In tennis, what is the definition of 'unforced error'? Is it objective or subjective?

Answer 1

An unforced error is an error that could have been avoided if the player was a bit more careful. Typically, this means there is a rally, and nothing special is going on, and the player misses the shot. This can be a simple miss, or a player attempting to hit a winner, and also missing.

It is subjective, because two people may disagree whether an error is unforced or not.

Part of the issue is that it depends on the skill level of the player, and partly not. For example, Federer is capable of hitting shots many other players can't. But if he misses shots that he normally makes, but other players do not normally make, he's not likely to be assessed an unforced error.

A professional player is expected to be able to handle ground strokes of a certain pace, and be able to hit shots back reasonably consistently. This means a streaky players makes more unforced errors, but may also hit a lot of winners.

A winner typically is more objective than an unforced error, because it usually implies the opposing player is unable to touch the ball (and is making some attempt to hit the ball).

To record stats does not make unforced errors objective. Objective means that two people would agree provided they had enough evidence. It's much like a strike in baseball. There are rules for it, but because two umpires don't consistently see the same strike zone, it becomes subjective.

And as errors go, unforced errors typically are a measure of sloppy or erratic play and try to characterize how the game is going.

Answer 2

It's really both. The statistics that flash up on screen imply that it's objective, because it's an error that was caused by you, rather than something your opponent did... but it can be really hard to tell whether there was actually some clever spin on the ball that stopped the other player from handling it. Plus, the pressure of a key moment in a match can force an error, so there has to be an element of subjectivity.

Answer 3

an unforced error is a mistake you make without your opponent playing a role. such as - serving the ball into the net or out. it is subjective because there is no pressure from the opponent that caused the error. definition of subjective: pertaining to or characteristic of an individual; personal; individual: an unforced error could also be missing a shot that seems to be a perfectly hittable ball because you fell to the pressure of the moment rather than the pressure of a difficult shot from the opponent.

Answer 4

tand unforced error is an error made on a shot that placed little to know pressure on the hitter of the ball...so a player on the dead run is under a ton of pressure as opposed to some jogging a few steps in not under any pressure

Answer 5

it means that you miss the ball when it was unforced. the opponent didnt' hit a shot to make you miss, you just did.

Answer 6

An unforced error is when you or your opponent makes an error that was made by accident.

Answer 7

An unforced error is when the ball is in its normal play and the player mishits the ball into the net or out of bounds only because they mishit, not because the other player caused the mishit.

Answer 8

It's objective because stats are kept on it. How many times does one hit the net or hit it out of bounds.

Answer 9

Something you could have handled, but you didn't.