Sometimes I’ve gotta vent, and this is one of those times. Today, I experienced some serious stupidity by the biggest (and worst) loser – I’ve ever come across in league. Or well… EVER.
For starters, I had stayed up until 2 a.m. this morning knocking out a project for a client, and by my 9:30 a.m. match time, I was pretty beat. A caffeine IV drip would have been perfect, but I settled on a 5 Hour Energy drink that I found in my tennis bag. After pounding the liquid pick-me-up, I threw the empty bottle back into my bag and picked up my racket. As I turned around to go warm up on the court, I was rudely accosted by one of our opponents.
Welcome to Crazy Town
This chick started freaking out, claiming that I was “doping” and that we should forfeit the match. Yep… Doping. That’s the word she used. Like this was the Wimbledon ladies doubles final, and she had just seen me shoot up with steroids!
For about 30 seconds I thought I was being punked, but then I realized she was serious. Doping?! Really?! What an idiot!
By now, one of our other lines had already started their match, and the rest of the ladies from both teams came over to see what the commotion was about.
This nutcase proceeded to trash-talk me (or should I say trash-yell) in front of everyone, claiming that our line should be forfeited because I took “enhancements” to better my game. I seriously couldn’t believe what was happening… I still can’t! That energy drink is nothing more than B vitamins and a little caffeine, less than what’s in a single cup of coffee.
Can We Please Just Play?!
Well, of course, they went through the entire rule book. And, of course, they found no rules against having energy drinks before a match (duh!). After what seemed like hours, the other team’s captain managed to calm the woman down enough so we could finally start our match.
And it was U-G-L-Y.. Ugly!
By ugly, I’m referring to this chick’s crappy court-itude. Making blatantly bad line calls. Kicking the balls to the fence during changeovers when it was our serve. Rushing us when she was serving. Stalling when she was receiving. What a bee-yotch! Even her partner was embarrassed by her behavior. And all of that WAS in the rule book, but my partner and I declined bringing it up.
Then, when the match was over (and we had beaten them), she wouldn’t even shake our hands. She was still adamant that we won because I cheated.
Pffffffft! (rolling eyes) Whatevs!
Now, I will admit that I might not have played as well without the drink, given my lack of sleep. However, I don’t believe I was cheating, and I definitely wasn’t playing any better than I normally play.
File A Complaint or Not?
This bothered me so much, that when I got home a little while ago, I immediately called our league’s president (who also happens to be a friend of mine), and told her about what happened. She confirmed what I already knew – that energy drinks are perfectly legal to consume at any time before or even during a league match. And then she asked if I wanted to file a grievance for the one player’s bad sportsmanship, and after thinking about it, I took the high road and declined. I mean after all, we won the match, and though she didn’t like it, she learned a valuable lesson: an energy drink does not a cheater make!
Never in my life, have I been accused of cheating – in anything! It was SO bizarre! Do you use energy drinks to energize before a match? Have you ever been accused of cheating in tennis? What happened? I really want to know! Please post in the comments section below 🙂
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i feel compelled to point out- you ” took the high road” so this persons behavior will continue. Even if the next person complains, there won’t be a previous complaint. Leagues only act when there are numerous grievances- not on just one complaint. Meanwhile, this person’s behavior continues and many other players ” take the high road”.
You’re right. I did think about it, but I’ve always had issues with pulling a trigger. `I probably would have had we not won. At least her team and captain know, and might be able to keep her under control (or not play her) in the future.
The problem is-if you only complain when you lose, you are a sore loser; it is sour grapes. At our facility, league matches get moved if they go over the 2 hour mark so the 11:30 matches can start. Once our captain complained when the last half of a singles tiebreak got moved. Their response “Well, I guess you lost”.
Perhaps, but then consider the options in the matter – you’ll either be a sore loser for reporting the opponent after a loss, or a b*tch for reporting the opponent after a win. In this particular instance, I’d rather be satisfied that the opponent’s team, who witnessed the bizarre breakdown, is highly motivated to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
First, that is ridiculous, especially because we aren’t playing PRO level… I feel that there is no advantage because anyone can take…… Second, I would NEVER take 5 Hour Energy drink!! LOL Try the eshot.. works naturally xoxo Does not make your ehart race and gives you a calm sense of clarity.. Like my plug?? LOL MUAH!!
Plug away, girlfriend! The eshot really works!! And anyone wanting it needs to kontact Karen in her link in the menu bar!! Yeah… It was truly bizarre. She was so dead certain that energy drinks counted as cheating, that I was panicking a little until the rule book was thoroughly checked, lol!
I guess that YOU are cheating when you eat a banana, too! LOLOLOL
You’re so right!! LOL!!!!!!