Dr. Robert S. Baraczek is a research and development consultant in Arlington, Texas, focusing on development of new skin care products. In his free time, Dr. Robert S. Baraczek enjoys staying active by playing sports including tennis and racquetball.
When playing tennis in a recreational setting, it is important to demonstrate the proper respect for one’s opponent. For example, players are permitted to celebrate after winning a point. However, it is considered poor sportsmanship to cheer or applaud a point that ends due to an opponent’s mistake.
Other aspects of tennis etiquette are more relevant to the game itself. In the vast majority of cases, recreational tennis players are required to call their own lines. In order to avoid unnecessary conflict, players are advised to always make questionable calls in favor of their opponent rather than themselves. Similarly, if one player makes a questionable call, his or her opponent is advised to politely ask for confirmation before moving forward with the match, regardless of their thoughts on the call.
Finally, tennis etiquette can be important to player safety. If a tennis ball falls out of a player’s pocket or, potentially more dangerously, rolls over from a neighboring court, the first player to notice the ball must immediately call a let. After the loose ball is removed from the court the point should be replayed, regardless of which player held the advantage before the let was called.
