What's the best way to handicap a match?

[heycal]

If players of different levels want to play a competitive match against each other, what's the best way to make it fair? Give the weaker player a few games lead, or give him like a 30-love lead in every game? I think I heard the latter method was the better one, but of course, there may be many other methods as well.

Ideas?

[shindemac]

Yes, the usta recommends giving 0-15, or 0-30 handicaps.

[Bagumbawalla]

In my opinion, if the players are to far apart in ability level, it almost never makes for a pleasant competitive experience. It's not like golf, where you can both kind of play your own game.

I Think it would be better to just rally and let the weaker player work on technique. Or, if they decide to play a competitive set, the better player should just treat the game as a kind of practice, try different shots, keep the ball in play, and let the othe player get a workout.