn't call that being fair.
I'm just wondering, were you gaining momentum in the second set? Were you wearing him down?
Tennis is a sport and fitness and stamina does come into play.
As for people talking behind you back, you would be within your rights and the rules to say no. Go to all these other people when you play them and ask them to bend the rules for you because you are tired or injured and you might be surprised how many wouldn't do the same for you.