To Defer or Not to Defer: That Is the Question
The tennis racket spins on its head. Someone says “Up.” Four tennis players crowd around the spinning racquet. It falls to the ground. A player examines the butt of the racquet and says, “It is up and I defer.”
“Oh, fudge. Gosh darn it,” I think. “The dreaded ‘defer’ … now what do I do?”
After the racket spin or coin toss, the winner can choose to serve first, receive first, pick a side to start, or defer to the opponent. The opponent has the choice of what remains, but may not defer again.
When you choose “defer,” you opt for the best of your services and sides. It is like throwing the gauntlet on the ground and saying, “We know our priorities. Pick whichever you want. We are ready.”
Most recreational doubles players choose to serve first, not understanding why that is a good or bad decision for their game. A good doubles team will recognize the talent each player brings to the court. Which player is more likely to hold their serve? Which player serves better into the wind? Or who serves better into the sun? Does a player face initial jitters at the start of the match? Does one partner become fatigued in a match? Who plays strongest after the rest at the changeover? If you have a left- and right-handed player, should you switch serving order to avoid the sun or wind?
As an example, you and your partner decide your partner holds their serve more often when serving on the shady side on the court, not into the sun. You win the toss and select to defer. Your opponents decide to serve first and you select the shady side, forcing them to serve that first game into the sun.
You win the toss, defer and your opponents select to receive. Select the shady side and start serving. You win the toss, defer and opponents select the shady side, choose to receive and if needed, change your serving order. If they select the sunny side, choose to receive.
Does your partner suffer from nerves and initial jitters in the first game? Forget defer and select receive. Many recreational players do not serve at their peak at the start of a match and often need a serving game to warm up.
Does your partner tire easily? Choose to receive and have your partner be the second server in the match. They may hold their serve more frequently in the first set after the rest period at the changeover.
The choice to defer can place immediate pressure on the other team. They squirm and stumble about discussing what to do in the face of the dreaded defer.
If you are familiar with your opponents’ strengths, use defer to interfere with their serving order. I know a 4.5 left-handed server with a dynamic kick-serve that is most effective when he serves from the shady side. However, this is well-known by his opponents. For the last four years, he has yet to be the first server. His opponents continue to defer and force his team to switch serving order relegating him to serve after his partner.
When you win the toss, your decision to serve first, receive first, select the side or defer depends entirely on the priorities of your doubles partnership. Whichever you select, you want to maximize the potential for holding serve while setting up the strongest opportunity to break your opponent’s serve.
