In Italian tennis clubs, as the average age of players increases, doubles has become increasingly popular on clay courts. Even at my prestigious local club, doubles has become more frequent. As a regular at the club, I’ve had the chance to witness numerous doubles battles. Reflecting on my own experience as a doubles player, I’ve noticed several common mistakes that many players, used to singles for many years, tend to make.

Knowing these errors and how to correct them can greatly improve your doubles game. Here are five common mistakes and how to avoid them:

Error #1: Playing always at the service line

This is one of the most frequent and serious mistakes seen on tennis courts. Fear of the net and opponents’ lobs leads players to position themselves too far from the net to have time to react. However, this excessive distance allows your opponent to play low shots, making it difficult to execute winning volleys.

(watch the video: mistake n.1)

Correct position at the net: Position yourself as close to the net as possible and be ready to react. From this position, often just putting your racket in the path of the ball is enough to execute an aggressive volley, which is challenging from a more distant position.

(watch the video: mistake n.1b)

Error #2: Being too centralized at the net

The eagerness to be involved in the rally might lead you to position yourself too centrally, exposing the one area of the court that you should truly defend. This error leaves you vulnerable to a down-the-line shot from your opponent.

(watch the video: mistake n.2)

Correct positioning: Stay closer to the sideline to defend the alley. The distance you maintain laterally depends on your technical skills and reflexes: if you’re not very quick at the net, it’s better to defend the alley, leaving the central shot to your partner.

(watch the video: mistake n.2b)

Error #3: Always going for an ace with the first serve

In doubles, it’s not always advantageous to force the first serve. This strategy can often put you in the situation of having to serve a second serve, which can be disadvantageous, especially against experienced teams.

(watch the video: mistake n.3)

Correct tactical choice: Serve the majority of your first serves at 80% of your speed, preferably with some spin. This helps you maintain a good first serve percentage and start the rally with a tactical advantage.

Error #4: Not knowing who should play the ball coming to the center

A common club error is the lack of pre-match communication between partners. The central ball creates the uncertainty of “mine or yours?” which often leads to lost points.

Solution: Decide with your partner who will always play the central ball before the match starts. Typically, the player with the forehand or the stronger shot (if one is right-handed and the other left-handed) should take this responsibility. The same applies at the net, where the stronger volleyer should take the lead.

Error #5: Not communicating before each serve

Another serious communication error is the lack of information between the server and the net player. The server should always communicate the direction of their serve to prepare their partner for the possible returns from the opponent.

Examples of effective communication: If your partner decides to serve wide, let them know so you can be ready to cover the down-the-line alley. Additionally, if an action at the net is anticipated, inform your partner in advance so they can be prepared to move after your net intervention.

 

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