Entire Doubles Partnership Built Around Conversation Neither Player Wants To Have

GREENWOOD — Local doubles partners Jeff Harmon, 67, and Alan Russo, 69, entered their fifth consecutive season together Tuesday despite privately believing they should probably stop playing with one another.

Neither man has communicated this.

The partnership, which began in 2022, currently exists in a state fellow players describe as “emotionally grandfathered in.”

“They don’t enjoy playing together,” said one regular who requested anonymity because he occasionally carpools with both men. “But they’ve been partners for so long that ending it now feels like paperwork.”

Witnesses report the pair spent most of Tuesday’s session engaging in a familiar sequence of interactions that included:

• apologizing after missed shots,
• insisting no apology was necessary,
• becoming visibly frustrated,
• denying frustration,
• and discussing tournament registration for next month.

Neither player believes the partnership is working particularly well.

Neither player believes ending it would be appropriate.

“It’s not really about results,” Harmon explained.

The pair currently hold a combined tournament record of 11-23.

“It’s about loyalty.”

Russo agreed.

“There’s more to doubles than winning.”

Asked whether he would partner with someone else if given the opportunity, Russo said yes immediately before clarifying that he had misunderstood the question.

Observers say the situation reflects a common phenomenon in recreational pickleball: the tendency for players to remain in partnerships long after the partnership itself has become the primary obstacle.

“The friendship is fine,” said one player familiar with the pair.

“The pickleball is what ended years ago.”

At press time, Harmon and Russo had signed up for another tournament and were reportedly optimistic that recent communication issues would resolve themselves without requiring communication.