The Unspoken Rules of Tennis Practice Courts: A Tale of Time and Etiquette
In the world of professional tennis, practice courts are a sacred space for honing skills and preparing for matches. But beneath the surface, a hidden hierarchy exists, where the management of time and court access can be a source of tension and friction. This is a story of the unspoken rules that govern these practice sessions, and the diverse perspectives on how to navigate them.
The Practice Court Conundrum
On a crisp afternoon before the US Open, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev found themselves in a familiar predicament. Despite their best efforts, they had overstayed their welcome on the Louis Armstrong Stadium court. The situation was amusing, yet it highlighted a common dilemma in tennis practice. Players often struggle to respect each other's time, and this can lead to awkward moments and potential resentment.
The Time-Conscious Players
Some players, like Gabriel Diallo, a talented Canadian ranked 41st in the world, have a strict approach to time. He believes in the importance of respecting others' practice hours, even if it means being firm. "Some people abuse their time," he says. "They push it to 1.05, 1.10. I'm Canadian, so I hate confrontation. I just let people play, maybe too much."
Coco Gauff, a rising star in the sport, shares a similar sentiment. She finds it frustrating when players consistently exceed their allocated time. "It's happened on tour more so than juniors," she explains. "You get some people who will push their time by two, three, four minutes. I'm not on board with that. If I'm on the court, I ask my coach for the time. I don't want to be the player who goes over their time. I'll stop a minute before, especially if they need to clean the court [on clay]."
The Pressure of Finishing Strong
Emma Raducanu, a former US Open champion, understands the pressure of finishing a practice session on a positive note. She admits that it's challenging to end a session without a double fault, especially when the next player is waiting. "Seven out of 10 times, you end up double faulting," she says. "That's what happened to me today, and I had a good practice. Maybe you feel pressure with the people coming on, especially if they've got a team of eight people in total. It's always a funny little interaction because the [final] point usually ends up being either terrible or unbelievable."
The Court Time Divide
The disparity in court time and quality between top players and others can be a source of resentment. Jessica Pegula, who rose through the ranks to become a top player, recalls the stark contrast in her treatment as a lower-ranked player. "I was back in the park, smelling all the weed and all the smells New York City has to offer," she says. "The courts were completely different. They were so fast, and they were nothing like the match courts. I've definitely seen a shift in my practice courts and my times and what courts I can get now that I'm a top player. It's unfair, but I think sometimes you've earned that right."
Navigating the Court Time Conundrum
When faced with a player hogging the court, Pegula takes a flexible approach. She believes most players are understanding, but she doesn't hesitate to make her presence felt when necessary. "It's kind of funny," she says. "You walk out and stand around: 'All right, your time's up.' You go up and stand there, bouncing the ball. Like, 'OK, it's time to get off.'"
Gauff is also proactive in these situations. She acknowledges the importance of respecting others' time but also believes in calling out players who consistently exceed their limits. "There are some people who go over [the time limit]," she says. "You stand and start making your way further on the court. I don't mind [players taking their time], but it's just, like, acknowledge it sometimes. If someone [says], 'Sorry, I have a match, I just want to hit a few more serves.' I'm like, 'OK, cool.' But the worst is if the player just keeps going like they're not in the wrong. And then they don't say sorry after. I'm like, 'OK, noted.'"
The Passive Approach
Some players, like Cameron Norrie, take a more passive stance, patiently waiting for the player before them to finish. Gabriel Diallo, however, takes a more judgmental approach. He believes that consistently extending practice sessions beyond the allocated hour is ridiculous. "I think at a certain point, it's ridiculous," he says. "If you're finishing up your serves, OK fine. I don't think it matters how you're going to play."
Diallo's Canadian-sense of humor shines through as he continues, "I just sit and watch them until they're satisfied that: 'OK, I've had enough and I can go and be calm now about my match.' Very Canadian."
