The Ethics of Bad Calls

[The Armchair]

In tonight's US Open match between Sharapova and Petrova, Sharapova was on serve in a deuce, up 7-5, 1-3. After a bit of a rally, an errant ball bounced onto the court. Sharapova stopped play and pointed to the rogue ball, asking (rightfully) for a let. A ballgirl ran halfway across the court to retrieve the ball, and while Sharapova and the crowd were expecting for the obvious ruling, the chair judge declined. The judge claimed that she had not seen the ball enter the court. Let's take her at her word, or at least let's accept this explanation as the one given (it was hard to tell, but that is what the commentators and my expert DVR skills gathered).

You are Petrova. You were just given a gift point that may very well mean the difference between winning the set (and therefore the match) and losing it. However, it is 100% clear that a let should have been ordered. Assuming that if you speak up, the point will be erased, do you? Why or why not?

[fingokra]

no don't say a word, not my job, and I want to win

[Russ McGinley]

I don't say anything but its retarded that there's 100 line judges that are apparently powerless to say "That ball didn't just magically appear out of thin air. It indeed did roll onto the court during the point."

[Voltron87]

you say something. this is not one of those things which is up to the ref to do. it isnt close.

[lastchance]

Considering there's no way in hell that you can claim that you didn't see the ball, or that no one will notice this, I think you say a let should have been ordered.

But don't demand it or anything.

[Russ McGinley]

Also it might be something where if I'm the opponent, I may immediately stop in the middle if I see the ball without really thinking about it.

[Huskiez]

I wouldn't say anything.

Keep in mind that for this match, Petrova definitely feels that a lot of the balls Sharapova has hit have been out but were ruled in. So if she feels like she has been cheated on those earlier points (some of which she was right about), then why bother to correct a call that is in your favor?

Nonetheless she definitely is complaining way too much and showing some poor body language.

Anyway, a pretty good match thus far. 5-4 Sharapova in the third now.

[Huskiez]

Great match. Sharapova wins 6-4 in the third set.

[jdl22]

I would do whatever I would expect my oponent to do in the same situation.

[Voltron87]

all these people saying they wouldnt say anything cant be serious.