A Gentle Reminder from the Baseline

I’ve been playing doubles at our local tennis club for years, mostly for the love of the game — and the company. One of the regulars, Peter, is one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. Always early, always upbeat, always ready to lend a racquet or help pick up stray balls. But there was one thing he didn’t realize he was doing wrong: stealing his partner’s balls at the net.

If a ball floated up near the middle, Peter would rush in from his side, even when it was clearly his partner’s. It wasn’t mean-spirited — it just seemed like instinct. But it threw off rhythm and quietly frustrated a few of us. No one wanted to embarrass him or make it awkward. He was too nice, and too well-liked, for that kind of confrontation.

One of the other players suggested using Honestli to send him anonymous feedback. So someone sent a short message: polite, respectful, and clear. “Hey Peter — love playing with you. Just a heads-up: in doubles, it’s considered good etiquette to let your partner take the balls on their side. No big deal, just thought you’d want to know.”

The next match, Peter came up to the net before we started and laughed gently. “Okay team, I’ve been coached. No more poaching unless invited!” We all chuckled, and he played the rest of the set like a dream partner — aware, collaborative, and grateful.

It was a perfect example of how Honestli helped preserve the good vibes without causing embarrassment. Just a little nudge — delivered with care, received with grace.

© Honestli 2025