How Do You Cope With Cheaters on the Court?
Do you struggle with your emotions and focus when you are playing an opponent who is clearly cheating?
Here’s a recent question I received from one of our readers:
“How do you manage an annoying opponent; a cheater or a player who does things to disturb the opponent? And it’s not always easy to deal with this during a match without a referee nearby.”
Some of the tennis players I work with are good at dealing with cheaters and it doesn’t bother them. However, other players tend to struggle with their mental game.
Here’s why:
- They get frustrated with the opponent and it affects their thinking on the court.
- They lose focus by thinking too much about the bad call on the last point.
- They might even start to change their tactics to keep the ball inside the lines.
- They get irritated that the opponent is doing it on purpose.
- They feel helpless if no referee is around the courts.
Obviously, if this sounds like your reaction to cheating, your mental game is not working well for you…
Focusing too much on your opponent, dwelling on the past, or becoming frustrated will not help you perform your best.
I can remember when my daughter played a girl that was known for cheating during the match. It would bother her so much, she hated player this girl.
She would become so frustrated that she could not play her normal game. I could see her face turning red and he routine speed up.
She felt that the officials had no effect on her opponent and did not help. The moment the official left the court, the opponent would continue her cheating ways.
What’s the best way to cope with cheaters on the other side of the net?
One thing you can try is to bring your opponent to the net and tell her that the ball was clearly in and to please call a fair match. And if it happens again, you’re going to get the official.
Put your opponent on notice that you can clearly see what she is doing on the other side of the net.
Most importantly, you can’t allow her cheating to get into your head and you become frustrated. Your game will unravel because it leads to over hitting or playing too safe.
The reason why you are frustrated is because you think it’s unfair and all players should be fair.
Keep in mind that no one in perfect and can call perfect lines. And if your opponent is trying to cheat on purpose, she thinks you’re a better a player. So take confidence in that fact.
After you discuss the point with your opponent, they next step is to slow down and take your time with your routine between points. You don’t want to rush!
Make sure you let go of thinking about your opponent and the unfair call before you start the next point.
FAQ: Dealing With Cheaters in Tennis
How should I handle an opponent who is cheating during a match?
Managing an annoying or cheating opponent starts with your own mental response, since you often can’t rely on a referee being nearby to correct the situation.
Do all tennis players struggle equally with playing against cheaters?
No. Some players are good at dealing with cheaters and it doesn’t bother them, while others struggle significantly with their mental game in that situation.
Why does playing against a cheater hurt some players’ focus?
They get frustrated with the opponent’s behavior, and that frustration pulls their attention away from their own game and onto the injustice of the situation.
Is it common to face a cheating or disruptive opponent without a referee present?
Yes. Many matches, especially at lower levels, don’t have a referee nearby, so players often have to manage these situations largely on their own.
Related Tennis Psychology Articles:
- How to Assess Your Game After Losing Matches
- Mental Game of Tennis and Self-Confidence
- Tennis Mind Games and Juniors Who Cheat
- Download our a FREE Tennis Psychology Report
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That is so helpful. I played tennis yesterday with a guy who cheated in the final set. I got hosed big time. I am going to report that guy for cheating because I am a better player.