Doubles Only Tennis Podcast
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.
6 Doubles Lessons from Camp: Framed Volleys, Opponent Tendencies, Practice Mistakes, & More
I've been busy traveling the last three weeks but am back with a strategy episode. Today I share the six doubles lessons I teach club players repeatedly across my camps, clinics, and match play.
Fixing your net positioning to time the poach rightKeeping your eyes forwardWhere you miss your volleys on your racquetOpponent serve and overhead tendenciesPracticing like you playAdvice for players who "don't lob"Fixing even just one of these mistakes can have a huge impact on your doubles game!
Here are a few upcoming doubles camps and Rally Trips.
Dallas-Fort Worth...Katerina Siniakova: On Respect for Doubles, Her Early-Career Mindset Shift, & Lessons Learned
Katerina Siniakova is the #1 doubles player on the WTA tour. She holds 11 Grand Slam titles in women's doubles, one in mixed doubles, and two Olympic Gold Medals. She is also a top 50 singles player.
In this episode, I chat with her as she prepares for the US Open. We discussed US Open prep, mixed doubles, mindset shifts, lessons from her career so far, and partner skills that helped her already become one of the greatest doubles players of all time.
Her practice routines early in the majorsPlayers who influenced her when she was youngRespect...Dan Kiernan on Coaching Roles, Partnership Breakups, His 105% Rule, The Top of WTA Doubles, & More
Coach Dan Kiernan returns to the show, this time with Tennis Tribe doubles writer Hanlon Walsh from the Cincinnati Open.
They discussed Dan's role coaching an ATP and a WTA doubles player in the same tournament. You'll hear specifics on logistical planning, team communication, and the stat-driven ideas that create sustainable success.
Balancing coaching duties across two players with different routinesDeciding which tournaments to play and why preparation often beats chasing pointsDan's 105% ruleHow Gaby Dabrowski's partnership with Luisa Stefani compares to her previous partnership with Erin RoutliffeWhy doubles teams split...Quinn Gleason & Ulrikke Eikeri: Cincy R1, Their Partnership, Max String Tensions, & More
Tennis Tribe doubles beat writer Hanlon Walsh chats with top-50 players Quinn Gleason and Ulrikke Eikeri right after their Cincinnati Open round-one win.
They discuss the match, how their partnership has clicked, what it takes to break into 1000-level events, and why WTA doubles feels deeper than ever.
Match recap and the energy shift that wins the third setWhat aggression “on our terms” looks like in doublesQuinn’s ranking rise and the confidence of an experienced partnerUlrikke’s insanely tight string tensionHow the partnership started and how they learn week to weekThe reality of alternates and the fight...Erin Routliffe & Aldila Sutjiadi: Cincy R1, The DC Title, Winning as a TEAM, & More
Erin Routliffe and Aldila Sutjiadi are one of the hottest teams on the WTA Tour right now, having won the DC Open several weeks ago.
Tennis Tribe doubles beat writer Hanlon Walsh caught up with Erin and Dila after their round one win in Cincinnati. They discussed the victory, their DC run, and their partnership. I especially liked Dila's thoughts on playing great doubles as an individual vs winning as a team.
Executing a match plan early and surviving momentum swingsUsing return games to create constant pressureHow they handle deuce pointsBuilding confidence from the Washington, DC...The Cruelest Game with Matt Futterman: Why Players Quit, Their Childhoods, and Happiness Compared to Other Sports
Matt Futterman is an award-winning sports journalist for The Athletic and New York Times. His new book is The Cruelest Game: Chasing Greatness in Professional Tennis.
This is a fascinating conversation about the book and why professional tennis can feel uniquely brutal, even for the best players in the world.
We talk through the childhood pipeline, the mental load of constant losing, and what separates the era of Serena, Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic from the stars trying to survive now.
Why tennis players walk away at their peak in a way players in other s...AMA: Dropshots, Overheads, Fixing Double Faults, & Developing a 2nd Serve
In this AMA episode, I answer Tennis Tribe member questions with simple doubles strategy rules for drop shots, overheads against lobbers, and cutting down double faults.
I also share how I think about building a second serve you can trust, as well as starting and recovery positions at the net.
Drop shot rules and the best place to hit drop shots fromWhy your drop shot doesn't have to land shortThe best overhead targetsWhen letting a lob bounce makes senseThe causes of double faults at club levelThe easiest way to simplify your 2nd serveMembers only:<...DC Open Preview with Owner Mark Ein: Doubles Field, Mic'd Up Players, ATP Costs, & More
Mark Ein is the owner of the DC Open, an ATP and WTA 500 tournament starting on July 25. I spoke with Mark the week leading up to the tournament about how he has built the DC Open into one of the premier 500-level tournaments in the world.
We discuss doubles' role in the tournament, his passion for tennis, and plans for the 2026 tournament. Mark also shares his thoughts on the ATP doubles cuts.
Mark’s background in sports and business, starting as a ball kid at the tournamentWhy he features star-driven doubles teams and actively recruits singles pla...Wimbledon Champion Coach Calvin Betton on the Title Run, Champions' Dinner, Return Strategy, & ATP Doubles News
I spoke with Coach Calvin Betton after a second Wimbledon doubles title in three years. Calvin coaches ATP #1, Henry Patten, as well as Luke Johnson. We discussed Henry's Wimbledon run with his doubles partner, Harri Heliovaara, as well as return strategy and the recent news about ATP doubles cuts.
Comparing the 2024 and 2026 Wimbledon runsWhy “no free points” matters more than any "tiebreaker system”Balancing aggressive returns vs high-percentage returns by matchup and player profileScouting a recent loss to Arevalo and PavicFinding the right level of focus so pressure builds for your opponents across a matchWh...Aldila Sutjiadi Interview: Wimbledon Prep, Partner Conversations, Indonesia Tennis, & Her Medical Scare
Aldila Sutjiadi is the #36 WTA doubles player coming off a grass court title in Bad Homburg alongside Vera Zvonareva. I spoke with Aldila a few days before Wimbledon, so we discussed her preparation, recent title, and more.
We talk through recovery choices, what actually creates doubles chemistry, and her health scare from a few years ago.
Managing Wimbledon prep with smart on-site time and planned practice blocksHandling recovery day to day, including physio for specific painUnpacking the French Open cramp and the role of heat and hydrationWhat clicked with Vera Zvonareva in Bad HomburgZvonareva's communications style...Reactions to the ATP Plans to Cut Doubles with Dan Kiernan
I talk with Dan Kiernan from Wimbledon about the proposed ATP doubles changes for 2028 and why doubles players feel blindsided by the messaging. We focus on transparency, intent, and respect, and what doubles players can realistically do next if leadership will not share clear facts.
You'll also hear specific names who we believe may be pushing this agenda forward.
Initial reactions from doubles players and coaches at WimbledonWhy “doubles isn’t sustainable” needs real definitions and dataHow ticket sales, streaming, sponsorship, and event value get misunderstoodRespect as the foundation for any doubles growth planWhy intent mattersHow ATP go...The ATP Doubles Debate with Ben Rothenberg: Should They Cut Doubles?
The ATP is rumored to be shrinking men’s doubles draws and shifting prize money over to singles, part of what has been a slow retreat from doubles over the past few decades.
I don't agree with the decision and wanted to talk with someone who understands the ATP's side. Ben Rothenberg is a journalist who broke the news about the potential plans yesterday. He's also been on the show before (listen here).
Ben shares what he knows about what's happening, and the case the ATP has to make such a decision. I attempt to an...
Anna Danilina Interview: Ad Court Returning, Developing Belief, Lessons from Coaches, & Her Sweet Tooth
Anna Danilina, a 4-time major finalist and 2023 US Open mixed doubles champion, is ranked #6 in the world in doubles. She and Aleksandra Krunic are the #2 team in the 2026 race to the WTA Finals. I spoke with her recently as she prepared for Wimbledon.
We discussed her development over the last several years, mental resets during matches, and how to create belief in yourself. She also shares tactical details you can steal for your own matches, including mixed doubles adjustments and an ad-court return drill that makes big serves feel slower.
Her favorite off-court things to do a...Albano Olivetti Interview: The 160 MPH Serve, Team Chemistry, Grass vs Clay, & More
Albano Olivetti is the #22-ranked doubles player on the ATP tour. He recently won a grass court title in Halle and owns the record for the 2nd fastest serve of all time.
In this brief conversation, we unpack what really wins on fast courts and why he and his partner, Theo Arribage, feel confident right now. Albano shares practical serve and return lessons, plus his perspective on building a doubles partnership that keeps getting better.
What they learned from 's-Hertogenbosch that helped them win the Halle ATP 500 TitleWhat changes when you move from clay to grass, e...Return Deep Dive: The Best Targets, Backhands, Lobs, Handling Power, Spin, Variety, & More
This is another AMA episode where I focus on the return of serve. Perhaps the most important shot in doubles, and certainly the least practiced.
I break down why the return of serve is misunderstood and how I think about practicing and implementing effective returns. I also dig into consistency, targets, patterns, deuce vs ad court, and tactics for the return.
Why returns and groundstrokes are not the same thing.One common mistake that you should fix to reduce return errors.The two biggest return priorities.Crosscourt vs down-the-line vs lob returns.What to l...AMA: Baseline Role, Backhand Volley Fix, How to Beat 2-up, & More
This AMA episode covers a variety of topics, including net position, formations, and strategy frameworks. A few of the lessons are from a tight mixed doubles match that I recently played, while the others are from Tennis Tribe Members.
When is I-formation a bad idea?Why I recently told my partner to stand in two different positions on my return points.When should the baseline player change something? (including how to handle inactive partners at net)Members only: My backhand volley pops up and floats every time. How do I fix it?Members only:...Mental Toughness, Strategies for Nervous Players, & Misconceptions with Greg Kusnierz
Greg Kusnierz is a mental performance coach who works with junior and adult tennis players seeking to play better under pressure. Most tennis coaches' and mental gurus' advice about nerves turns me off, but Greg's approach is practical and has actually helped my players on the court.
We discuss why every tennis player gets nervous and how to turn that energy into better decisions instead of tighter swings. We also share practical tools you can use between points so your match level looks more like your practice level.
Why nerves show up for every humanNicole Melichar-Martinez: Warmup & Practice Routines, On-Court Smiling, Clay Season, & Food Rec
We catch up with Nicole Melichar-Martinez from Rome and unpack the day-to-day life behind WTA doubles, from gym sessions and practice blocks to physio, massage, and travel logistics. We also zoom out on the clay season, her Stuttgart win, team chemistry, and the mindset shift Nicole is making to stay present when momentum flips fast.
Favorite clay-season meal in Stuttgart and the no-menu restaurant experienceHow a Rome tournament day is structured from gym to practiceHow tour physios and tournament massage work, including booking and priorityWhat clicked in Stuttgart with Samsonova, and why indoor clay suits her gameHow doubles...Marcus Daniell Interview: Doubles Advice, Career Reflections, and Effective Giving with High Impact Athletes
Marcus Daniell is an Olympic Bronze Medalist and former top 35 ATP doubles player who reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon and the Australian Open. He also founded High Impact Athletes, a company that connects professional athletes with high-impact charities.
Gaby Dabrowski recently launched a fundraising campaign with HIA called Gaby's Games for Good to help protect women and girls from violence.
👉 DONATE TO GABY'S CAMPAIGN HERE
This episode digs into charities, giving, and, of course, doubles!
How Gaby’s Games for Good works and how the 1 in 3 Fund makes a huge diffe...3 Lessons from Tennis Summit 2026 with Mehrban Iranshad
Mehrban Iranshad is the founder of Tennis Summit, an online tennis conference for club players who want to improve. I've presented at the conference for four years in a row and have a presentation this year on doubles formations (live now).
Sign up for here to watch my presentation. You'll also get access to lessons from other coaches like Paul Annacone, the former coach of Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, 19x grand slam champion Gigi Fernandez, Jonathan Stokke, and more.
In this podcast, Mehrban covers his 3 favorite lessons from Tennis Summit so far.<...
AMA: Frustrating Partners, Attacking I-Formation, Practice Themes, Lobs, and more...
In this AMA episode, I answer questions from players I've coached recently, as well as Tennis Tribe Members.
You'll learn how to respond when an opponent has a clear pattern that keeps beating you, an in-depth breakdown of I-Formation, practice ideas, and how to play with non-strategically minded partners.
The first 3 are free to all, while you'll need to become a member for the last 3.
How to handle someone who hits sharp angles.What to do if someone keeps lobbing the return vs the I-formation.How to play doubles with a partner who isn't...Andy Fitzell Interview: Knowing Your Partner's Brain Type, Learning as a Coach, Serve Changes, & More
Andy Fitzell is the coach of rising US doubles stars JJ Tracy and Robert Cash. I spoke with Andy at Indian Wells to unpack how a pro team actually prepares, competes, and keeps improving when the margins are almost invisible.
We dig into scouting, training plans, partner psychology, and what tennis needs to change for doubles to get the attention it deserves.
Match-day practice and routines at Indian Wells The use of film for both scouting and technical improvementLearning doubles through Vic Braden, Steve Smith, and other coaching mentorsDeveloping JJ and Robert as in...Jan Zielinski & Luke Johnson: On-Court Emotions, Partnership Dynamics, Good Practice, Mixed Doubles, & More
Jan Zielinski and Luke Johnson are both top 30 ATP doubles players who recently reached the Australian Open semifinals. I sat down with them at Indian Wells to talk about what clicked early in their new partnership, the season so far, and more. We spoke about emotional intensity, brutally close losses, mixed doubles, and why doubles still isn’t marketed like the product it can be.
What “great practice” looks like and why small gains matter How the partnership forms and how offseason training actually works Early-season lessons from Australia plus grit in tight moments Building points for your part...David Collins Interview: Volley Drills, 3 Fears at the Net, & Developing Doubles Players
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 tennisI 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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...