Put in doubles, but have preference for singles

[Ad0ut]

Quick background first: I'm an NTRP rated 4.0 player playing on both 4.0 and 4.5 men's teams. I am probably the best all around player on the 4.0 team since at practice I routinely beat everyone else in both singles and doubles, no matter who I have as my partner. I've played a few 4.5 singles matches, and while I've lost, other than the first match, the other matches have all been competitive (losing sets by one break or going to a third set breaker).

I've basically been penciled in for playing first doubles for the rest of the men's season for my 4.0 team. I am happy that the captain (my partner) has honored me with this position. However, I really do prefer to play singles. Since we're only a couple of matches in, I haven't said anything since I figure I'll get my chance for singles sooner or later.

So after a recent practice, 4.0 team captain makes a statement about needing a "star singles player" in front of me. Am I being too sensitive by being a bit annoyed at this remark? In our section, 1st doubles is worth 6 pts and 1st singles is worth 5 pts so I can understand why I'm being asked to play 1st doubles to try to garner more points. However, 4.0 captain knows I am competitive in 4.5 singles matches, so I'm a little miffed by the comment.

Just wondering if I should just stay silent or try to make an argument to use me at singles. I know there are a lot of captains on this board who post so I'd just like to hear your perspective. I know being a captain isn't an easy job and I don't want to complain unnecessarily.

 

[LeeD]

Since you're the only "all around" guy.... nobody else can hold up his end of #1 doubles.
And if you extend to play both singles and #1 doubles, you might get tired and lose both, which capitan doesn't want to happen.
And if el capitan puts you into singles, a worse player takes your place in #1 doubles, insuring a loss there.
So what would el capitan gain by allowing you to play singles?

 

[Cindysphinx]

You're in a tricky situation.

A lot of captains want to partner with the strongest player, and that is you. That fact, coupled with the value of winning No. 1 doubles in your league, means it makes some sense to use you in doubles.

My thought is that you should not be offended by the captain's remark about needing a star singles player. In his mind, you are his star doubles player. He didn't mean to imply you are weak in singles, I think.

There are two possibilities. First, he may not know you prefer singles. If there is any chance that he doesn't know your preference, then tell him. Just say, "Hey, I'm enjoying playing doubles with you. But I love singles also, so I'd love a shot to play singles this season. If you really need me in doubles, that's fine. Totally up to you."

The other possibility is that he knows you like singles but wants to win with you in doubles. In that case, what I would do is wait until a bit later in the season. Once your team is no longer a playoff threat, then you could say, "It looks like we're not going to make the playoffs this year. I've been working on a few singles skills, and I'm dying to see how they will hold up in a 4.0 match. If you can work me in at singles I'd appreciate it."

JMHO, of course.

 

[LeeD]

Actually, local shop here in Berkeley, stringer asks me to play on his 4.0 team in doubles. I politely say "no, thank you", slightly offended that he wanted me only for the doubles.
Just the week before, another team, but this one 4.5, asked me to play #2 doubles, which I also declined. I was honored by that request, but felt the pressure too much for my simpleton mind at the time (I was scheduled to work some Saturdays, so making ends meet would be tough).
Now if EITHER team asked me to play SINGLES, I'd be honored and would make every effort to accomodate. But singles on a 4.5 team is not reality for my skill level, so maybe I'm just daydreaming....

 

[Ad0ut]

Since you're the only "all around" guy.... nobody else can hold up his end of #1 doubles.
And if you extend to play both singles and #1 doubles, you might get tired and lose both, which capitan doesn't want to happen.
And if el capitan puts you into singles, a worse player takes your place in #1 doubles, insuring a loss there.
So what would el capitan gain by allowing you to play singles?

He'd gain my unwavering loyalty and trust. But yeah, you make some good points.

 

[Ad0ut]

The other possibility is that he knows you like singles but wants to win with you in doubles. In that case, what I would do is wait until a bit later in the season. Once your team is no longer a playoff threat, then you could say, "It looks like we're not going to make the playoffs this year. I've been working on a few singles skills, and I'm dying to see how they will hold up in a 4.0 match. If you can work me in at singles I'd appreciate it."

JMHO, of course.

Thanks for the diplomatic solutions. I guess I never looked at it from the captain's perspective.

Also, I think we are going to be a playoff threat this year, so I doubt the "working me in at singles" line will work but maybe if we start pulling ahead a bit in the standings i'll lobby for singles with the reverse argument that we no longer need the wins at 1st doubles.

I guess I'll stick to doubles for another couple of matches and then re-evaluate the situation from there.

 

[Spokewench]

At least tell the captain what you would like!

I've been a captain many times. It is not an easy job. One thing I hate is if someone really wants to play singles and does not tell me. I don't read minds So, be polite, tell the Captain that you would like to play singles if possible. Of course, the team comes first so it he thinks it is better for the entire team for you to play doubles only that is fine; but if you could play singles some and the team would not be impacted by that, you would appreciate the opportunity.

 

[J_R_B]

You said your captain knows that you play 4.5 singles, but does he know that you really prefer singles? If he thinks that you're totally happy playing #1 doubles, then he should be looking for other singles players. If you really prefer singles, I think it might be worth mentioning in a constructive way "hey, I heard what you said, and I would like to play singles if you need someone in that spot". If he says "I don't want to put you there because you are too important for the #1 doubles point", then just pay doubles, but at least you explicitly put the seed in his mind that you like to play singles in case the team situation changes.

 

[athiker]

You're in a tricky situation.

A lot of captains want to partner with the strongest player, and that is you. That fact, coupled with the value of winning No. 1 doubles in your league, means it makes some sense to use you in doubles.

My thought is that you should not be offended by the captain's remark about needing a star singles player. In his mind, you are his star doubles player. He didn't mean to imply you are weak in singles, I think.

There are two possibilities. First, he may not know you prefer singles. If there is any chance that he doesn't know your preference, then tell him. Just say, "Hey, I'm enjoying playing doubles with you. But I love singles also, so I'd love a shot to play singles this season. If you really need me in doubles, that's fine. Totally up to you."

The other possibility is that he knows you like singles but wants to win with you in doubles. In that case, what I would do is wait until a bit later in the season. Once your team is no longer a playoff threat, then you could say, "It looks like we're not going to make the playoffs this year. I've been working on a few singles skills, and I'm dying to see how they will hold up in a 4.0 match. If you can work me in at singles I'd appreciate it."

JMHO, of course.

From being a captain and having conversations with captains (upset with other players basically demanding to play either doubles or singles or be paired with certain partners) I would approach it similar to the above.

Simply let him know, "Hey, you mentioned the other day needing a singles player so just wanted to let you know that I enjoy playing singles if that works for the team, if not I'm happy to play wherever you need me."

Captains have a lot on their mind...especially if they are running a team in the playoff hunt there is some pressure to try to schedule a match a pairing for team success. There is always the possibility that he doesn't know you prefer singles though. I remember our captain, actually the captain and I after a conversation, put a player at singles in the first match of the season. We were trying to think of someone with good groundstrokes, a serve and who could move (Our options were limited that night and I was playing the other singles court.). Well he got beat pretty badly. We neglected to ask him if he had ever played singles before! Turned out he had NEVER played singles!...NEVER! We were shocked, it had just never occurred to us.

So letting him know is one thing. Making a phone call during business hours to his work phone (while he is on the line with a client) to demand to be partnered with so-and-so is another. I never had a problems with preferences being stated, its useful to know, but then let the captain make the decision without a lot of grief. He usually really is trying to do what he thinks is best for the team and balancing a lot of personalities. Good luck.

 

[kylebarendrick]

Another captain's perspective...

It seems like virtually every guy thinks he's the next singles superstar and most guys say that singles is their preference. At the same time, only 2 of the eight spots each week are singles so most guys have to play doubles. It is a simple fact of math.

As a captain, I try to give everyone a shot early in the season. If they do well relative to the strength of their opponent, then they get more shots at singles. If not, then they'll be playing doubles. Some guys (who think they are singles players) clearly have better skills at doubles so that is where I tend to play them.

 

[Ad0ut]

Thanks for all the advice. Yes, I do forget that captains have a lot to deal with other than organizing practices and setting lineups. I should be more communicative, but in general, I'm a pretty laid back guy and generally won't say anything unless really pushed.

Anyway, I think I'll talk to my captain the next time I see him. I think I can propose something where I'll play first doubles with him when we are both available and if possible, for me to play singles for matches where he is not available to partner with me.

Thanks again to all for your insights.

 

[Ad0ut]

Another captain's perspective...

It seems like virtually every guy thinks he's the next singles superstar and most guys say that singles is their preference. At the same time, only 2 of the eight spots each week are singles so most guys have to play doubles. It is a simple fact of math.

As a captain, I try to give everyone a shot early in the season. If they do well relative to the strength of their opponent, then they get more shots at singles. If not, then they'll be playing doubles. Some guys (who think they are singles players) clearly have better skills at doubles so that is where I tend to play them.

Yeah, I can understand when captains are skeptical when players announce their superiority in singles only to be trounced when they actually play. You propose a pretty fair system where everyone can get a chance. I'm sure you still get the random player complaining about how his matchup was "too tough" or he had a "bad day" and wants a second chance though.

Anyway, as I said, I think I'll just be a little more patient and wait for a chance to play singles when my captain/partner isn't available to partner with me. Looks like I should go check tennisone to see when he's unavailable so I can lobby for singles, haha.