callen3615
Professional
BTW, threatening an official should result in default, not just a point.
If it were just a point, players would do it all the time to get in the heads of a linesman - worth a point.
+100000000
BTW, threatening an official should result in default, not just a point.
If it were just a point, players would do it all the time to get in the heads of a linesman - worth a point.
The NBA is correct is swallowing the whistle in down the stretch in big games
The NBA is correct is swallowing the whistle in down the stretch in big games
Again...someone who doesn't play sports at any real level - you always say you don't want to win on a double fault, ff or whatever - they always say that to be PC - but trust me - they all want a double fault or ff on match point. ALL OF THEM.
And again...for the cheap seats - she didn't loose the match on a FF! She lost the 15-30 point.
THE FF CALL WASN'T ON MATCH POINT - so stop b!tching.
If Serena had hit the second serve only an inch out should they have just played it? Come on.
I thought GLASSES were made to correct vision...my bad, clearly there wasn't a foot fault because people with glasses obviously need to take them off to see things.
^ The obvious reason that foot faults don't get overruled is because they are generally not extremely obvious, as some 'in' or 'out' calls can be. Especially from the chair umpire's position.Oh please. A ball landing out isn't the same as a foot fault and you know it. It's a BS call. It shouldn't have been made at that point. If you don't get it, then you never will.
There are multiple problems. At least a bad line call can be overruled. Ever heard a footfault get overruled? I've never heard of it in my life, therefore there's no oversight for the call.
I despise Serena and am not defending her at all but to call a foot fault at that instant was uncalled for. She had not been pinned earlier in the match (correct me if im wrong) and at that circumstance the line official should have known what such implications would have. I know 'rules are rules' but cmon at that stage who would honestly have the guts to do that. For those people who play tennis, you would react if that happened to you.
Serena's actions however were inexcusable and I hope she receives much criticism. All her career she has been a poor loser and that match (and interview) made it blatant for everyone. She would have redeemed some of her credibility if she had been apologetic in the interview but of course her stupidity got the better of her. For a professional athlete, this is one of the lowest acts ive ever seen.
It's a BS call. It shouldn't have been made at that point. If you don't get it, then you never will.
Ok so how far over the line can you go.. an inch a foot..? 3 feet..?
The lines people do the best they can and it is the only system currently available in the game, so as imperfect as it may seem to you it is all we have and we all play by the same rules.
We don't play by the same rules. The USTA is lax about footfaulting , something about it having to be egregious and causing the offender some advantage
Ya ya... when I said us I meant the pros...
I have never worried about foot faulters in tournament play... if you need to foot fault go for it. But if I had linesman calling it... I would be ok with that too.
I despise Serena and am not defending her at all but to call a foot fault at that instant was uncalled for. She had not been pinned earlier in the match (correct me if im wrong) and at that circumstance the line official should have known what such implications would have. I know 'rules are rules' but cmon at that stage who would honestly have the guts to do that. For those people who play tennis, you would react if that happened to you.
Serena's actions however were inexcusable and I hope she receives much criticism. All her career she has been a poor loser and that match (and interview) made it blatant for everyone. She would have redeemed some of her credibility if she had been apologetic in the interview but of course her stupidity got the better of her. For a professional athlete, this is one of the lowest acts ive ever seen.
A) If they show a foot fault then it was a foot fault. Did I claim it was definitely not a foot fault? No. I said it was definitely not clear, that there was no evidence of a foot fault.
B) If that was a foot fault, then it was barely a f*cking foot fault. You don't make that call in the semifinal of a grand slam, period. It's too close to call. It's a foot fault for chrissakes.
Your little "rules are rules is a rule is rules" spiel is pitiful. It's over-officiating, period.
Lastly, how the hell do you know it was a foot fault. You claimed it was "clearly a footfault". Where is this evidence? If it's clear, you should be able to show us. Let's see it, right now.
It was a footfault on a second serve. In tennis, your opponent gets a point if you double fault. Go learn the basics of the game then come back and try again. It was 15-30 and the footfault was called. Then it was 15-40 and Serena got a second code violation to lose the match.
A foot fault needs to be quite blatant to be called. Not just at this stage of the match, but at any stage. Because a foot fault is VERY hard to see. The shoe can hang over the line, but not be touching it. If videos afterwards show that the foot fault was really obvious, then that is legitimate. But if the foot fault wasn't obvious, then that is not a call that the judge should make. A rule is a rule, yes. And in a perfect world, we would call even the closest foot fault. But the problem is that it is so hard to see, that if you start trying to call everything that is barely a foot fault, you will end up handing out lots of foot faults wrongfully. And that is far worse than not calling foot faults that are barely ones.
A foot fault needs to be quite blatant to be called. Not just at this stage of the match, but at any stage. Because a foot fault is VERY hard to see. The shoe can hang over the line, but not be touching it. If videos afterwards show that the foot fault was really obvious, then that is legitimate. But if the foot fault wasn't obvious, then that is not a call that the judge should make. A rule is a rule, yes. And in a perfect world, we would call even the closest foot fault. But the problem is that it is so hard to see, that if you start trying to call everything that is barely a foot fault, you will end up handing out lots of foot faults wrongfully. And that is far worse than not calling foot faults that are barely ones.
Good posts. Glad to see I don't share this planet with nothing but robots.Exactly. A lot of people seem to be missing this point.
A) If they show a foot fault then it was a foot fault. Did I claim it was definitely not a foot fault? No. I said it was definitely not clear, that there was no evidence of a foot fault.
B) If that was a foot fault, then it was barely a f*cking foot fault. You don't make that call in the semifinal of a grand slam, period. It's too close to call. It's a foot fault for chrissakes.
Your little "rules are rules is a rule is rules" spiel is pitiful. It's over-officiating, period.
Lastly, how the hell do you know it was a foot fault. You claimed it was "clearly a footfault". Where is this evidence? If it's clear, you should be able to show us. Let's see it, right now.
It was a footfault on a second serve. In tennis, your opponent gets a point if you double fault. Go learn the basics of the game then come back and try again. It was 15-30 and the footfault was called. Then it was 15-40 and Serena got a second code violation to lose the match.
A foot fault needs to be quite blatant to be called. Not just at this stage of the match, but at any stage. Because a foot fault is VERY hard to see. The shoe can hang over the line, but not be touching it. If videos afterwards show that the foot fault was really obvious, then that is legitimate. But if the foot fault wasn't obvious, then that is not a call that the judge should make. A rule is a rule, yes. And in a perfect world, we would call even the closest foot fault. But the problem is that it is so hard to see, that if you start trying to call everything that is barely a foot fault, you will end up handing out lots of foot faults wrongfully. And that is far worse than not calling foot faults that are barely ones.
True, why let common sense or judgement affect making important decisions? If you think there might have been an inconsequential "footfault", then go for it.A linesperson with 20-20 at the perfect angle, 15 feet away is a lot more reliable than an instant replay from the wrong angle, regardless of what J-Mac thinks about it.
Rules are rules... now, most of the time I'm sure people let foot faults slide because they aren't looking for them unless it's obvious... but if you do it a lot then you have to be called on it. Most of the time pros are careful to avoid them unless they get sloppy or their technique makes them prone to them.
A foot fault needs to be quite blatant to be called. Not just at this stage of the match, but at any stage. Because a foot fault is VERY hard to see. The shoe can hang over the line, but not be touching it. If videos afterwards show that the foot fault was really obvious, then that is legitimate. But if the foot fault wasn't obvious, then that is not a call that the judge should make. A rule is a rule, yes. And in a perfect world, we would call even the closest foot fault. But the problem is that it is so hard to see, that if you start trying to call everything that is barely a foot fault, you will end up handing out lots of foot faults wrongfully. And that is far worse than not calling foot faults that are barely ones.
True, why let common sense or judgement affect making important decisions?
storm,
You and anyone who thinks like you are idiots.
The linelady's job is to call line violation like that, is it not? How the hell do you expect proof if they never rely on a foolproof monitor like the hawkeye?
"You don't make that call in the semifinal of a grand slam, period. It's too close to call. It's a foot fault for chrissakes."
How the hell do you expect a line judge to perform her duty honestly and unbiasly if you also expect her to change her observation on certain points?
"too close to call"? Are you telling the linejudge how to do her job? YOu seem to forget that she has the authority to make the call. If there's proof that that linejudge is biased or incompentent like past history, then I can accept that there's doubt in her call, but is there proof of her incompentence?
If the point is important, which everyone seems to agree, all the more reason to be unbias because who knows if Serena went one and won the match from that turning point, so now the linelady has to live knowing that Serena won with a blatant violation? In that scenerio, would that be fair to Kim Clisjster?
storm,
You and anyone who thinks like you are idiots.
The linelady's job is to call line violation like that, is it not? How the hell do you expect proof if they never rely on a foolproof monitor like the hawkeye?
"You don't make that call in the semifinal of a grand slam, period. It's too close to call. It's a foot fault for chrissakes."
How the hell do you expect a line judge to perform her duty honestly and unbiasly if you also expect her to change her observation on certain points?
"too close to call"? Are you telling the linejudge how to do her job? YOu seem to forget that she has the authority to make the call. If there's proof that that linejudge is biased or incompentent like past history, then I can accept that there's doubt in her call, but is there proof of her incompentence?
If the point is important, which everyone seems to agree, all the more reason to be unbias because who knows if Serena went one and won the match from that turning point, so now the linelady has to live knowing that Serena won with a blatant violation? In that scenerio, would that be fair to Kim Clisjster?[/B]
Nobody is saying it was not a footfault. You just don't make a call like that at that stage period, and if you do it better be very obvious. Do you think referees in football throw a flag for every damn play the think is a penalty? Sometimes you gotta just let them play the game.
Not everyone is saying it WAS a footfault either. It sure as hell wasn't clear on the video. Let's see it.
The difference is that time violations are called by the umpire and not the linespeople. Only the umpire is supposed to use discretion and judgment in when to enforce the rules, not the linespeople. The linespeople are trained to act like robots and to call balls in or out without hesitation and without thinking about the circumstance of what's going on in the match, and for good reason. You don't want a linesperson to call an out ball in just because it's match point, do you? Or for a linesperson to hesitate and think through their line call just because it's break point, do you? No, they are trained to make the call as soon as they see it regardless of what's going on in the match and without any consideration of the current score.Let's say it's match point and a player is a bit slow getting to serve. Do you call think a time violation that would cost them the match should be called? Should a player lose the match on a time violation?
Think about this one for a bit. Be consistent. A rule's a rule right? Good luck answering.
Serena herself admitted that she foot faulted in her press conference.Not everyone is saying it WAS a footfault either. It sure as hell wasn't clear on the video. Let's see it.
An ugly end to an otherwise sub-performance from Serena. Double match points and you got called for foot fault that resulted in a double fault, what not to do is to explode and take your anger/frustrations out on a referee. Tennis is a physical game as much as it is mental, if you can't keep yourself in-check, you don't deserve to win...that is not to say you don't have the skills to win. Tonight Serena is the clear loser anyway you look at it.
We can be all technical about the line call, question the accuracy of it and whine about it as she did. What can't be argue is that rules are rules and it's established, if she isn't aware that this would cause her the match with the point penalty that's another fault of her own.
Her conference after the match is just as unbelievable as her performances on the court. I turned off the TV when she said she "puts 200% into everything to does"... and this somehow justifies her actions on the court? To say she admired other players with bad temper or competitive on the courts doesn't make much sense either. Why is apologizing for a bizarre behavior so difficult to admit?
Serena herself admitted that she foot faulted in her press conference.
Serena herself admitted that she foot faulted in her press conference.
The difference is 3 1/2 inches.If it's a 1/2 inch footfault it's not okay to call, but if it's a 4 inch footfault it is okay to call. That's what people who oppose this footfault call are saying, in essence. If one wants to argue logically about this, that's the core issue that needs to be addressed. How is a 1/2 inch footfault different from a 4 inch footfault.
What the hell? How could a player POSSIBLY know if she footfaulted or not BP? Last time I served I was looking the opposite direction of my feet. Nice try.
And I heard no such thing from Serena in that press conference.
Well then McEnroe is an idiot too, and so are most tennis pros, because they agree on this one. So is everyone associated with the NBA, because they have a clear "let them play" policy as well.
Let's say it's match point and a player is a bit slow getting to serve. Do you call think a time violation that would cost them the match should be called? Should a player lose the match on a time violation?
Think about this one for a bit. Be consistent. A rule's a rule right? Good luck answering.
The difference is 3 1/2 inches.
What the hell? How could a player POSSIBLY know if she footfaulted or not BP? Last time I served I was looking the opposite direction of my feet. Nice try.
And I heard no such thing from Serena in that press conference.
An "inconsequential footfault"!True, why let common sense or judgement affect making important decisions? If you think there might have been an inconsequential "footfault", then go for it.
^ Of course McEnroe is an idiot. Is that not blatantly obvious to any even semi-intelligent person?Well then McEnroe is an idiot too, and so are most tennis pros, because they agree on this one. So is everyone associated with the NBA, because they have a clear "let them play" policy as well.
Yes, very well said.The difference is that time violations are called by the umpire and not the linespeople. Only the umpire is supposed to use discretion and judgment in when to enforce the rules, not the linespeople. The linespeople are trained to act like robots and to call balls in or out without hesitation and without thinking about the circumstance of what's going on in the match, and for good reason. You don't want a linesperson to call an out ball in just because it's match point, do you? Or for a linesperson to hesitate and think through their line call just because it's break point, do you? No, they are trained to make the call as soon as they see it regardless of what's going on in the match and without any consideration of the current score.
The word "difference" is a mathematical term that when discussing measurments means the "difference" of A and B is A - B. If a serve is 1/2 inch out or 4 inches out, it's still out. In tennis it's been a longstanding tradition not to call close footfaults, especially on important points. If you're unaware of this, you're unaware of this. But given this "common law" interpretation, tonight's rejection of it seems outrageous.So in what ways is it different from a serve that's out 1/2 inch as opposed to 4 inches?
That's only 3 1/2 inches too, right?
Nice argument Deuce. Too bad that it's not up for argument. If you know tennis, then you know this is how it is. If you don't know much about tennis, (and I can see that you don't), I can see how you might feel this way about it. Heck, the U.S. Open even had a woman as ignorant about tennis as yourself out there as a linesperson!An "inconsequential footfault"!
That's quite funny.
So now we have violations and "inconsequential" violations. How convenient.
By that... umm... 'logic', one could state that Serena breaking her racquet was "inconsequential" to the match, and therefore ought not to have been called.
The entire concept of having RULES OF PLAY is to establish a black & white context... one in which the officials report honestly on what they see.
To call a foot fault "inconsequential" is akin to saying that a woman can be a little bit pregnant. It is akin to saying that a ball which lands 1/8 of an inch out should not be called out, because it was "close enough" to being in.
Such thinking is entirely absurd, and dismisses the entire notion of the RULES OF PLAY (in any sport).
There is not one set of rules for tall players and other rules for short players; there is not one set of rules for players who are ahead and another for players who are behind; there is not one set of rules for cloudy days and another for sunny days; there is not one set of rules for the beginning of a match, another for the middle, and another for the end...
The entire concept of rules is to set a level playing field. Once you allow what you erroneously call "judgment" to enter the equation, you create a very dangerous environment which can easily favour one player over another if one official interprets the situation as calling for him/her to ignore a violation while another official, in another situation, interprets things differently.
Rules are established. Players know the rules going in. The ONLY justification for complaining about a call in tennis is if the player honestly and legitimately believes that an official was in possession of some degree or form of bias against him/her, which caused a call to go against him/her.
Otherwise, you play the call and shut up.
^ Of course McEnroe is an idiot. Is that not blatantly obvious to any even semi-intelligent person?
What I wrote in another thread:
McEnroe loved to bully umpires and linespeople and treat them like garbage. It was and remains clear that he has no respect for them.
Additionally, McEnroe was always a spoiled brat with a huge ego matched only by his equally huge arrogance and sense of entitlement.
It is therefore not at all a surprise that he is on Serena's side in this, and against the lineswoman.
Dude, if you see John McEnroe as an objective observer, you're even more delusional than you previously appeared.
Q. How many times were you called for a foot fault during this tournament?
SERENA WILLIAMS: A lot. I mean, compared to all year? A lot. I haven't been called for a foot fault all year until I got to New York, so maybe when I come to this tournament I have to step two feet back.
Q. Would you be interested to see if you actually foot faulted?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I'm pretty sure I did. If she called a foot fault, she must have seen a foot fault. I mean, she was doing her job. I'm not going to knock her for not doing her job.
At the end of her press conference at the bottom: http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interviews/2009-09-12/200909121252748398140.html
Nice argument Deuce. Too bad that it's not up for argument. If you know tennis, then you know this is how it is. If you don't know much about tennis, (and I can see that you don't), I can see how you might feel this way about it. Heck, the U.S. Open even had a woman as ignorant about tennis as yourself out there as a linesperson!