What is worse for low back pain...singles or doubles?
 

Split stepping puts stress on my lower back and thus makes it tough to come to net and be effective. I seem fine when playing singles and just staying back to hit ground strokes.

I've always thought doubles was easier on the body, since you take ~half the amount of swings. Starting to think doubles and the use of quick twitch muscle fibers might be tougher on the body.

Agree? Disagree?

Your question is not really answerable as you give no diagnosis. "Low back pain" can have many causes. If we assume you have at least a partially herniated disk, both singles and doubles will potentially exacerbate the problem, singles likely moreso because of more running involved. A split-step is likely no worse than all the running and stopping involved in singles.

Isn't serving the worst for the lower back?

Doubles you are doing a lot more stabbing at volleys with quick movements. Perhaps that is another reason why it bothers your back more.

Offer me up 2 opinions since I have no clue whether it is a disc or muscle issue

Serving is a stroke I can control since it goes from stop to go. All other strokes I am in motion for.

^^ do a search on symptoms of "lumbar disk herniation" or "herniated nucleus pulposis" in the lumbar area.

Jeez, nevermind.

stretch the hamstrings for your lower back