A
poor one may ruin a great battle. Not only will bad decisions
turn the tide by putting a point in the wrong columns, but slow
decisions will often upset players, so they dare not play to the
line kept by slumberous linesmen.
A linesman should take his first judgment as the ball strikes. If
outside he should call "out" at once clearly, decisively, but not
too loudly; a yell is often a shock to the nerves. If the ball is
good he should remain discreetly silent.
The umpire should announce the score after each point in a voice
sufficiently loud to be heard by the entire gallery. His
decisions as to "lets" or balls "not up" should be made only loud
enough to ensure that they are heard by the players. The gallery
has eyes. Following each game, the game score should be called,
giving the leading player's name and the set being played. For
example, "Four games to three, Parke leads. Second set." About
every third game following the completion of the first set, an
announcement as to the winner of the first set is an excellent
idea. The umpire could add to the above announcement, "First set,
Parke, 6-3." This latter announcement is unnecessary when there
is a score board that gives full details of the match.
Tournament committees should see that all courts have sufficient
room behind the baseline and at the sides to insure a player
against running into the stops.
Galleries should strive to retain their appreciation and
enthusiasm until a point is completed, since noise is very
disconcerting to a player.
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