Adrian Montesinos
Playing doubles can be made easy if you play the percentages correctly. A big serve for example is not always necessary. You will have much more success if you slow down your first serve and make a higher percentage of first serves in. This will take the pressure off your second serve and will stop the returner from attacking.
When returning, try to block out the volleyer and direct your return down the middle of the court. It is important to make the incoming volleyer play a volley. If they make the first volley, keep hitting down the middle of the court so that you can set up your own partner.
These are simple but effective principles that will, if followed, help enormously. Of course, if your opponents are playing well or just can’t miss, you may have to take a few more risks – change your court positioning, go down the line on returns or hit bigger serves.
At the end of the day, do whatever you got to do to win, but stick to the basics and you will win more matches and you will gain more confidence.
Keep it simple and fun and you can’t go wrong!
