Tennis Mixed Doubles
Recreational mixed doubles have some unwritten rules: Everyone has a good time, everyone gets into the action, and everyone comes away from a match in good physical and emotional health. In tournament competition, these rules do not apply. Competitive mixed doubles should be played similarly to men’s doubles and more aggressively than women’s doubles. Here are four examples: The player with the better serve on the team should serve the first game of each set.
Serves should be hit with the velocity and to the area in the service court most likely to produce a winning point, regardless of the receiver’s gender. Shots should be directed to the weaker player unless total control of the match is in hand. Each player should cover his or her side of the court. One partner should not cut in front of the other unless percentage tennis (hitting the safest, most effective shot in a given situation) would dictate it.
Choosing positions (left side or right side) in mixed doubles should be determined by two factors: the sides where both players are more effective in returning serves and the sides where both players are more comfortable. Some people believe that the crucial points are played on the ad court and that the stronger partner should play on that side when the other team serves. Even if this theory is true, the advantage of having each player play from the side on which he or she is more effective and comfortable outweighs the crucial point theory.
Because mixed doubles usually have the least priority in practice and playing time, use as many shots as you can to create teamwork problems between opposing players. Moving the ball around the court as much as possible is a good way to manipulate the other team. Lobs are especially effective because one player has to give way to the other, or the partners have to change positions on the court before hitting. Drop shots are usually not a good idea, but they work in mixed doubles to move opponents out of position and open an area for a winning shot.
Tennis: Steps to Success Jim Brown,Camille Soulier