- What are the ways players can cheat? Players can cheat with a line call by deliberately calling a ball out when they clearly saw the ball in. Players can delay or not make a call for a ball they clearly saw as out after waiting to see if their return in response to the shot is in (or worse after waiting to see if their return in response to the shot is a winner). Players can call a let for an unreturnable serve or not call a let if their return of serve is hit back for a winner. Players can delay by taking too much time between points, during changeovers and/or between sets. Players can attempt to unreasonably rush their opponent by serving before their opponent is prepared to hit the return. Players can feign injury or take an unnecessary bathroom break to buy time, disrupt rhythm and negate momentum gains by their opponent. Players can create diversions such as unnecessary movement just prior to when their opponent is attempting to serve. Players can be disruptive with excessive, strident and demonstrative celebrations after winning a point or tribulations after losing a point. Players can deliberately manipulate (change) the score. Players can violate the rules by not admitting to a double bounce or being hit (or grazed) by a ball. Players can also cheat in the form of projection by accusing their opponent of cheating. There are probably other ways by which players can cheat but this account above covers the most obvious forms of cheating.
- You should not be quick to assume your opponent is cheating or even to question a call. Most players do not cheat or do not intentionally cheat. Everyone makes bad calls and bad non calls. In most cases, bad calls tend to even out with no clear advantage or disadvantage to one player or the other.
- What prompts players to cheat? It could be that players who cheat have a tilted moral compass but generally an explanation as to why players cheat requires a more in-depth analysis. One explanation is that players who are more inclined to cheat or make tight line calls hold the belief that most people in general particularly in competitive situations will look to take advantage, exploit vulnerabilities and weaknesses, bend the rules and be dishonest if not confronted or do not perceive any adverse consequences for their actions. With this mindset, the decision to call a ball that just catches the line out becomes more of a retaliatory or preemptive response and is justified since “If I do not call close balls out, I will get burned at the other end by an opponent who definitely with have no hesitation to cheat given the same circumstances.” Players also cheat from a fear of losing or from an extreme determination to win at all costs. In a distorted desperation to win, players can be swayed to make bad calls or can convince themselves in the righteousness of their calls even when there is legitimate doubt. Players whose motivation and identity is closely tied to winning and losing versus more process-driven players may be tempted to cheat particularly when losing to a player they perceive to be inferior in talent. Players who are more short-term motivated and are less concerned with the long-term consequences of bad behavior such as their standing with peers can be more inclined to cheat or make bad calls.
- If you accuse your opponent of cheating or in observing a match believe you are witnessing a player cheating, be advised that your eyesight may be distorted by the angle and distance by which by observe the ball. Your eyesight can also be distorted by how you track the ball. Following the ball with your eyes versus fixing your focus on the line or bounce can yield different results and outcomes. Understanding your potential fallibility in accurately calling balls on the opposite side of the net, the best course of action is to give your opponent the benefit of doubt.
- Be careful in making accusations. You can legitimately question a call but persisting in questioning calls can lead to a loss of focus. Making claims that your opponent is cheating can also psychologically undermine your effort by excusing accountability for the result. “What could I do, I was cheated.”
- What should you do if accused of cheating? The best response is to be respectful and not be defensive or antagonistic. You do not want to let accusations play with your head, sap your energy, or adversely impact your focus. At the same time, continue to be firm and decisive in making calls and do not be intimidated into questioning your calls and decisions. The best passive aggressive response I witnessed was when a player in a clay court match after having his calls continuously questioned proceeded without saying a word to circle the bounce of each ball that landed out on his side of the court whether the ball landed two inches or two feet from the line.
- What should you do if you feel you are being cheated with bad calls? You can begin by questioning a call to ensure your opponent has no doubt about the veracity of his/her call. If playing on a clay composition court, you can ask your opponent to show a ball mark. In both cases, never cross your side of the court to check a call and do not challenge the call further if your opponent is insistent on the call. If it becomes more of a pattern of questionable line calls, you can ask for help from an official or coach (if available) to observe and arbitrate should there be further questions or disputes. You can avoid the risk of a bad call by hitting with higher margin and hitting to big targets. And, if playing for fun, you can choose not to play with this opponent again.
- As for dealing with other potential issues, it is important to be familiar with the rules to be able to respond from a base of knowledge. How much time is allowed between points, sets and changeovers? What is the process when a player gets injured and what constitutes an injury? What happens when you cannot agree to the score? Without being confrontational, speak up to defend your position when necessary and hold your resolve when challenged. To prevent an incident with scoring, clearly state the score when serving and confirm the score when receiving prior to the start of each point.
- How do you counsel a teammate or friend who you witness to be cheating or is witnessed by others to be cheating? Your main role as a teammate or friend is to bring awareness and lend support. You can also help to bolster confidence and reassurance in self-worth which in turn, could serve to dissuade any perceived need to cheat. However, if the cheating is particularly egregious, the best response may be an intervention with a measure of hard love.
- As a teaching professional or coach, how do you counsel a student or player on your roster who you witness to be cheating or is witnessed by others to be cheating? Establish a constructive dialogue. Without being accusatory, state your observations (what you personally observed). Restate your expectations for sportsmanship, conduct and behavior both on and off the court. Enjoin the player in a discussion on how to best deal with the pressures of competition. What are the causes of anxiety that lead to poor decision making? Role play on the best behavioral responses to different competitive situations. Establish processed-based goals to better realign priorities. Of course, you may avoid the need to have these difficult discussions if you have your players or students sign and commit to a sportsmanship pledge prior to the start of training and/or match play.
How to Deal with Cheating
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Ten Things Tennis 