Choosing a Tennis Partner
Whom you play with can be as important as how well you play. Chemistry, compatibility, and complementing each other’s games make for successful, long-lasting teams (and friendships). Consider these suggestions when you have a choice of doubles partners:
Don’t assume that a good singles player is a good doubles player.
Play with someone you like.
Play with someone who does not criticize you after an error.
Opposites make good teammates; play with someone whose strengths compensate for your weaknesses. For example, if you are an aggressive, high-strung finisher, find a consistent, calm partner.
Be more aggressive than normal if your partner is a weaker player. However, accept your role as a team member and don’t try to dominate the match.
Look for a left-handed player–right-handed player combination.
Play the left-handed player in the ad court and the right-handed player in the deuce court for effective crosscourt returns.
Play the left-handed player in the deuce court and the right-handed player in the ad court for forehands-down-the-middle coverage.
Unless you play regularly with the same partner, learn to play the left and right sides when receiving serves.
Communicate with your partner often.
Tennis: Steps to Success Jim Brown,Camille Soulier