How to deal with cheating opponents

Hey,

Sorry I haven't been in touch for a couple of weeks. The truth is I'd been feeling a little burnt out after a hectic first half of the year so I decided to take some time for myself to switch off and, yes, play some tennis!

I'm now feeling energized and ready to write. Today’s topic is an unpleasant but important one - how to deal with an opponent who cheats.

Did you know that outside the world’s top 100 to 200 players, the vast majority of the world’s 3,000 ATP and WTA registered pros actually lose money playing tennis?

That should tell us all something.

Specifically that if you are one of the 106 million recreational players across the world, and you cheat over something that is, in the grand scheme of the tennis world, as meaningless as a club tennis match, there is something desperately broken inside of you.

Unfortunately the cheating type is all too common at the club level. These psychologically damaged ‘players’ take many forms, calling your shots out even though they are comfortably and clearly in, or repeatedly calling the wrong score.

Let’s get into what to do if you find yourself facing one of these repellent smears on the backside of the human race.

First, you need to know the difference between cheating and poor sportsmanship. Cheating is when your opponent intentionally breaks the rules of tennis to try and win. Poor sportsmanship (such as excessively celebrating a point) can be annoying but is something you need to deal with.

But when someone cheats — deliberately calls your ball out, lies about the score, takes points they didn’t earn — you are no longer in a match. You’re in a performance review for the human species, and your opponent is failing.

So what should you do?

1. Call it out, clearly and immediately

The biggest mistake players make is letting it slide “just this once.” No. Address it the first time it happens. You don’t need to shout or insult them (yet). After all, it may be an error; your opponent may have bad ball judgement or weak eyes(!). Just calmly and firmly say, "Are you absolutely sure about that call? I saw it clearly in." The goal is to put a line in the sand if your opponent is a cheater - I saw what you did, and I’m not letting you get away with it.

2. Stand your ground

Cheaters thrive on our discomfort. They bank on the fact that most club players are too polite or too passive to push back. So they bluff and bluster. Don’t cave. The more calm and unshakable you are, the more flustered they become. And eventually, you’ll crack them — either mentally or morally.

3. Use your tools

If you're playing a league or tournament match, request an official. If it’s a club ladder or friendly match, go straight to the organiser or pro on site. Document what happened. Be factual. Cheaters are repeat offenders, and you won’t be the only one with a story.

4. Never retaliate.

Although extremely tempting, do not stoop to their level. Don’t make bad calls in return. Don’t fake a cramp or mess with the score. You’re there to compete — they’re there to scam. There’s a difference. You can beat them without becoming them.

5. Decide who it’s worth playing.

Some players are not worth your time. If you can avoid them next time, do so. If a club lets chronic cheaters get away with it, consider whether it’s the right place for you. You’re not obligated to repeatedly enter matches that erode your faith in humanity.

The only victory in tennis is found at the moral high ground.

Cheating in tennis is a character reveal.

In tennis, like life, you will cross paths people who will lie, steal, and bluff their way through. But it’s also full of real players who fight fair, stay honest, and win or lose with dignity. Yes, the cheaters sometimes win - but their victories are hollow: their peers know the victory is worthless, and their willingness to besmirch the beautiful game of tennis demonstrates their inner worthlessness too.

You get to decide which kind of player you’ll be.

Have fun on court (and stay honourable),

Caspian