Member Feed: Doubles Only Podcast
By: Will Boucek
Language: en-us
Categories: Sports, Tennis
Member feed for the Doubles Only Tennis Podcast. Tennis Tribe Members get exclusive access to premium episodes, AMA's, and more.--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.
Episodes
USTA Nationals Training: Winners vs Errors, Rally Length, Team Roles, Lob Fests, & Formations
Oct 22, 2025I 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.
Members can watch the video here.
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:<... Duration: 00:34:15The Serve Toss, Pancake Serves, Overhead Tips, & Tennis Con 9 with Peter Freeman
Oct 16, 2025Peter 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...
Duration: 00:41:27Excuses! Why Don't Club Players Use More I-Formation?
Oct 10, 2025I 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... Duration: 00:17:283.0-4.5 Doubles Lessons on Poaching, Down-The-Line Shots, Errors, Scouting, & More
Oct 01, 2025I 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.
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 lob.Members Only: Statistics on hitting down the line - this data will surprise you.Members Only:... Duration: 00:39:48Creating Structure On & Off-Court, Learning from Losses, & Ideas for Doubles with Jamie Cerretani
Sep 24, 2025Jamie 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... Duration: 00:44:24The Mental Game, Lessons from Coaches, & Drinking Contests with 2025 USO Champs Erin Routliffe & Gaby Dabrowski
Sep 17, 20252025 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... Duration: 00:53:39Volley Training, US Open Semifinal Prep, Match Momentum, & Mixed Doubles with Coach Bruce Lipka
Sep 10, 2025Bruce 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... Duration: 00:21:21Joe Salisbury Interview: Athleticism, Team Chemistry, College Tennis, & Mixed Doubles
Sep 05, 2025Three-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... Duration: 00:21:36New Partners, New York Food, Practice, & Goals with Nicole Melichar-Martinez
Sep 03, 2025Nicole 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... Duration: 00:17:38Rajeev Ram Interview: Doubles Tips, New Partnerships, Mixed Doubles, Future Plans, and Fishes
Aug 23, 2025Rajeev 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... Duration: 00:31:39Lloyd Glasspool & Julian Cash: Winning Streaks, Superstitions, and Partnership Advice
Aug 19, 2025At 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... Duration: 00:22:11Doubles Practice with ATP & WTA Coach Dan Kiernan
Aug 15, 2025I 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 "... Duration: 00:22:31Catherine Harrison Interview: Doubles Training, Warmup Routine, & The Transition to Doubles
Aug 06, 2025Former 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... Duration: 00:31:06Member AMA: Beating Unconventional Players, Shot Selection vs the Lob, & Weak Partners
Aug 01, 2025Welcome to Tennis Tribe Member Episode #1!
In this episode, I answer three questions from Tennis Tribe members and followers.
How to beat unconventional or unorthodox players.Why there is no "right way" to hit a tennis ball.Topspin can be overrated.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 overhead).How to win with a super weak partner and hold their serve.and more...New York City Events...
Duration: 00:31:47JJ Tracy & Robert Cash Interview: The Balance Between Focus & Fun, Partner Dynamics, & Challengers vs ATP Events
Jul 23, 2025The 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... Duration: 00:41:224 Lessons from Wimbledon: Pre-Match Practice, Baseline Matchups, & More
Jul 19, 2025I 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...
Duration: 00:19:11Olivia Nicholls Interview: Journey to WTA Top 25, Highs & Lows of the Season, & Mixed Doubles
Jul 03, 2025World #23 Olivia Nicholls joins us fresh off her first title with partner Tereza MihalÃková 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... Duration: 00:35:08Julian Cash Interview: Team Dynamics, Achieving a Career High, & What ATP Doubles Needs
Jul 01, 2025Julian 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... Duration: 00:28:47Neal Skupski Interview: Partnership with Joe Salisbury, Clay to Grass Transition, & Roland Garros Run
Jun 25, 2025Neal 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... Duration: 00:29:28US Open Mixed Doubles Reaction with Philip Fama
Jun 20, 2025The 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...
Duration: 00:35:58Fix Your Serve, Net Position Mistakes, & Communication Errors: 3 Lessons from Doubles Camp
Jun 11, 2025For 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... Duration: 00:26:44Preparing for the French Open Quarterfinal with Coach Calvin Betton, Sander Arends, & Luke Johnson
Jun 03, 2025Sander 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... Duration: 00:21:27Nicole Melichar-Martinez: Clay Season, How Partnerships Work, Mental Health, & FOOD!
May 21, 2025Nicole Melichar-Martinez, ranked #21 on the WTA doubles tour, shares insider perspectives on partnership dynamics, tournament conditions, and the future of doubles.
The clay season in Europe offers beautiful cities, but she isn't a fan of the extended tournamentsWhich tournaments treat the doubles players well, and which ones need improvementWTA now conducts post-tournament surveys to gather player feedbackHer take on the 2025 season so far, including partnership breakups, WTA Finals favorites, and moreWhy finding a doubles partner is similar to datingHer perspective on mixed doubles and playing Indian Wells with Andrey RublevHow WTA supports players with mental health resourcesHer Foodie... Duration: 00:39:12Coach Craig Veal Interview: Developing Consistent Performance, Same vs Different Partners, & Doubles Strategy
May 16, 2025Craig Veal shares his experience coaching three top-40 WTA doubles players: Desirae Krawczyk (#14), Olivia Nicholls (#32), and Teresa Mihalikova (#34). Currently in Paris, preparing his players for the upcoming French Open, Craig and I discussed how he manages multiple players while sharing strategy insights, and more.
Craig's coaching philosophy centers on "coaching people first, tennis second," which has led to long-term coaching relationshipsHe shares one doubles tactic that is more effective on clay vs other surfacesHis top 3 questions for club doubles players playing with new partnersHow Olivia Nicholls has improved her ranking so consistently, plus insights into her match review... Duration: 00:44:10NCAA Sweet 16 Preview & The State of College Tennis with John Parsons
May 09, 2025John Parsons from the No-Ad No Problem Podcast brings his expert knowledge of college tennis to the show. We break down the NCAA Sweet 16, discuss the broader college tennis landscape, and explore how it can increase its television presence. We dive into the lessons college tennis can learn from beach volleyball's TV success and explore how the sport could experiment with formats to become more broadcast-friendly.
College tennis hasn't been on ESPN linear networks since 2017, while beach volleyball has secured ESPN main channel coverageBeach volleyball uses staggered match starts (12 minutes apart) to create a better TV viewing experienceThe... Duration: 01:02:32Luke Johnson Interview: Tiebreaker Strategy, Climbing the Rankings, & Winning the Barcelona ATP 500
Apr 24, 2025Luke Johnson is currently ranked #40 in ATP doubles and is coming off his biggest career win at the ATP 500 tournament in Barcelona with partner Sander Arends. I spoke with him earlier this week about his recent success, doubles strategy, and more.
How he and Sander's complementary playing styles create an effective partnershipAdvantages to using different returning styles and court positioningThe journey of rising through the ATP rankings, effectively halving his ranking each year for five consecutive yearsOne practice lesson he's learned from his coach, Calvin Betton, that you can implement tooCollege tennis as a developmental pathwayMaintaining composure and... Duration: 00:46:24Erin Routliffe Interview: Winning Charleston, Playing with Penko vs Gaby, & Clay Court Strategy
Apr 11, 2025Erin Routliffe, the #3 ranked WTA doubles player, unpacks her recent title run in Charleston with Jelena Ostapenko and shares insights about navigating the 2025 season so far.
How her off-season injury affected her at the start of the year and how Gaby Dabrowski supported herExperience playing doubles with Ostapenko and winning in CharlestonDifferences between playing with Ostapenko versus her regular partner Gaby DabrowskiPlans for the clay court swingWhy she doesn't look at drawsHer friendship with Asia Muhammad and learning from each other's gamesThe toughest teams she & Gaby have facedThoughts about recent US Open mixed doubles format changes that disadvantage... Duration: 00:33:26Doubles Special: Problems, Solutions, & the Future of the Pro Doubles Tour with Dan Kiernan
Mar 27, 2025In this special episode on the state of doubles and the professional doubles debate, I speak with ATP & WTA Coach, Dan Kiernan. Dan is the coach of Gaby Dabrowski, Michael Venus, and Nikola Mektic, and has been on the show several times before (below).
In this conversation, we examine the future of doubles from multiple perspectives and challenge current assumptions about the format's viability.
Reactions to the idea that "doubles specialists have no place in the future of tennis"The doubles debate centers on "the WHO, not the WHAT" – personality and storytelling matter more th... Duration: 01:20:52Ellen Perez Interview: WTA Partnerships, Rennae Stubbs Lesson, US Open Mixed, & 2025 Goals
Mar 25, 2025Ellen Perez is the #17 doubles player on the WTA tour. I spoke with her at Indian Wells on an off day after her 2nd round win with Jelena Ostapenko. We discussed their partnership, working with coach Rennae Stubbs, US Open Mixed changes, and more.
Working with Rennae Stubbs and understanding strategic shot placementOstapenko's funny on-court naturePartnership changes early in the 2025 WTA doubles seasonGoals for the rest of 2025Adjusting to playing with doubles specialists like Melichar-Martinez vs more baseline-oriented/singles players like Mertens & OstapenkoHer candid reaction of the US Open mixed doubles format changesFinding the right communication style with... Duration: 00:17:31Andrea Vavassori Interview: The USO Mixed Doubles Post, Grand Slam Finals, & Italian Tennis
Mar 20, 2025Andrea Vavassori is the #9 doubles player on the ATP Tour and won the 2024 US Open Mixed Doubles title with Sara Errani. He also reached the final of the men's doubles at the Australian Open earlier this year.
I spoke with him at Indian Wells this year about those achievements, his vision for the future of doubles, the controversial US Open mixed doubles changes, and a lot more.
Potential innovations for mixed doubles including a ranking system and year-end Masters event to increase visibilityReflecting on his successful partnership with Simone Bolelli and their journey to three Grand... Duration: 00:32:36Demi Schuurs & Asia Muhammad Interview: WTA Partnerships, Team Chemistry, & Mixed Doubles Reaction
Mar 17, 2025Demi Schuurs and Asia Muhammad join the show for their 3rd and 2nd times respectively (listen to the previous episode with Demi | episode with Asia).
This team just won the BNP Paribas Open and I chatted with them after their second-round victory at Indian Wells just before practice on their off day. We discussed their impressive run to that point in the tournament, how their partnership formed, what's working so well, and more.
Defeating Olympic champions and major finalists Paolini/Errani in round one with clean, aggressive tennisFinding partnership chemistry through shared... Duration: 00:15:35Harri Heliovaara & Henry Patten Interview: On Winning Majors, Their Partnership, & The State of ATP Doubles
Mar 14, 2025Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten are the #1 doubles team on the ATP tour, having captured two of the last three major doubles titles including Wimbledon 2024 and Australian Open 2025. I spoke with them in Indian Wells a few days before the start of the BNP Paribas Open.
In this conversation, we discuss their practice routines, their partnership, the state of ATP doubles, and more.
Detailed breakdown of their practice sessions, including specific drills like "volleyball" for serve and return practiceStrategic approach to facing teams with singles specialists like their first-round match against Melo and ZverevComparison between their... Duration: 00:36:55Kimberly Birrell Interview: WAGs, AO Mixed Finals, the Improvement Process, & Doubles
Mar 06, 2025Kimberly Birrell is the #76 singles player on the WTA tour and reached the finals of the Australian Open in mixed doubles a few months ago. I spoke with Kim after her round-one victory in Austin Texas at the ATX Open. We discussed her recent Australian Open performance, how she's improved her game as her career has developed, and more.
Kim's experience playing AO mixed with doubles veteran JP SmithSingles vs doubles mindset, and the importance of belief and partnership trustDiscussing goals for the future and her doubles plansIdeas on promoting the doubles game and discussion around the mixed... Duration: 00:24:29Heather Watson & Maia Lumsden Interview at the 2025 ATX Open
Mar 05, 2025Heather Watson is a Wimbledon mixed doubles champion. Maia Lumsden is the #72 doubles player on the WTA Tour. I spoke with them in Austin after their round one win at the ATX Open. We spoke about the match, the playing conditions, and more.
Heather's plans for doubles and why she wants to play moreHow Heather prepared for the 2024 Olympics where she reached the quarterfinals in the women's doubles drawMaia's goals for the rest of the seasonStrong opinions on the recent mixed doubles changes at the US Open, especially from HeatherFollow these players:
Follow... Duration: 00:12:50Rebuttal to Andy Roddick, Jon Wertheim, & Reilly Opelka: The Case for Doubles Specialists
Feb 28, 2025An exploration of the ongoing debate surrounding professional doubles and its future. In this episode, I directly address the recent comments about doubles from Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim on the Served Podcast, ignited by Reilly Opelka. I also created a separate video addressing the issue (see links in show notes below).
I believe one of the problems we face is that there has been an echo chamber culture around the doubles debate. We need people with different opinions to come together for conversations that create change. While I haven't been able to get Andy, Jon, or...
Duration: 00:32:04Rob Galloway Interview: From Wofford College to Top 30 in the World
Feb 26, 2025Rob Galloway is a top 30 doubles player on the ATP Tour. He made the finals of the 2025 Dallas Open with Ariel Behar. Rob's great story shows the importance of hard work and mindset to improve in doubles.
In this conversation, Rob shares.
Early obstacles and his decision to pursue a professional careerThe transition from college to pro tennisThe significance of staying healthy and having a growth mindset as a playerMixed doubles and being a part of Team USA at the United CupImproving the popularity of doublesAfter the episode Rob shared a training hack that...
Duration: 00:24:51Jamie Murray Interview: Solving All the World's Doubles Problems in 1 Hour
Feb 18, 2025Jamie Murray is a 7-time Grand Slam Doubles Champion and a former world #1 with 34 career men's doubles titles. I set up a 15-minute interview with Jamie during the Dallas Open and we didn't talk about any of that. We also didn't discuss strategy, tactics, or mindset for improving your doubles game. I never asked about his story, or mentioned his brother Andy or his mother Judy.
Instead, we talked about how to grow professional doubles. And the conversation lasted a full hour.
Jamie is uniquely qualified to tackle this problem because of his success on...
Duration: 01:01:56JJ Tracy & Robert Cash Interview at the 2025 Dallas Open
Feb 15, 2025Robert Cash and JJ Tracy are two rising doubles stars on the ATP Tour. They reached the semifinals of the Dallas Open, propelling their rankings inside the top 100 for the first time. College teammates at Ohio State, the chemistry between them is obvious when they play.
I chatted with them after their quarterfinal win in Dallas about college tennis and a lot more.
The serve dominance in their quarterfinal winDiscussing their Dallas Open tournament experience and venue appealTactical adjustments during the matchBalancing singles and doubles in JJ's young career (I LOVE this answer!)The impact of... Duration: 00:07:15Rob Galloway & Ariel Behar Interview at the 2025 Dallas Open
Feb 14, 2025Ariel Behar and Rob Galloway made the finals at the Dallas Open and are now ranked #41 and #25 on the ATP doubles tour, respectively. In this post-match interview, we discuss their quarterfinal win in Dallas, their goals for 2025, the potential for making doubles more popular, and more.
Insight on their quarterfinal and R16 match where they faced the top seeds and friends of Rob - Nate Lammons & Jackson WithrowGoals vs process and enjoying the journeyEnhancing doubles visibility through social engagementStrategic differences when playing against singles vs. doubles specialistsRob reflects on the experience representing Team USA at the United Cup<... Duration: 00:09:39Jamie Murray & John Peers Post-Match Interview at the 2025 Dallas Open
Feb 13, 2025Jamie Murray and John Peers are both multiple-time Grand Slam Doubles Champions. They reached the semifinals of the 2025 Dallas Open where I spoke with them after their quarterfinal win.
They reflect on their crazy comeback victory from a set and 2-6 down in the 2nd set tiebreaker. By ATP standards, this is a huge deficit. We talk about resilience, adjustments related to the match, and more.
How they climbed out of their big hole in the tiebreakerInsights on mental strength and key strategic adjustmentsAdvice for club players on maintaining focus during tense situations and 10-point tiebreakersReflections... Duration: 00:08:49Christian Harrison & Evan King Interviews at the 2025 Dallas Open
Feb 12, 2025This episode includes two post-match interviews with 2025 Dallas Open Champions, Christian Harrison and Evan King. They won six matches without dropping a set, resulting in new career-high ATP doubles rankings of 55 and 54.
They share the importance of teamwork, communication, and chemistry. We also discussed the effective return strategy that I believe helped lead them to the success they had in Dallas.
Importance of chemistry and their off-court friendshipStrategy of the two-back return formation and its executionImpact of crowd support on their performanceFuture goals and plans after their success in DallasI expect these two to...
Duration: 00:14:37Louis Cayer Interview: Coaching Language, Performers vs Players, & ATP Doubles Changes
Feb 05, 2025Louis Cayer is one of the smartest doubles minds on the planet. He is a Senior Performance Advisor for the LTA, and the strategic brain behind every successful British ATP doubles player of the last few decades. He's worked with players doubles grand slam champions like Jamie Murray, Joe Salisbury, Neal Skupski, Henry Patten, and more.
I spoke with Louis at the 2025 Australian Open, several days before one of his teams (Henry Patten & Harri Heliovaara) won the title. Whether you're a coach or player, this is an episode you'll want to listen to more than once.
<... Duration: 00:26:402025 Dallas Open Preview with Peter Lebedevs: Venue Upgrade, the Doubles Field, & More
Jan 29, 2025For the 4th year in a row, I bring Peter Lebedevs on the show to preview the Dallas Open.
The 2025 tournament is undergoing remarkable changes as it transitions to an ATP 500-level tournament, bringing in a stronger singles and doubles field. It's also moving to a larger venue at the Dallas Cowboys' practice facility in Frisco, Texas. Fans can expect world-class tennis, great food & drinks, and unique player engagement opportunities throughout the tournament.
We discuss:
Mark Petchey Interview: Doubles Debate & Potential Changes for ATP
Jan 22, 2025Mark Petchey is a commentator and analyst for Tennis Channel and other television networks. He is also a former top 100 singles player on the ATP Tour. He's been around this sport for decades and understands the ins and outs of the tour, TV, and doubles.
I spoke with Mark at the 2025 Australian Open, a few weeks after he sent out this tweet which created some buzz in the doubles world. I spoke with him about what he meant, and what he'd like to see change on tour for doubles. We discuss:
Calvin Betton Interview: Coaching a Wimbledon Title & What Professional Doubles Needs
Jan 20, 2025Calvin Betton is an ATP doubles coach. He works with Henry Patten & Harri Heliovaara who won Wimbledon in 2024, and Luke Johnson. I spoke with Calvin on the middle Sunday at the 2025 Australian Open.
Calvin shares his work over the past year with Harri and Henry, including their run at Wimbledon. He breaks down the matchups, draw, and how he scouted their round 1 opponents incognito.
After that, we dive into the growth of professional doubles. If you've listened to the podcast for a while, then you know I'm extremely passionate about this topic. We discussed:
2025 Australian Open Doubles Preview & Picks
Jan 14, 2025The 2025 Australian Open is underway and this episode previews new teams and picks for the first major of the year.
I recorded this from Melbourne with Tennis Tribe beat writer, Hanlon Walsh. We review the ATP then WTA draws discussing new partnerships and making 3 picks each for the 2025 AO Champions.
I'll have more conversations with players and coaches from Melbourne over the next several weeks.
Mentioned in this episode:
#1 Episode of 2024 (Rebroadcast): Jonathan Stokke on the 6 Most Common Errors Doubles Players Make
Jan 09, 2025To celebrate the new year, I'm re-releasing the three most popular episodes of 2024. This was the top #1 episode from 2024... enjoy!
For the strategy nerds... Jonathan Stokke joins the show for a second time as we discuss his Stokke Six. What are the Stokke Six? Simply put, they are errors to avoid that will dramatically improve your game. And I mean dramatically.
Jonathan and I could talk strategy and tactics for days. He's one of my favorite coaches because of his ability to simplify the game and help players focus on the most effective things that...
#2 Episode of 2024 (Rebroadcast): Tony Huber on Improving from 3.0 to 4.0 & Club Level Doubles Myths
Jan 01, 2025To celebrate the new year, I'm re-releasing the three most popular episodes of 2024. This is #2...
Tony Huber is the former coach of multiple doubles world #1 players including Liezel Huber, Martina Navratilova, Cara Black, Lisa Raymond, Ai Sugiyama, Latisha Chan, and Sonia Mirza. Today he coaches adult club-level players and I absolutely love his approach to the game.
This is one of those conversations that you'll want to listen to multiple times. I believe it will change the way you practice and play. We cover:
#3 Episode of 2024: Styrling Strother on Transforming the Practice Court (Rebroadcast)
Dec 26, 2024To celebrate the end of 2024, I'm re-releasing the three most popular episodes of the year. This is #3...
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...
Harri Heliovaara Interview: Winning Wimbledon, Handling Pressure, 2nd Serve Psychology, Tour Doubles Changes, & More
Dec 18, 2024Harri Heliovaara is the 2024 Wimbledon gentlemen's doubles champion and the 2023 US Open mixed doubles champion. He's currently ranked #16 on the ATP doubles tour. Heliovaara is also one of my favorite players to watch because of his entertaining celebrations and on-court demeanor.
This interview with Harri covers his Wimbledon run, doubles changes, his story, and more.
Choosing Racquets, Strings, & the Best Options for Doubles with Jonas Eriksson from Tennisnerd
Dec 11, 2024Are you using the right tennis racquet? What about strings? Jonas from Tennisnerd is one of the world's leading experts in tennis racquets and strings, having reviewed 1000s of racquets and consulted for ATP & WTA tour pros.
I first met Jonas in Austria at the Head headquarters on a trip with Tennis Warehouse to test out the new Gravity. Recently, we went to SLO California to test more gear with the TW team. I've learned a ton from Jonas and wanted to have him on so you can too. In this conversation, Jonas and I discuss the...
5 Training Tips to Improve this Offseason
Dec 05, 2024It's the offseason, a time to reflect and prepare for next year. How will your training or practice improve in 2025?
In this episode, I share 5 tips for improving your doubles game through more effective training this offseason.
If you can implement these tips, you'll be a better doubles player in 2025!
My favorite training tools:
Topspin Pro Functional Tennis SaberTargets & L... Duration: 00:21:58Nate Lammons Interview: ATP Doubles Changes, Serve Drills, Offseason Plans, & More
Nov 27, 2024Nate Lammons is the 19th-ranked doubles player on the ATP Tour. He and his doubles partner, Jackson Withrow, made the semifinals of the US Open earlier this year.
Nate played college tennis at SMU in Dallas, Texas where he still lives and trains with other professional doubles players like Austin Krajicek and Hans Hach. In this conversation, we discuss:
Mini-Lesson: Where You Hit The Ball Matters Most
Nov 24, 2024Today, Sunday, November 24, is the last day to get 35% off the new Tennis Tribe Memberships (coupon: LAUNCH).
This mini-lesson covers a phrase coined by Craig O'Shannessy (Brain Game Tennis), that has had more impact on my doubles game than any other lesson I've learned over the last decade.
I believe that if you can focus and train with this simple lesson in mind, you'll improve faster and understand doubles on an entirely different level.
If you like this shorter format, let me know by sending me an email: Will@TheTennisTribe.com<...
Coach Dan Kiernan Shares Stories from the WTA Finals, 2nd Set Adjustments, Positive Mindset, & More
Nov 20, 2024Dan Kiernan is the coach of Gaby Dabrowski who just won the 2024 WTA Finals alongside her partner Erin Routliffe.
I spoke with Dan a few days after winning the title in Riyadh. He shares:
Dan is one of my favorite guests because of his ability to share messages through stories. Doubles fans and players of any level can benefit from listening...
Duration: 00:54:513 Reasons to Get to the Net Even if Your Volleys Stink
Nov 13, 2024Do you prefer to play doubles from the baseline or net? I'm better at the net but often get lazy and have to remind myself to get up there and quit hanging out in the back of the court.
This episode reminds the baseliners (and me) the benefits of getting to the net.
You'll learn:
The Membership launches next Tuesday, November 19. Stay tuned...
Doubles Positioning Masterclass: Pros & Cons of Different Serve and Return Formations
Oct 29, 2024Do you use different serve and return formations? You should be! This episode will cover the pros and cons of each formation.
When to NOT use regular formation while serving.What is the best formation against BIG returners.When should I play 2-back while returning?This is a preview of my presentation from Tennis Con 8 which goes live today. To watch the full presentation, sign up here before 10/31.
Get lifetime access to all 40 presentations here.
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Duration: 00:23:22Pete Freeman Interview: 8 Doubles Tips from Tennis Con
Oct 23, 2024Peter Freeman hosts Tennis Con 8 starting next week. It's a free event where some of the best online tennis coaches present on different topics to help you improve your game.
I asked Pete to share the best doubles lessons he's learned over the years from Tennis Con. We discuss eight lessons.
Bob Bryan Interview: Doubles Rule Changes, USA Captain, & The Huckleberry Play
Oct 16, 2024Bob Bryan is a 23-time doubles grand slam champion (16 men's, 7 mixed), and Captain of the US Olympic and Davis Cup team. Bob and his brother, Mike, known as the Bryan Bros, are widely regarded as the greatest doubles team of all time.
In this conversation with Bob, you'll hear us discuss potential rule changes that could help doubles, how he's transitioned from player to coach, his experience captaining at the Olympics where his US doubles teams beat Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Andy Murray, and won Silver and Bronze Medals, and more.
Bob also shares how...
Episode 200 AMA! Court Position, Lob Wars, Net Play Skills, & More
Oct 10, 2024We celebrate Episode 200 of the Doubles Only Podcast with a live webinar where I answered your questions. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions and joined live 😀
Topics covered included...
Thanks again to everyone who attended! I'm excited for the next 200 episodes.
You can leave a review of the podcast her...
The Most Important Volley in Doubles: Lessons on the Serve +1
Oct 02, 2024I recently released a 3-part doubles lesson on the most important volley in doubles... the Serve +1 volley. You can watch all 3 lessons below.
This episode covers the serve +1 volley in even more detail, including my response to several Facebook and Instagram comments on the lessons. You'll learn how to practice the serve +1 volley, the different types of this volley, and several rules to follow to make it easier.
Master this shot and everyone will want to be your doubles partner because they'll hold their serve so much more easily!
Don't forget to join...
Ellen Perez Interview: Her Story, Lefty Advice, How to Slide, The Doubles Calendar, & More
Sep 25, 2024Ellen Perez is world number 11 on the WTA Doubles Tour, with seven career titles. In this interview, Ellen shares her tennis journey, WTA doubles serve, return, volley, groundstroke, rankings, and more.
Here are a few topics we dive into:
Tony Huber Interview: Jumping from 3.0/3.5 to 4.0/4.5, What You Misunderstand About Doubles, Where Club Players Miss
Sep 19, 2024Tony Huber is the former coach of multiple doubles world #1 players including Liezel Huber, Martina Navratilova, Cara Black, Lisa Raymond, Ai Sugiyama, Latisha Chan, and Sonia Mirza. Today he coaches adult club-level players and I absolutely love his approach to the game.
This is one of those conversations that you'll want to listen to multiple times. I believe it will change the way you practice and play. We cover:
Swinging Volleys, Fake Technique, and How to Improve in Doubles with a Singles Coach
Sep 16, 2024This is an AMA episode where I cover three questions from you. I chose these doubles topics because they haven't been covered on the podcast before.
How to use the swinging volley in doubles.What is the proper technique when faking at the net?How can you improve at doubles when most coaches focus on singles?If you have other questions you'd like me to answer on the podcast, email me: will@thetennistribe.com
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Fabio Molle Interview: Improve Footwork & Hit a Cleaner Ball with the Functional Tennis Saber
Sep 04, 2024Fabio Molle is the founder of Functional Tennis, a company that created products to help tennis players improve. Their Saber is one of the only training tools that I use and highly recommend to doubles players.
In this episode, Fabio shares the story of the Functional Tennis Saber, how it is made, and why so many pro-level players are using it including Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, Harri Heliovaara, Joe Salisbury, and more.
I personally love the Saber for my volleys because it helps me consistently find the sweetspot and hit a cleaner ball. However, Fabio...
Reduce These Errors, Improve Your Game: The Stokke 6 for Doubles
Aug 28, 2024For the strategy nerds... Jonathan Stokke joins the show for a second time as we discuss his Stokke Six. What are the Stokke Six? Simply put, they are errors to avoid that will dramatically improve your game. And I mean dramatically.
Jonathan and I could talk strategy and tactics for days. He's one of my favorite coaches because of his ability to simplify the game and help players focus on the most effective things that lead to winning tennis.
We dive deep into the most common errors:
Rajeev Ram & Austin Krajicek on Their Silver Medal Olympic Experience, Beating Nadal & Alcaraz
Aug 21, 2024🎾🥈 Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram won an Olympic Silver medal for Team USA at the 2024 Olympics. I spoke with them a few weeks after the Olympics to hear about their experience in Paris, beating Rafael Nadal & Carlos Alcaraz, working with the Bryan Bros, and more.
We talked about how difficult it was to close out their quarterfinal match against Nadal and Alcaraz with the crowd so against them. What were they feeling and saying in those moments? They also shared how "comforting" it was to have the doubles GOATs, Bob and Mike Bryan, in Paris with them. At the...
Bethanie Mattek-Sands & Sofia Kenin Interview from Toronto
Aug 14, 2024This is a post-match interview with Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sofia Kenin from the National Bank Open in Toronto. We spoke with them after a very close victory where they saved six match points.
Bethanie and Sonya share insights into their strategies and conversations during the match, including how they stayed positive when down a set and a break. These two are a ton of fun to listen to because they're so transparent with their game plans and love to talk strategy.
Shout out to Mike McIntyre from the Match Point Canada podcast for the cover...
Aldila Sutjiadi Interview: From Indonesia to Kentucky to the WTA Tour
Aug 11, 2024Aldila Sutjiadi is the 37th-ranked doubles player on the WTA Tour. Born in Indonesia and 2x doubles All-American at Kentucky, Aldila has a fascinating story.
Tennis Tribe writer, Hanlon Walsh and I spoke with her on the grounds at the National Bank Open in Toronto. We discussed her story, how and why she plays with doubles partners with contrasting styles (loved this answer), mixed doubles, and more.
While I love the tactics and strategy, I want to start diving deeper into the stories behind these great doubles players so you can get to know them...
Olympic Doubles Recap: Scouting Nadal, Alcaraz, Murray, & More
Aug 08, 2024Team USA finished with two doubles medals at the Olympics. Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek won Silver while Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz took home Bronze.
In this episode, I share three more lessons I learned providing strategy and scouting analysis for Team USA.
These lessons will help players of all skill levels. Not just the pros ;)
Only 5 spots left in our doubles camp!
...
Olympic Doubles Lessons: The Lob Return, Experiment Early, & Attack Strengths
Jul 31, 2024The Olympics are underway, and Team USA is off to a great start in doubles. In this episode, I share 3 lessons I've learned from scouting and analyzing data & video for Team USA over the past week.
Who should be using the lob return?Why you need to be experimenting earlier and more often than you think.How to handle a BIG forehand.No matter which country you support, watch the doubles from Paris all week long. In the US, you can watch on Peacock.
Enjoy the Olympics!
#WatchMoreDOUBLES
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Duration: 00:17:42Bruce Lipka Interview: World #1 Doubles Coach, Mindset for Improvement, & How to Play the Net
Jul 24, 2024Bruce Lipka is the coach of WTA #1 doubles player, Erin Routliffe. He has coached over twenty top 100 ATP and WTA players, won USPTA Tour Coach of the Year three times, and now is the head men's coach at Penn State.
Erin has improved immensely under Bruce's coaching, and it's something I've personally noticed since watching Erin over the past few years. In our discussion, we talk about her improvement, as well as specific drills that you can use.
Bruce has been the Director of Tennis at Woodmont Country Club in Maryland for the past 25 years...
3 Lessons from Wimbledon: Return Mistakes, Fast Courts, & Maximizing Practice
Jul 17, 2024This episode covers three lessons I learned from watching the men's doubles final at Wimbledon as well as a private lesson that made me sad...
<...
Duration: 00:18:28James Cerretani Interview: Gratitude, Growth Mindset, & Love for Doubles
Jul 10, 2024James Cerretani is a former ATP doubles player with a career-high ranking of #45 in the world. He won four ATP doubles titles, made the Wimbledon quarterfinals twice, and played college tennis at Brown where he is in their Hall of Fame.
James joined the team of Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic earlier this year to help improve their performance. I spoke with Marcelo a few weeks ago in a previous episode and was excited to hear about the two-week run to the Roland Garros title from a different perspective on their team.
James and I...
Storm Hunter Interview: Recovery, Lefty Strategy, & Aussie Wildlife
Jul 03, 2024Storm Hunter is one of the best doubles players on the WTA tour over the last several seasons. She's a Wimbledon finalist (2023), world #1, and US Open mixed doubles champion (2022).
Unfortunately, the 2024 season was cut short for Storm as she suffered a torn Achilles in April. I spoke with her from Australia in June as she continues rehab. We discussed her timeline for recovery and her success on the court over the past few seasons.
Here are a few topics we cover.
Marcelo Arevalo Interview: The Highs & Lows of Winning a Major
Jun 26, 2024Marcelo Arevalo is a top 10 doubles player on the ATP Tour who recently won Roland Garros for the second time in three years. In this episode, he shares his experience winning the French Open again.
One of the things that makes tennis so difficult is the sustained focus required to win. This can create mental fatigue and stress. Marcelo doesn't dance around that topic in this episode. Instead of the typical canned responses you hear during post-match interviews, he shares how difficult it was during and after winning the tournament.
He also explains:
A...
Paul McNamee Interview: Hsieh Su-wei Stories, Team Roles, Strengths & Weaknesses, & Doubles Strategy
Jun 18, 2024Paul McNamee is one of the best doubles players AND doubles coaches of all time. He has four men's doubles major titles, plus a Wimbledon mixed title. Today, he's best known for being the mastermind coach behind one of the best and most entertaining doubles players in today's game, Hsieh Su-wei.
Paul joined me as the grass court season was just getting started. We chatted about his career, doubles strategy, and of course, Su-wei.
How does Paul create a game plan for Hsieh with new doubles partners?Why he switched from a one to a two-handed... Duration: 00:55:22Angela Kulikov Interview: On Net Skills, Dealing with Injury, & Doubles Strategy
Jun 12, 2024Angela Kulikov is a WTA doubles player with a career-high ranking of 57 in the world. She played college tennis at USC where she was the #1 doubles player in the country. She joins me from California as she rehabs an ankle injury.
We discussed her wide array of hobbies including flag football, coaching tennis, and now, golf. She shares her path to becoming a professional tennis player and how she's dealt with injuries, using them to reset and propel her game forward.
You'll learn:
Greg Moran Interview: The Truth About Tennis
May 31, 2024Greg Moran has coached tennis for over 45 years and specializes in the recreational player. He's a member of the Wilson Advisory Staff, the Cardio Tennis National Speaker's Team, and the USTA's Coach Developer program. He's also written several books and in this conversation we discuss his latest, The Truth About Tennis: The Definitive Guide for the Recreational Player (affiliate link).
We discuss:
5 Things You Can Learn Watching Pro Doubles
May 22, 2024Watching pro doubles can 100% help you improve your own game, regardless of your skill level. Here are 5 things to look for when watching ATP or WTA doubles live or on TV.
In between the points.Formations and variety.Net position, movement, court coverage, & shot selection.Baseline...When they MISS!If you're not currently watching pro doubles, you can do so with Tennis Channel Plus and TennisTV in the US.
READ: I Surveyed 1,292 Tennis Fans
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Where Your Eyes Should be at the Net
May 15, 2024Over the past six months, I've closely studied net players at every level of tennis. One of the most difficult concepts to teach is where the your eyes should be at the net.
This episode covers where to focus your eyes and what to look for when you're at the net. Almost no club-level players get this right because it goes against our natural tendency to follow the ball. But, if you understand when to look at the ball vs the opponents, you'll be able to read the ball earlier, force more errors, and get...
Murphy Jensen Interview: Knocking on Death's Door
May 08, 2024Murphy Jensen is the 1993 French Open doubles champion, tennis coach, cardiac arrest survivor, mental health advocate, keynote speaker, co-founder of WEconnect, TV host, and the most impactful guest we've ever had on the Doubles Only Podcast.
This episode is not about doubles. It's far more important.
Murphy suffered from depression and addiction while on tour, considered taking his own life, and was saved by a hotel manager. Decades later he fell on the tennis court and didn't breathe on his own for 18 minutes. Today, he lives in Austin, Texas, still plays tennis, and helps others...
3 Mindset Lessons from My New Masterclass
Apr 30, 2024Three lessons that will improve your mental game on the doubles court. There's obviously a huge difference between pro and club-level doubles players. While we can't emulate their 120 MPH serves, we can absorb their mindset.
These three lessons from my new Masterclass have helped me more than any others over the last several years and I know they'll help you too.
If you can grasp...
Duration: 00:21:03How to Support Your Doubles Partner
Apr 24, 2024Doubles is a TEAM sport. You have to not only worry about playing well yourself but also need to know how to get the most out of your partner.
This episode covers several things you can do to support your doubles partner so they play their best!
This will build your team chemistry for new and existing partnerships.Â
Mentioned in this e...
3 New Doubles Lessons: Approach Drill, Attacking Strengths, & Using the Wind
Apr 17, 2024This episode covers three new lessons I've learned recently while coaching a high school team. These players are around the USTA 3.0 to 4.0 level.
How to think about attacking the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent.A tactic that worked for one of my doubles teams in windy conditions.How I structured approach plus volley drills, and why.Sign up for the Tennis Summit to see my presentation on Common Poaching Mistakes & How to Fix Them.
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New d... Duration: 00:29:37Marcel Granollers & Horacio Zeballos Interview at the Miami Open
Apr 15, 2024Horacio Zeballos and Marcel Granollers are one of the most accomplished doubles pairings of the last five years on the ATP Tour. I spoke with them in Miami after their second-round win.
We discussed their 7-5 6-3 win which Horacio said was one of their "best matches this year." They faced two players whom they've faced many times, Mate Pavić and Marcelo Arévalo. We talk about how they handle facing players who they know so well and who know them, as well as the windy conditions.
I also asked them if they believe their co...
Rajeev Ram & Joe Salisbury Interview from the Miami Open
Apr 11, 2024Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram are 3-time reigning US Open Champions. I spoke with them in Miami after their second round 7-5 7-6 victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas and Thanassi Kokkinakis.
Adam Ross from Florida Tennis joined me for this interview.
We asked the US Open champs about the match, including a specific tactic they kept going to that I picked up on. They talked about team chemistry and if they think it helps them early in the season, and how to play doubles vs singles players.
You'll hear Adam ask them about training...
Elise Mertens Interview from the Miami Open
Apr 10, 2024Elise Mertens is the 2nd ranked doubles player on the WTA tour. She has four major titles including the 2024 Australian Open.
I spoke with Elise in Miami after her 1st round victory. We talk about that match, practicing for singles vs doubles, and how she and Hsieh Su-wei adjust to different opponents.
Elise also shares why focusing on your good points can help you in pressure moments and a few thoughts on marketing for doubles.
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New doubles strategy l... Duration: 00:08:56Wesley Koolhof & Nikola Mektić Interview from the Miami Open
Apr 05, 2024Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektić have been one of the best doubles teams on the ATP Tour in 2024. They've won three titles so far, including Indian Wells, and I spoke with them in Miami after their first-round win.
We talked about the match, their 10-point tiebreaker success, how they handle pressure & nerves (they each deal with it differently), and Wesley's goals for his last year on tour.
Also, please fill out the Pro Doubles Survey!
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New do... Duration: 00:10:03Bethanie Mattek-Sands & Sofia Kenin Interview from the Miami Open
Apr 02, 2024Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sofia (Sonya) Kenin won the 2024 Miami Open. I spoke with them after their 2nd round victory in Miami for about 10 minutes.
Bethanie & Sonya deliver some fantastic doubles strategy tips throughout this conversation, so listen carefully.
We discuss:
You'll also hear why Bethanie thinks Sonya is a great doubles player, what Sonya has learned from Bethanie, and their thoughts on making...
Duration: 00:18:08Rohan Bopanna Interview from the Miami Open
Apr 01, 2024Rohan 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...
Gaby Dabrowski & Erin Routliffe Interview from the 2024 Miami Open
Mar 29, 2024Gaby 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.
How they won a high percentage of 2nd serve points - 76%. Great lesson here!What they do on off days in Miami.Why Erin got frustrated in the 2nd set and what they did as a... Duration: 00:09:25Austin Krajicek Interview from the 2024 Miami Open
Mar 28, 2024World #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...
Matt Ebden Interview: The State of Professional Doubles
Mar 19, 2024This 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 Player's Council and involved in many of the meetings that...
Nicole Melichar-Martinez, Ellen Perez, & Coach Carlos Martinez at Indian Wells
Mar 16, 2024Nicole 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:
Tereza Mihalíková Interview: ATX, Net Movement, & Rabbit Farms
Mar 15, 2024Tereza MihalÃková 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, wh...
Sophie Chang Interview: On Goals vs Process, Smiling, & How to Focus on Big Points
Mar 07, 2024Sophie 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.
You'll learn:
Bibiane Schoofs & Katarzyna Kawa Interviews: ATX Open Finalists
Mar 05, 2024Bibiane 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!
You'll learn why Bibiane likes to scout opponents while Katarzyna likes to focus on herself. I...
Olivia Nicholls & Olivia Gadecki Interviews: ATX Open Doubles Champions
Mar 05, 2024Olivia 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 Olivia's 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...
Nadiia Kichenok & Oksana Kalashnikova Interviews from the ATX Open
Mar 03, 2024This 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.
You'll learn: