Doubles Only Tennis Podcast

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 ad side?When to adjust your return positioningUsing lobs to neutralize opponentsWhen to play two backWhen to target the girlWhy guys need to STOP COACHING!Stories from my own mixed doubles matchesIf you have more questions about mixed doubles, send them my way!Links:Rally Trip at Indian Wells: https://www.therosegoldgroup.com/details-bnp ($100 off if you sign up during December) ----- **Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players** New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox **Become a Tennis Tribe Member**Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more. Learn More & Sign Up Here **Other Free Doubles Content** Serve Strategy Cheatsheet Return Strategy Cheatsheet Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

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 patternsReturn identities and training frameworksA deepdive into the lob return: topspin vs flat vs chip lobsOff‑season planning for Henry and LukeUS Open mixed doubles impact and narrativesPartnership updates and 2026 outlookLearn more about Calvin & follow:InstagramTwitterHost of the Tennis Unfiltered PodcastLinks:Calvin's X thread of packed doubles stadiumsPrevious podcast with Calvin, Luke Johnson, and Sander ArendsPrevious podcast with Calvin from the 2025 Australian Open ----- **Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players** New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox **Become a Tennis Tribe Member**Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more. Learn More & Sign Up Here **Other Free Doubles Content** Serve Strategy Cheatsheet Return Strategy Cheatsheet Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

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 mostly uselessShould you poach anyway, even if your partner doesn't like calling plays?Members only: The best volley targets in certain situationsMembers only: When to hit at net player vs back deep to the baselinerMembers only: When it's okay to play 2-up instead of 1-up 1-backMembers only: How to handle 4.5 teams who have one player hitting high, heavy lobs, while their partner finishes at the netLinks:Early-bird pricing for the Indian Wells Rally Trip ends December 1 (use coupon code TennisTribe).Email will[at]thetennistribe.com if you're interested in a doubles camp for your team.Become a member to get the last four lessons.Already a member? Download the member podcast feed. ----- **Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players** New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox **Become a Tennis Tribe Member**Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more. Learn More & Sign Up Here **Other Free Doubles Content** Serve Strategy Cheatsheet Return Strategy Cheatsheet Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

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 dataPairing doubles teams by similar skill and compatible stylesHow much they played leading up to NationalsBuilding trust through fixed partnerships and repsReading opponents' patterns in singles and doublesHow one team came back from 1-5 downMaking in-match adjustments that changed momentumHow to handle a team that hits hard and poaches a lotTargeting weaker opponents without forcing errorsHandling pressure in semifinalsBeing down a Championship point and still winningRoadmap and mindset for moving up to 3.5Links:Join me for the Indian Wells Rally Trip in 2026 (Use coupon TENNISTRIBE)The training presentation before Nationals ----- **Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players** New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox **Become a Tennis Tribe Member**Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more. Learn More & Sign Up Here **Other Free Doubles Content** Serve Strategy Cheatsheet Return Strategy Cheatsheet Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

How to Poach: Common Mistakes, Timing, Positioning, & Drills

Link to the Instagram PostPossibly 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 club players make when poachingHow skill level, pace, and opponent depth change your poach timingA common movement mistake that could be causing you to miss volleysWhere to start and where you should NOT start in the service box and the “window” conceptUsing a quiet racket face for clean finishesMembers only: How close you should be at the netMembers only: How to finish your volleys and stop hitting it back to the baseline playerMembers only: When it's OK to cover the alley and not poachMembers only:  Drills to help your poaching skillsTo get the rest of the episode, sign up for a membership here: https://thetennistribe.com/memberships/ ----- **Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players** New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox **Become a Tennis Tribe Member**Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more. Learn More & Sign Up Here **Other Free Doubles Content** Serve Strategy Cheatsheet Return Strategy Cheatsheet Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course