Doubles Only Tennis Podcast
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Rohan Bopanna won the Australian Open earlier this year, reached #1 in the world, and turned 44 years old on March 4th. I spoke with Rohan at the Miami Open after his round 1 victory. He and his partner, Matt Ebden, won that match in a third set after dropping the first. We discuss adjustments he made to turn it around. I also asked Rohan how he spent his offseason after losing in the US Open final and finishing strong to end 2023. How did he come back better in 2024 at 43 years old? At the end, we discuss lessons from his longtime coach, Scott Davidoff, and how to make doubles more popular. SEE THE SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE HERE: HTTPS://WWW.THETENNISTRIBE.COM/ROHAN-BOPANNA-INTERVIEW/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/rohan-bopanna-interview/ ----- **JOIN THE #1 DOUBLES STRATEGY NEWSLETTER FOR CLUB TENNIS PLAYERS** __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __
Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe are the 4th and 5th ranked doubles players on the WTA Tour. They won the 2023 US Open and have been on the show several times previously. Previous Episodes: __ __ In this short post-match interview from Miami, we discuss their 6-4 6-4 round of 16 victory. __ __ They talk through the adjustments they made during the match in great detail. Take note of these for your own doubles game. ----- **JOIN THE #1 DOUBLES STRATEGY NEWSLETTER FOR CLUB TENNIS PLAYERS** __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __
World #1, Austin Krajicek, joins the show for the second time. We recorded from the hotel lobby in Miami where Austin had a few days off due to weather. Listen to my previous interview with Austin here: https://www.thetennistribe.com/austin-krajicek-interview/ We discuss how he spent his off days, book recommendations, hotel choices in Miami, the no-ad/10-point breaker format, and his 2024 season so far. Austin and his partner, Ivan Dodig, have made one final this year but have had some very close losses that he believes will even out over time. At Indian Wells, they lost 10-7 in the third to the eventual champions who only dropped that one set all week. Youll hear how Austin focuses on the process and doesnt put too much weight on any one tournament or month. He uses a "52-week mindset". Youll also hear Austin discuss his Olympic plans and thoughts on making doubles more fan-friendly. ----- **JOIN THE #1 DOUBLES STRATEGY NEWSLETTER FOR CLUB TENNIS PLAYERS** __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __
This conversation with Australian Open Champion, Matt Ebden, focuses on the state of professional doubles and where it might go over the next several years. Helping to make pro doubles more popular is one of my passions and missions for Tennis Tribe and this podcast, so I was excited to chat with Matt about this topic. Matt is the 3rd ranked doubles player on the ATP tour, a 3-time grand slam champion, and reached a career-high of #39 in singles. He is also on the ATP Players Council and involved in many of the meetings that will impact the future of doubles. I asked him to update us on where doubles stands and what needs to happen going forward. Heres a bit of what youll learn. __ __ After having this conversation, Im optimistic and excited about the future of professional doubles. ----- **JOIN THE #1 DOUBLES STRATEGY NEWSLETTER FOR CLUB TENNIS PLAYERS** __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __
Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Ellen Perez are the number 7 & 8 ranked doubles players in the world. They recently made the finals at the WTA 1000 in Dubai and followed it up with a WTA 500 victory in San Diego. This conversation with them and their coach, Carlos Martinez, took place a day after their round 1 win at Indian Wells. We chat about that victory and their season so far. I asked them: __ __ They each share a tip for playing better in pressure moments and during tight matches as well. ----- **JOIN THE #1 DOUBLES STRATEGY NEWSLETTER FOR CLUB TENNIS PLAYERS** __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __
Tereza Mihalíková is the 56th-ranked doubles player on the WTA Tour. Tennis Tribe writer, Hanlon Walsh, and I spoke with her at the ATX Open where she partnered with Yanina Wickmayer during her off day. This is a short conversation where we ask about her win vs Sloane Stephens & Peyton Stearns, 4-6 6-2 10-2. Tereza played a near-perfect tiebreaker and was super active at the net. We discussed the match up against two "singles players" and how it differs from playing doubles players. We also discussed how she spent her days off in Austin, why she practiced twice on Friday in preparation for her semifinal match on Saturday, her goals for the year, and her favorite hobby (visiting rabbit farms). Tereza has developed into a fantastic doubles player so I highly recommend you watch and learn from her if you get the chance. Tereza & Yanina made the semifinals in Austin before withdrawing. SEE THE SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE HERE: HTTPS://WWW.THETENNISTRIBE.COM/TEREZA-MIHALIKOVA-INTERVIEW/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/tereza-mihalikova-interview/ ----- **JOIN THE #1 DOUBLES STRATEGY NEWSLETTER FOR CLUB TENNIS PLAYERS** __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __
Sophie Chang is the 82nd ranked doubles player on the WTA Tour. She made the 3rd round of the 2023 US Open with Alycia Parks and has 1 WTA & 21 ITF doubles titles. I sat down with Sophie at the 2024 ATX Open where she lost a close first round match (7-6 7-6) to the top seeds alongside Angela Kulikov. In this long conversation, we speak about the match, on court attitude, doubles strategy, and more. Youll learn: __ __ We discuss how to make doubles more popular as well. There are some interviews when I can tell the interviewee is putting effort and thought into their answers. This was one of those. Sophie provides great insights into the life of a WTA player and actionable advice that you can use to improve your own doubles game. SEE THE SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE HERE: HTTPS://WWW.THETENNISTRIBE.COM/SOPHIE-CHANG-INTERVIEW https://www.thetennistribe.com/sophie-chang-interview ----- **JOIN THE #1 DOUBLES STRATEGY NEWSLETTER FOR CLUB TENNIS PLAYERS** __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __
Bibiane Schoofs (Netherlands) is the 92nd-ranked doubles player on the WTA Tour. Her partner at the ATX Open, Katarzyna Kawa (Poland), is ranked #93 in doubles and top 200 in singles. Schoofs and Kawa made the finals in Austin. This episode includes two interviews with the finalists, after their quarterfinal and semifinal victories. We spoke about each matchup, including the different conditions throughout the week. They partnered together for the first time in Austin and made the deadline by only 7 minutes! Youll learn why Bibiane likes to scout opponents while Katarzyna likes to focus on herself. I also ask Katarzyna why she looks down until right before her opponent is serving, a unique ritual I noticed while watching her play. At the end, youll hear why both players laughed after Katarzyna missed volleys on consecutive poaches in the 10-point match tiebreak. ----- **JOIN THE #1 DOUBLES STRATEGY NEWSLETTER FOR CLUB TENNIS PLAYERS** __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __
Olivia Gadecki (deuce) is a 21-year-old Australian ranked 77 in the world in doubles and 140 in singles. Olivia Nicholls (ad) is the #81 ranked doubles player on the WTA Tour. The Olivias won the 2024 ATX Open. This episode includes our conversation from Saturday after they got a walkover in their semifinal match, followed by a few quick questions after their final victory before they had to rush to the airport for flights to their next events. We discussed their quarterfinal win, how they used their off days to practice (including specific drills) and enjoy Austin, their partnership, and more. __ __ They also both talk about the differences between the ITF and WTA levels. You can tell from this conversation how strong their friendship has become, and that helped them take home the trophy in their 1st tournament together in Austin. At the end, youll hear their thoughts on the final and how they made formation adjustments on their serves. ----- **JOIN THE #1 DOUBLES STRATEGY NEWSLETTER FOR CLUB TENNIS PLAYERS** __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __
This episode includes two post-match interviews from the ATX Open with top seeds, Nadiia Kichenok and Oksana Kalashnikova. I chatted with them after their round one and quarterfinal wins in Austin. Nadiia and Oksana are both inside the top 55 on the WTA doubles tour. Youll learn: __ __ They also share a bit about life on tour as doubles players and why they are right on the cusp of a significant ranking threshold. Nadiia and Oksana ultimately lost in the semifinals in Austin in another close three-set match. ----- **JOIN THE #1 DOUBLES STRATEGY NEWSLETTER FOR CLUB TENNIS PLAYERS** __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __
This is the first in a series of post-match interviews with doubles players from the ATX Open, in Austin, Texas. Maya Joint (Australia) and Sabina Zeynalova (Ukraine) won their first-round match 6-7 6-4 10-4 and chatted with me after. Sabina is a junior at the University of Texas where she plays on the womens tennis team. Maya (17) plans to join her in the fall of 24 as a freshman. We spoke about how the cold, windy match conditions affected their strategy. They also shared a few things they learned on the court playing for the first time together. Youll get a sense of what its like for college tennis players preparing for a professional career. I expect youll hear these two names more often in the coming years as they continue to improve. After this conversation, they lost their quarterfinal match in Austin to the top seeds 11-9 in the third set. ----- **JOIN THE #1 DOUBLES STRATEGY NEWSLETTER FOR CLUB TENNIS PLAYERS** __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __
As we dive into the mental side of doubles over the next several weeks, I wanted to share 3 mental myths that many doubles players believe. Join the newsletter https://www.thetennistribe.com/join-the-tribe/ for more mental lessons. Once you stop believing these and reframe your mindset, youll be a better doubles player. __ __ Ill explain how to think about each of these myths differently, so you play better under pressure, dont feel so bad when you miss, and play doubles the more often. The Mental Game Masterclass will launch at the end of March. ----- **JOIN THE #1 DOUBLES STRATEGY NEWSLETTER FOR CLUB TENNIS PLAYERS** __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __
Christo van Rensburg, former world #5 in doubles and tournament director of the WTA 250 ATX Open, joins the show for the third time. In this episode, we preview the 2024 ATX Open and learn a few new doubles lessons from Christo. The ATX Open is entering year two on the WTA Calendar, and fans can expect some exciting changes at the event. The field includes Vika Azarenka, Sloane Stephens, Danielle Collins, Taylor Townsend, Caty McNally, and more. After previewing this years tournament, we dive into doubles. Christo is one of my favorite coaches for his ability to explain his lessons in an easy-to-understand and actionable way for students. Youll learn: __ __ Be sure to watch the ATX Open on Tennis Channel Plus. You can also get tickets or volunteer at ATXOpen.com https://atxopen.com/. ----- **JOIN THE #1 DOUBLES STRATEGY NEWSLETTER FOR CLUB TENNIS PLAYERS** __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __
Will Blumberg is the #93 ranked doubles player on the ATP Tour. He was a 10-time All-American at North Carolina and made the finals of the 2024 Dallas Open where this conversation was recorded. Will and I sat down on his day off in Dallas to discuss his career, the pro doubles tour, and strategy. Youll learn: __ __ Will also shares the advice he gives his fiancee and mom to help them in their adult league doubles matches, as well as what he did in practice that day in Dallas. At the end, we discuss the popularity of doubles. Keep an eye on Will Blumberg throughout this season as I dont expect him to stay outside the top 50 for much longer. ----- **JOIN THE #1 DOUBLES STRATEGY NEWSLETTER FOR CLUB TENNIS PLAYERS** __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __
Neal Skupski is one of the best doubles players in the world over the last several years. Hes a 3-time Wimbledon Champion, winning 2 mixed titles (2021, 22) and 1 mens title (2023), former world #1, and a recent Australian Open mixed doubles finalist. He is currently the #8 ranked doubles player on the ATP Tour. I spoke with Neal on a day off for him at the 2024 Dallas Open. In this episode, we dive deep into his practice drills and routines, including specific tactics that apply to real match situations for doubles. Youll learn: __ __ We also discuss mixed doubles strategy, including his partnership with Desirae Krawczyk who has two Wimbledon titles with Neal. Then I ask about how his relationship with Ken Skupski, Neals brother, former teammate, and current coach, works so well. At the end, Neal shares his thoughts on making doubles more popular. ----- **JOIN THE #1 DOUBLES STRATEGY NEWSLETTER FOR CLUB TENNIS PLAYERS** __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __
This is an AMA (ask me anything) episode on net play strategy. My new Masterclass on net play strategy for doubles is live and on sale through Sunday so I wanted to answer your questions on the topic to kick off the launch. I answer 7 of your questions about net play including: __ __ If you enjoy this episode, let me know, and Ill do more AMAs in the future. __ __ ----- **JOIN THE #1 DOUBLES STRATEGY NEWSLETTER FOR CLUB TENNIS PLAYERS** __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __ *** Download your free doubles guide to learn h
Quinn Gleason is the WTAs #107 ranked doubles player. She reached the top 100 for the first time in 2023. Quinn played college tennis at Notre Dame. I chatted with Quinn during the Australian Open while she was wrapping up some off-season training. In this conversation, we discuss the balance of managing a WTA and ITF schedule since Quinn qualifies for some but not all WTA events. We also discuss Quinns off-season preparations and the impact of the ever-changing ITF and WTA landscape on players like her. Quinn also shares: __ __ Finally, we discuss Quinns favorite tournament, books, and tackle the challenges and potential of doubles, advocating for increased visibility and popularity of the sport. SEE THE SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE HERE: HTTPS://WWW.THETENNISTRIBE.COM/QUINN-GLEASON-INTERVIEW/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/quinn-gleason-interview/ **JOIN THE #1 DOUBLES STRATEGY NEWSLETTER FOR CLUB TENNIS PLAYERS** __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __ *** Download your free doubles guide to learn how to force errors and get more easy volleys at THETENNISTRIBE.COM/DOUBLES-GUIDE/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/doubles-guide/. *** __ __
Peter Lebedevs joins the show for the 3rd time as the Dallas Open enters year three as an ATP 250 tournament. Peter is the tournament director for the tournament and an accomplished tennis coach as well. Youll get a sneak peek of what to expect from this years Dallas Open and a look at the 2025 event which is moving to the Dallas Cowboys practice facility along with an upgrade to an ATP 500. Nearly all the top American mens players will be at this years tournament: Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Rielly Opelka, Chris Eubanks, and Ben Shelton. Ill be attending the tournament this year but will spend much of my time on the doubles courts... obviously 😉 Previous Dallas Open doubles winners include Michael Venus & Jamie Murray (2023) and Marcelo Arevalo & Jean-Julien Rojer (2022). The draw is usually strong with several up-and-coming teams to watch. We also discuss how to develop volley and net skills as a doubles player. __ __ Peter also coaches top 100 WTA doubles player, Catherine Harrison, who has been on the podcast previously. We get an update on her career as well. **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __ *** Download your free doubles guide to learn how to force errors and get more easy volleys at THETENNISTRIBE.COM/DOUBLES-GUIDE/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/doubles-guide/. *** __ __
Styrling Strother is an innovative tennis coach who trains junior players and adults to transform the way they practice and think about the match court. He is a Tennis Performance Trainer (TPT) with the International Tennis Performance Association (ITPA), a PTR Professional Coach, a best-selling author, and the founder of Styrling Strother Tennis, a player development program located in Cary, North Carolina. This episode will totally shift your practice habits, and inject fun into your doubles matches. Styrling shares some transformational ideas with me in this episode. __ __ We also discuss his new book, , which offers strategies that change the way you see the court. Im about halfway done with the book and its already got me thinking about adjustments for my next match. As we dissect the traditional practice court paradigm, youll discover why its critical to move beyond technique to the strategic where, when, and why of each shot. Youll learn to embrace the pressure of in-match scenarios through our in-depth analysis of scoring and drill modifications that mimic match conditions. SEE THE SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE HERE: HTTPS://WWW.THETENNISTRIBE.COM/STYRLING-STROTHER-INTERVIEW https://www.thetennistribe.com/styrling-strother-interview **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __ *** Download your free doubles guide to learn how to force errors and get more easy volleys at THETENNISTRIBE.COM/DOUBLES-GUIDE/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/doubles-guide/. *** __ __
Joel Myers is a USPTA Elite Professional tennis coach, the 2021 USPTA San Diego Pro of the Year, and the tennis director at Coronado Tennis Center in San Diego, California. He also is a former Division 1 college player from Australia with professional aspirations before injuries ended his career early. Joel also has nearly 120,000 followers on Instagram (@joel_myers_tennis https://www.instagram.com/joel_myers_tennis/?hl=en#), where he shares his coaching advice. In this episode, Joel and I discuss club-level doubles tactics, from common positional errors to shot selection, and more. __ __ Youll also hear Joel and I debate if the better player should play deuce or ad, weighing the psychology of high-pressure points against the advantage of more return opportunities. Youll get plenty of actionable doubles advice in this episode. SEE THE SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE HERE: HTTPS://WWW.THETENNISTRIBE.COM/JOEL-MYERS-INTERVIEW/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/joel-myers-interview/ *** **Doubles Strategy Courses** These video courses will help you play smarter doubles and make winning easier. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __ *** Download your free doubles guide to learn how to force errors and get more easy volleys at THETENNISTRIBE.COM/DOUBLES-GUIDE/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/doubles-guide/. *** __ __
Ben Rothenberg is one of the most prolific and influential tennis journalists of the last several decades. He covered tennis for the New York Times for over 10 years, has contributed to , and has been featured on BBC, CNN, and many other major news networks. I wanted to have Ben on to talk doubles and discuss his new book, . I recently listened to Ben on Craig Shapiro’s podcast where he said he thinks “doubles is in a position that’s not sustainable.” In this conversation, we discuss: __ __ Ben also has lots of great stories that he shares with me. I’d encourage tennis fans, anyone involved in professional tennis, and to listen to this episode. Whether you agree with Ben or not, he has opinions worth listening to as someone who understands our sport so well. In my opinion, many of the ideas should be taken into consideration by both the tours and the players, particularly as the rumors around Saudi Arabia enter the scene. __ __ FULL SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE HERE: Ben Shapiro Interview https://www.thetennistribe.com/ben-rothenberg-interview/ ----- **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __
Jonathan Stokke is a former tennis player at Duke where he was an All-American in doubles. He played in the US Open twice and coached at Duke for several years after playing. He now resides in South Carolina where he coaches junior players and adults. I wanted to have Jonathan on the podcast because of a lesson I saw him give at Tennis Con 7. Hes one of those great coaches who is crystal clear with his instruction and makes his lessons actionable for those who watch. His Instagram account has over 87,000 followers and for good reason. In this conversation, we discuss: __ __ Jonathan also shares a story from college when he and a partner used three different plays to get the same result. They basically fooled their opponents into thinking they were using variety. SEE THE SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE HERE: HTTPS://WWW.THETENNISTRIBE.COM/JONATHAN-STOKKE-INTERVIEW https://www.thetennistribe.com/jonathan-stokke-interview **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __ *** Download your free doubles guide to learn how to force errors and get more easy volleys at THETENNISTRIBE.COM/DOUBLES-GUIDE/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/doubles-guide/. *** __ __
Carlos Martinez is the coach of top 20 WTA doubles players, Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Ellen Perez. He also coaches WTA singles star Karolina Pliskova. Carlos was a top junior player in Colombia, where he grew up in Bogota, before playing college tennis for division 1 teams, Western Michigan and Jackson State. Carlos is one of the best mental coaches I’ve ever been around and you’ll learn a lot from this discussion that will help you become mentally stronger on the court. We discuss: __ __ Carlos also shares his goals for 2024, his favorite tournament, and how to grow professional doubles. SEE THE SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE HERE: HTTPS://WWW.THETENNISTRIBE.COM/CARLOS-MARTINEZ-INTERVIEW https://www.thetennistribe.com/carlos-martinez-interview **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __ *** Download your free doubles guide to learn how to force errors and get more easy volleys at THETENNISTRIBE.COM/DOUBLES-GUIDE/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/doubles-guide/. *** __ __
The ability to transition to the net in doubles is an underrated skill to have. Its also something doubles players rarely practice. This episode covers common mistakes I see on the half-volley and the approach shot, as well as several drills you can use to practice your transition game. Youll learn the best ways to serve & volley, return & volley, and get to the net during a rally. Support the show by shopping through these links: __ __ Mentioned in this episode: __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __ *** Download your free doubles guide to learn how to force errors and get more easy volleys at THETENNISTRIBE.COM/DOUBLES-GUIDE/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/doubles-guide/. *** __ __
Craig is the strategy analyst for Wimbledon, the ATP Tour, and the New York Times. He has also been the strategy coach for Novak Djokovic and currently works with 4 players inside the top 100 including world #8 Matteo Berrettini. You can follow him on his website, Brain Game Tennis https://www.braingametennis.com/. SEE THE SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE HERE: HTTPS://WWW.THETENNISTRIBE.COM/CRAIG-OSHANNESSY-INTERVIEW/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/craig-oshannessy-interview/ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __ *** Download your free doubles guide to learn how to force errors and get more easy volleys at THETENNISTRIBE.COM/DOUBLES-GUIDE/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/doubles-guide/. *** __ __
In this episode, I interview one of the greatest tennis coaches ever. Coach Rick Macci has coached tennis for over 40 years. Hes helped five players reach world #1 including Serena and Venus Williams, Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, and Jennifer Capriati. If his name sounds familiar, it may be because Rick was portrayed by Jon Bernthal in the movie "King Richard". Rick shares several entertaining stories from when he coached these players, the type of mindset he encourages players to adopt, and stories from their junior days. One interesting part of the episode is his explanation for why he thinks playing doubles is especially helpful for younger professional players. He uses Coco Gauff as one example. We also discuss: __ __ Youll get a lot out of this episode in terms of strategy and mindset. Rick has a new book coming out called Billion Dollar Mind that we chat about as well. At the end, Rick talks about how he likes to use video to help club-level players improve. Something Im a big advocate of and use all the time myself. SEE THE SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE HERE: HTTPS://WWW.THETENNISTRIBE.COM/RICK-MACCI-INTERVIEW/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/rick-macci-interview/ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSES** THESE VIDEO COURSES WILL HELP YOU PLAY SMARTER DOUBLES AND MAKE WINNING EASIER. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __ *** Download your free doubles guide to learn how to force errors and get more easy volleys at THETENNISTRIBE.COM/DOUBLES-GUIDE/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/doubles-guide/. *** __ __
In doubles, youll often play against a team with one of three different game styles. __ __ In this episode, I cover how to beat each of these types of teams, including recent examples where I saw it work. Ill share the best formation to use against pushers, how to give baseliners zero rhythm, and one vital thing you need to look for against teams who attack. __ __ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSE** THIS VIDEO COURSE WILL TEACH YOU THE BEST DOUBLES TACTICS FOR SERVING, RETURNING, RALLYING, AND APPROACHING SO THAT YOU’LL HAVE A WINNING PLAN FOR EVERY POINT. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __ *** Download your free doubles guide to learn how to force errors and get more easy volleys at THETENNISTRIBE.COM/DOUBLES-GUIDE/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/doubles-guide/. *** __ __
Kirsten Flipkens is a former WTA player who retired earlier in 2023 and is now coaching. I spoke with her at the WTA Finals where she was coaching Demi Schuurs & Desirae Krawczyk. We chatted about: __ __ Theres also a brief interruption/guest appearance by Ons Jabeur... she was walking through the hotel lobby and took the microphone from Kirsten At the end, we discussed Kirstens plans for 2024 and beyond, as well as how to make doubles more popular. **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSE** THIS VIDEO COURSE WILL TEACH YOU THE BEST DOUBLES TACTICS FOR SERVING, RETURNING, RALLYING, AND APPROACHING SO THAT YOU’LL HAVE A WINNING PLAN FOR EVERY POINT. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __ *** Download your free doubles guide to learn how to force errors and get more easy volleys at THETENNISTRIBE.COM/DOUBLES-GUIDE/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/doubles-guide/. *** __ __
This is a conversation with Demi Schuurs from the WTA Finals in Cancun. Demi partnered with Desirae Krawczyk and I spoke with her between her first and second matches. We discussed how she spent her days off in Cancun, including her gym routine. I asked her how shes had so much doubles success with different partners. This is her 5th consecutive WTA Finals with four different partners. Demi made a surprise appearance in the singles draw of the WTA 1000 tournament in Guadalajara and she tells us the story of how that happened. Towards the end, we talk about their first match where they lost 9/9 deciding points. She tells me what "playing more aggressively" means to her and analyzes previous matchups against the teams in their group. She actually keeps a notebook that she writes in after each match. A great tip for other doubles players. **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSE** THIS VIDEO COURSE WILL TEACH YOU THE BEST DOUBLES TACTICS FOR SERVING, RETURNING, RALLYING, AND APPROACHING SO THAT YOU’LL HAVE A WINNING PLAN FOR EVERY POINT. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __ *** Download your free doubles guide to learn how to force errors and get more easy volleys at THETENNISTRIBE.COM/DOUBLES-GUIDE/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/doubles-guide/. *** __ __
Dan Kiernan is the coach of 2023 US Open Champion Gaby Dabrowski, ATP doubles team Lloyd Glasspool & Harri Heliovaara, a podcast host, and a former podcast guest from earlier this year. Dan chatted with me and Tennis Tribe doubles writer, Hanlon Walsh, from the WTA Finals in Cancun a day after Gaby and her partner, Erin Routliffe, beat the top seeds, Coco Gauff & Jessica Pegula, in straight sets. In this conversation, we discuss the match, the game plan, and a specific phrase Dan told the players when up a set and 3-1... "start again". I asked him what that meant. Some of my favorite interviews are with coaches because they have a way of articulating what happens on the court so that we can use it in our own matches better than most players. Dan is one of those coaches. His answers are thoughtful, complex, and applicable to your own doubles game and life. Enjoy! Check out Dans Podcast here: https://www.controlthecontrollables.co.uk/ **DOUBLES STRATEGY COURSE** THIS VIDEO COURSE WILL TEACH YOU THE BEST DOUBLES TACTICS FOR SERVING, RETURNING, RALLYING, AND APPROACHING SO THAT YOU’LL HAVE A WINNING PLAN FOR EVERY POINT. __ __ **DOUBLES EBOOKS** THESE GUIDES OFFER PROVEN ADVICE TO IMPROVE YOUR DOUBLES STRATEGY. __ __ *** Download your free doubles guide to learn how to force errors and get more easy volleys at THETENNISTRIBE.COM/DOUBLES-GUIDE/ https://www.thetennistribe.com/doubles-guide/. *** __ __
