Challenging Calls

Challenging Calls

Q. My daughter regularly competes in girls’ 12s singles DR tournaments. She recently played on clay courts, and her opponent repeatedly challenged her calls. If any ball was called out, she walked to the other side of the court and made my daughter show her the mark. Is a player allowed to do this? My daughter makes honest calls, and I viewed this as an intimidation tactic.

A. Your daughter’s opponent has the right to disagree with a line call, but she is not permitted to walk to the other side of the net to inspect a call. She can do it from her side of the net. In all fairness, the ball typically leaves a distinguishable mark on clay courts. It is not unreasonable for your daughter to circle the specific mark to reassure her opponent that the ball was indeed out. After that short interruption, continue play. If it becomes a recurring scenario, request a line judge because gamesmanship is in full force.

There is a good chance that the opponent was indeed trying to intimidate your daughter into “giving away” some calls later in the match. Sadly, this is not uncommon.