Singles vs doubles

[tennisdude42]

Is it normal for a singles player to suck at doubles? I'm a singles player and I find singles a completely different game from doubles. I mean theres two more people, where you stand and hi is different, etc.

[kobe3pointer]

I hate doubles...

[5263]

Is it normal for a singles player to suck at doubles? I'm a singles player and I find singles a completely different game from doubles. I mean theres two more people, where you stand and hi is different, etc.

Dubs is just so athletic with such a different shot selection and the quicker pace, you don't have much time to think about it, as it needs to be very instinctive.

Kick serves kick butt in dubs with that poacher up there to finish the light work. You have to volley in dubs and you volley down at peoples feet vs going deep to open court. GSs have to be more compact and precise, with more dippers and chips. Once you learn the differences well, you can be a better overall player like Mac.

[Nellie]

Yes - singles and doubles are quite different. I find doubles to be much more strategic.

[albino smurf]

I've just recently started playing doubles and while I don't like it as much, it def adds elements to your game that would be had to develop playing singles only.

[RakettoKozou]

Stewpid doubles...

[Steady Eddy]

A singles player won't do well when he switches to doubles. But likewise, many good doubles players are worthless at singles.

In singles you probably use a nice long, flowing stroke where the ball clears the net by several feet and lands deep. Useless shot in doubles. In doubles you use a more compact stroke, and chip it low over the net. Being in shape doesn't help as much in doubles. But being smart counts more. Old guys can sometimes beat young 'uns in doubles, when they'd have no chance against them in singles. Fred Stolle/John Newcomb took John McEnroe/Peter Flemming 5 sets as the U.S. Open in 1980 and Stolle/Newcomb were 75, 73 years old, respectively! (Maybe not really that old. They looked that old.)

[Bungalo Bill]

Is it normal for a singles player to suck at doubles? I'm a singles player and I find singles a completely different game from doubles. I mean theres two more people, where you stand and hi is different, etc.

For some yes. Some just can't get mentally into doubles. It is too "slow" (so they think), they dont know where to stand, aren't used to another person on the same side of the court, dont know who has the middle ball, etc...it's a nightmare for some.

For me, I like both but am clearly a better doubles player than a singles player.

[Moz]

The more I train at singles the more I dislike doubles.

I also feel, unlike many, that playing doubles doesn't help your singles. Time spent playing doubles is time that would be better employed training for singles if getting better at singles is your goal.

[Bungalo Bill]

A singles player won't do well when he switches to doubles. But likewise, many good doubles players are worthless at singles.

In singles you probably use a nice long, flowing stroke where the ball clears the net by several feet and lands deep. Useless shot in doubles. In doubles you use a more compact stroke, and chip it low over the net. Being in shape doesn't help as much in doubles. But being smart counts more. Old guys can sometimes beat young 'uns in doubles, when they'd have no chance against them in singles. Fred Stolle/John Newcomb took John McEnroe/Peter Flemming 5 sets as the U.S. Open in 1980 and Stolle/Newcomb were 75, 73 years old, respectively! (Maybe not really that old. They looked that old.)

Everything was okay with me except for the "bolded type". We could debate that part all day long because it depends on the level of doubles we are talking about.

[2nd_Serve]

I don't like doubles too much either. It's a bit too fast for my liking. But still, I like to play with friends just for fun.

[FloridaAG]

Generally prefer singles to doubles - but have been playing some doubles lately and liking it more.

[Steady Eddy]

Being in shape doesn't help as much in doubles.

Everything was okay with me except for the "bolded type". We could debate that part all day long because it depends on the level of doubles we are talking about.

And I thought it was what I said about Stolle and Newcomb that would land me in trouble. :) At the highest levels doubles players need to be fit. At club levels, some diet books imply that I'm not getting enough exercise with my doubles. Singles seems exhausting to me, except for beginners who can't sustain a rally. So since I said "as much", can't the statement stand with that qualification?

[Bungalo Bill]

And I thought it was what I said about Stolle and Newcomb that would land me in trouble. :) At the highest levels doubles players need to be fit. At club levels, some diet books imply that I'm not getting enough exercise with my doubles. Singles seems exhausting to me, except for beginners who can't sustain a rally. So since I said "as much", can't the statement stand with that qualification?

:) I understood what you were getting at, but some here could take interest in debating you on the "fitness" thing even if you did qualify it with "as much".

However, it is difficult to argue when you see people with wooden legs, beer guts, double chins, and getting heat exhaustion from all the chatting they are doing in a doubles match. :)

[JRstriker12]

Used to really love doubles, but I've been playing singles most of the USTA season.

Now I've lost my doubles mojo. It's a real bummer. I find I'm enjoying singles more.

I think it's mainly because the group of guys that I used to hit doubles with all the time has disolved. Now my doubles game is in the trash. No volleys and my reactions are SSSSSSLLLLLLLOOOOOWWWWW at the net. UGH!!!!

[split-step]

I am a singles player but I LOVE playing doubles.
There's just something about the camaraderie with 4 people on the court but especially playing in a team albeit a 2 member team.
Your partner shares the pressure.
This is what I love about doubles. As a result of this, I usually am more relaxed and enjoy myself more on court when playing doubles.

So while my tactics and strategies are light years ahead in my singles game than in my doubles, I still have fun playing doubles learning each time I play and winning a lot of doubles matches.

[Steady Eddy]

I used to think that doubles was invented with the net game in mind. Not so. Read a book describing the first 'US Opens', then played in Rhode Island. At first all four players stood back like in singles! The next year, a couple teams put one player at the net. Then more. Eventually, they noticed that the teams with both at the net tended to win the most.

But at first, even the best players thought that doubles would be just like singles!

[Rui]

Yes, it's normal to suck at doubles. But, that doesn't mean you have to hate it.

[TopShelf]

I enjoy doubles because I can volley alot more and improve my serve (having to serve to two different players helps make me plan my spins/location)

I do ignore the doubles lines though when playing (only hit shots as I would in a singles match) to not mess up my swing and to make it more of a challenge. Of course I never tell my doubles partner this, but I don't go into tourney's in doubles