Naturally a Singles/Doubles Player?

[SlapShot]

A little backstory before the question:

I played singles all though middle school and until my senior year of high school. My coach always felt that I was "naturally" a doubles player. I vehemently disagreed with him, but he moved me from 1 singles to 1 doubles halfway through my senior year, and I had much better success at doubles. Fast forward 6 years (I didn't play tennis through college, and just recently came back to the game).

I now play USTA (both men's and mixed), and started the season playing singles. Had a few tough matches, really struggled to find my groove. Moved to doubles, and have yet to lose. My serve returns are better, my serve seems much more effective, and my net play is much stronger. I'm a 4.0, but when I play dubs, it seems like I'm playing up a level as far as consistency and shot making goes.

Is it possible that someone has a natural talent toward one game, and not toward the other? Is it possible that I'm far and away a better doubles player just due to being me?

 

[Jonny S&V]

A little backstory before the question:

I played singles all though middle school and until my senior year of high school. My coach always felt that I was "naturally" a doubles player. I vehemently disagreed with him, but he moved me from 1 singles to 1 doubles halfway through my senior year, and I had much better success at doubles. Fast forward 6 years (I didn't play tennis through college, and just recently came back to the game).

I now play USTA (both men's and mixed), and started the season playing singles. Had a few tough matches, really struggled to find my groove. Moved to doubles, and have yet to lose. My serve returns are better, my serve seems much more effective, and my net play is much stronger. I'm a 4.0, but when I play dubs, it seems like I'm playing up a level as far as consistency and shot making goes.

Is it possible that someone has a natural talent toward one game, and not toward the other? Is it possible that I'm far and away a better doubles player just due to being me?

Yes, I love doubles and love playing doubles, but I usually suck at it. I do much better at singles.

 

[Grizvok]

I feel the same way except I am a better singles player than I am a doubles player. My gripe about singles is not how my playing style isn't good for it but about how angry I get when my teammate makes a mistake to be honest.

 

[Grizvok]

Sorry, I meant my gripe about doubles**

 

[Hokiez]

I believe you can be one or the other. I'm a natural singles player much more so than doubles (I can't volley very well), at least at my current level.

 

[oldhacker]

Agree completely. I am a natural doubles player. Main reasons being:

1. It is much more tactical and positional than singles. As a former chess champ I love getting to grips with these things.

2. I love volleying. If you can be bothered to learn to volley properly you soon find that hitting a volley is technically loads easier than a double bend forehand. I find it much easier to finish points at the net than hitting baseline winners.

3. The best serve in doubles is less power, more placement and higher first serve % than singles. Suits me down to the ground.

4. I love the teamwork side of doubles.

 

[LuckyR]

Since the two games are only distantly related, naturally it is very common for someone's strengths to match up better with one than another.

 

[fuzz nation]

I'm a rather laid back person, but I grew up a serve and volleyer and usually look to press an advantage all the time. That steady aggression is fine for doubles, but I've only made progress in recent years in my singles by developing better strokes and learning to stay patient.

My skill set is 4.5 for doubles, but my singles abilities are only there on my best days. Getting better has required grooving better shots, but also thinking more actively and learning to play smarter.

 

[burosky]

A little backstory before the question:
Is it possible that someone has a natural talent toward one game, and not toward the other? Is it possible that I'm far and away a better doubles player just due to being me?

Definitely. This is why there are so called "doubles specialists". I for one started out as singles player during my earlier playing days and as I got older slowly went over to playing doubles. I pretty much turned into one of those doubles specialists. There are lots of reasons why players do this but for me one of the most obvious reasons is court coverage. Being older, my court coverage isn't as good anymore. Playing doubles makes the court smaller for me. From time to time I'd play singles but I mainly prefer doubles now.

Specific stroke requirements taken in consideration, there are other factors that could make a player a "natural" for singles or for doubles. One such factor is temperament. There are players who prefer the fast paced action of doubles and some prefer the long rallies in singles. In addition, there are players who perform better alone or with a team mate.

 

[SlapShot]

Definitely. This is why there are so called "doubles specialists". I for one started out as singles player during my earlier playing days and as I got older slowly went over to playing doubles. I pretty much turned into one of those doubles specialists. There are lots of reasons why players do this but for me one of the most obvious reasons is court coverage. Being older, my court coverage isn't as good anymore. Playing doubles makes the court smaller for me. From time to time I'd play singles but I mainly prefer doubles now.

Specific stroke requirements taken in consideration, there are other factors that could make a player a "natural" for singles or for doubles. One such factor is temperament. There are players who prefer the fast paced action of doubles and some prefer the long rallies in singles. In addition, there are players who perform better alone or with a team mate.

I think that this is exactly where I am headed. I'm 24, and in good shape (better than I was when I was 18), but I think that the speed of doubles is definitely more of my style.

 

[spadesss]

communication is must on doubles as well as attitude. when things don't go right, you have to worry about your partner and may totally forget about the two players across the net. some people can't play doubles as good as their game maybe. doubles is a team sport & chemistry is a must.
must players have awesome singles game but can't seem to figured out doubles.