singles players playing doubles

[tennisdude42]

I am an offensive baseliner who, due to there being a lot of people at the club, have had no choice but to play a lot of doubles lately. To me, doubles is a lot different from singles in terms of shot placement and selection. I'm a good singles player but I suck at doubles. Is this normal?

 

[jrod]

^^^ I know many singles players who are horrible doubles players. I don't win very often at singles at the 4.5 level but can comfortably play dubs at this level.

The dubs game is entirely different. The skills and strategy required for dubs are distinctly different than singles. Essential skills are serve and volley, agressive net play plus solid transiition game. Good baseliner's will get exploited by solid doubles players almost all the time.

 

[Cindysphinx]

^^^ I know many singles players who are horrible doubles players. I don't win very often at singles at the 4.5 level but can comfortably play dubs at this level.

The dubs game is entirely different. The skills and strategy required for dubs are distinctly different than singles. Essential skills are serve and volley, agressive net play plus solid transiition game. Good baseliner's will get exploited by solid doubles players almost all the time.

Ho boy. Ain't it the truth?

When I learn a singles player will be my doubles partner, I know it will be a long day at the office. I will get no help -- none -- on my serve. If our opponents are seasoned doubles players, they will hit returns off of my partner's serves and saunter into the net. My partner will struggle to keep the ball low, and my opponents will eat her alive. Just for fun, they will hit through her or by her at net. If she does strike a volley, it will have no weight on it. And then at the end she might complain that doubles is a lot of standing around. Oy.

There are certainly singles players who have learned to play doubles well, but it takes considerable commitment and a desire to understand.

Cindy -- a doubles player who stinks at singles

 

[Noaler]

I often don't miss as much anymore since the court is so big so I tend to do better on doubles. Plus, my volleys just get better on doubles for some reason. People don't attack my serve.

 

[raiden031]

I started out as a singles player and was forced to partake in doubles because its more accessible in my area leagues (mixed, combo, block-times, etc.). It was good for me because I developed from a baseliner to an all-court player and have taken pleasure in becoming more versatile.

I used to be a more dominant singles player til I reached 4.0, now I struggle to win in singles because my opponents are always more consistent than me. My skills are more of an asset in doubles where I can end points quicker instead of waiting for an unforced error. I still love singles alot more even though I'm losing, but I do get alot of enjoyment in doubles as well.

Although the particular annoyance I have with doubles is the reliance on having a good partner, which is very difficult to find especially when you're a singles player who doesn't play doubles with a regular partner. You kinda get stuck with whoever is available and its usually not a top player. The better doubles players tend to have steady partnerships.

 

[SlapShot]

I grew up playing singles, and still like to play (and am a decent singles player), but have grown into a solid doubles player.

At 4.0, my doubles partner and I went through some growing pains, but in the last 2 seasons, we're 9-2, with some decisive victories lately. My volleys are still my weakest point, but they're coming around and my partner has fantastic hands that makes up for my hands of stone.

 

[naylor]

You forgot something!

...When I learn a singles player will be my doubles partner, I know it will be a long day at the office. I will get no help -- none -- on my serve. If our opponents are seasoned doubles players, they will hit returns off of my partner's serves and saunter into the net. My partner will struggle to keep the ball low, and my opponents will eat her alive. Just for fun, they will hit through her or by her at net. If she does strike a volley, it will have no weight on it. And then at the end she might complain that doubles is a lot of standing around. Oy....

You forgot to mention all those times when you're receiving, it's your partner's return and he/she is either late or goes for broke with the down-the-line... or he/she gets the first return back properly cross-court, gets a standard cross-court back and then decides to keep the opposing netperson "involved" in the game with a ball closer down the middle... with you meanwhile standing on the T. At low playing levels, you often only eat fuzz when the volleyer can hit a forehand but leaves the more difficult backhand volleys to his/her partner at the back (small mercy). At higher doubles levels, you get nailed with both forehand and backhand volleys.

And don't you dare suggest that they "keep it cross-court a little longer" - you might get an answer like "I want to play with my own game and personality...", forgetting the rather minor fact that their game / personality means you eat fuzz, and the match becoming a long-drawn affair which you'll probably end up losing.