Twiddling

Also known as Flipping.

A deceptive practice used mainly by players who have rubbers that are different on either side of the racket (i.e. a combination racket), in order to make it more difficult for the opponent to tell which side has hit the ball.

Twiddling is carried out by turning the racket in the player's hand, so that the rubbers are the other way around. For penholders, this means that the rubber on the front of the racket is now at the back, and vice versa. For shakehanders, this means that the forehand rubber is now the backhand rubber, and vice versa. It is often performed by the receiver under the table during return of serve.