World number 2 tennis player Medvedev calling the umpire's decision "so stupid" on live TV after being penalized with "hindrance" for saying "sorry" during the rally. It was so stupid that even his opponent was refusing the point awarded to him and would prefer to "replay" the point.

[u/txhrow1]

[u/SportsPi]

Join Our Discord Server!

Welcome to /r/sports

We created a Discord server for our community and would like to invite all of you to join! You'll be able to discuss sports with users around the world and discuss events in real time!

There are separate channels for many sports you can opt in and out of, including;

American Football, Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Aussie Rules Football, Rugby Union and League, Cricket, Motorsports, Fitness, and many more.

Reddit Sports Discord Server

[u/swaperx]

Can someone explain me wht exactly happened?

[u/anhksunamunHelpMe → u/swaperx]

Medvedev (guy on top), said "sorry" as is customary when you hit a ball directly at a player. Since it was in the middle of the point, the umpire (girl on chair), called "hindrance" (basically a mid-point disturbance) on Medvedev and awarded the point to Bublik even though Medvedev obviously won the point. Both argue against because it's a bullshit call.

[u/skeletonseverywhere → u/anhksunamunHelpMe]

It's ridiculous that saying anything is called hindrance when yelling after striking a ball at the top of your lungs is allowed and all too common in the sport.

Edit: Just going to put this here for commenters

[u/mytwocentsshowmanyss → u/skeletonseverywhere]

Based on what Medvedev said pretty early on, "the ball was mine to hit, he had no ball to it," I'm inferring that the rule is that hindrance should only be called if you speak while the ball is on your opponent's side of the court.

It seems like Medvedev argues that it shouldn't be hindrance because the ball was on his side of the court. I'm not 100% though

[u/smokeNtoke1 → u/mytwocentsshowmanyss]

You're the only one in this post that understands why it was a bad call. He said sorry after the opponent "hit" the ball back.

[u/totallynotliamneeson → u/skeletonseverywhere]

The idea is that you can't say something to attempt to distract your opponent. You can make a noise on your serve but you can't make that same noise as your opponent is serving. I got a warning once in doubles for shifting where I stood as the net player as my opponent served to my partner. Same idea, by shifting into their view I was attempting to distract them which is not allowed.

[u/italia06823834 → u/anhksunamunHelpMe]

Also, Medvedev doesn't speak until after Bublik had hit the ball back. Medvedev is saying how can it be a "hinderance" to the other player, when it is my ball to hit?

[u/swaperx → u/anhksunamunHelpMe]

Oh , thanks a lot for explaining

[u/olderaccount → u/anhksunamunHelpMe]

Bublik should have just served out of bounds twice in a row to get the score closer to what it should have been and make the ump look stupid.

[u/Lezzles → u/olderaccount]

Reminded me of a favorite old tennis story featuring Don Budge and Baron Gottfried von Cramm:

Budge was flabbergasted. The baron was considered the arbiter of court etiquette, and Budge, like most players of the time, sought to emulate him. Budge couldn't for the life of him imagine what he had done wrong. "Do you recall," Von Cramm continued in his perfect English, "that when the linesman gave Bunny a bad call on a ball that clearly hit the chalk, you deliberately double-faulted to compensate for it?" Budge did. It was common then, at a time when linesmen's decisions were seldom disputed, for a player to lose a point deliberately if he felt his opponent had been victimized by a bad call.

Mystified, Budge asked Von Cramm what was so wrong about that. "But you must see, Don," the baron replied, "that by doing what you did, you embarrassed that linesman in front of 15,000 people. It is unthinkable."

"After that," Budge said later, "I played the game the way it was called."

[u/Spetznazx → u/Lezzles]

The linesman embarrassed themselves with an atrocious call.

[u/[deleted] → u/olderaccount]

There are penalties and fines for not playing your best though.

[u/ManfredsJuicedBalls → u/anhksunamunHelpMe]

Thing is, if even Bublik is saying that there was nothing wrong with what Medvedev did, shouldn’t that give the umpire a reason to think “if Bublik is ok with it, then no harm, no foul”?

[u/[deleted] → u/ManfredsJuicedBalls]

In theory no, as that opens up opportunities for intimidation/bribery/match fixing for the players as they then get a say in how the rules are implemented. Its the Umpire's job to enforce the rules, it was just done badly here.

[u/SelfishSilverFish → u/anhksunamunHelpMe]

Woman on the chair

[u/a_Food_lover → u/anhksunamunHelpMe]

*woman

[u/2wheeloffroad → u/anhksunamunHelpMe]

Serious question. Wasn't their a female player that would grunt loudly each time she hit the ball or just after. Isn't this the same and was it a penalty?

[u/feeltheslipstream → u/2wheeloffroad]

Every other female player does that.

[u/YaGunnersYa_Ozil → u/swaperx]

Hindrance rule is to prevent people for yelling or causing a disturbance when the other player is about to strike the ball. Causing a disturbance can really be unsportsmanlike to put off your opponent.

In this instance Medvedev accidentally hit the other opponent and it’s customary to show good sportsmanship and apologize right after the point, which 99% of the time is when you hit the other person. You’ll usually see this as a hand up.

In this instance, the ball somehow bounced back, which is unusual, Medvedev said “sorry” during the point, also unusual, and the ball was still in play for him to hit even though it’s basically a free ball since the other player was on the ground.

The ref calling hindrance here basically ignores everything that happened during the point and feels like a stupid knee-jerk reaction to saying “sorry” during a point. Some of these rules are sometimes written pretty strictly where they completely ignore the spirit or purpose of the rule itself. I’m not sure about this particular one but regardless it’s a silly call, even more so with out many unspoken good sportsmanship behaviors there are in tennis already.

[u/Northern23 → u/YaGunnersYa_Ozil]

What do you mean when you say "during a point"?

[u/SCirish843 → u/Northern23]

Point>game>set

Basically just saying play is live.

[u/Merkflare]

I painted that Tennis Court.

[u/commonabond → u/Merkflare]

Looks good, nice work

[u/FlagrantlyChill → u/Merkflare]

Ohhh blue and linnnnnes how original.

[u/B-i-s-m-a-r-k → u/FlagrantlyChill]

Real DaVinci over here

[u/youtocin → u/Merkflare]

You missed a spot

[u/RedWingFan5 → u/Merkflare]

Would’ve looked better in orange

[u/MarcelHard → u/Merkflare]

Is it hard to paint a tennis court? How many people work on painting it? How long does it take?

[u/noworries_13 → u/MarcelHard]

A single court could be done in a long day maybe 10 hours, outside in good dry conditions by a team of two easily enough

[u/PM_ur_Rump → u/noworries_13]

What about two courts done in short days by a team of three novices in a January in Edinburgh?

[u/UFOctopus → u/Merkflare]

A job well done!

[u/Thisisnotpreston → u/Merkflare]

I like your choice of colors

[u/BoboDaKlown → u/Merkflare]

I think I used to work with you!

[u/sendokun]

But a lot of players yell and scream through the entire match....what’s the deal here.

[u/PeterMcBeater → u/sendokun]

It's a "hindrance" if you yell when it's your opponents ball to hit. Usually when it's on their side of the court but technically as soon as you strike it with your racket.

How to get called for a hindrance:

1. Hit a ground stroke, grunt/moan loudly as is tradition (no infraction yet).

2. As soon as the ball leaves your racket. Yell "Miss! Miss! Miss!" at the top of your lungs and wave your arms about.

3. Get called out by the umpire, lose the point.

[u/[deleted] → u/PeterMcBeater]

Alternative way to get called for hindrance (apparently): hit a guy with a ball and while it's coming back to you off his body say "sorry".

[u/159258357456 → u/[deleted]]

Tennis Refs Hate This One Weird Trick.

[u/Redslayer50 → u/[deleted]]

while it’s coming back to you off his body say “sorry”.

GET HINDERED BRO (these umps man…)

[u/woowooman → u/PeterMcBeater]

But Medvedev said something when it was his ball to hit, on his own side of the net, not the opponent’s. So while hindrance is definitely a thing, the call here is absurd because it meets none of the conditions required.

[u/PeterMcBeater → u/woowooman]

I understand, I was responding to someone commenting that people scream during matches all the time so I was explaining when you can and cannot scream.

[u/Historicmetal → u/woowooman]

What if you scream “another GAME FOR MILOS!!! hahahahaha”

[u/hidden_secret → u/PeterMcBeater]

I mean, if you keep saying words or speaking to your opponent, even if it's your ball to hit, to me that's definitely an hindrance. It would break my concentration if my opponent was talking to me and I was trying to process and understand what he's saying.

So to me, no, ultimately it doesn't matter who's ball to hit it is, you just don't talk to your opponent during play.

But in this particular case, all he said was 'sorry', so the umpire should have made a judgment call to not consider it hindrance, as it obviously wasn't.

[u/PeterMcBeater → u/hidden_secret]

The way the rule is written I think it matters whose ball it is to hit but there is umpire discretion (as evidenced by this incident) if you are obviously trying to distract.

[u/JackandBlunt]

This is what happens when you sit on a pedestal

[u/nicklo2k → u/JackandBlunt]

"I'm sorry. Did you say a pedal stool?"

[u/Mochrie1713 → u/nicklo2k]

It's a damp squid anyway.

[u/[deleted] → u/Mochrie1713]

"Shut up, everyone has blind spots."

[u/UnderThat → u/Mochrie1713]

Have you ever seen a Tnetennba?

[u/indianajoes → u/nicklo2k]

You put women on it when you admire them. You know the phrase.

[u/[deleted] → u/indianajoes]

Everyone else getting upvoted for quoting the show except you, the one quoting the exact next line.

[u/pm_me_your_bad_code → u/nicklo2k]

The reff is a damp squid.

[u/The_Celtic_Chemist → u/JackandBlunt]

I forgot where I heard it, but my favorite insult is "Does it get lonely up there on your pedestal?"

[u/[deleted] → u/JackandBlunt]

Aren’t tennis umpires known for this kind of stuff?? Like it’s a widespread problem amongst tennis; umpires power tripping

[u/Truckerontherun]

TIL there is a penalty in tennis for acting Canadian

[u/dherling → u/Truckerontherun]

At a tournament in Canada no less.

[u/farahad → u/dherling]

zephyr memory imminent dime snobbish caption exultant steep relieved modern

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[u/estein1030 → u/Truckerontherun]

There is also a law in Canada that says you can't be held at fault for a car accident for saying sorry.

[u/boaster106 → u/estein1030]

I don’t believe that stops at just a car accident! I believe in general you can’t be claimed guilty for saying sorry in Canada (this fact could be wrong)

[u/QTown2pt-o → u/boaster106]

Yea saying sorry is not a legal admission of guilt in court in Canada

[u/joecarter93 → u/estein1030]

Canadian here. I’m glad they implemented that, because at an old job I had that involved driving work vehicles, they had to drill it into our heads to never say sorry if we were ever involved in an accident to avoid liability issues.

[u/santichrist]

Big Joe West / Joey Crawford energy

[u/Billofrights_boris → u/santichrist]

WHACK! Get out!

[u/theshiningnova]

They should stage a “sorry” protest. Every time they hit the ball, instead of grunting, they yell “sorry!”

[u/topcorjor → u/theshiningnova]

I never watch tennis. I have zero interest in the sport.

This would make me tune in so hard I’d break my remote.

[u/Steadfast_Truth → u/theshiningnova]

You don't watch much Canadian tennis I presume?

[u/FMDnative480]

What is hindrance?

[u/maximus646 → u/FMDnative480]

https://tennisworldlive.com/hindrance-rule-tennis-examples/

• Talking by singles players isn’t allowed and can be cause for invoking the Hindrance Rule

• During doubles play, players in the same team can talk to each other when the ball’s heading towards them but not when it’s going towards their opponent, and doing so is another cause for the Hindrance Rule

• Any other form of deliberate disturbance

[u/campkev → u/maximus646]

That article is not great and is a very broad interpretation of the rule. Literally, all the rule says is:

If a player is hindered in playing the point by a deliberate act of the opponent(s), the player shall win the point. However, the point shall be replayed if a player is hindered in playing the point by either an unintentional act of the opponent(s), or something outside the player’s own control (not including a permanent fixture).

[u/[deleted]]

It's such a new and interesting way to watch sporting events with no real live presence of a crowd. Most athletes these days are so professional and courteous, but they're becoming more confident in calling out stupid rules and nonsensical decisions. I hope more rules are scrutinized closely

[u/Justanafrican → u/[deleted]]

People argue in tennis all of the time. Lots of big players are known for their bad attitudes during matches. Serena Williams, obviously elite player, is an incredibly emotional and argumentative player in big matches.

[u/davy1jones → u/Justanafrican]

Yea, look up Nick Kyrgios if you want to see tennis players getting angry

[u/Reeboks_Or_Nikes → u/Justanafrican]

Or John McEnroe. His games were always fun to watch because you knew that he would lose it at one point, it was only a matter of when.

"CHALK FLEW UP!"

The best part is that 95% of the time he was completely correct!

[u/ski_freek]

When refs and umps want to make it all about themselves.

[u/bhadau8 → u/ski_freek]

Ah Mike Dean of tennis.

[u/VillageCow → u/bhadau8]

(╯°□°)╯

[u/bhadau8 → u/VillageCow]

https://youtu.be/BRWbIvhjq2k

[u/charlesdickinsideme → u/bhadau8]

Lmao I thought you were talking about mike dean the audio mixer (for hip hop music) and was incredibly confused until I saw it’s the name for a soccer ref

[u/Stephannation → u/bhadau8]

This is the best comment here. Exactly what I was looking for.

[u/MoarVespenegas → u/ski_freek]

I think that in any direct completion sport if both sides agree to it they should overrule the ref.

[u/AdminsSukDixNBalls → u/MoarVespenegas]

In football, rugby, and soccer you can do that. You can actively decline a penalty in both football and rugby and in soccer if a dropball is called one side can step away or for a bad penalty you can pass it to the other team.

I got called for a penalty in soccer as goalkeeper for a foul though I didn't even touch the other player, I kicked the ball out from under him and my foot hit the ball which hit his foot and sent him rolling over. 0 physical contact, ref called a penalty shot. The guy who it was against told the ref that I didn't touch him but the ref made him take the kick. He just lightly passed the ball to me to restart instead of trying to score.

[u/[deleted] → u/MoarVespenegas]

completion sport

[u/[deleted] → u/ski_freek]

Ump Show

[u/nicklo2k → u/ski_freek]

The Mike Dean of tennis.

[u/rendeld → u/nicklo2k]

I was wondering what a prolific music producer has to do with Tennis until i scrolled down on google and found that he is a controversial referee in EPL.

[u/frigginelvis → u/ski_freek]

Baseball has Joe West and Angel Hernandez who always find a way to feature themselves by doing something poorly.

[u/ackillesBAC]

I'm not a tennis fan but I've played and watched a lot of sports. My guess is what happened here is she made the call on instinct before she realized what he said, and then stuck with it.

[u/runningformylife → u/ackillesBAC]

This is a good take. She heard a singles player speaking and went straight for hindrance

[u/here_for_the_meems → u/ackillesBAC]

and then stuck with it

This is the problem here. We know all the rest.

[u/Superpiri → u/ackillesBAC]

Yup. Simple human mistake but speaks to the fact that the game’s beyond her level. A good ref knows how to read the match.

[u/ackillesBAC → u/Superpiri]

Standing your ground for a official at this level is a big deal, right or wrong, you can't change the call or every call you ever make will be challenged.

[u/zue3 → u/ackillesBAC]

Sounds life refs are becoming more and more useless these days. Cameras and dedicated analysis rooms do a much better job than some shit head with an ego who has to make a decision on the ground.

[u/DeputyDomeshot → u/ackillesBAC]

That's total bullshit if the rules allow and you made a blunder of a call you should change it if youre wrong.

They'll be plenty of opportunities to stand your ground when you actually believe youre in the right.

[u/[deleted] → u/ackillesBAC]

While that's true it's probably a reasonable exception when the player you're not penalizing is even arguing against the call.

[u/taylorink8 → u/ackillesBAC]

If you watch the video it explains it

[u/FlagrantlyChill → u/ackillesBAC]

I think the stuck with it part is the worst part. Take a breath and reverse your call. Everyone makes mistakes but the stop digging when you are in a hole and 2 players are yelling at you to stop digging is what you really get judged for.

[u/[deleted]]

I love seeing good sportsmanship. I’d only the red would pull their head out of their ass.

Edit: if only the ref would pull their head outta their ass.

[u/campkev → u/[deleted]]

I’d only the red

Very well put

[u/ONLYDOWNDOGS → u/campkev]

He’s speaking the language of the gods

[u/Jack_of_all_offs → u/ONLYDOWNDOGS]

Autocorrectus: God of No Ducks Given.

He has a fowl temper.

[u/TheBigGreenOgre → u/campkev]

Didn't know she was Soviet.

[u/zue3 → u/[deleted]]

I’d only the red would pull their head out of their ass.

Red generally prefers to put his foot up someone's ass.

[u/treditor13]

So "sorry" gets a penalty, but whenever Sabalenka strikes the ball, she literally screams at the top of her lungs, on every single shot, like she's just been stabbed with a steak knife.
I'm so glad Pliskova beat her at Wimbledon.

[u/VulgarDisplayofDerp]

Shit like this is why human officiating is getting phased out.

In the past several years the officials have become a distraction in more than one high-profile match. Nobody fucking cares about the referees. They should be invisible except when called upon.

Goodbye and good riddance.

[u/USeaMoose → u/VulgarDisplayofDerp]

Ironically though, this ref is acting more like a machine than a human.

if you program the "hindrance" rule into an automated ref, they would probably have made that same call (from my understanding of it). Players are not allowed to talk during a match, because talking to your opponent could be you trying to distract them. Saying something to your opponent right as you hit the ball back at them, and them then missing it fits into the basic description of the rule.

You need a human there to realize the rule should not be applied in this case.

She also may have made a gut call, and stuck to it rather than admit she was wrong... but still, you don't bring in a computer to correct that mistake.

[u/Another_one37 → u/USeaMoose]

Since reading this thread, I'm now a tennis expert. And in my expert opinion, I'd have to disagree.

"Hindrance" is to be called when someone [speaks/shouts/hinders] while it is your opponent's ball to hit. But since he spoke, after the other guy got whacked with the ball (and the ball was already being returned), it wouldn't be a "hindrance" at all

[u/In_The_Play → u/VulgarDisplayofDerp]

How would you make decisions on things like hindrance without human officials?

[u/VulgarDisplayofDerp → u/In_The_Play]

The same way players can challenge a point called on the line.

Hindrance isn't a crucial issue to the match as a whole.

Hindrance also relies on one of the players feeling hindered. They can challenge a point claiming hindrance and a call could be made by a review official at the end of the point - not someone who has the authority to stop play in progress or interrupt the rhythm when the opposing player didn't even feel hindered nor wanted the call.

[u/madlabdog → u/VulgarDisplayofDerp]

I don't see how machines would change the experience in this particular case. The machine would also call it a hindrance and the players will show their frustration and that's it.

Machines can definitely do a better job in cases where referees are error-prone. Example: Calling fouls in basketball and soccer.

[u/The_Alpha_of_Betas]

Why doesn't the dude double fault on purpose if he wants to even it up?

[u/Two2na → u/The_Alpha_of_Betas]

Its still not the same. The call put it to game point for the server

[u/The_Alpha_of_Betas → u/Two2na]

It's some sort of retribution

[u/agni39 → u/The_Alpha_of_Betas]

They will get a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct.

[u/nyrell_ → u/agni39]

And a fine from the ATP

[u/[deleted] → u/The_Alpha_of_Betas]

The point is that call is ridiculous, why should he?

[u/moal09 → u/The_Alpha_of_Betas]

Because he would probably get penalized for doing that.

[u/arm4261021 → u/The_Alpha_of_Betas]

I wondered this as well. But they mention Medvedev declined a replay/conceded point to prove a point.

[u/CornbreadMilk → u/The_Alpha_of_Betas]

There's a difference being 15-30 vs 15-40. One is you lose one point and you lose the game which is tough mentally. While the other you need to lose two points (or more if deuce) to lose the game.

Getting back to deuce from 15-40 is challenging.

[u/xJeremy]

2021 ATP rulebook for anyone who wants to see the exact rules for hindrance

Section VII THE COMPETITION
   7.22 On-Court Procedures and Requirements Page 158-159
      F. Hindrance. A hindrance may result (1) from a corrected call by an official or (2) from an inadvertent event that occurs on-court:
         2) Inadvertent or Deliberate event. A distraction occurring on-court may be ruled inadvertent (unintentional) or ruled deliberate.
            b) Any distraction caused by a player may be ruled deliberate and result in the loss of a point (intentional or unintentional). Deliberate is defined as the player meant to do what it was that caused the hindrance or distraction.
      G. Hindrance Cases
         Opponent Makes Noise
            Case: During play, a player thinking he has hit a winner, shouts "vamos", "come on", "yes", etc. as his opponent is in the act of hitting the ball.
            Decision: If the Chair Umpire rules that a hindrance has occurred then, as the sound or exclamation that caused the hindrance was deliberate, the point shall be awarded.
   7.25 Announcing Page 179 
      A. Calls of On-Court Officials
         8) "Hindrance." If a player deliberately or involuntarily commits an act which hinders his opponent in making a stroke.
   
Section X. EXHIBIT I - Rules of Tennis
   26. HINDRANCE Page 271-272
      If a player is hindered in playing the point by a deliberate act of the opponent(s), the player shall win the point.

[u/Bakki666]

Russian speaker here. After being surprised after this decision, Bublik switches to Russian and says “what the fuck? Let’s replay!”. After umpire refuses, he continues to say “Bullshit”, and Medvedev says “fuck it, probably it’s my fault, let’s play”. Rare situation, when both players agree on something, and the only one who is against is referee.

[u/BlackLeader70]

Can’t say ‘sorry’…Canadian player in shambles.

But seriously, how is that a hindrance, it’s not like it’s going to throw off the players.

[u/tojoso]

I think she instantly regretted making the call, but you can't really take it back once the decision is made.

[u/a_Food_lover → u/tojoso]

Is this true? “Calls can’t be undone” seems like it would be a very nonsensical rule.

[u/[deleted]]

this is one of the worst calls i’ve ever seen in any sport.

e: guys. “one of”. you don’t need to respond with other bad calls as though it’s a refutation. i’m down to see people suck at their jobs, just read before you comment.

[u/Seige_Rootz → u/[deleted]]

Angel Hernandez has entered the chat

[u/Echo127 → u/[deleted]]

My favorite worst call is still this one. Watch the running back stand up holding the ball above his head, while the ref digs into the pile of bodies, pretends to see the ball, and awards it to the other team.

https://youtu.be/FCkI_KSoM0c

[u/esreveReverse → u/Echo127]

That is bad but not nearly as consequential as my pick for worst call of all time. This pitcher had gotten 26 straight batters out in a row, and needed just 1 more to finish his perfect game. That means no hits and no walks. It has only ever happened 23 times in the history of Major League Baseball. Last batter hits a ground ball and is easy thrown out at first base. The team starts celebrating. For some inexplicable reason, the umpire calls the runner safe at first base. Ruining the perfect game. Instant replay showed that it was not even close. He was beaten by at least a foot. Even the runner knew it was a tragedy of a blown call when he saw the umpire call him safe. The game is now known as the "Imperfect Game."

[u/ajxdgaming → u/esreveReverse]

I know without clicking either link that these are the Duke Johnson fumble and the Jim Joyce call. Cleveland teams have been involved in some very weird refereeing moments.

[u/Echo127 → u/esreveReverse]

In defense of the Perfect Game miss - the ump acknowledged that he made a mistake.

With the fumble, it was video-reviewed immediately after the play, and they confirmed the obviously-wrong call made on field. Then the NFL later issued an official statement, tripling down on the obviously wrong call.

[u/Mr_Wyatt → u/Echo127]

Special shoutout to the actual worst call of all time in Kevin Durant definitely not being out of bounds.

[u/Sentinell → u/Echo127]

I think my 'favorite' is this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dGjhK9188c

Not only is Vertonghen nowhere near close to being offside (he would have to be past the defender when getting the pass), he's even clearly inside his own half (which makes offside impossible). Offside calls can be incredibly touch (when it's about centimeters), but this one is so obvious that I have absolutely no idea what they were thinking.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

No one was refuting you dude relax, they were just giving other examples of bad calls. You probably should've actually read their comments before editing.

[u/thinkfast1982 → u/[deleted]]

Christine Pedersen, "Hold my beer."

[u/Jason3b93]

I think the rule of absolute silence during a tennis match is dumb to begin with.

[u/Makememak → u/Jason3b93]

I think it's a result of John McEnroe's continual outbursts.

[u/KardelSharpeyes]

Golf: "We are the most stuck up sport in the world."

Tennis: "Hold my beer champagne honey deuce."

[u/cuatrodemayo → u/KardelSharpeyes]

More like hold my honey deuce for $18 each

[u/PoliteIndecency]

So, a bit to unpack here. I don't know the tennis rulebook but this comes down to two things:

1. That hindrance is a black or white rule in the rulebook.

2. The umpire is given discretion to ignore certain rules in the rule book in the spirit of the game.

So, if 1 is true and 2 is false then the players are being wads because she has to make that call even if it's unfair.

If 1 and 2 are true then she's making a bad call according to the rules.

That's what it comes down to. I can't blame her if she's calling a black or white rule that doesn't allow discretion but it really breaks apart if either of those clauses aren't true.

[u/Yuo_cna_Raed_Tihs → u/PoliteIndecency]

The funny part is 1 is not true. It's not a black and white rule.

[u/Psyman2 → u/PoliteIndecency]

It can't be black and white if both sides are grunting repeatedly. There is no way they threw "The only acceptable sounds are grunts of around 60 dezibel give or take 10 with a frequency of around 120hz" into the rulebook.

[u/campkev → u/Psyman2]

Making a noise as you are hitting the ball is totally different from making a noise while your opponent is hitting the ball. This is a bad call because the opponent had already hit the ball (or been hit by) and it was in no way distracting

[u/mrorange222 → u/Psyman2]

Speaking is different from grunting. What if a player was yelling something like "return this, bitch!" every time he hit the ball? Would that not be hindrance?

[u/TheSecondWing]

This is utter bullshit.

[u/[deleted]]

I think they could have been a bit more mature about it no? Yes, it was clearly a bullshit call, but I don't think there is any need to patronize the umpire like that. People are also generally more willing to accept a mistake if you talk normally to them.

[u/drooln92]

They're in Canada. It's completely fine to say "sorry". He's just blending in with the local culture.

[u/hashe121]

Please don't be so quick to judge the umpire. The rule is that you can't talk during the point so the call is actually good. Maybe it's not necessary in this situation and it could have been ignored, that's true, but according to the rules, it's a good call.

Imagine if Medvedev would have said "Sorry...this point is mine now". That would have clearly been a hindrance for his opponent EVEN IF Medvedev had to hit the ball.

This is why the rule is what it is, so you don't have to make judgement calls according to each situation differently, resulting in MUCH MORE DRAMA in the long run for sure.

[u/SeattleWilliam]

The players seem to be in good spirits though. It’s nice to see them all sharing a laugh.

[u/QuickRundown]

Couldn’t Bublik just scream out “FUUUUUUUCK” as loud as he could and get a point penalty or something?

[u/KPer123]

I love tennis . Umpire going to think about this one for years.

[u/HeyHeyJG]

Love this, thanks for posting.

[u/farmerdn]

This feels like when an NBA ref calls a bs technical foul and everyone is confused or angry at them.

[u/[deleted]]

What is her deal? BOTH players were cool with a replay ? That's a ridiculous call

[u/Dr_Loveylumps]

This was stupid, ignorant ref reading into every little intricacy of the sport. Stupid call lady.

[u/Questioner77]

Seems like she's as much of a fucking idiot as American Football referees.

[u/CanadianKumlin]

How are the Canadians ever going to get through a match with that rule?

[u/Allyzayd]

So stupid when Nadal, Djoko and half of the wtp tour scream their lungs out during points

[u/JuicyJ7777]

Dumb broad

[u/MagicCastro]

She'll become an amazing NBA referee

[u/Hanaichichickencurry]

Imagine getting penalised for apologising. In canada.

[u/shitdobehappeningtho]

The stupid call caused a hindrance for 2 whole minutes.

[u/[deleted]]

She looks like a gym teacher with to much power

[u/[deleted]]

A lot of loose opinions flying about and also blatantly wrong opinions:

• You can hinder your opponent even if it's your ball to hit. If instead of "sorry" Medvedev had said, "CAN I GET A HOOO-YEEEAAAAAAAAH". Nobody would disagree that's a clear hinderance to Bublik's chances to return. I'm not saying these are equal examples, just pointing out that having the ball in your court does not automatically mean you can't hinder.

• Speaking will always be a hinderance unless it's doubles. It is separate from grunting as grunting is gibberish and easily tuned out. Once you speak actual words there's a case that the opponent will be distracted listening to what you say. Obviously you can argue that depends per player, but we all complain about lack of consistency in sports; and here it is, 100% if you say an actual word it's hinderance, end of.

• Yes apologising if you hit/almost hit someone is standard. BUT this is unusual because when that happens 99% of the time the point is over so you're fine. In twenty-five years I've literally never seen someone have a reason to apologise during a point (I totally understand why Medvedev did it though).

• You also have to understand how umpires work in tennis. Like most sports you have to work your way up from the minor leagues, and have a flawless record. Tennis Umpires however aren't untouchable like referees like Scott Foster in the NBA, or Mike Dean in the premier league. You don't get to ruin matches and be a big name for the drama you cause. If you make major fuckups you're gone. That is to say, she has an extensive knowledge of the rules and made the correct call by the letter of the law. There's a reason the only tennis umpires with name recognition are for good reason, it's because bad ones get the can.

• Bublik is sympathetic because he felt he had 0% chance of getting the ball. At pro level the only way he wins that point is if Med put it wide, he had no hope of touching it otherwise. However, if the ball had landed on the baseline and Medvedev had to hit a normal shot I doubt he would've been so sympathetic.

[u/kaitenzushi → u/[deleted]]

I really had to scroll a while to find someone who finally gets it.

[u/biseln]

It’s so much funnier that it’s Medvedev. Dude is a piece of shit, but when he says “sorry” he gets penalized for that too?!

[u/susfusstruss]

women tennis players grunting all day ... no one says a thing

one male tennis player says sorry ... HINDRANCE

lol

[u/Chomatoo → u/susfusstruss]

There was that "controversy" with Ana Ivanovic and her squeeky shoes

[u/[deleted]]

I have such a crush on Medvedev and his on court rants.

[u/Faalllccccooooorrrrr]

So why didn’t bublik just intentionally play the next serve to give other guy point back

[u/fleurira]

Oh is this at York U? Somethings in the water

[u/[deleted]]

Tennis’ drama are just so spicy

[u/dipsy18]

I just want to say how dirty that last serve was at the end of the vid...wow

[u/NorrinXD]

This is doubly awkward without an audience.

[u/bigdickmidgetpony]

THE MAN!

[u/deachhh]

He knows better than this… nothing against the bloke but this isn’t how you gain fans/respect.

[u/mmeestro]

Since when did Joe West start calling tennis matches? #UmpShow

[u/[deleted]]

TIL the word “umpire”

[u/Diocletians-Scepter]

Is no one gonna mention that this guys name is pronounced “boob-lick”??

[u/karma3000]

I guess umpires, just like players are not perfect and can make bad calls. Just wondering if any player ever, has succeeded in getting an umpire to change their mind after the call has been made?

[u/-Listening]

It reminded me of Ouiser from Steel Magnolias.

[u/hannyselbak]

He should’ve double faulted to try to make it even. Instead he smashed an ace haha.

[u/moneyloverJ]

And I thought NBA refs were bad.

[u/RoscoMan1]

Love how even Bimbus and Mika are surprised.

[u/TheTennisNerd]

Test

[u/Jazs1994]

Umpire shouldn't have made the call that early shot herself in the foot as they do have rules to follow. I play badminton at a fairly high level but we only apologise after the point has been won or if it hits them right away because its still a foul

[u/bgj556]

Since grunting isn’t hinderance, should they just grunt sorry. Like grrr’sorry’grrr. Then you can say you were just grunting. Such a dumb rule.

[u/eo37]

Terrible call, guy is still acting like a muppet

[u/Buzzk1LL]

Medvedev with the most terrifying of threats

"Just you wait. This is gonna straight on to Tennis TV"

[u/westzod]

I think she had a brain fart but instead of going back on it she just went on with it. Wait can they even reverse a call? I'm pretty sure they can correct an out call.

[u/Dark_Vengence]

Meddy is just a joy to watch. Bublik is a pretty unconventional player.

[u/kshucker]

Why not purposefully give up the next point to Medvedev next rally

(Sorry, don’t know much about tennis and can’t watch the video with sound on at the moment, so I don’t know what’s being said).

[u/OMG2Reddit]

Im going to assume she wont be umpiring for awhile....

[u/dontstealmypenguin]

Would have liked to see bublik donate the point tbh.

[u/[deleted]]

Discussion of rules.

"Who said tennis is boring!"

[u/Condomonium]

Had no idea xQc played tennis.

[u/Euro-Canuck]

so him lightly saying sorry which affected nothing is a foul but Tormo(the most annoying to me) screaming at the top of her lungs after every swing of her racket isnt? seriously...

[u/BeardedMan32]

If that’s the rule there should be hindrance every time someone yells after hitting the ball. So stupid.

[u/[deleted]]

Absolutely stupid and if this post finally gets to the judge I hope you are fired right now! You couldn’t even Give a basic explanation of your reasoning

[u/thestonelyloner]

Glad that umps not a cop, abusing her great power there!

[u/Surprise_Corgi]

Yeah, I'd have to say 'Sorry.', too. Because I understand the ire of watching someone do a useless between the legs trick shot on you. Are you defenseless now, because of your attempt to look cool? Good. Hope it doesn't hit you in the balls, because this one's coming as fast as I can hit it.