beltsman
G.O.A.T.
You might find this interesting, or not, but I am a singles player who rarely plays any doubles. When I do, it's just messing around with friends or super casual.
This weekend I played a few matches of serious doubles with dedicated doubles players (3.5-4.0 level). Here are my thoughts:
- it is fun, and the social aspect is fun.
- it's annoying feeling limited in shot selection and mainly playing half the court
- I liked using more slice to cut off angles from my opponent so my teammate gets an easy volley. More three dimensional tennis.
- I don't like how one return not on target is instantly punished and point over
- my net skills need work, of course. I felt like I performed as a C- at the net.
- I don't like how flat footed it feels at the net. Yes it's fun to put balls away, but I also hate feeling like a sitting duck.
- I miss controlling when I come to the net, like in singles (generally)
- I definitely appreciate the doubles skill set
- I enjoyed the "oohs" and "ahhs" from other players when I hit nice topspin shots/winners, since they don't really play that way.
- Dipping topspin shots at the feet were very fun to trouble my opponents with.
- I don't like having to worry about hitting my teammate in the back.
Overall a fun experience. I will play again. It's a nice change of pace but I still prefer singles.
This weekend I played a few matches of serious doubles with dedicated doubles players (3.5-4.0 level). Here are my thoughts:
- it is fun, and the social aspect is fun.
- it's annoying feeling limited in shot selection and mainly playing half the court
- I liked using more slice to cut off angles from my opponent so my teammate gets an easy volley. More three dimensional tennis.
- I don't like how one return not on target is instantly punished and point over
- my net skills need work, of course. I felt like I performed as a C- at the net.
- I don't like how flat footed it feels at the net. Yes it's fun to put balls away, but I also hate feeling like a sitting duck.
- I miss controlling when I come to the net, like in singles (generally)
- I definitely appreciate the doubles skill set
- I enjoyed the "oohs" and "ahhs" from other players when I hit nice topspin shots/winners, since they don't really play that way.
- Dipping topspin shots at the feet were very fun to trouble my opponents with.
- I don't like having to worry about hitting my teammate in the back.
Overall a fun experience. I will play again. It's a nice change of pace but I still prefer singles.