Taken aback by split, blame the player opposite (7)
I believe the answer is:
partner
'player opposite' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'taken aback by split blame' is the wordplay.
'taken aback' is a reversal indicator.
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'split' becomes 'rent' (past tense of 'rend' meaning to split).
'blame' becomes 'rap' (synonyms).
'rent' next to 'rap' is 'rentrap'.
'rentrap' backwards is 'PARTNER'.
'the' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for partner that I've seen before include "Dancing companion" , "Husband or wife" , "Other half?" , "Either one of a couple" , "Either member of a couple" .)