Brian Dimsho is a USTA certified official and the resident official of the Orange County Grand Prix.

by Roger

Q: My question relates to "Partner Abuse" during a match. I recently witnessed a match where a player was constantly berated by the partner. This abuse was verbal, not physical, however it was very difficult to watch. Also, you could tell that the opponents were affected by what was happening on the court. Can't the offical who is overseeing, or umpiring, the match intervene and stop the abuse? I have never observed anything like this before. I really feel that something should have been done to control this person.

A: Yes and no, I have seen this happen in a match that I have been called to the court to montor in match where this has taken place. Unless the abuse becomes a codeable offense in my direct view there is little that can be done. I can and have issued a soft warning to the offending player during a change over in the match that I was montoring but remember some players are hard on themselves or in some cases their partner in a way to pump themselves up for and during the match. In most cases this type of partnership will not last Brian