Guest Post

Transitioning from singles to doubles tennis is more than just adding another player on the court. While the fundamentals of tennis remain the same, doubles demands a different mindset, skill set, and strategic approach. Players who excel in singles often struggle initially in doubles because success relies less on individual dominance and more on coordination, positioning, and communication.

If you are moving from singles to doubles tennis, understanding the key adjustments you need to make will help you become a more effective and reliable partner while maximizing your strengths in a team setting.

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1. Shifting Your Mindset From Individual to Team Play

In singles tennis, every point depends entirely on your decisions and execution. In doubles, responsibility is shared. This mental shift is one of the most important adjustments.

You must learn to trust your partner’s abilities and accept that you will not hit every ball. Trying to “do too much” often leads to poor positioning, overhitting, and unforced errors. Successful doubles players focus on consistency, smart shot selection, and creating opportunities for their partner rather than attempting to finish points alone.

Key mindset changes include:

• Prioritizing teamwork over personal highlight shots
• Accepting shared wins and losses
• Supporting your partner after mistakes to maintain confidence

2. Improving Communication and Signals

Communication plays a minimal role in singles, but it is essential in doubles tennis. Clear and consistent communication helps prevent confusion, missed shots, and positioning errors.

Before points begin, partners should discuss:

• Serve placement
• Net movement
• Poaching intentions
• Return positioning

Using hand signals behind the back before serves is common in competitive doubles. These signals indicate whether the net player plans to stay, poach, or fake movement. Verbal communication during rallies, such as calling “mine” or “yours,” helps avoid collisions and hesitation.

Strong doubles teams communicate calmly and constructively, especially after lost points.

3. Adjusting Court Positioning and Movement

Singles players are used to covering the entire court. In doubles, court coverage is divided, and positioning becomes more compact and tactical.

The most common doubles formation is:

• One player at the net
• One player at the baseline

This setup allows teams to control the net, which is a key advantage in doubles. Singles players often stay too far back or drift toward the center unnecessarily, leaving angles open.

Important positioning adjustments include:

• Staying closer to the net when appropriate
• Moving laterally with your partner instead of independently
• Maintaining proper spacing to cover passing shots and lobs

Good doubles positioning reduces the need for extreme movement and improves reaction time.

4. Developing Strong Net Play Skills

Net play is far more important in doubles than in singles. While singles rallies often stay at the baseline, doubles points are frequently decided at the net.

If you are transitioning from singles, you may need to improve:

• Volley technique
• Reaction speed
• Net awareness
• Overhead consistency

Volleys in doubles do not need to be powerful; they need to be well-placed. Blocking the ball into open space or forcing opponents into difficult shots is more effective than trying to hit winners.

Practicing reflex volleys and overheads will significantly increase your effectiveness as a doubles player.

5. Changing Your Serve Strategy

In singles, serves are often used to win free points. In doubles, the serve’s primary goal is to set up your partner at the net.

This means focusing on:

• Consistent first serves
• Strategic placement rather than maximum power
• Serving wide or into the body to limit aggressive returns

A reliable second serve is crucial, as double faults are more costly in doubles due to shorter rallies and increased pressure.

Serving with your partner’s positioning in mind creates opportunities for easy volleys and quick points.

6. Adapting Your Return of Serve Approach

Return strategy in doubles differs significantly from singles. Instead of trying to hit a return winner, your goal is often to neutralize the point and avoid the net player.

Effective doubles returns include:

• Low returns at the net player’s feet
• Deep returns crosscourt
• Controlled lobs when the net player is aggressive

Singles players must resist the urge to hit risky returns down the line unless the opportunity is clear. Consistency and placement are far more valuable than pace.

7. Learning Poaching and Anticipation

Poaching is a defining skill in doubles tennis. It involves the net player moving across the court to intercept a return or groundstroke.

Singles players may find this challenging at first because poaching relies on anticipation rather than reaction. Reading opponents’ body language, grip changes, and shot tendencies helps improve timing.

Even fake poaches, where the net player moves without hitting the ball, can pressure opponents into errors.

Poaching turns passive net play into an aggressive weapon and keeps opponents guessing.

8. Managing Shot Selection and Risk

In singles, high-risk shots can be justified if they give you control of the point. In doubles, unnecessary risk often hurts the team.

Smart doubles players:

• Aim crosscourt more frequently
• Avoid low-percentage passing shots
• Use lobs strategically rather than defensively

Consistency and patience win more doubles matches than raw power. Forcing opponents to hit extra shots increases the chances of errors, especially under pressure.

9. Understanding Doubles-Specific Tactics

Doubles tennis has unique strategies that are rarely used in singles, including:

• Australian formation
• I-formation
• Planned poaches
• Serve-and-volley combinations

Learning when and how to use these tactics adds variety to your game and prevents opponents from settling into predictable patterns.

Studying professional doubles matches or playing with experienced partners can accelerate your tactical understanding.

10. Building Chemistry With Your Partner

Unlike singles, doubles success depends heavily on chemistry. Playing styles, strengths, and weaknesses should complement each other.

Good partnerships are built on:

• Mutual respect
• Honest but supportive feedback
• Clear role definition

One player may excel at net play while the other is stronger from the baseline. Recognizing and leveraging these differences creates a balanced and effective team.

Conclusion

Transitioning from singles to doubles tennis requires more than technical skill; it demands adaptability, communication, and a team-oriented mindset. By adjusting your positioning, improving net play, refining shot selection, and learning doubles-specific strategies, you can become a confident and reliable doubles player.

Doubles tennis rewards players who think strategically, trust their partner, and value consistency over individual glory. Embracing these adjustments not only improves your doubles performance but also enhances your overall understanding of the game.