Doubles, Between the Points
While doubles is exceedingly popular at the adult club level, constituting the majority of league play, it has struggled to establish itself at the competitive junior and professional levels. College tennis requires teams to play doubles, yet freshmen often come in with little polish to their game. That being said, doubles at all levels provides the opportunity for teamwork, strategy, and fun that can surpass singles.
Having coached doubles teams for nearly the last 20 years, one observation that stands out is that the higher the level, and the higher the stakes of the match, the more energy, communication, and planning we see. These are specific behaviors that improve performance.
Let’s look at some examples:
3.5 Doubles play
This is just an example, but it is typical at this level to see this level of non-communication and coordination. After the point, the server immediately turns away from her partner and starts retrieving balls. Her partner also takes time to go around the net post to get another ball, but after passing the ball to her partner, there is no other interaction. I watched this entire first game, and the server never entered the service boxes, and her partner never left them.
There are numerous benefits to coming together with your partner between points, such as
-keeping energy up
-helping each other to refocus after a lost point
-camaraderie and spirit with your teammate, which can lead to more connected play.
All of these can help improve confidence and performance throughout a match, and are much more present in more successful teams. That said players of all levels can benefit from a routine of interaction between points.
The first time I really noticed this was when I used to watch my friend play women’s volleyball in college. Here’s a quick example of NCAA volleyball:
2. (A little different) NCAA Volleyball
Really different, right? As soon as the point ends, both teams huddle, there is lots of eye contact, lots of physical contact, some quick focusing words. I remember as a college freshman thinking it was a little too much, but thinking back, this kind of focusing ritual ensures that every player resets between points, and is less likely to perseverate on a mistake, less likely to feel isolated, more likely to be ready to go. Team sports definitely build these rituals a bit stronger than tennis does, but the structure exists in doubles if you watch the good teams.
I watch for two phases (with some overlap):
React and Regroup
and
Plan and Prep.
So as the point ends, you will often see or hear the player React to what happened (good or bad), including shouting, fist pumping, complimenting the other side, acting in frustration, etc. This is followed by immediately seeking their partner to Regroup. This includes calming down, walking together, encouraging, physical contact (with the rackets these days), and sometimes some sort of coaching or refocusing talk.
Planning becomes more explicit at the higher levels, especially on the serving side where serve location and partner movement is more commonplace. Finally, each player then brings their energy up to the ideal state to Prep for the next point as they mentally focus on their immediate task to start the point. Watch this point as Coco Gauff serves:
3. Professional Doubles
Not a huge reaction at the end of the point, but both partners go straight to each other (Regroup), there is racket contact, they walk together, they discuss plans (covering their mouths as not to give anything away), then Coco’s partner, Katie McNally, brings here energy up and jogs up to the net to start the next point (Prep).
Here’s an example from a lower tennis level, but with higher intensity:
4. NCAA Division III Doubles Championship
The team from Williams in the far court here brings a lot of energy and intensity, and connects so well. You see the reaction start even before the ball lands out, then physical contact three times as the pick up balls and walk together (Regroup). Then there is a quick verbal plan, and Ishikawa heads up to the net to get ready for the point (Prep). Great example of syncing up and staying together.
Here is one more quick one:
DI Championship Level
I mostly included this one for the insane point that the server plays, anticipating her opponent sliding to the center and trying to beat her back crosscourt, then cleaning up when the resulting volley is weak. Also notable is the much more intense reaction after the point, with her yelling and facing the opponents. This is much more common at the higher NCAA level.
The next time you watch a doubles match, check to see if you see the RRPP pattern. If not, that team is missing some opportunities to play at their best. Make sure to start integrating this into your own game!