Opponent flirting with my partner!?

[Relinquis]

Played a match yesterday and my partner couldn't focus during points as the guy, a dark/handsome Mediterranean type, from the opposing team was flirting with her all day.

She giggled away the first set imo, but we managed to win a set to get even* before we called it a day.

Have any of you guys had to deal with this dynamic before? Do you intervene or is tennis subordinate to romance? Have you ever played against someone you liked?

This was just a friendly match, so only egos/pride at stake. I rarely play mixed doubles so this is new to me.



* Mostly due to an argument between our opponents. Dunno if it was flirting related.

 

[stapletonj]

Oh, this has epic comedy potential.

Girls, if the female on the other side is flirting with your partner, is it sports bra reveal time?

Guys, is the opposite when you pull your sleeves up over your shoulders and start with the "VAMOS!"? (Shorts picking is considered counterproductive to this dynamic)

 

[Turbo-87]

Intervene in a friendly match? Why? Your partner didn't appear to mind it that much from your description. If it was harassing, yeah, intervene and flex your muscles.

 

[omega4]

Played a match yesterday and my partner couldn't focus during points as the guy, a dark/handsome Mediterranean type, from the opposing team was flirting with her all day.

She giggled away the first set imo, but we managed to win a set to get even* before we called it a day.

Have any of you guys had to deal with this dynamic before? Do you intervene or is tennis subordinate to romance? Have you ever played against someone you liked?

This was just a friendly match, so only egos/pride at stake. I rarely play mixed doubles so this is new to me.



* Mostly due to an argument between our opponents. Dunno if it was flirting related.

I imagine as I get back into playing social and league tennis that I'll probably encounter this situation, but more so as the man who's getting to know the other mixed doubles team's woman better.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that I'll flirt with her but I do enjoy getting to know new people in social situations (e.g. playing mixed doubles).

I think it would be one thing if a Player A flirted with Player B solely to gain a tactical advantage to win a set or match. But it's another thing entirely if 2 people are meeting for the first time and are friendly and genuinely trying to get to know each other better.

I'm a friendly person and enjoy meeting new people. It's just who I am and I make no apologies about it.

 

[Mongolmike]

What is your relationship to your partner? Wife? Girlfriend? Mother?

If it is neither wife nor girlfriend... then what's it to you? She should be allowed to flirt if she likes. You said it started out as a friendly match. By the way, was the argument by any chance between you and the dark swarthy manly type opponent?

If she is your wife or girlfriend, and not knowing what type of relationship/rules you've established... nailing the guy with an overhead IS legal.

 

[tennis tom]

...is tennis subordinate to romance?

Yes.......

 

[NLBwell]

I've noticed that if the woman on the opposing team starts flirting with me, my mixed doubles partner's tennis game just falls apart.

 

[Legend of Borg]

Mixed doubles is so troll I don't even know why people make threads about it.

It's like tennis lite.

 

[spot]

Have any of you guys had to deal with this dynamic before? Do you intervene?

Once again I don't even understand what you are asking. Intervene!? What does that even mean? Who would feel the need to intervene because 2 people were flirting!?

 

[sureshs]

Mixed doubles is so troll I don't even know why people make threads about it.

Because you read and post in them?

 

[Legend of Borg]

Because you read and post in them?

Go troll some Federer thread or something.

 

[omega4]

Mixed doubles is so troll I don't even know why people make threads about it.

It's like tennis lite.

Maybe it's because most tennis players aren't playing on the tour and earning a living playing tennis.

I compete where it matters (e.g. at work where my professional and financial livelihood is at stake).

Playing tennis or golf? Not so much.

 

[NadalDramaQueen]

Have any of you guys had to deal with this dynamic before? Do you intervene or is tennis subordinate to romance? Have you ever played against someone you liked?

This never happens to me, as everyone on the courts (male and female) tends to flirt with me.

I can imagine that this is very distracting to my partner, mostly because they become jealous themselves. :lol:

To be honest, if it was a friendly match, let it go unless your partner is your significant other or your partner lets you know that it is really bothering them.

 

[aurelius]

Played a match yesterday and my partner couldn't focus during points as the guy, a dark/handsome Mediterranean type, from the opposing team was flirting with her all day.

She giggled away the first set imo, but we managed to win a set to get even* before we called it a day.

Just flip the script and use her to your advantage with return flirting. The opposing guy will fall apart - have you tried to serve or run down a ball with a stiffy?

 

[omega4]

This never happens to me, as everyone on the courts (male and female) tends to flirt with me.

I can imagine that this is very distracting to my partner, mostly because they become jealous themselves. :lol:

To be honest, if it was a friendly match, let it go unless your partner is your significant other or your partner lets you know that it is really bothering them.

We should be doubles partners. I guarantee that I won't be jealous or distracted, as the other team will be busy flirting with us both LOL....

 

[pabletion]

Played a match yesterday and my partner couldn't focus during points as the guy, a dark/handsome Mediterranean type, from the opposing team was flirting with her all day.

She giggled away the first set imo, but we managed to win a set to get even* before we called it a day.

Have any of you guys had to deal with this dynamic before? Do you intervene or is tennis subordinate to romance? Have you ever played against someone you liked?

This was just a friendly match, so only egos/pride at stake. I rarely play mixed doubles so this is new to me.



* Mostly due to an argument between our opponents. Dunno if it was flirting related.

Can you please post pics of your playing partner? I'm an expert.... I'll let you know if it was flirting or not and what she can do about it.......

 

[blakesq]

how in the world would you "intervene"? and is there any way to intervene in such a situation without looking like a complete ******?

Played a match yesterday and my partner couldn't focus during points as the guy, a dark/handsome Mediterranean type, from the opposing team was flirting with her all day.

She giggled away the first set imo, but we managed to win a set to get even* before we called it a day.

Have any of you guys had to deal with this dynamic before? Do you intervene or is tennis subordinate to romance? Have you ever played against someone you liked?

This was just a friendly match, so only egos/pride at stake. I rarely play mixed doubles so this is new to me.



* Mostly due to an argument between our opponents. Dunno if it was flirting related.

 

[chollyred]

I imagine as I get back into playing social and league tennis that I'll probably encounter this situation, but more so as the man who's stalking the other mixed doubles team's woman.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that I'll stalk her but I do enjoy getting to know new people in social situations (e.g. playing mixed doubles).

I think it would be one thing if a Player A flirted with Player B solely to gain a tactical advantage to win a set or match. But it's another thing entirely if 2 people are meeting for the first time and are friendly and genuinely trying to get to know each other better.

I'm a friendly person and enjoy stalking new people. It's just who I am and I make no apologies about it.

Fixed it for ya.... :twisted:

 

[tennis_ocd]

Did they both take a 7 minute bathroom break before the 3rd set, 10-point, tie break?

 

[beernutz]

Did they both take a 7 minute bathroom break before the 3rd set, 10-point, tie break?

Which begs the question of what would you call the equivalent of the "Mile High Club" for tennis?

 

[Mongolmike]

Which begs the question of what would you call the equivalent of the "Mile High Club" for tennis?

Apparently the "7 Minute Club"... which seems excessive to me. Wait.... I meant, um, 7 minutes is a long time to take a break.... or something...

 

[beernutz]

Apparently the "7 Minute Club"... which seems excessive to me. Wait.... I meant, um, 7 minutes is a long time to take a break.... or something...

Well I was thinking it would have to have balls somewhere in the name but I'll defer to your, er... expertise in the matter. Depending on whom you are with, 7 minutes can be an eternity in either a good or a bad way.

 

[Relinquis]

thanks for the on-topic responses guys.

a few points answering some questions:
- no, my teammate for that evening isn't my girlfriend or relative.
- 'intervene' was possibly a poor choice of word. anyway, i wouldn't have spoken to my opponent, rather i would have told my teammate "jokingly" to focus on the yellow ball instead of the guy across the net. probably best i didn't joke about it.
- the argument i mentioned was between the opposing team members, i.e. they were arguing with one another. dunno what about.
- the guy is a friend, nice guy, one of those golden boy types, very athletic, good career, helps little old ladies cross the street, is nice to everyone, always smiling, etc... i don't know if it was gamesmanship or just him being a flirt (he usually is). i just dont' like losing sets.

i guess i should have flirted with my opponent (the girl); she was kinda fit, although she'd probably be more interested in my teammate!

 

[jc4.0]

This is my kind of thread!
Premise: A gorgeous, available man is flirting with me during a tennis match. Assumption: I won't play my best because of this.

Resolution: Who the H cares? Scoring date with gorgeous man wins over game score.

P.S. If a hot girl was flirting with a guy across the net - same rules apply. No double-standards allowed!!!!

 

[omega4]

Fixed it for ya.... :twisted:

Thank you kindly, Sir Troll.

 

[omega4]

Which begs the question of what would you call the equivalent of the "Mile High Club" for tennis?

Perhaps doing it in the Umpire's high chair?

 

[omega4]

This is my kind of thread!
Premise: A gorgeous, available man is flirting with me during a tennis match. Assumption: I won't play my best because of this.

Resolution: Who the H cares? Scoring date with gorgeous man wins over game score.

P.S. If a hot girl was flirting with a guy across the net - same rules apply. No double-standards allowed!!!!

Exactly. Real-life outcomes trump league-tennis outcomes every single time.

Whether some believe it or not, losing a league tennis match is NOT the end of the world.

 

[dizzlmcwizzl]

Flirt ... go for it.

However, I would never want a girlfriend that played tennis. Thank goodness my wife is a non-athlete.

In my previous life in volley ball ... the kiss of death happened as soon as you started dating your mixed doubles partner. Fights, poor play and if you ever started playing with someone new ... forget about it.

NO, NO, NO you cant make me do it ... again

 

[omega4]

Flirt ... go for it.

However, I would never want a girlfriend that played tennis. Thank goodness my wife is a non-athlete.

In my previous life in volley ball ... the kiss of death happened as soon as you started dating your mixed doubles partner. Fights, poor play and if you ever started playing with someone new ... forget about it.

NO, NO, NO you cant make me do it ... again

If I were married and had a wife who wanted to play mixed doubles, I'd show her the meaning of "love" before, during, and after the match.

OK, maybe not during the match out of respect to our opponents....

 

[gameboy]

So, let me get this straight.

You are playing in a "social" match and your partner was being "social" with an opponent. And this is somehow a problem that needs to be addressed?

 

[b33rfairy]

Can't really respond without a full length pic of your partner.

 

[10smonkey]

i would have started flirting with the guy

 

[Alchemy-Z]

yeah...social match...is for socializing

in a world where most people are meeting on the internet tennis is still one of those great places for real world sparks to fly

 

[usta2050]

My MXD team has a hot girl with big blessed curves. Both guys (our and opponents) can't focus much when she plays. So we had to find a guy who's immune to that. Maybe his sister/mom had something similar.

 

[Turbo-87]

Flirting is fully approved.