Doubles Only Tennis Podcast

Ellen Perez is the #17 doubles player on the WTA tour. I spoke with her at Indian Wells on an off day after her 2nd round win with Jelena Ostapenko. We discussed their partnership, working with coach Rennae Stubbs, US Open Mixed changes, and more.

• Working with Rennae Stubbs and understanding strategic shot placement
• Ostapenko's funny on-court nature
• Partnership changes early in the 2025 WTA doubles season
• Goals for the rest of 2025
• Adjusting to playing with doubles specialists like Melichar-Martinez vs more baseline-oriented/singles players like Mertens & Ostapenko
• Her candid reaction of the US Open mixed doubles format changes
• Finding the right communication style with different partners' on-court personalities

Check out our previous episodes with Ellen below where we dive deeper into her full tennis journey.

Other interviews with Ellen:

• WTA Finals Match Breakdown, 2023 Plans, & Balancing Doubles vs Singles - November 16, 2022
• Her Story, Lefty Advice, How to Slide, The Doubles Calendar, & More - September 25, 2024

Learn more about Ellen & 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

Andrea Vavassori is the #9 doubles player on the ATP Tour and won the 2024 US Open Mixed Doubles title with Sara Errani. He also reached the final of the men's doubles at the Australian Open earlier this year.

I spoke with him at Indian Wells this year about those achievements, his vision for the future of doubles, the controversial US Open mixed doubles changes, and a lot more.

• Potential innovations for mixed doubles including a ranking system and year-end Masters event to increase visibility
• Reflecting on his successful partnership with Simone Bolelli and their journey to three Grand Slam finals
• Explaining his reaction to US Open mixed doubles format changes and why tradition matters more than money (Read his viral Instagram post)
• Describing how Bolelli's calm demeanor complements his energetic playing style
• Highlighting the "Sinner effect" that has transformed tennis popularity in Italy
• Discussing the challenges of balancing singles and doubles careers

Andrea and Sara went on to win the BNP Paribas Open mixed doubles draw in Indian Wells less than a week later. He is on the ATP player's council so I'm hoping he can continue to fight for doubles and make positive changes for tennis.

Learn more about Andrea & 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

Demi Schuurs and Asia Muhammad join the show for their 3rd and 2nd times respectively (listen to the previous episode with Demi | episode with Asia).

This team just won the BNP Paribas Open and I chatted with them after their second-round victory at Indian Wells just before practice on their off day. We discussed their impressive run to that point in the tournament, how their partnership formed, what's working so well, and more.

• Defeating Olympic champions and major finalists Paolini/Errani in round one with clean, aggressive tennis
• Finding partnership chemistry through shared temperament—both value staying "chill" under pressure
• Their aggressive, net-focused playing style
• Demi expresses concerns about US Open mixed doubles changes limiting opportunities for doubles specialists
• Asia discusses her transition to a doubles-only focus, which brought her into the top 10 within a year

Demi and Asia went on to play an amazing tournament only dropping one set and defeating some of the top teams on tour. They're a fun team to watch and you can learn a lot from how they play. Be sure to watch them throughout the rest of the 2025 season.

Learn more about Demi & follow:

• WTA Profile
• Wikipedia
• Instagram

Learn more about Asia & follow:

• WTA 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

Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten are the #1 doubles team on the ATP tour, having captured two of the last three major doubles titles including Wimbledon 2024 and Australian Open 2025. I spoke with them in Indian Wells a few days before the start of the BNP Paribas Open.

In this conversation, we discuss their practice routines, their partnership, the state of ATP doubles, and more.

• Detailed breakdown of their practice sessions, including specific drills like "volleyball" for serve and return practice
• Strategic approach to facing teams with singles specialists like their first-round match against Melo and Zverev
• Comparison between their Wimbledon and Australian Open victories and the different emotional experiences
• Insights into Henry's relationship with his coach, Calvin Betton, who was also on the podcast recently (below)
• Perspective on the current state of professional doubles and how to increase its popularity among fans
• Discussion of mixed doubles format changes at the US Open and implications for the sport

Watch Harri and Henry play doubles through the rest of the season on Tennis Channel Plus and Tennis TV.

From this episode:

• Tennis Tribe Memberships (Ad Court Webinar 3/25 @1pm CT/2pm ET)
• Calvin Betton Interview

Learn more about Harri & follow:

• ATP Profile
• Wikipedia
• Instagram

Learn more about Henry & 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

Kimberly Birrell is the #76 singles player on the WTA tour and reached the finals of the Australian Open in mixed doubles a few months ago. I spoke with Kim after her round-one victory in Austin Texas at the ATX Open. We discussed her recent Australian Open performance, how she's improved her game as her career has developed, and more.

• Kim's experience playing AO mixed with doubles veteran JP Smith
• Singles vs doubles mindset, and the importance of belief and partnership trust
• Discussing goals for the future and her doubles plans
• Ideas on promoting the doubles game and discussion around the mixed changes at the US Open

At the beginning, you'll also hear from Matt, a rockstar tennis WAG. You'll learn what that is and how he manages all the responsibility, including one recent fire he put out in Austin.

Follow Kimberly:

• Instagram
• WTA 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

Heather Watson is a Wimbledon mixed doubles champion. Maia Lumsden is the #72 doubles player on the WTA Tour. I spoke with them in Austin after their round one win at the ATX Open. We spoke about the match, the playing conditions, and more.

• Heather's plans for doubles and why she wants to play more
• How Heather prepared for the 2024 Olympics where she reached the quarterfinals in the women's doubles draw
• Maia's goals for the rest of the season
• Strong opinions on the recent mixed doubles changes at the US Open, especially from Heather

Follow these players:

• Follow Heather Watson on Instagram  |  Twitter
• Follow Maia Lumsden on Instagram  |  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

An exploration of the ongoing debate surrounding professional doubles and its future. In this episode, I directly address the recent comments about doubles from Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim on the Served Podcast, ignited by Reilly Opelka. I also created a separate video addressing the issue (see links in show notes below).

I believe one of the problems we face is that there has been an echo chamber culture around the doubles debate. We need people with different opinions to come together for conversations that create change. While I haven't been able to get Andy, Jon, or Reilly on the podcast yet, I thought this was the next best thing.

Here's what I attempt to cover.

• Where I agree and disagree with Andy & Jon
• Why doubles does have a "user education" problem
• The "business case" for doubles specialists
• Why other sports like professional driving or golf can help
• The economics of doubles at the majors vs 250's & 500's (a topic I'm still trying to understand)
• My vision for a future doubles tour

I hope this episode helps keep the conversation going and creates positive change for tennis. I certainly don't have all the answers, but if we can have productive debates and explore solutions tennis will benefit.

Show Notes:

• Opelka's Initial Comments on Instagram
• Andy & Jon's Reaction on the Served Podcast (minute 25)
• My 7-minute Video on how a consulting firm might view doubles

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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

Rob Galloway is a top 30 doubles player on the ATP Tour. He made the finals of the 2025 Dallas Open with Ariel Behar. Rob's great story shows the importance of hard work and mindset to improve in doubles.

In this conversation, Rob shares.

• Early obstacles and his decision to pursue a professional career
• The transition from college to pro tennis
• The significance of staying healthy and having a growth mindset as a player
• Mixed doubles and being a part of Team USA at the United Cup
• Improving the popularity of doubles

After the episode Rob shared a training hack that I discuss in the intro to this episode so don't skip it.

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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

Jamie Murray is a 7-time Grand Slam Doubles Champion and a former world #1 with 34 career men's doubles titles. I set up a 15-minute interview with Jamie during the Dallas Open and we didn't talk about any of that. We also didn't discuss strategy, tactics, or mindset for improving your doubles game. I never asked about his story, or mentioned his brother Andy or his mother Judy.

Instead, we talked about how to grow professional doubles. And the conversation lasted a full hour.

Jamie is uniquely qualified to tackle this problem because of his success on the pro tour and his experience as the tournament director at the Queen's Club Championships, an ATP 500 Event.

During this conversation, we dive deep into all topics related to making doubles better.

• Rule changes
• Scheduling
• Marketing & social media
• What the tours & tournaments can do
• What the players can and probably should do
• Roadblocks facing doubles
• and more...

My hope is that this episode generates more conversations that lead to positive change for doubles. I think there is a larger market for doubles if it's delivered and broadcasted the right way.

You can do your part by watching doubles on TV, engaging with doubles content on social media, and if you're a player, building your own brand by engaging with fans and media to get your story out there.

Learn more about Jamie & follow:

• Instagram
• Twitter/X
• 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

Robert Cash and JJ Tracy are two rising doubles stars on the ATP Tour. They reached the semifinals of the Dallas Open, propelling their rankings inside the top 100 for the first time. College teammates at Ohio State, the chemistry between them is obvious when they play.

I chatted with them after their quarterfinal win in Dallas about college tennis and a lot more.

• The serve dominance in their quarterfinal win
• Discussing their Dallas Open tournament experience and venue appeal
• Tactical adjustments during the match
• Balancing singles and doubles in JJ's young career (I LOVE this answer!)
• The impact of college tennis on their professional paths
• Inspirations from established players like the team they had just beaten (Krajicek & Ram)
• The popularity and future of doubles

Robert and JJ are now in the ATP 250 Delray Beach Open semifinals at the time of this publishing. I would not be surprised to be chatting with these guys at bigger doubles tournaments for the next few decades.

• Follow JJ Tracy on Instagram
• Follow Robert Cash on Instagram
• Follow the Dallas Open on 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