How to Choose the Right Partner
Competitive doubles can be one of the most enjoyable experiences
in tennis. The key is having a partner that you "click" with. Notice
I did not say a partner who is a great player. I know of some fine singles
players that play a miserable game of doubles. You need a partner that
will complement your game. The first step towards finding a partner
that complements your game is to determine honestly what your strengths
and weaknesses are. There are basically three types of doubles players.
The aggressive player that is a shot maker and risk taker. The consistent
player that works to set up points and makes few unforced errors. The
all-court player that can do it all and change roles and be whatever
type of player it takes to win in a given situation.
The mistake many players make is to pick a partner that
is too much like themselves. Even the all-court player would be wise
to pick a partner that is unlike themselves. The problem that all-court
players have is that they often have problems being decisive in their
shot selection because they have a wider range of choices than the average
player. Even if you consider yourself an all-court player picking a
partner that is clearly a consistent, or an attacking player, will help
you to adapt to a role and narrow your shot selection decisions.
The consistent player should look for an attacking player
and the attacking player should look for a consistent player. Two consistent
players keep the ball in play forever but have a real problem putting
the point away. Two attacking players will tend to play in streaks,
great one day and awful the next day, or even the next set. The combination
of an attacking player and a consistent player brings out the best in
both styles of play. The attacking player feels more confident in taking
risks because they know their partner will keep the ball in play if
they make a few errors. The consistent player doesn't feel they need
to try to hit it too good and make unforced errors because they know
if they just "set it up" their partner will put the ball away.
Personality is also a very important component of good
doubles team. High strung players tend to play better with a more laid-back
partner. The more relaxed partner tends to keep the high strung player
from going over the edge from being excited to crazed. On the other
hand the laid-back player sometimes needs a kick in the rear to get
going and the more excitable player will give him or her that. Personality,
disposition or whatever you wish to call it is not as simple as pairing
yourself with your opposite. Sometimes players with similar dispositions
play well together when neither player is at the extreme end of the
scale and they simply get along well.
Once you have picked a partner then it is time to work
at becoming a winning team.
