Doubles Only Tennis Podcast

40 Episodes
Subscribe

By: Will Boucek

The only tennis podcast with a focus on doubles. We believe doubles should be more popular and get more coverage than it does, so we’re fixing that. Our goal is to help you become a better player with pro doubles tips and expert strategy. We interview ATP & WTA tour doubles players and top tennis coaches to help you improve your game. 

David Collins Interview: Volley Drills, 3 Fears at the Net, & Developing Doubles Players
#277
Yesterday at 2:00 PM

David Collins is the coach of Grand Slam-winning ATP doubles players John Peers and Michael Venus. I spoke with him at Indian Wells to get practical advice about doubles training, from tour-level first-volley reps to simple technique fixes that instantly change your net game. We also dig into why club players fear the net, how to build a better doubles player over a year, and what pro doubles needs to grow. 

How John Peers preps the day before a match with scouting, serve-plus-one priorities, and specific volley patternsMichael Venus’s injury update, return plan, and what a long reh...


Jeff Coetzee Interview: Developing Belief, Overcoming Losses, Serve Drill, & the AO Run
#276
03/11/2026

Coach Jeff Coetzee is one of the top doubles minds in our sport. He reached a career high of #12 in the world during his playing career, and has since coached some of the best doubles teams on tour, including Robert Farah and Juan Sebastian Cabal.

Today, he coaches the top WTA doubles team in 2026, Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic. I spoke with Jeff at Indian Wells to unpack their season so far and how he's helped develop Danilina into the player she is today. One of the topics we focus heavily on is belief.

...


Neal & Ken Skupski: Winter Olympics, World #1, AO, & Brotherly Love
#275
02/18/2026

Neal Skupski is currently ranked #1 in the world in doubles. He won the Australian Open earlier this year, and has made three of the past four major finals. His brother, Ken Skupski, is a former top 50 doubles player who now coaches Neal and his new partner, Christian Harrison.

Neal & Ken joined me at the Dallas Open to unpack the Australian Open Title, the new partnership with Christian Harrison, and the British system that has elevated five British players inside the top ten. We dig into drills, pressure management, and their relationship.

Neal's takeaways from reaching 3/4 slam...


ATX Open Preview, Recruiting Venus Williams, & Doubles Tips from Christo van Rensburg
#274
02/12/2026

Former world No. 5 and ATX Open tournament director, Christo van Rensburg, joins the show again to preview a star-packed field for his upcoming tournament, led by Venus Williams.

Christo shares how he recruits players, changes coming in 2026, including a huge announcement for 2027, and the player field this year. We also dig into practical doubles strategies you can use.

How Venus Williams’ wildcard came together and what it means for fansBehind-the-scenes recruiting with agents and player relationshipsHeadliners returning and rising names to watch across singles and doublesTaylor Townsend's relationship with a fan from AustinFan experience upgrades, including su...


AMA: Playing Down to Your Opponent's Level, Finding Weaknesses, Long-Term Partners, & More
#273
02/05/2026

I recently asked Tennis Tribe Members what they want to improve in 2026. In this episode, I respond to six of their answers with challenges to help them improve different strategic and mental aspects of their doubles games.

Topics include playing against players who don't follow patterns and mishit the ball, building patience on slow balls, and taking away the middle against pace and spin. I also share drills, mindset resets, and simple challenges to improve your on-court thinking.

The first 3 are free to all, while you'll need to become a member for the last 3.

...


Tennis Gear Deep Dive: Dampeners, Grips, Bags, & Training with ADV Founder, Lavie Sak
#272
01/26/2026

This episode is a little different. I'm diving into tennis gear, everything except the racquet and shoes, with the founder of one of my favorite brands, ADV. I use their bags, dampeners, and even sweat bands.

Lavie Sak has a tech background, plays tennis, and used to coach as well. We explore how his company lets players lead the design of its products. From dampeners to grips to their popular bags, ADV innovates as well as any company in tennis. Lavie shares the messy first prototype, the tough cuts, and why ADV chose quality over mass pricing...


Dallas Open Preview, Court Surface Speed, & Tips to Improve in 2026 with Peter Lebedevs
#271
01/19/2026

We preview the Nexo Dallas Open’s second year as an ATP 500 with tournament director Peter Lebedevs. Peter and I discuss court speed and ball consistency on tour. We also dive into what he learned in year one at the new Dallas Open facility and what changes fans can expect in 2026.

Peter is an excellent coach as well, so I asked him how he would help a club player improve their game this year.

How court speed is measured and targeted for fairnessWhy balls feel different despite standardizationVenue upgrades that fans and players asked forHow to pr...


6 Lessons from 2025 with Jonathan Stokke
#270
01/09/2026

Jonathan Stokke is a former D1 player at Duke who played doubles in the US Open in 2001 & 2002. He has over 100k Instagram followers, a growing YouTube channel, and a podcast. My episode with him from 2024 is still one of the most downloaded episodes of all time.

In this conversation, we share six lessons we learned in 2025 that will help you win more in 2026. We focus on poaching, timing, balance, smarter formations, technique, and more.

Timing for an effective poachNet play as the highest ROI for club playersPoaching technique - balance and centered head...


Sem Verbeek Interview: Positivity, From College to Pro, Mixed Doubles, & More
#269
01/03/2026

Sem Verbeek is the #36 doubles player on the ATP Tour. He made the Australian Open semifinals and won the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Title in 2025. As a result, Sem has been nominated for Amsterdam athlete of the year. Vote for Sem here.

I love watching Sem for his positive energy on the court, and that's where we began this conversation. We trace Sem's path from Amsterdam to Grand Slam runs, focusing on the mindset, structure, and choices that turned steady progress into breakthroughs. The conversation blends practical tactics with mental principles that you can use for...


How to Hit Your 2026 Tennis Goals
#268
12/28/2025

2026 is nearly here, so it's time to reflect on the past 12 months and set goals for next year. To help you, I wanted to share five ways to hit your 2026 doubles goals. It's not easy to improve. You must be intentional with how you spend your time on and off the court.

Playing against better playersFix your techniqueGet in better shapeImprove your strategyPlay more tennis

I share the most efficient and effective ways to approach each way to improve, including in matches, clinics, and lessons. You'll also learn ways to track your progress.

There are...


Christian Harrison Interview: Offseason Training, Partnership Adjustments, Injury Prevention, & More
#267
12/20/2025

Christian Harrison is the top-ranked American player on the ATP doubles tour.  He began 2025 outside the top 80 before climbing to No. 15 in the world.

We discuss his year with fellow American Evan King and his new partnership for 2026 with Neal Skupski. You'll learn about his off-season planning, drills, and smarter training. This brief talk blends stories from Christian's season with lessons on chemistry and insights into the ATP doubles tour.

Key wins, narrow losses, and confidence swings across the seasonWhy margins in doubles are thinner than everStructured off-season planningExactly how Christian's day went, training with his n...


Developing Juniors & Academies, Advice for Coaches & Parents, plus Bryan Bros Stories with Coach Mark Bey
#266
12/13/2025

Mark Bey is a US Davis Cup assistant coach and a former assistant coach to the Bryan Brothers. He has coached eight players to the #1 USTA national ranking and 13 players to ATP & WTA career highs. He's been a junior developer for 35 years, currently working at the Glenview Tennis Club in Glenview, Illinois. In 2017, Mark had five players in the US Open.

In this episode, Mark shares advice for players, coaches, and parents of junior players, along with stories from the Bryan Brothers' careers.

How mentorship and early wins shaped Mark’s coachingWhat the Bryan Brothers did as...


Mixed Doubles Strategy: Advice for Ladies & Guys, Formations, Tactics, & Stories
#265
12/09/2025

Mixed doubles isn't actually much different from men's or women's doubles when it comes to developing a strategy. However, several things happen more often in mixed. It's good to know what those are and how to handle them.

This episode will help you think about mixed doubles with clear rules for serve order, return sides, and court position that help you win.

The differences between the girl and the guy in mixedHow girls can deal with faster paceHow guys can deal with slower pace and lobsWho should serve first? Not always the guyWho should play the...


ATP Finals, Momentum in Tennis, Return Training, 2025 Reflections, & the Off-Season with Calvin Betton
#264
11/28/2025

Calvin Betton coaches ATP #3 doubles player, Henry Patten, and ATP #38, Luke Johnson. Henry and his partner, Harri Heliovaara, won the ATP Finals earlier this month. I spoke with them at Indian Wells earlier this year (listen here).

This conversation with Calvin unpacks their title run at the ATP Finals, the idea of momentum in doubles, and how return pressure transformed late‑season results. We reflect on the 2025 season and look ahead to 2026.

Lessons from variance and tight lossesWhy momentum misleads us in doubles scoringATP Finals format and strategic adjustmentsScouting top teams and exposing pa...


AMA: 1st Serve %, Net Movement, 2-up, Poaching, Volley Targets, & More
#263
11/20/2025

In this 'Ask Me Anything' episode, I cover a variety of your questions from Instagram, email, and the membership.

Topics include 1st serve percentage, poaching, volley targets, 2-up vs 1-up 1-back, net positioning and movement, and more. In total, I answer seven questions. The first three are free to all, while you'll need to become a member for the last four.

My 3-step system to improve first-serve percentageDrills for improving your first serveWhat to do at the net when there's a fast-paced crosscourt rallyWhy the triangle pattern at the net is...


How to Win USTA Nationals: Roster Building, Partnerships, Preparation, Strategy, & Team Chemistry
#262
11/13/2025

A few months ago, I trained a Dallas 3.0 team as they prepared for USTA Nationals. They won nationals a few weeks later, going 6-0. This podcast is a conversation with that team.

They went from wildcards in the city playoffs, with some doubts on if they should even be there, to 2025 National Champions. They used data-driven scouting, heavy match play, a team-first mindset, and strategy.

If you're a league player or USTA captain, this episode is a must-listen.

Setting clear expectations for roster and rolesScouting opponents with dynamic ratings and win...


How to Poach: Common Mistakes, Timing, Positioning, & Drills
#261
11/07/2025

Link to the Instagram Post

Possibly the most important skill to have in doubles, aside from the serve and return, is poaching. In this episode, I break down the poaching mistakes I see over and over again from doubles players at all levels.

We'll discuss timing, direction, and simple positioning that can flip returns into easy finishes. Members get the full five-mistake breakdown plus drills. The free preview covers the two biggest errors and how to fix them fast.

Exactly when to move on your poach, and the biggest mistake...


David Macpherson Interview: Bryan Bros Stories, Club Strategy Tips, Advice for Coaches, & More
#260
11/04/2025

David Macpherson coached the Bryan Brothers for over 15 years. He's a former #11-ranked ATP doubles player and also coached John Isner from 2018 to 2023. He's one of the smartest doubles coaches on the planet, so you'll learn a ton in this conversation.

We unpack how smart scouting, sharp words, and steady culture turned the Bryan Brothers into the GOATs and made John Isner a doubles force for a short stretch in 2022. We also discussed tactics for club players.

Early mentors shaping his precise coaching voiceAdvice for coaches on saying less, backing the plan, and...


Preview: USTA Nationals Training - Winners vs Errors, Rally Length, Team Roles, Lob Fests, & Formations
#259
10/22/2025

I recently helped two 3.0 ladies' teams prepare for USTA Nationals. The 1st team actually won Nationals in the 40+ division this past weekend.

We spent 30 minutes discussing strategy before playing doubles for a few hours. This episode previews the first 10 minutes of the strategy discussion with the 2nd team, who heads to Nationals next week.

How doubles matches are won lost.The importance of understanding rally length.What to practice leading up to nationals.Members only: My favorite ways to force errorsMembers only: Team roles.Members only: The 3 things that g...


The Serve Toss, Pancake Serves, Overhead Tips, & Tennis Con 9 with Peter Freeman
#258
10/16/2025

Peter Freeman is one of my favorite tennis coaches to speak with because he has so much experience coaching club doubles players. Like me, Peter creates a ton of online content, including one of the largest online tennis conferences, Tennis Con. I've presented at Tennis Con for the past 3 years and cannot recommend it enough for club players.

👉 Join Tennis Con 9 for Free »

I spoke with Peter to preview Tennis Con 9, which is a little different this year. We also discussed some takeaways from our doubles camp earlier this summer, including the two type...


Excuses! Why Don't Club Players Use More I-Formation?
#257
10/10/2025

I recently posted an Instagram video asking why club doubles players don't use I-Formation. It now has over 210,000 views and 100 comments, many of which are excuses.

In this episode, I break down the five most common excuses and share my rebuttal. I hope that this will convince some of you to start using serve formations more often to help you win matches.

Here are the excuses...

"Our serves aren't good enough.""I'll get hit in the back of the head by my partner's serve.""Club players are too slow.""The net player would be...


Preview: 3.0-4.5 Doubles Lessons on Poaching, Down-The-Line Shots, Errors, Scouting, & More
#256
10/01/2025

I share seven strategy lessons gathered from recent experiences at the US Open, Davis Cup, and coaching club players heading to Nationals. These lessons are particularly helpful for the 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5 level doubles players who tend to get some of these things wrong.

Note: Tennis Tribe Members get access to all seven lessons, while everyone can preview the first three.

Focusing on what happens most - and why we get this wrong.How to think about getting to the net.Scouting what your opponents do and don't do, plus how to handle the...


Creating Structure On & Off-Court, Learning from Losses, & Ideas for Doubles with Jamie Cerretani
#255
09/24/2025

Jamie Cerretani, a former top 50 ATP doubles player and founder of Inspired, shares his holistic approach to coaching professional doubles players through structured preparation, mindset work, and career optimization.

Working with JP Smith, who reached a career-high ranking of 50 in ATP doublesCreating a daily structure for players that includes tennis practice, gym work, and family timeViewing family responsibilities as strengths rather than distractions for professional playersLearning from tournament losses by acknowledging emotions before analyzing filmApproaching challenges with an abundance mindset rather than a victim mentalityFounding Inspired as a boutique talent management company focused on career optimizationOffering services including...


The Mental Game, Lessons from Coaches, & Drinking Contests with 2025 USO Champs Erin Routliffe & Gaby Dabrowski
#254
09/17/2025

2025 US Open Champions, Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe, take us behind the scenes of their incredible run, sharing details about their mental approach, the dynamics of their successful partnership, and their victory celebration in New York.

How many days did they take off after winning the US Open?How to come back after losing the first set 0-6Developing belief as players who don't naturally possess unwavering confidenceFinding the perfect balance between high energy and mental focus during crucial momentsLearning to embrace pressure rather than trying to mitigate itThe technical breakthrough of understanding...


Volley Training, US Open Semifinal Prep, Match Momentum, & Mixed Doubles with Coach Bruce Lipka
#253
09/10/2025

Bruce Lipka, coach of US Open doubles champion Erin Routliffe, joins the show for the second time. I spoke with him before Erin Routliffe and Gaby Dabrowski played their semifinal match in New York.

Why preparing for semifinals involves months of workChampionship-level doubles requires continuous improvement rather than focusing on winning or losingHow they turned around a 0-6 first set in the quarterfinalsThe compact tournament format creates challenges with mental recovery as players compete multiple days consecutively Three essential volleys for club players and how to train themClub players' biggest mistakes: not moving e...


Joe Salisbury Interview: Athleticism, Team Chemistry, College Tennis, & Mixed Doubles
#252
09/05/2025

Three-time US Open Champion Joe Salisbury joined me before the start of this year's tournament to discuss his athleticism, doubles partnership with Neal Skupski, college tennis experience, and more.

Tomorrow, Joe and Neal play in the US Open Final on ESPN. Here's what we discussed before the tournament.

Attributes his exceptional athleticism to his parents and playing multiple sports growing upCredits natural instincts and mobility work for his remarkable court speed and movementExplains how he and Neal Skupski overcame early challenges through patience and communicationEmphasizes college tennis at Memphis as crucial for his development...


New Partners, New York Food, Practice, & Goals with Nicole Melichar-Martinez
#251
09/03/2025

Nicole Melichar-Martinez joins us from the US Open to share insights on her recent doubles success and preparation for the final Grand Slam of the year. I spoke with her fresh off a title in Monterey with new partner Cristina Bucșa.

Detailed breakdown of Nicole's practice routine, including specialized drills for volleys and overheadsComparison of New York to other Grand Slam cities, with particular focus on commute times and logistical challengesFood recommendations for NYC, with Nicole ranking it among the top tennis tournament destinations for diningHow Nicole builds chemistry with new doubles partners and the communication strategies t...


Rajeev Ram Interview: Doubles Tips, New Partnerships, Mixed Doubles, Future Plans, and Fishes
#250
08/22/2025

Rajeev Ram joins me for the first time in 2025. He's coming off a Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati with new partner, Nikola Mektić.

Rajeev shares insights on building team chemistry in doubles partnerships. He offers a nuanced perspective on the singles vs doubles player debate and provides practical advice on net play strategy, return tips, and career longevity. We also discussed:

FishesBuilding team chemistry quickly in a new partnershipExplains his "two-by-four" analogy for effective net play as server's partnerCould Sinner beat two doubles players by himself?Insights on return positioning and taking away specific serve patternsPlans for t...


Lloyd Glasspool & Julian Cash: Winning Streaks, Superstitions, and Partnership Advice
#248
08/18/2025

At the Cincinnati Open, I spoke with the current #1 doubles team on the ATP tour.

Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash's win streak ended at 22 in Cincinnati. We discuss their dominant run on the ATP doubles tour and the mental approach that has led to their success. The pair shares insights into their tiebreaker tactics, physical and mental challenges during their streak, and the fundamentals of what makes a successful doubles partnership.

Strategies for tiebreakers, including energy management and focusing on team identityWhy mental fatigue is the biggest challenge for Lloyd during their runWorking with coaches Barry...


Doubles Practice with ATP & WTA Coach Dan Kiernan
#249
08/15/2025

I spoke with ATP & WTA Coach, Dan Kiernan, in Cincinnati about life as a professional coach, doubles drills, practice sets, and more. This episode will help you rethink how you practice.

Dan works with multiple players on different teams, not uncommon for doubles coaches, so you'll get insights into what his day-to-day responsibilities look like.

Dan's daily schedule can involve up to 7-8 hours of court time, plus meetings, court bookings, academy management (Soto Tennis Academy), podcasts, and moreHow practice courts are reserved at tournamentsPractice drills focus on offensive and defensive positioning rather than neutral playThe "...


Catherine Harrison Interview: Doubles Training, Warmup Routine, & The Transition to Doubles
#247
08/06/2025

Former Top 70 WTA doubles player Catherine Harrison returns to the show to share her journey recovering from multiple injuries over the past few seasons. We discuss her recent decision to focus exclusively on doubles moving forward.

Catherine came to Fort Worth, Texas, last week, where we spent two days of intensive on-court doubles training. We discussed the key takeaways from the training and more.

Simple tactical improvements from two days of training.Doubles drills that she found helpful.Why spreading the service box is generally more effective than body serves.Her extensive warm-up routine takes a...


Member AMA: Beating Unconventional Players, Shot Selection vs the Lob, & Weak Partners
#246
08/01/2025

This is a free preview of a Tennis Tribe member episode. To hear the full episode, become a member at thetennistribe.com/memberships.

In this episode, I answer three questions from Tennis Tribe members and followers.

FREE: How to beat unconventional or unorthodox players.Why there is no "right way" to hit a tennis ball.Topspin can be overrated.Members: All the options you have when the opponent hits a lob, and when to use each.One of the most underpracticed shots for club players (it's not the...


JJ Tracy & Robert Cash Interview: The Balance Between Focus & Fun, Partner Dynamics, & Challengers vs ATP Events
#245
07/23/2025

The rising American doubles team of JJ Tracy and Robert Cash share their journey from winning the NCAAs at Ohio State in 2024 to becoming ATP doubles title winners in Los Cabos in 2025. They've climbed to #59 and #62 in the world this year from outside the top 140.

You'll learn what's clicked for them recently, and get to know them as individuals and as a team.

Working with new coach Andy Fitzell has helped refine their game and contributed to back-to-back titlesBalancing a lighthearted approach and ability to joke during matches while maintaining an intense work ethicThe differences between...


4 Lessons from Wimbledon: Pre-Match Practice, Baseline Matchups, & More
#244
07/18/2025

I watched a lot of Wimbledon doubles over the past few weeks. In this episode, I share 4 strategy lessons from the Championships. Watching professional doubles can help you learn new tactics, positioning, movement, and strategy that you can apply to your own game.

Practice specific shots to counter your upcoming opponents' preferred tactics, as demonstrated by Wimbledon Champions, Elise Mertens & Veronika Kudermetova.When you have the baseline advantage, stay patient and consistent.At the net, moving first often wins.The importance of dedicated serve and return practice, including a serve game you can play against yourself.

I'm...


Olivia Nicholls Interview: Journey to WTA Top 25, Highs & Lows of the Season, & Mixed Doubles
#243
07/03/2025

World #23 Olivia Nicholls joins us fresh off her first title with partner Tereza Mihalíková in Berlin. She discusses her career-high ranking, steady rise in doubles, and shares insights on overcoming challenges throughout her career journey.

Defeating Roland Garros Champs, Errani and Paolini, in Berlin, breaking their 13-match win streak, including tactical adjustmentsOn developing a belief in her game to beat any teamOvercoming four consecutive first-round losses during the clay seasonWorking with coach Craig Veal (previous podcast guest)2025 goals and the WTA FinalsMixed doubles success with Henry Patten, making semifinals in Australia and quarterfinals at Roland GarrosThoughts on th...


Julian Cash Interview: Team Dynamics, Achieving a Career High, & What ATP Doubles Needs
#242
07/01/2025

Julian Cash is ranked #12 on the ATP Doubles Tour, has four titles in 2025, and is currently #3 in the race to the ATP Finals. In this conversation, he shares the story of his impressive rise in professional doubles, his successful partnership with Lloyd Glasspool, thoughts on college tennis, mixed doubles, and more.

How his partnership with Lloyd Glasspool is built on aligned goals, complementary playing styles, and balancing each other's energy levelsBreaking down their semifinal match against Skupski and Salisbury, navigating 40mph wind gusts on grassAchieving consistent improvement by better handling different scenarios rather than drastically changing his gameSetting...


Neal Skupski Interview: Partnership with Joe Salisbury, Clay to Grass Transition, & Roland Garros Run
#241
06/25/2025

Neal Skupski, the #11 ranked doubles player on the ATP Tour and three-time Wimbledon champion, discusses his partnership with Joe Salisbury, their recent Roland Garros finals run, and more.

I spoke with Neal during his off day in Eastbourne, where he was preparing for the quarterfinals. He and Joe won that match and are now in the semis.

Working through the chemistry and tactical adjustments of a new partnershipThe significant adjustments required to transition from clay to grassIs grass Neal's best surface?Having a positive "performer" mentality - a term used by many of the British players...


US Open Mixed Doubles Reaction with Philip Fama
#240
06/20/2025

The US Open just announced its entry list for the 2025 Mixed Doubles Tournament. In case you missed it, they've made significant changes to the event this year, which I discussed with Dan Kiernan and many players at Indian Wells back in March on the podcast.

This episode, recorded on Instagram Live with Philip from Tweener Head Tennis, includes my initial reaction to the entry list and a deeper discussion surrounding mixed doubles and ATP/WTA doubles.

As the US Open revamps the event with singles stars over doubles specialists, there's one thing we know for...


Fix Your Serve, Net Position Mistakes, & Communication Errors: 3 Lessons from Doubles Camp
#239
06/11/2025

For the first time in a while, a strategy episode! I'm celebrating the launch of the new Tennis Tribe Memberships. Learn more here.

The margins in tennis are incredibly small, with the Roland Garros finals being decided by just a few points across all four finals. Effective strategies can make all the difference in gaining a few extra points, resulting in a win or a loss. In this episode, I cover three areas that might be holding you back.

Why you should play closer to the net... sometimesA new way to think about the serve for...


Preparing for the French Open Quarterfinal with Coach Calvin Betton, Sander Arends, & Luke Johnson
#238
06/03/2025

Sander Arends, Luke Johnson, and Coach Calvin Betton offer a behind-the-scenes look at their preparation between matches during their French Open quarterfinal run.

They shared thoughts on their R3 victory, off-day schedule, pre-match routines, and more.

How they reset mentally after the momentum shifted in their R3 matchCoach Calvin's approach to supporting from the player box without micromanagingThe importance of team identity and consistent playing style in doublesHow players structure their off-days during a two-week tournamentDetailed pre-match routines, from sleep schedules to practice timingPlayer superstitions, including Sander's preferred French Open mealThe scouting process and how data...