Member-only story
When a group of people of which I am a member plays tennis, we refrain from disparaging each other. It sometimes would be easy to do, as everyone, in addition to their strengths, has their weaknesses. Some are more obvious than others.
But an opponent one moment may soon become a partner (in doubles, which is what we play mostly).
Memory can be long.
Hard feelings are best left off the hard court.
And we engage in what has been appropriately termed ‘social tennis.’ We’re not playing for a trophy or money, but, rather, for exercise. The camaraderie we may enjoy is a bonus.
What is particularly heartening is when a player gives an opposing player the benefit of the doubt and calls their ball in when, on review by a Skycam (which of course we lack), the ball might have been out.
We leave it up to the receiving team to make calls, which are almost never disputed. In that rare event, the point is replayed and the outcome accepted by all players.
I keep a slim pamphlet of ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) rules of play in my tennis bag, just in case (I have actually had to consult it on occasion).
I also keep a pair of reading glasses, as my arms have become too short.
