By Stephen Huss, 2005 Wimbledon Doubles Champion, Program Director, Huss 75 76 Tennis at Crooked Creek
I was at a pro tournament recently watching a doubles match and there was a team playing together that consisted of one very good singles player and one player I had never heard of before. They beat the team on which the player I was coaching played, and I was struck by the differences between the two players on the other team.
One was a strong singles player who served and stayed back, hit strong groundstrokes, returned well, and stood close to the net to volley when his partner was serving.
The other lobbed or bunted the return, did not have strong groundstrokes, served and volleyed, and ran to the net at every opportunity.
It was a good reminder that despite it being doubles, players need to play to their strengths, maximize the number of times they can play their best shot and minimize the number of times a weaker part of their game is exposed.
Something to think about for our own side of the net and the opponents’.
About Stephen: Stephen Huss is from Melbourne, Australia. He was an All American in singles and doubles at Auburn University and is a former National Women’s coach. He has coached Sofia Kenin, Jennifer Brady, and Caroline Dolehide. Huss is a former assistant coach at Virginia Tech (men’s tennis) where the team earned a #12 national ranking. He also is the 2005 Wimbledon Men’s Doubles Champion. Huss has competed in 37 grand slams, won 4 ATP titles, 17 Challenger Titles, and 8 Future Titles. Stephen runs his Elite Tennis Program, Stephen Huss 75 76 Tennis out of Crooked Creek. More info: sceneytennis.net/stephen-huss-75-76-tennis.
