Switching Sides, Opponents, And Kitchen Line Advice
Our celebrity coach answers your toughest questions, from on court strategy to diplomacy
ON A WINDY DAY, WHEN IT’S OBVIOUS THAT ONE SIDE HAS A CLEAR ADVANTAGE, IS IT OK TO SWITCH SIDES MIDMATCH TO MAKE THINGS MORE EVEN?
Absolutely. In tournament play, we play two out of three games to 11, switching sides after each game, and if we get to a third game, we switch sides once one person or one team gets to 6 points. This way, everyone gets the same amount of time on each side and experiences the same wind, sun, and other elements. Otherwise, it’s unfair. There are advantages and disadvantages to being with the wind or against the wind, and you don’t want to have that for an entire match. I always tell my students to practice like you play, so it would be a disservice to your game not to get used to a tournament format that also helps your game.
