Be a Great Partner!

To be a great tennis player you need:

1. Tactical know-how— putting the ball in the right spot and being in the right position, anticipating the opponents shots
2. Physical ability- being able to get into the right spot, being agile and moving efficiently
3. Technical skills- executing the shot.
4. Mental fortitude- thinking positive, having self-belief, building self-confidence.

As a partner you have the greatest impact on the mental side of your partner’s game. It is the perfect opportunity to help your partner build their self-belief and confidence.

Rob remembers the first match he ever played. Due to the rainy weather and wet hard courts, his strength of agility and speed around the court were nullified and he played awfully! His partner tutted and complained throughout the match and he could easily have given up that day. He didn’t due to his mental positivity but this shows the negative impact a partner can have.

Here’s a few points to consider when playing doubles especially at social tennis.

• Players go to lessons to learn tactics and improve technique, social tennis is a time to try out and practise, to make mistakes and learn.
• When a player is not playing well, there are only three reasons for it – a) it could be they are not quite at a standard yet, b) they are simply having a bad day or c) they are not invested in the game at that moment. Remember, no one goes onto court to play badly deliberately so no amount of tutting, complaining etc. will make things better, in fact it is more likely to make things worse.
• Unless asked, try to avoid coaching your partner, it may be taken as criticism and may be contrary to what they are being taught to do in coaching sessions.

Doubles is a team game- and there is no “I” in team!