#1 Response: STOP THE CHEATING!

We can't seriously think about ways to improve junior tennis unless we address a VERY unpleasant aspect: CHEATING. While researching "My One Suggestion To Improve Junior Tennis Is...", this was the #1 response from players/parents (and the #2 response from professionals). Further, a recent article by Vic Braden points out that cheating is at the top of the list of serious issues that must be addressed. We travel to 25+ tournaments each year and we see waaaay tooooo much of it. The specific circumstances change from tournament to tournament, but we see it and we hear about it constantly from players and parents and we think it needs to stop.


We're not talking about close calls that could easily go one way or the other - we're talking about deliberate cheating (the one or two calls that drastically change the outcome of the match). Our cameras have seen the player (the cheater) who changes the score mid-match so he has the lead. But his opponent (the cheatee) knows - and our cameras know - that it's just not true so the cheatee calls for a line judge. Unfortunately, that line judge just doesn't have the authority to do anything about something he or she did not see. After a few minutes, the line judge moves along and the cheater reverts back to his cheating ways. In the end, the cheatee's frustration grows and his spirit diminishes...and then the match ends.


Cheaters never win...except when they do. And we hate it when they do. We really do.


Finally, our cameras have seen sooooo much bad behavior on the court and parents often vent their concern and ask US when they should pull the player (cheater or cheatee) off the court for discipline. That's a good question but it's most certainly outside the scope of our role at any tournament... We simply say that's a tricky area, we see waaaay toooo much of it, and it just makes us SAD.


This topic is too big to tackle in just one post so we'll be posting again, unfortunately. What do YOU think about this? We welcome your thoughts but if you include any names whatsoever, your post will be promptly deleted. THE LAST THING we want to do is generate any controversy whatsoever. Remember - if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. HIGH-TECH TENNIS chooses to be part of the solution. We hope you'll join us!