Bad Line Calls

Before I get started on this topic I want to tell everyone that I want some feedback – some true feedback and comments.

I don’t feel that bad line calls are the number one topic of tennis play overall on the local and league level, but it almost always seems the most prominent issue (other than one’s own lack of good play) for players walking off the court after a match, win or lose (usually lose).

Firstly, if I am the one who hit the shot and I don’t agree with the call, but I can’t see where the ball landed, (because of court position or view obstruction by the net for instance) I may challenge (not likely), but I may, if I felt the shot was in.

One can go by what is felt and one still has the right to make a challenge, but please don’t challenge a call if you have no basis for doing so. Okay, enough said.

In singles, if my opponent has his head raised when the ball strikes the court and I believe the ball was in, I will challenge – one cannot call a shot one is not observing. It’s that simple unless it is way out and in this case I would not be challenging the call anyway.

If I believe my opponent is making bad calls for some tactical reason I will challenge every suspect call and eventually give him no opportunity to make a bad call. Most players don’t repeatedly make bad calls unless they are in jeopardy.  This is when you provide them with some shot placement they cannot handle. I don’t know too many bad line call makers that can run down a good drop shop or a shallow and well angled shot that is well within the lines. Most bad call-makers are lazy and they can’t own a shot that you are closer to than they.

As for doubles, unless your opponent has a blistering serve you cannot see, no points should be lost and no erroneous calls should be made based upon the placement or lack thereof in the service box.  Plenty of pro’s (teaching) will tell you that it is not your job to judge the serve placement for your partner.

You probably should be stationed somewhere near the service line with your body positioned toward your net opponent.  So what else are you going to do while standing there? You aren’t returning the ball. If you have the right posture and a discerning look for the serve placement, I doubt if any opponent is going to challenge your call. Plus you take the responsibility away from your partner from making a call (particularly on horizontal line) from a visual disadvantage.

But, if you are standing there looking for the Goodyear blimp or with your hands (well, at least one) in your pocket, you may have a difficult time convincing your opponents of the validity of your call. Make a good call.

Secondly (I don’t believe I referred to anything firstly, but), if you can’t confidently make a call because of the pace of the shot or because of you being out of position to see the shot, call it good and realize you may not be in the same league (not literally) with your opponent. Take the loss and go work on your game.

A country club for which I was a member of in Charlotte hosted one of the largest non-sanctioned tournaments of the year, yet, with some of the most formal protocol. As well as participating in this tournament, I volunteered to assist with whatever they needed.

I soon realized I am sitting in a class to become a court monitor. What the heck is a court monitor? It was like being a British bobby, pretty lame in context to their job as policemen, having no whistle, nor a night stick, but it worked.

We were stationed between every other court, at the net post, not to make line calls, but to settle disputes regarding any bad calls, the score or violations.

Other than advancing my tan to a darker shade and getting a sore neck from watching tennis at such close proximity I had no clue as to why the hell I was there. Well perhaps I did.

After monitoring over eight matches, I had only helped settle one dispute. For some reason, having a third party that had a perceived authority over a given match, quelled or negated those little inaccuracies that typically occur on court – go figure. I took to sociology in college more so than psychology, but this event told me much about the latter and also affirmed my thoughts about how people interact based on their agenda, in this case, winning, or more so appropriate, not losing.

If you feel you are being wronged by an opponent’s line calls ask for a referee to watch your match and if there are none available as may occur in a non-sanctioned match or tournament, ask the person conducting the match to have a neutral party observe the match.

League matches are typically well structured yet one rarely has a resource available to referee a match. So, make the inquiries you must of your opponent’s bad calls by saying, “Are you sure?” and continue to do so when needed and if you feel this bad line calling continues, petition your league coordinator.  Chances are good that if your opponent habitually makes bad calls then they have done it before and your league coordinator is familiar with the same.

And, if you experience this during other matches, beyond a league or tournament, competitive or otherwise, then either find a new tennis crowd or laugh it off.

Make the right call (don’t make a call you can’t), expect the same from your opponent and challenge your opponent without hesitation when you feel the need.

Let’s face it, except for a few rare occasions or tournaments, us amateurs aren’t afforded a referee, much less some line judges.

Keep it sane and have fun.