Doubles Only Tennis Podcast

Neal Skupski, the #11 ranked doubles player on the ATP Tour and three-time Wimbledon champion, discusses his partnership with Joe Salisbury, their recent Roland Garros finals run, and more.

I spoke with Neal during his off day in Eastbourne, where he was preparing for the quarterfinals. He and Joe won that match and are now in the semis.

• Working through the chemistry and tactical adjustments of a new partnership
• The significant adjustments required to transition from clay to grass
• Is grass Neal's best surface?
• Having a positive "performer" mentality - a term used by many of the British players and coaches
• What "take it one point at a time" means to Neal, and how he implements that mentality
• Thoughts on the mixed doubles format changes at the US Open

We didn't have time to get to all your Instagram/Twitter questions, but I'll try to get Neal back later this year for more.

Learn more about Neal & follow:

• ATP Profile
• Wikipedia
• Instagram
• Twitter/X

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Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

The US Open just announced its entry list for the 2025 Mixed Doubles Tournament. In case you missed it, they've made significant changes to the event this year, which I discussed with Dan Kiernan and many players at Indian Wells back in March on the podcast.

This episode, recorded on Instagram Live with Philip from Tweener Head Tennis, includes my initial reaction to the entry list and a deeper discussion surrounding mixed doubles and ATP/WTA doubles.

As the US Open revamps the event with singles stars over doubles specialists, there's one thing we know for sure... change is already here, and more is coming.

Here's a bit of what we discuss.

• The initial entry list featured nine of the top ten singles players from the ATP & WTA, and only two doubles specialists
• Fast-4 scoring & whether people want to call the winners true "Grand Slam Champions"
• The more important reason I think it's tough to call it a real Grand Slam tournament
• The dramatic prize money increase - Champions win 5x from 2024
• The agreement with ESPN
• And more...

I enjoy conversations like this to explore the solutions and potential changes for doubles. I hope this leads to positive outcomes for doubles and doubles specialists.

If you have a reaction to share, reach out! I'd love to hear from you.

Show notes:

• Tweener Head on Instagram
• The US Open Announcement
• Doubles Special with Dan Kiernan

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**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players** 

• New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox

**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

For the first time in a while, a strategy episode! I'm celebrating the launch of the new Tennis Tribe Memberships. Learn more here.

The margins in tennis are incredibly small, with the Roland Garros finals being decided by just a few points across all four finals. Effective strategies can make all the difference in gaining a few extra points, resulting in a win or a loss. In this episode, I cover three areas that might be holding you back.

• Why you should play closer to the net... sometimes
• A new way to think about the serve for club-level players & how you might be wasting your time
• A huge communication mistake I've seen recently with my private clients and in doubles camps

*Join our free webinar on June 11th at 8pm CT about why strategy should be your top focus as a doubles player.

*The Tennis Tribe memberships are now available with 20% off through June 15th for lifetime discounts.

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**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players** 

• New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox

**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

Sander Arends, Luke Johnson, and Coach Calvin Betton offer a behind-the-scenes look at their preparation between matches during their French Open quarterfinal run.

They shared thoughts on their R3 victory, off-day schedule, pre-match routines, and more.

• How they reset mentally after the momentum shifted in their R3 match
• Coach Calvin's approach to supporting from the player box without micromanaging
• The importance of team identity and consistent playing style in doubles
• How players structure their off-days during a two-week tournament
• Detailed pre-match routines, from sleep schedules to practice timing
• Player superstitions, including Sander's preferred French Open meal
• The scouting process and how data informs match strategy
• Treatment of doubles players at major tournaments compared to singles

Calvin also discussed the doubles crowds in Paris. You can stream their quarterfinal match on MAX.

Listen to my previous conversations:

• Calvin Betton at the Australian Open 2025
• Luke Johnson after their Barcelona win in April 2025

Learn more & follow:

• Calvin Betton
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Host of the Tennis Unfiltered Podcast
• Luke Johnson
  • Instagram
  • ATP Profile
  • Wikipedia
• Sander Arends
  • Instagram
  • ATP Profile
  • Wikipedia

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**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players** 

• New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox

**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

Nicole Melichar-Martinez, ranked #21 on the WTA doubles tour, shares insider perspectives on partnership dynamics, tournament conditions, and the future of doubles.

• The clay season in Europe offers beautiful cities, but she isn't a fan of the extended tournaments
• Which tournaments treat the doubles players well, and which ones need improvement
• WTA now conducts post-tournament surveys to gather player feedback
• Her take on the 2025 season so far, including partnership breakups, WTA Finals favorites, and more
• Why finding a doubles partner is similar to dating
• Her perspective on mixed doubles and playing Indian Wells with Andrey Rublev
• How WTA supports players with mental health resources
• Her Foodie Instagram account (below) showcases Nicole's passion for food photography

She also answered a lot of your questions from Twitter and Instagram. Follow Niki below and watch her throughout the rest of the 2025 season.

Learn more about Nicole & follow:

• Instagram
• Twitter/X
• WTA Profile
• Wikipedia Profile
• Nicole's Food Instagram

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**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players** 

• New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox

**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

Craig Veal shares his experience coaching three top-40 WTA doubles players: Desirae Krawczyk (#14), Olivia Nicholls (#32), and Teresa Mihalikova (#34). Currently in Paris, preparing his players for the upcoming French Open, Craig and I discussed how he manages multiple players while sharing strategy insights, and more.

• Craig's coaching philosophy centers on "coaching people first, tennis second," which has led to long-term coaching relationships
• He shares one doubles tactic that is more effective on clay vs other surfaces
• His top 3 questions for club doubles players playing with new partners
• How Olivia Nicholls has improved her ranking so consistently, plus insights into her match review process
• Why right-handed players in the ad court should hit more forehands rather than relying solely on backhands
• Where Des Krawczyk's mixed doubles success comes from, including her in-match "dad jokes" 🤣
• Why ATP doubles faces different challenges than WTA doubles

This was a fun conversation that I think everyone will enjoy, whether you're a club player looking to improve or a WTA doubles fan. Watch Craig's players this year and follow him below.

Learn more about Craig & follow:

• Instagram
• Twitter/X
• WTA Coach Profile

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**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players** 

• New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox

**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

John Parsons from the No-Ad No Problem Podcast brings his expert knowledge of college tennis to the show. We break down the NCAA Sweet 16, discuss the broader college tennis landscape, and explore how it can increase its television presence. We dive into the lessons college tennis can learn from beach volleyball's TV success and explore how the sport could experiment with formats to become more broadcast-friendly.

• College tennis hasn't been on ESPN linear networks since 2017, while beach volleyball has secured ESPN main channel coverage
• Beach volleyball uses staggered match starts (12 minutes apart) to create a better TV viewing experience
• The evolution of college tennis formats includes no-ad scoring and shortened doubles matches
• NIL deals have transformed recruiting, with top players now commanding up to six-figure packages
• How to build a strong program
• Why public access to university tennis facilities matters
• Women's Sweet 16 preview features Georgia as the clear favorite to win the NCAA Championship
• Men's Sweet 16 highlights include potential upsets like Arizona over Virginia and Mississippi State over Ohio State

If you have a local college, watch their matches. It's a great opportunity to learn from higher-level players, and you can typically go for free. Support college tennis and doubles by engaging on social media and watching broadcasts when available too!

Show notes:

• Listen to John's full Sweet 16 preview shows: MEN'S | WOMEN'S
• John's Tweet about Beach Volleyball
• Watch the NCAA R16 on Cracked Racquets YT Channel

Learn more about John & follow:

• No-Ad, No Problem Instagram
• No-Ad, No Problem Podcast
• Twitter/X
• Blog

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**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players** 

• New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox

**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

Luke Johnson is currently ranked #40 in ATP doubles and is coming off his biggest career win at the ATP 500 tournament in Barcelona with partner Sander Arends. I spoke with him earlier this week about his recent success, doubles strategy, and more.

• How he and Sander's complementary playing styles create an effective partnership
• Advantages to using different returning styles and court positioning
• The journey of rising through the ATP rankings, effectively halving his ranking each year for five consecutive years
• One practice lesson he's learned from his coach, Calvin Betton, that you can implement too
• College tennis as a developmental pathway
• Maintaining composure and strategic thinking during crucial tiebreakers

At the end, Luke breaks down the championship-winning 10-point tiebreaker from the Barcelona Final point-by-point.

• Watch it here on YouTube

Learn more about Luke & follow:

• ATP Profile
• Wikipedia
• Instagram

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**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players** 

• New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox

**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

Erin Routliffe, the #3 ranked WTA doubles player, unpacks her recent title run in Charleston with Jelena Ostapenko and shares insights about navigating the 2025 season so far.

• How her off-season injury affected her at the start of the year and how Gaby Dabrowski supported her
• Experience playing doubles with Ostapenko and winning in Charleston
• Differences between playing with Ostapenko versus her regular partner Gaby Dabrowski
• Plans for the clay court swing
• Why she doesn't look at draws
• Her friendship with Asia Muhammad and learning from each other's games
• The toughest teams she & Gaby have faced
• Thoughts about recent US Open mixed doubles format changes that disadvantage doubles specialists

Erin is one of the best players to watch if you want to learn how to play smart doubles. She possesses great net skills, movement, and strategic variety from the baseline that you should try to emulate. Follow Erin throughout the rest of the 2025 season.

Previous interviews with Erin:

• Sep 13, 2023 - Dealing with Nerves & 10-Point Tiebreakers from 2023 US Open Champion
• Dec 21, 2022 - Her Huge Ranking Leap, Practice Routines, & Match Preparation

Learn more about Erin & follow:

• WTA Profile
• Wikipedia
• Instagram
• Twitter/X

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**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players** 

• New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox

**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

In this special episode on the state of doubles and the professional doubles debate, I speak with ATP & WTA Coach, Dan Kiernan. Dan is the coach of Gaby Dabrowski, Michael Venus, and Nikola Mektic, and has been on the show several times before (below).

In this conversation, we examine the future of doubles from multiple perspectives and challenge current assumptions about the format's viability.

• Reactions to the idea that "doubles specialists have no place in the future of tennis"
• The doubles debate centers on "the WHO, not the WHAT" – personality and storytelling matter more than format
• US Open's controversial changes to the mixed doubles format make commercial sense in the short-term but we must consider the long-term timeline as well
• Doubles players face three options: accept diminished status, fight for change within the tour structure, or break free to create their own tour
• Professional doubles needs to embrace vulnerability, personality-driven content, and innovative viewer experiences to thrive
• The seven tennis governing bodies lack a cohesive vision for doubles, focusing instead on short-term commercial priorities
• For it to survive, doubles specialists must take initiative in building their own brands and connecting authentically with fans
• Innovations like free fan movement, court-side service, and more relaxed atmosphere could transform the doubles spectator experience and change in a way that singles is resistant to

This is an open invitation to everyone in tennis – players, coaches, tournament directors, and media – to continue this conversation and work together toward solutions that benefit doubles and the sport as a whole.

Previous Episodes with Dan Kiernan:

• Dan Kiernan Interview: GROWTH, Coaching ATP Doubles, Aggressive vs Consistent Returns, & an Illegal Volley Drill - April 5, 2023
• Coach Dan Kiernan Interview at the WTA Finals - November 5, 2023
• Coach Dan Kiernan Shares Stories from the WTA Finals, 2nd Set Adjustments, Positive Mindset, & More - November 20, 2024

More from Dan:

• Dan's Podcast - Control the Controllables | Twitter | Instagram
• Soto Tennis Academy | Twitter

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**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players** 

• New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox

**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course