While many of the rules remain the same, doubles tennis is played on a slightly bigger court. Getting used to the difference in playing doubles can be difficult, so here are four tips that will help players at any skill level improve.
When playing singles tennis, it is far more important to strike the ball with force than in doubles; the faster the ball reaches a spot, the harder it will be for your opponent to return it. However, in doubles tennis, placement and touch, particularly with a volley or an overhead smash, are far more important than killing the ball with a powerful return.
While tennis allows for two service faults before you lose a point, it is important to serve with a high percentage on your first attempt in doubles. Typically, a person's first serve is far faster; however, players may find that they can serve with more accuracy and better results by taking a little speed away and increasing the spin. While it may result in a slower serve, your opponents will have a harder time returning the ball because of the tricky spin.
Because the vast majority of points in doubles are won at the net, it is important to know when to play back and when to attack. Whenever possible, aim to keep the ball low and near your opponent's shoes to require them to hit the ball up and give you more time to run to the net to hit a return volley at an angle that is impossible to reach.
Anyone who has played doubles tennis can speak to the challenge of determining who is responsible for returning the shot that runs straight down the middle. Throughout the entire match, you and your partner should be in constant communication both verbally and with hand signals that display strategy. While one player is almost always closer to the net, it is recommended that you move in a windshield wiper manner. If your partner is covering the far baseline, you should be standing with one foot on the centre line and ready to return a shot that lands in either direction.
