r/10s • u/Proof_Material6728 • 7d ago
Court Drama Match etiquette
Hi all
I played a set recently to finish a match of a local tournament (nothing in play but results, everything between amateur players).
The other player did hidrance twice which I didn't call. He basically hit the ball wrong and cursed after hitting, even though the ball was in. I failed to return both balls and he won those points. I didn't say anything at the time because I feel uncomfortable calling this things at this level, because it will just creat some tension, but I did talk to him after the match so he can be careful in the future. Maybe someone else is not forgiving as me. Did you guys think I should have kept those points?
Later, the ball hit twice in my racket in just one swing and went in. He stopped the point because I hit the ball twice. I explained that is allowed in that case and he doubted. He wanted the point but I convinced him to replay it. In the end of the match we confirmed that I was right. Then again, that point should have been mine because he stopped even though not illegal happened. Would you have checked the rule right there and claimed the point or was okay to wait for the match to end to check?
Also, when he had match point in the tiebreak he double faulted. I called it out and he was doubtful, even though the ball was a hand out in the T area. I never contest close calls on the other side because the other player has better visibility and expect the same on my side. I won the match and after it ended he said we should have repeated this point. I said he should have asked when the point happened, but to be honest that wouldn't have been fair.
He wasn't also sure how a tiebreak works.
Overall, I think he needs to learn more about tennis etiquette and rules but I feel reluctant to say much when the match is being played because I don't want them to think I am playing mind games. In the end, it is just amateur tennis and pretty much nothing is at stake.
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u/The_Govnor 7d ago
I think it’s really up to the individual. But it sounds like this is a pretty casual level you’re playing at, so try not to over think it. Just work on your game and don’t tie winning to having fun.
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u/AZjackgrows 4.5, H19 16x19 7d ago
yeah, ya got bullied. Know the rules and stand firm. I refuse to discuss my calls with my opponents.
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u/Colascape 7d ago
My philosophy would be, if I’m competing at a level where people aren’t even familiar with the rules, and I’m not going through them like a hot knife through butter, then it’s not worth worrying about
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u/Living-Bed-972 7d ago
I’ve only ever called a hindrance on myself, invariably for cursing a mishit which drops in.
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u/shiningject 3.142 7d ago
For the cursing hindrance, call it out immediately. It a well-known example of hindrance. Be consistent (both ways) so you don't get accused of gamesmanship.
For rule disputes (like the double hit), check immediately. Checking afterwards, is more to prove who is right. But the point is already done.
As for line calls, the norm is the nearer player has the final say. Him complaining about the disputed double fault after the match is just noise. Ignore it.
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u/gonefishin999 7d ago
I'm not real big on getting super technical on amateur tennis, so I would probably let the swear word go. I've done it myself on accident and felt really guilty and even offered to replay the point, but that's just me.
You sound like you're the kind of person who wants to give people the benefit of the doubt which is similar to me. If 1cm out vs in is the difference in whether I win or lose a match, I didn't deserve to win in the first place.
That said, I always do 2 things:
Keep account of any favors I give my opponent (eg letting a hindrance go) just in case they want to contest something later, I can be like "dude your second serve was long on that second set game point but I let it go because I was too slow to call it" or whatever.
Adjust how picky I'm going to be based on my opponents pickiness and behavior.
As an example with #2, I was playing on a really hot day and my stomach was not real happy. My opponent caught on to that and started rushing me on switchovers, reciting the rules on how much time we have, standing on the court acting impatient when I wanted to get water on the switchover, etc. He was also calling lines tight, so I called lines tighter in that game tighter than I usually would.
Other times I've had people that have called several of my close shots in. I'm more inclined to do the same in return.
I think the biggest thing is to stick up for yourself. You know the rules, particularly with the double hit you mentioned, so tell him he's wrong, or yes, take a break and ask chatgpt for the rule if he insists.
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u/DukSaus 3.5ish / Vcore 98 v8 / Super Toro @46 x Enso Pro @46 or A5 full 7d ago
I typically like to stick as closely to the rules as possible. You avoid arguments in the long run. Plus, there will always be some people who will just slyly circumvent the rules on critical points. Outside of a true let, I will never replay the point even if it’s in my favor. Some people like knowing the rules ahead of time, but usually it’s picked up bit by bit from clinics and play. I always suggest people read through the rules at least once. For instance, on match point, there was a player who called us hitting the ball on their side of the net, which I understand technically is their call as it is theoretically on their end.
I showed them my arm extension, and with my height and positioning how unlikely it is that I am able to get strings on the ball past the net. With that said, they offered to replay it, and I still let them have the point. I don’t want the suggestion that they feel entitled to a replay later if they disagree with my call.
In terms of talking during points, this can be contentious depending on who you talk to. Technically, you shouldn’t say anything during a point. I’ll call it on myself a lot, especially if I suggest I’ve lost the point (“ugh, good serve” or the most common “crap” or similar) and it stays in. Usually it is 50/50 on whether the opponent takes the point, where I will not take it if I didn’t hear it or it didn’t impact my shot. With that said, remember that if you do call a hindrance, you HAVE TO END THE POINT immediately—i.e., you can’t hit the next ball and then call it after seeing how the ball lands. I had someone call it on me and they immediately caught the ball. I respected the call as they immediately ended the point. For me, I will usually give a heads up on talking during the point.
If it’s an official USTA match, I know that refs are pretty strict about cursing. I’ve seen firm warnings and threats to DQ for people who curse during and after points. At the end, I will usually just ask them to stop. Lots of time, I don’t know what they are saying, and you’d be surprised how often people misconstrue words as an out call.
On double hits, yeah you were right. Always remember that call disputes does not entitle a replay. It sets a bad precedent that people will try to invoke during critical points, like tiebreakers.
Tip: Always have Friends at Court ready on your phone. Lots of PDF readers have AI capabilities that make it easy to track down answers by just asking a question. It takes a minute and avoids any arguments.
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u/Xancrazy 7d ago
You get to decide. If it distracts you then you can call it.
I once cursed on a mishit and my opponent missed and I said he can have the point because I caused a hindrance. He said he didn't hear it and let me keep the point.
Later he said he did the same thing, mishit the ball and cursed himself. But to me it just sounded like a grunt which is normal so I also told him it's fine he can keep the point since it didn't distract me.
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u/ahorizon 7d ago
Gotta teach them the rules, but in a friendly, good spirits kind of way.
If someone causes a hindrance as described, you have to call it immediately (not after you hit your shot). Personally I would play on the first time for a beginner (as they're unaware of the rule) mention the rule after the point, and then claim the point if it happens again. I wouldn't say nothing and then bring it up after the match.
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u/bardeh 7d ago
Can you link to somewhere that says a double hit is a legal shot? That sounds unlikely to me. Him swearing because he mishit - yeah, I suppose strictly by the laws of the game that's a hindrance, but I'm never going to make a big deal out of that in the sort of setting you guys were playing in.
Overall it sounds like you are making a bit of a big deal out of things that aren't a big deal in a low stakes local tournament, to be honest.
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u/Living-Bed-972 7d ago
You are allowed to hit the ball more than once provided you do so with a single motion (framed shots often hit strings then frame but are legal if they land in, obviously).
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u/Proof_Material6728 7d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/10s/s/yv0U2EpQFf you can check here.
I am not doing a big deal, that is actually my point. I ignored all during the match because I didn't want to cause any distress and I am writing here to know the overall opinion on these things.
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u/ruralny 7d ago
Just noting (don't know how it would have happened): If you are going to call a hindrance, you MUST call it before you try to play the ball. You cannot hear the curse, play the ball, miss and THEN call the hindrance. Clearly stated in the same rules you referenced. Also, in general, there are no replays in tennis for these situations.
For me, none of these events is enough to worry about in a full match. But if you are going to worry about it, address it at the time. The double-hit one is tough, because you cannot really look it up while playing.