Tips for Finding a Tennis Partner - by Tommy Ho
It’s difficult enough finding the right person in life that could be compatible enough to be your life partner. E-harmony as they call it. Now imagine trying to find the right person that matches your skill and temperament on the tennis court. Even worse for those of us who play doubles.
For many of us it’s hit and miss. Plenty of tennis clubs offer a matchmaking service but they seldom get it right.
First, you are forced to look inward at your own skills and level of play, an honest self-evaluation where you take stock of just how good your game is.
Don’t let people fool you. The game of tennis is not just about “getting the ball over the net.”
And so the United States Tennis Association (USTA) uses a ratings system based on generalizations about skill level. A 1.0 is a beginner, while a 7.0 is a “world class player” (what exactly do they mean by “world class” anyway?). It’s hard to believe there are so many nuances between a 3.0 and 3.5. And although you may be tempted to just round up or down, they’ll have you believe that there is a difference.
Rather than fuss with ratings and have a number stamped to your forehead, you can stick with beginner-intermediate-advanced levels as a general rule of thumb. Beyond that, just get on the court with other players to see how you compare. During several cardio tennis classes, I was able to gauge how consistent my level of play was compared to others. The matchplay-based drills also help you determine whether or not you are ready to play out points, without the hassle of serving. If all else fails, ask your resident tennis instructor to help determine your level of play. You might be surprised by what they say.
Now that you know what your skill level is, the next challenge is finding a compatible tennis partner. In the real world, this is akin to dating. You can log onto a dating website and read all about a person’s appearance, their likes and dislikes, hobbies, etc. But how many times have you agreed to meet a person based on their self-description, only to find bitter disappointment because they’re not anything like their bio? It’s all about managing your expectations.
Ultimately the process is trial and error, and requires patience and a good sense of humor. Unless you’re a world class tennis player, we can all learn by watching each other on the court.