Yesterday we discussed how ITF and the USTA have turned us all into degenerative gamblers via the mandatory casting of lots before each match starts. Today we turn our attention to the spoils of victory. Exactly what happens after the coin toss is executed?
The player/team who wins the toss may choose:
a. To be server or receiver in the first game of the match, in which case the opponent(s) shall choose the end of the court for the first game of the match; or
b. The end of the court for the first game of the match, in which case the opponent(s) shall choose to be server or receiver for the first game of the match; or
c. To require the opponent(s) to make one of the above choices.
USTA Friend at Court, Section 9
Observing my opponents navigate the the decision process, my perception is that the majority of players don’t give this a lot of thought in advance. This is particularly evident in doubles when the other team looks at each other with a blank expression on their faces. Sometimes there is an amusing “Chip N Dale” conversation of “You decide”, “No, YOU decide.” Doubles teams should generally have a plan in advance of that conversation.
If the sun is a factor and one of the teams has a left handed player, there is a high probability that there will be a preferable service side for both players. The team that has the lefty does not want to make a selection that result in both teammates having to serve into the sun.
Additionally, it is a good idea to consider that the sun may come out at some point in the match on cloudy days. There is nothing more awesome than looking up at heavy cloud cover and deciding that the end doesn’t matter only to have all the clouds burn off during the first game played. I have suffered through this mistake before. Consequently, I can authoritatively assert that having both players serve into the sun for the majority of a set is NOT FUN.
Option “C” in the rules is popularly referred to as “deferring” the decision. Deferring makes a lot of sense in doubles if your team has a lefty and there is also a preferred service order between the two players. The team that wins the toss and defers is able to arrange the preferred service order in the first set with the partners on the better service sides.
This is where I have to offer the observation that this project is more of a diary than a polished end product. I have just come to the realization that I need more space and time to fully work up a method of communicating the full decision tree. That will have to come tomorrow.
In the meantime, I will observe that I occasionally come across a player who is unfamiliar that deferral is a legitimate option at all. This is a case where complete familiarity of the rules can be used to make a positive difference in how the match starts out.
- United States Tennis Association (2020) Friend at Court. White Plains, NY
