Doubles: Watch the Competition

From the October 2004 issue of TENNIS Magazine

Rather than turning and watching your partner receive serve...

There's a difference of opinion as to what to do when your partner isreturning serve in doubles. Many players in this situation help call theserve in or out, which is fine, and watch their partner hit the return. Thenthey track the ball as it goes over the net and play the point out. I thinkthis is a mistake.

You're better off keeping your focus on your opponents, particularly theopposing net player. Learn to read his body language and you can tell wherethe return is going and how effective it is. If he starts to move across thecourt, you have to be alert because he's looking to poach off a weak return.If he looks up and starts to backpedal, you know your partner tried to lob.You either want to retreat or move forward, depending on the quality of thelob. And if the opposing net player stays still and doesn't do anything,shift your focus to the server because the return is going to him andperhaps you can take advantage of his reply.

...keep your eyes on the opposing team's net player.

The problem with watching your partner hit the return is that in shiftingyour focus to the other side of the net, you can't respond as quickly to theopposing net player. If he or she poaches, you'll have almost no time toreact to the volley. And if your partner cracks a big return, you may not bein the right position to capitalize on it. The smart thing to do is to watchthe serve land and make the call if necessary. If the ball is in, quicklylook at the opposing net player to read his reaction to the return.