US Open Thread

[LukeParkerno1]

Was almost certain it was in the match before, quarter final. Yeah my mistake I am going on a lack of sleep at the moment due to the rubbish weather in New York!

I don't beleive she has to appologise if the call is blatanly wrong, that is my issue right there. In fact this instance might cause a change in the foot fault rules. There needs to be a notion of common sense. More line judges need to be ex-players as they have a "feel" for the game, rather than making rash decisions. What the judge should have done is let the point play out, then go up to Serena and say "that was a foot fault, I will call it next time". Just a bit of common sense.

 

[pepsi]

No I don't. What happens on the court should for the most part stay on the court. Let the WTA and the tournament officials do their job. Why should she appologise for a blantantly wrong decision, especially in the context of the game!

You sure that was not in the semi final. The point I am making is the penalty for a first offence for a foot fault is too high. I wish line judges and umpires used a notion of common sense!

How was it a blatantly wrong decision? There is no camera angle that is directly in line with the baseline that can clarify whether or not Serena stepped on the line.

Seriously, I cannot understand how you think the umpire is in the wrong here. Go read the rules of tennis. When serving, if any part of your foot steps on the line before the ball is hit, it is a foot fault. It is a simple rule that has been around for a long time. You call it as you see it, regardless of what match you are umpiring or what stage of the match it is in.

 

[Macca19]

I'm no great lip-reader or anything but from the footage this is what I gather she says.

"I swear to god, if I could I'd take this ball and shove it down your ****ing throat. [something] you will ****ing die. [something]"

Yeah, pretty close. When she starts pointing her finger she clearly says 'You are dead. You are ****ing dead'.

Went way over the line (pun very much intended) with that outburst. The fact she even went back for a 2nd go was extraordinary.

Havent seen anything like that since Mcenroe.

 

[matt_897]

Was almost certain it was in the match before, quarter final. Yeah my mistake I am going on a lack of sleep at the moment due to the rubbish weather in New York!

I don't beleive she has to appologise if the call is blatanly wrong, that is my issue right there. In fact this instance might cause a change in the foot fault rules. There needs to be a notion of common sense. More line judges need to be ex-players as they have a "feel" for the game, rather than making rash decisions. What the judge should have done is let the point play out, then go up to Serena and say "that was a foot fault, I will call it next time". Just a bit of common sense.

I do kind of agree with that bolded bit, not do the line judges have to be ex-players but yeah just have a general feel of the game of when to call a foot fault because it is generally a really unnecssary rule when your foot is just touching the line. that's what I meant ebfore about it being a very nit-picky rule.

Although, I'ms tills ure she served a foot fault earlier in the match, she mgiht of in the quarter-final as well, i didn't see that one, think i was watching gonzo-tsonga on the outside court that day.

 

[matt_897]

How was it a blatantly wrong decision? There is no camera angle that is directly in line with the baseline that can clarify whether or not Serena stepped on the line.

Seriously, I cannot understand how you think the umpire is in the wrong here. Go read the rules of tennis. When serving, if any part of your foot steps on the line before the ball is hit, it is a foot fault. It is a simple rule that has been around for a long time. You call it as you see it, regardless of what match you are umpiring or what stage of the match it is in.

It's the rule that i think he is disagreeing with as well, i like the idea of giving a warning first to the player when they serve 1 or 2 foot faults (let the ball play out) and then if it happens again then call it. It does make more sense.

 

[watermelonslice]

It's the rule that i think he is disagreeing with as well, i like the idea of giving a warning first to the player when they serve 1 or 2 foot faults (let the ball play out) and then if it happens again then call it. It does make more sense.

I have no problem with the foot fault rule as it is. Everyone is very well aware of it and familiar with it. The fact that it is rarely called demonstrates this. Players who choose to place their feet too close to the line take the risk of being foot-faulted. I've even seen a couple of players' service motion that incorporates shuffling their feet closer to the line. (That is just plain bizarre.) Why should they give a warning? To me, it's essentially the same as missing your first or second serve. The rules are the rules - and the foot fault one isn't unreasonable at all.

The tricky part is with the implementation. A camera on the baseline would rectify any such issues. As for lines people, I'm not sure why they need experience or a general feel for the game to call whether the player's feet is touching the line.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I do kind of agree with that bolded bit, not do the line judges have to be ex-players but yeah just have a general feel of the game of when to call a foot fault because it is generally a really unnecssary rule when your foot is just touching the line. that's what I meant ebfore about it being a very nit-picky rule.

Although, I'ms tills ure she served a foot fault earlier in the match, she mgiht of in the quarter-final as well, i didn't see that one, think i was watching gonzo-tsonga on the outside court that day.

It is a nit picker rule and one rules that gives me the you know whats. When I pay to watch a match I hate it when a line judge has to get his melon on the TV due to a foot fault. There needs to be more of a feel for the game. Kim probably would have won the match anyway as she had a 2nd serve anyway, and yet the line judge robs the crowd of seeing the conclusion of the match due to her having no "feel" towards the game. It is the direct problem of having black and white rules in this sport.

I will watch the match again, but I can't remember her getting foot faulted earlier in that match. She did get foot faulted in her QF about 2 or 3 times.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

It's the rule that i think he is disagreeing with as well, i like the idea of giving a warning first to the player when they serve 1 or 2 foot faults (let the ball play out) and then if it happens again then call it. It does make more sense.

Bingo, I am not having a go at the line judge. I am having a go at line judges in general having no feel for the game. Plus the rules are way too black and white. There are some rules that should be black and white and others you should be able to use your interpretation of the situation. Currently tennis does not all ow this. It is one change I want to happen in the future.

 

[Cousin Jed]

Kim probably would have won the match anyway as she had a 2nd serve anyway, and yet the line judge robs the crowd of seeing the conclusion of the match due to her having no "feel" towards the game. It is the direct problem of having black and white rules in this sport.

The only person who stopped them seeing a normal conclusion to the game was Serena and her meltdown

Any talk of changes to the foot fault rule as a result of her tantrum is in some way validating something that should be stamped out of the game..

 

[LukeParkerno1]

The only person who stopped them seeing a normal conclusion to the game was Serena and her meltdown

Any talk of changes to the foot fault rule as a result of her tantrum is in some way validating something that should be stamped out of the game..

What is so wrong about having a warning system in place for foot faults. The crowd (which pays for the sport) do not go to games to watch foot faults. Yes the players do have some responsibility to not do it, but if it only 1mm over then just warn the player and get on with the game. This is called having a "feel" towards the game.

 

[matt_897]

Any talk of changes to the foot fault rule as a result of her tantrum is in some way validating something that should be stamped out of the game..

Don't be silly, doesn't mean we're condoning Serena's behaviour at all, what a dumb presumption.

 

[pepsi]

Bingo, I am not having a go at the line judge. I am having a go at line judges in general having no feel for the game. Plus the rules are way too black and white. There are some rules that should be black and white and others you should be able to use your interpretation of the situation. Currently tennis does not all ow this. It is one change I want to happen in the future.

Why are you blaming line judges? If you have a problem with the rule, it is the International Tennis Federation that you need to have a go at. That is one of the great things about tennis rules, they are clear black and white. You hit the ball out, it is out. You stand on the line when serving, it is a foot fault. If you start "to use your interpretation of the situation," that is when it becomes a grey area. If as you suggest line umpires use their interpretation of the situation, how much is too much of a foot fault and which ones should you let slide? Would this not lead to inconsistency of how the rule would be called?

Serena should not have stepped on the line when serving, simple.

And it was the 2nd time she foot faulted in the match. She foot faulted earlier in the match.

 

[pepsi]

Yes the players do have some responsibility to not do it, but if it only 1mm over then just warn the player and get on with the game.

So if a player only hits the ball 1mm out, the umpire should call it in because they were so close?

 

[LukeParkerno1]

So if a player only hits the ball 1mm out, the umpire should call it in because they were so close?

This is servince, 1mm does not make a difference.

 

[watermelonslice]

What is so wrong about having a warning system in place for foot faults. The crowd (which pays for the sport) do not go to games to watch foot faults. Yes the players do have some responsibility to not do it, but if it only 1mm over then just warn the player and get on with the game. This is called having a "feel" towards the game.

By the same logic, if the ball is only a little bit out, then the linesperson should just let it go because the crowd didn't pay to see the players make unforced errors? And a foot fault is clearly an unforced error. If it's only 1mm out then it doesn't make a huge difference either.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Why are you blaming line judges? If you have a problem with the rule, it is the International Tennis Federation that you need to have a go at. That is one of the great things about tennis rules, they are clear black and white. You hit the ball out, it is out. You stand on the line when serving, it is a foot fault. If you start "to use your interpretation of the situation," that is when it becomes a grey area. If as you suggest line umpires use their interpretation of the situation, how much is too much of a foot fault and which ones should you let slide? Would this not lead to inconsistency of how the rule would be called?

Serena should not have stepped on the line when serving, simple.

And it was the 2nd time she foot faulted in the match. She foot faulted earlier in the match.

I would rather them screw off the rule for good. Lets be honest here, if you pay to watch tennis do you want some line judge foot faulting plauers..I sure as hell don't. I want to watch tennis. I would rather them call the foot fault, but replay point on a 2nd serve. So you still are penalised but you are not losing points. That eliminates stupid foot fault calls that decide break points and matches.

 

[raff23]

[youtube]1oA792DGT2E[/youtube]

[youtube]EF8ZoevMJQc[/youtube]



There's the general jist of it.

Loved the complete denial that she didnt say ill kill you and a fan yells out "Yeah you did!!", Atrocious behaviour. She may be the best player in the world but will go down as the biggest sore loser in the history of the game. No wonder she doesnt have any friends on the tour.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

By the same logic, if the ball is only a little bit out, then the linesperson should just let it go because the crowd didn't pay to see the players make unforced errors? And a foot fault is clearly an unforced error. If it's only 1mm out then it doesn't make a huge difference either.

Difference is you are talking about a service motion and then comparing it to general play. Big difference.

 

[pepsi]

This is servince, 1mm does not make a difference.

If you are 1mm closer to the net, and the ball only clears the net by 1mm, and you serve an ace, is that not an advantage?

 

[raff23]

Yeah, pretty close. When she starts pointing her finger she clearly says 'You are dead. You are ****ing dead'.

Went way over the line (pun very much intended) with that outburst. The fact she even went back for a 2nd go was extraordinary.

Havent seen anything like that since Mcenroe.

Mcenroe never threatened violence or death on a line judge, he insulted them but this goes way beyond that. Tennis unfortunately for people like serena is the be all and end all and who cares about friends.

 

[matt_897]

If you are 1mm closer to the net, and the ball only clears the net by 1mm, and you serve an ace, is that not an advantage?

LOL funny way of thinking about it, with our let machine anyway it would be called a let if it was only 1mm over the net.

 

[watermelonslice]

Difference is you are talking about a service motion and then comparing it to general play. Big difference.

I don't agree with this conclusion. Tennis is very much a game of mm, and allowing a player to even step 1 mm is offending a rule of the sport. It's a clear rule that everyone is aware of. Why should its implementation be relaxed? Also how do you justify saying 'it's okay if you step 1mm on the line, but not 2mm'. Where do you draw the margin? I'm sure there are missed foot faults in the game, because a player has only stepped 1mm on the line and the linesperson probably gave the serving player the benefit of the doubt. It doesn't mean it should become a rule.

 

[pepsi]

Serena was first called for the foot fault when she was up 3-2 in the 2nd set at deuce.

 

[Power King]

To anyone saying they dont know how the the linesperson could've called it...

Do you really think they would continue to get lines people to mark that position if the lines couldn't be judged to a sufficient level?

Anyway, looking forward to the ACTUAL HIGH QUALITY TENNIS THAT I EXPECT TO SEE IN THE MENS SEMIS.

 

[Macca19]

Dunno what the issue is with the foot fault being called. Its like people saying the free shouldnt have been paid in the Crows game last night because of the 'feel of the game' and how close it was with seconds left.

Sports have rules for a reason. Just because its match point/last 30 seconds doesnt mean that the rules of the sport suddenly become invalid. They know the rules. If she faulted then its her problem to deal with.