Enough About Our Pet Peeves. What Is Driving Our Partners Crazy About Us?

Cindysphinx

Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
We TT folks complain about our partners quite a lot. Oh, we have many grievances. They dump easy shots. They are headcases. They won't bring balls. They hook. They have no game. And worst of all, *They put their bag on the bench!*

Maybe it is time for a bit of introspection. What things do we do that must be driving our partners nuts?

I see persistent evidence that I am driving my partners wild because never know the score. Never. Doesn't matter whether I am serving or receiving, winning or losing. I don't know the game score, and I don't know the set score. I say the score in the hope it will help me remember, and then I start thinking about everything else and I have a total data dump on the score.

This means I have to ask my partner repeatedly during matches about the score. Or, knowing I *just asked* on the previous point, I will just play the rest of the game not knowing the score. Or I will ask the opponents, quietly and casually, so my partner won't know I forgot *again.*

My poor, poor partners. They look at me like something is wrong with me. I guess there is.
 
Mongolmike

Mongolmike

Hall of Fame
I subbed last night in a ladder type club league, so the play level of the court I was assigned to was dependant on the person I was subbing for. All good. No problemo. Subbed numerous times, but always on one of the top two courts.

But. Apparently I was doing it wrong on one of the lower courts because the older, immobile 3.0 level lady I was temporarily playing with was uncomfortable with me playing back on her serve. It wasn't that she had a soft push serve (she did), but the fact the other side was targetting her and playing around me at the net...to good success.

I explained to her since she doesn't like to come to the net that the other team was running her crazy on the baseline.

She again said she was uncomfortable with me at the baseline because she was "taught" to play 1 up on the serve. I shrugged and complied. End of the night after 30 games, she had been part of 8 games won...so she had that going for her.

Pretty sure she was not happy with "that one long haired guy", because she couldn't figure out why I played back on her service game. Hmmm. Quite a mystery.
 
esgee48

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
I sometimes 'sleepwalk' my way thru a set. Never poach because I am a slow torpid lizard during the Winter. Partner tells me to move up to the front 1/3 of the service box to cut any shots off. I comply and get promptly lobbed. [Several times.] My partner asks me why I did not go get the lob(s), which went over me by at least 10 feet. I move back to the back 1/3 of the service box, from where I can hit OHs easily. I'm happiest when my partner has a decent serve that allows me to poach. Unfortunately, that happens in a Blue Moon. He thinks because he can poach off of my serve, that I should poach off of his. Most ROS from my serve go directly to him or are dying quails. ROS from his serves just go CC, too far for me to get to. He likes to serve flattish up the T whereas I spin the ball all over. Go figure. :eek:
 
N

Nashvegas

Guest
Mongolmike said:
I subbed last night in a ladder type club league, so the play level of the court I was assigned to was dependant on the person I was subbing for. All good. No problemo. Subbed numerous times, but always on one of the top two courts.

But. Apparently I was doing it wrong on one of the lower courts because the older, immobile 3.0 level lady I was temporarily playing with was uncomfortable with me playing back on her serve. It wasn't that she had a soft push serve (she did), but the fact the other side was targetting her and playing around me at the net...to good success.

I explained to her since she doesn't like to come to the net that the other team was running her crazy on the baseline.

She again said she was uncomfortable with me at the baseline because she was "taught" to play 1 up on the serve. I shrugged and complied. End of the night after 30 games, she had been part of 8 games won...so she had that going for her.

Pretty sure she was not happy with "that one long haired guy", because she couldn't figure out why I played back on her service game. Hmmm. Quite a mystery.
Click to expand...

Not sure this was in the spirit the OP intended. ;)
 
Cindysphinx

Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
@Mongolmike, A unilateral decision to play two-back on your partner's serve is viewed as a horrific slur by many.

To play two back, you first need to fake an injury, the more debilitating the better..

Trust me on this.
 
OnTheLine

OnTheLine

Hall of Fame
A year ago, I would say that partners would have complained about me "going for too much" particularly when not necessary.

I have by and large corrected this issue.

Now, partners would likely complain that
A. My serve is either 90-100% on and firing or that I am spending a day living on 2nd serves. Likely would like me to find a happy medium.
B. That I do not poach aggressively enough
 
Mongolmike

Mongolmike

Hall of Fame
Cindysphinx said:
@Mongolmike, A unilateral decision to play two-back on your partner's serve is viewed as a horrific slur by many.

To play two back, you first need to fake an injury, the more debilitating the better..

Trust me on this.
Click to expand...

I thought she WAS faking an injury. It's called immobility and inability to adjust. She won the prize if she was.
 
breezybee

breezybee

New User
I love how some of the posts are actually just complaints about the other people on the court - not even thinly disguised as talking about their own shortcomings.

As for me, I have a tendency to miss easy put-away volleys. Ball comes right to me at an easy pace and I either frame it or put it out. I am sure when it happens my partner is wondering how I can possibly miss them. I know everyone misses these on occasion but I do it a lot. A lot.
 
S&V-not_dead_yet

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
breezybee said:
As for me, I have a tendency to miss easy put-away volleys. Ball comes right to me at an easy pace and I either frame it or put it out. I am sure when it happens my partner is wondering how I can possibly miss them. I know everyone misses these on occasion but I do it a lot. A lot.
Click to expand...

Framing it means you aren't making good contact so you're likely taking your eye off of the ball and not watching as it hits your strings. Try to keep your eyes on that imaginary spot for a split-second longer than you feel necessary.

Putting it out means maybe you're trying for too much? if you do it a lot, try dialing back the aggression; view that volley as a setup for the next shot which will hopefully be even easier. Make sure you're not overswinging by taking the racquet back too far; keep the backswing limited to what occurs with the unit turn.
 
OrangePower

OrangePower

Legend
breezybee said:
As for me, I have a tendency to miss easy put-away volleys.
Click to expand...
I have a related tendency in dubs of not putting those away - I don't typically miss them but I give opponents a chance to get it back. Must be frustrating to my partners when I do that.
I think because Im primarily a singles player I have gotten into the habit of just guiding volleys to where my opponent isn't, but that doesn't work as well in dubs...
 
T

tennis tom

Legend
esgee48 said:
Partner tells me to move up to the front 1/3 of the service box to cut any shots off. I comply and get promptly lobbed. [Several times.] My partner asks me why I did not go get the lob(s), which went over me by at least 10 feet. I move back to the back 1/3 of the service box, from where I can hit OHs easily.
Click to expand...
I feel your pain! Your partner is clueless regarding doubles positioning strategy. No one including the Bryan brothers positions that tight to the net--being that close, there's not enough time to react to hit a proper volley, and it gets dumped into the net. The older or slower the net man is, the further back near the service line, they should position. Every time an opponent successfully lobs, move back a step--eventually they will have to hit it long.
 
Mongolmike

Mongolmike

Hall of Fame
breezybee said:
I love how some of the posts are actually just complaints about the other people on the court - not even thinly disguised as talking about their own shortcomings.

As for me, I have a tendency to miss easy put-away volleys. Ball comes right to me at an easy pace and I either frame it or put it out. I am sure when it happens my partner is wondering how I can possibly miss them. I know everyone misses these on occasion but I do it a lot. A lot.
Click to expand...

Trust me. She was annoyed. Vexed. She did not like my positioning. I think that fits in the category.

Here's another one you may not approve of. I like to talk strategery during a point, and certainly during sets. I'll call "switch", or "mine" or "bounce it" etc. during a point and some don't like any talk period. I like to discuss what we should do different between sets or I'll point out a weakness I see as things progress. Many people do not like that and don't care to discuss that sort of stuff. I also like to say "good shot" or "good effort" to anyone on the court, and many partners do not like compliments tossed across the net.

As for mistakes, sure. I make them. Everyone does. I'm not aware of a specific mistake I continually make that is going to upset someone. Ignorance is bliss, but I am certainly aware of the mistakes I make. I have weaker shots for sure, but none that I shy away from for fear of failure.

I dunno, maybe some don't like it that I like (but don't NEED) all three balls when I serve. As server, it is my prerogative. I put one in my left pocket and hold 2 in my left hand. Deal with it.
 
breezybee

breezybee

New User
S&V-not_dead_yet said:
Framing it means you aren't making good contact so you're likely taking your eye off of the ball and not watching as it hits your strings. Try to keep your eyes on that imaginary spot for a split-second longer than you feel necessary.

Putting it out means maybe you're trying for too much? if you do it a lot, try dialing back the aggression; view that volley as a setup for the next shot which will hopefully be even easier. Make sure you're not overswinging by taking the racquet back too far; keep the backswing limited to what occurs with the unit turn.
Click to expand...

Believe me, I know why I do it. Volleying is not a natural ability for me. I play mostly singles and don't come in to the net a lot. In doubles, volleys where I poach or am really stretched are usually great volleys. It's the sitters that come right to me I miss way more often that I should. I know many times my partners must be shaking their heads in disbelief.
 
N

Nashvegas

Guest
breezybee said:
Believe me, I know why I do it. Volleying is not a natural ability for me. I play mostly singles and don't come in to the net a lot. In doubles, volleys where I poach or am really stretched are usually great volleys. It's the sitters that come right to me I miss way more often that I should. I know many times my partners must be shaking their heads in disbelief.
Click to expand...

I have to remind myself to go forward after these and not get caught waiting on them. That improves my results. If I sit back I tend to make poor contact.
 
T

tennis tom

Legend
When my partner misses a shot, I try to encourage them by telling them : "Keep trying it, you'll get it next time!" There's nothing worse then when your partner gives you the silent treatment after you miss a shot--that's when they need the encouragement. After they made a great shot, they don't need the encouragement, they know they've made a great shot.
 
Dan Huben

Dan Huben

Semi-Pro
I hit almost every oh and volley right back to the back player and almost always end this 4 volley rally with an error.

I grumble a lot to myself. My partners take this at being angry with them which is only about 30% true.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Mongolmike

Mongolmike

Hall of Fame
Stretchy Man said:
I've just realized I seem to be the only player giving my partner audible compliments during league matches. :oops:
Click to expand...

Where you complimenting him/her on tennis strokes....or something else?
Makes a big difference between saying, "Hey, great shot!" vs "I like the way you look when you are picking up the ball."

But yeah, some people do get peeved with compliments during a match. I played with a guy who didn't want any verbal compliments or no high fives/fist bumps/touch racquets etc. after a good shot. Silence and isolation. Okkk.... (shoulder shrug)
 
Mongolmike

Mongolmike

Hall of Fame
tennis tom said:
Move to Venice, just across the border--then they'll whisper about your line calls that you are a venetian blind.
Click to expand...

Man...that was really bad. Not politically incorrect bad, but eye roll bad. And from you, a "groan" man....
 
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MathGeek

MathGeek

Hall of Fame
I've also struggled getting the level of feedback and strategy right for a given partner. Less experienced players can't usually remember more than one or two new strategy ideas in the heat of battle, and I've often been guilty of overburdening them with good ideas.

My strengths and weaknesses are also a bit different from most doubles partners, so I take some time to get used to. Some partners and I fall into sync very quickly. Others who have trouble shifting from their "usual" strategy are driven nuts by my unique skill set and accompanying strategy.

Lots of partners really don't like me dropping back to the baseline on their second serve against strong returners. What can I say, eating yellow fuzz was never my cup of tea?
 
Dartagnan64

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
None of my partners say anything to my face, just as I say very little about there games (or lack thereof).

I think I'm pretty inciteful about my weaknesses. I struggle with low volleys and half volleys that limits my ability to get to the service line. I don't anticipate poachable balls well enough. I think I'm a step faster and can jump an inch higher than I actually can. Any shot over my head is met with a weak stroke due to prior shoulder injuries. I try to nail shots down the alley way too much. I don't use lobs effectively especially on RoS.

I could go on and on...

Tennis is a hard sport as are most of the best sports. Most of us are limited by our lack of elite athleticism, aging bodies and lack of time to commit to practice. Still doesn't mean you can't have fun. Just need to find a similarly kitted out group of guys and you can all enjoy being bad at tennis together.
 
T

tennis tom

Legend
The better the doubles team the more they communicate--there was some tennis mag survey a few years back that said a pro-dubs team communicates an average of 87 time during a match. Almost all dubs teams on TV slap hands after each point whether they won it or lost it--keeps team morale up. I once played in a pro-am with the Bryans and Mike wanted to chest-bump and high-five on all points, I apologized to him for being old school and not used to "that much" team spirit, he restrained it after that.

I was playing a Nat tournament once and my partner told me the net man was making mad rushes to the net as I was doing the ball toss for my serve. I started lobbing over him on the return forcing him to back-off from playing tight to the net--had my partner not tipped me off I would not have been able to quickly respond to the opponent's tactic.
 
Chingoo1255

Chingoo1255

Rookie
I talk too much. Good play, nice shot, great serve. I play social doubles with friends who are way better than I am so their normal shots, serves are all great to me and just bleh to them. They hardly say a word.
But when I watch them play with their peers, it's dejavue but reversed. They're the ones complimenting and their friends are like bleh.
 
MisterP

MisterP

Hall of Fame
Expecting him to have an actual second serve after being a 4.0 for several years now. It must be so frustrating for him.
 
Stretchy Man

Stretchy Man

Professional
S&V-not_dead_yet said:
You must play with a taciturn bunch: most guys on my team compliment good partner plays.
Click to expand...

My compliments are easily loud enough for everyone to hear so I think I need to tone it down. I think I would find myself annoying. :D

Recently I'm thinking it's probably better to stay quiet. If you make a fuss about the good shot, what do you say after the crappy shots? Death silence or say something which could be taken the wrong way.
 
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T

tennis tom

Legend
Stretchy Man said:
Recently I'm thinking it's probably better to stay quiet. If you make a fuss about the good shot, what do you say after the crappy shots? Death silence or say something which could be taken the wrong way.
Click to expand...

"Close shot! Good try! Keep trying it, you'll get it next time!"
 
S

sureshs

Bionic Poster
Cindysphinx said:
We TT folks complain about our partners quite a lot. Oh, we have many grievances. They dump easy shots. They are headcases. They won't bring balls. They hook. They have no game. And worst of all, *They put their bag on the bench!*

Maybe it is time for a bit of introspection. What things do we do that must be driving our partners nuts?

I see persistent evidence that I am driving my partners wild because never know the score. Never. Doesn't matter whether I am serving or receiving, winning or losing. I don't know the game score, and I don't know the set score. I say the score in the hope it will help me remember, and then I start thinking about everything else and I have a total data dump on the score.

This means I have to ask my partner repeatedly during matches about the score. Or, knowing I *just asked* on the previous point, I will just play the rest of the game not knowing the score. Or I will ask the opponents, quietly and casually, so my partner won't know I forgot *again.*

My poor, poor partners. They look at me like something is wrong with me. I guess there is.
Click to expand...

Like the "What is your greatest weakness?" interview question, I have to truthfully say that I am so focused on the game and so hard-working on court that sometimes I feel I may be making my partner uncomfortable with my perfect attitude.
 
S

sureshs

Bionic Poster
But seriously, if I think my partner should have moved and gotten to a shot, I will never compensate for it.

I also make it very clear from the beginning that we are not friends and there is no reason to praise or put down each other.
 
Dartagnan64

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
Stretchy Man said:
My compliments are easily loud enough for everyone to hear so I think I need to tone it down. I think I would find myself annoying. :D

Recently I'm thinking it's probably better to stay quiet. If you make a fuss about the good shot, what do you say after the crappy shots? Death silence or say something which could be taken the wrong way.
Click to expand...

Depends on whether the crappy shot was a bad idea or bad execution. Execution errors you try to be upbeat about. Stupidity you try to correct.
 
penpal

penpal

Semi-Pro
Hi, my name is penpal, and I'm a 4.0 player with a very weak second serve. What's more, I have no sympathy for my doubles partners who are afraid of facing the ROS off my weak second serve. "Grow a pair," I say - even in MxD - "but do not back up. How bad could it possibly hurt? And just by standing up there, most returners will avoid you."

Well, I don't actually say this, not to their faces at least. And to their great credit, they also don't complain about my weak second serve to my face - but I know what they're thinking :mad:.
 
norcal

norcal

Legend
Well at the moment I wear three (3!) braces on my left hip/groin. So when I have a ball in my left pocket I can't feel it there so I forget about it.

I can't count the number of times we are looking for the missing third ball and it's been in my pocket! I've even left the court with someone else's ball as they're looking in the corner for it.
suicide-santa.gif
 
Turbo-87

Turbo-87

G.O.A.T.
No one has ever said anything but I have a dumb habit of saying "oh no" or something similar when I hit a ball that I know will go out.
 
T

tennis tom

Legend
time_fly said:
The thing that annoys my partner is that I won't warm up with the game balls on a doubles court.
Click to expand...
If it's a tournament match, or one where the scores will be reported, you should warm-up with the match balls. Prior to a tournament, you should be practicing with the tournament balls to adjust to them--the brand and type of ball is, listed at the tournament web page. If you're playing in a tournament, hopefully you can hit the ball back to your opponent, so they don't think you're a dufus.
 
Nacho

Nacho

Hall of Fame
-I'll forget to give a signal when a partner requests it
-I sometimes am like a deer in headlights at the net, not going for balls I should
-I have spouts of double faulting
-I bring craft beer, when the other guys just want coors light or bud light
-I always wear funky tennis brands like Hydrogen or Solfire, and have new shoes every month
-I insist on warming up from the baseline, none of that service line pitter patter crap
-I always bring a lot of stuff....
-When I lose, sometimes I lose bad and give no effort
 
TennisDawg

TennisDawg

Hall of Fame
I tend to shank my serve sometimes on the ad side. So I ask my partner to move towards the alley or backup to avoid getting hit.
 
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