Quantcast
nodot nodot
Mortal Tennis
December 2004 Article

Contact Greg Moran

Mortal Tennis/Circle Game Archive

Get Greg Moran's book Tennis Beyond Big Shots at Amazon.com

Tennis Server
HOME PAGE

Do You Want To Be A Better Tennis Player?

Then Sign Up For A Free Subscription to the Tennis Server INTERACTIVE
E-mail Newsletter!

Tom Veneziano You will join 13,000 other subscribers in receiving news of updates to the Tennis Server along with monthly tennis tips from tennis pro Tom Veneziano.
 
Best of all, it is free!

Tennis Features Icon TENNIS FEATURES:

TENNIS ANYONE? - USPTA Pro John Mills' quick player tip.
 
TENNIS WARRIOR - Tom Veneziano's Tennis Warrior archive.
 
TURBO TENNIS - Ron Waite turbocharges your tennis game with tennis tips, strategic considerations, training and practice regimens, and mental mindsets and exercises.
 
WILD CARDS - Each month a guest column by a new writer.
 
BETWEEN THE LINES - Ray Bowers takes an analytical and sometimes controversial look at the ATP/WTA professional tour.
 
PRO TENNIS SHOWCASE - Tennis match reports and photography from around the world.
 
TENNIS SET - Jani Macari Pallis, Ph.D. looks at tennis science, engineering and technology.
 
MORTAL TENNIS - Greg Moran's tennis archive on how regular humans can play better tennis.
 
HARDSCRABBLE SCRAMBLE - USPTA pro Mike Whittington's player tip archive.
 
TENNIS EQUIPMENT TIPS.

Tennis Community Icon TENNIS COMMUNITY:


Tennis Book, DVD, and Video Index
 
Tennis Server Match Reports
 
Editor's Letter
 
Become a Tennis Server Sponsor

Explore The Tennis Net Icon EXPLORE THE TENNIS NET:

Tennis News and Live Tennis Scores
 
Tennis Links on the Web
 
nodot
Mortal Tennis By Greg Moran


 

Green Dot
 
Tennis Warehouse Logo
 
Green Dot

 
nodot
Dealing with Tennis Snobs

Greg Moran Photo
Greg Moran

Every club has its share of tennis snobs. You know the type. They strut around with their nose in the air, adorned in expensive outfits. They carry a huge racket bag and an attitude that shouts, "Don't call me to play--I'll call you... if I deem you worthy."

The tennis snob refuses to be seen on the same court with a player they feel is below them on the club's pecking order. They view it as a waste of their time. The tennis snob loves to hold court (pun intended) and regale/bore anyone who will listen with tales of their latest win. They'll complain about their partner after doubles losses and assure you that the only reason they're not at Wimbledon is that they had more important things to do with their life.

We've all had our experiences with the dreaded tennis snob. You head over to the club looking forward to the social (supposedly friendly) round-robin you signed up for. After everyone warms up, the pro gathers the players together to announce the pairings for the first round.

"On court # 2, Jane (you) will play with (snob) Sally against Betty and Jean."

You immediately feel the heat of the snobs glare. A roll of her eyes and a slumping of her shoulders proclaims to you, and everyone else, that you clearly are not good enough to share the same side of the net with her highness.

From the moment you take the court you feel the avalanche of the snob's pressure and condescending attitude. You are immediately instructed where to play, how to play and to make sure that, above all you "stay out of my way when I call for a shot."

The snob responds to your errors with body language that looks as if you've punched them in the stomach. They moan when you double fault, groan when you miss a volley and are particularly adept at convincing you that their errors are (somehow) your fault.

Tennis snobs are everywhere and, quite frankly, they're idiots. They just don't get it. Our time on the tennis court should be viewed as an opportunity to get some exercise, socialize with old friends, meet new ones and enjoy the process of learning and improving at an activity that we can enjoy for the rest of our lives.

Snobbish behavior, on and off the tennis court, stems from insecurity. One of the main reasons the tennis snob refuses to play with someone they feel is "below" them is that deep down inside they are insecure about their game and, quite often, themselves.

You see this type of behavior quite often among junior players. Kids tend to tie much of their self-esteem into their results on the tennis court. A loss to someone they feel is below them, in their mind, makes them a loser not only on the court, but off it as well. For a child, snobbish behavior is normal, understandable and excusable. For an adult, it is not.

By the time we move into our adult years we should have matured both intellectually and emotionally. With this maturation comes an understanding of what's truly important in our lives and what isn't. Tennis, for the vast majority of us, is nothing more than a recreational activity: a healthy break from the day to day challenges and responsibilities that the truly important areas of our lives present. Ego and attitude should not walk into the tennis club with us.

But unfortunately it does so what do you do when you find yourself on the court with the dreaded tennis snob? Here are a few tips:

Stay cool: The snob tries to overpower you with their condescending attitude. If you remain calm and appear unaffected you'll take much of the wind out of their sails. When your anger starts to build, remind yourself that your partner is an idiot and you are a bigger person than to get sucked into their petty little game. You're out there for some exercise and fun. Resolve not to let their poor attitude ruin your good time.

Don't fight back: Don't bring yourself down to the snob's level. You'll only get angrier and create an ugly scene. When you're partner gives you the dirty look after you make an error simply say, "Sorry partner, let's get this one." If they insult you try to deflect their comments with humor.

If they criticize you, you'll shock them when you say, "You're absolutely right, I should have had that one." If you want to have some fun, ask them what you did wrong--they'll certainly tell you. Be the more mature member of the team. There are things in life worth arguing over and getting upset about--tennis is not one of them.

Feel sorry for the poor snob: Remind yourself that the snob is quite likely behaving that way because they are insecure and unhappy in other areas of their life. Don't take their actions and comments personally and always remember that anytime someone gets upset on the tennis court, it's usually not about the tennis.

Play tennis because it's fun. Play with people at, above and below your level because anytime you step onto a tennis court, regardless of the level of your opponent, you can work on your game and learn something. Next month I'll show you how.

Green DotGreen DotGreen Dot

Mortal Tennis/Circle Game Archive

If you have not already signed up to receive our free e-mail newsletter Tennis Server INTERACTIVE, you can sign up here. You will receive notification each month of changes at the Tennis Server and news of new columns posted on our site.

This column is copyrighted by Greg Moran, all rights reserved.

Greg Moran is the Head Professional at the Four Seasons Racquet Club in Wilton, Connecticut. He is a former ranked junior and college player and certified by both the USPTA and USPTR. Greg has written on a wide variety of tennis-related subjects for numerous newspapers and tennis publications including Tennis, Tennis Match and Court Time magazines. He is also a member of the FILA and WILSON Advisory Staffs.

Questions and comments about these columns can be directed to Greg by using this form.


 

nodot
nodot
Google
Web tennisserver.com
nodot nodot
The Tennis Server
Ticket Exchange

Your Source for tickets to professional tennis & golf events.
 
Terra Wortmann Open - Halle, Germany Tickets
 
Wimbledon Tickets
 
Infosys Hall of Fame Open Tickets
 
Atlanta Open Tickets
 
Hamburg Open Tickets
 
Mubadala Citi Open Tennis Tournament Tickets
 
National Bank Open Women's Tennis Canada Tickets
 
National Bank Open Men's Tennis Canada Tickets
 
Cincinnati Open Tickets
 
Winston-Salem Open Tickets
 
Tennis In The Land Tickets
 
UTS - Tennis Like Never Before Tickets
 
US Open Tennis Championship Tickets
 
Laver Cup Berlin Tickets
 
Erste Bank Open - Vienna, Austria Tickets
 
Dallas Open Tickets
 
BNP Paribas Open Tickets
 
Miami Open Tickets
 
Laver Cup San Francisco Tickets
 

 

Popular Tennis books:
 
Winning Ugly: Mental Warfare in Tennis-Lessons from a Master by Brad Gilbert, Steve Jamison
 
The Best Tennis of Your Life: 50 Mental Strategies for Fearless Performance by Jeff Greenwald
 
The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey
 
Most Recent Articles:
 
October 2022 Tennis Anyone: Patterns in Doubles by John Mills.
 
September 2022 Tennis Anyone: Short Court by John Mills.
 

 

 

 

"Tennis Server" is a registered trademark and "Tennis Server INTERACTIVE" is a trademark of Tennis Server. All original material and graphics on the Tennis Server are copyrighted 1994 - by Tennis Server and its sponsors and contributors. Please do not reproduce without permission.

The Tennis Server receives a commission on all items sold through links to Amazon.com.

 

Tennis Server
Cliff Kurtzman
Editor-in-chief
791 Price Street #144
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
Phone: (281) 480-6300
Online Contact Form
How to support Tennis Server as a Sponsor/Advertiser
Tennis Server Privacy Policy