Tom & Lisa’s Transformation
Tom and Lisa had been married for 15 years when they called me. They’d tried playing tennis together
a few times—and it had gone terribly. “We love each other,” Lisa laughed, “but on the court, we want
to kill each other. He blames me for missing shots. I get mad when he poaches my balls. It’s a disaster.”
I hear this story often. Couples, friends, coworkers—they try playing doubles together with zero training,
then wonder why it falls apart. Doubles isn’t just “tennis with four people.” It’s a completely different
game requiring communication, positioning, strategy, and trust.
In our first doubles training session, I asked them to play a game while I watched. It was chaos. They
stood in the wrong positions. They collided going for the same ball. They gave each other contradictory
instructions mid-point. After three games, they were bickering.
“Okay,” I said. “Now let’s learn how doubles actually works.”
Six weeks later, Tom and Lisa won their first recreational league match—together. They high-fived after
good points, communicated calmly, and moved around the court like they’d been playing together for years.
After the match, Lisa texted me: “We’re having so much fun now. Why didn’t we do this sooner?”
Why Doubles Is Different (And Why It Matters)
Most recreational players learn singles tennis, then try to apply those skills to doubles—and it doesn’t work.
Doubles requires different:
Positioning: You’re responsible for your half of the court, not the whole thing. Knowing
where to stand (and when to move) is essential.
Shot selection: In doubles, you aim for different targets and use different spins because
there are four players covering less space each.
Communication: “Mine!” “Yours!” “Switch!” Partners must talk constantly—before points,
during points, after points. Silence kills doubles teams.
Strategy: Doubles is about teamwork and exploiting the other team’s weaknesses. It’s chess
with a partner, not solo combat.
I teach all of this systematically, so you and your partner become a cohesive unit instead of two individuals
sharing a court.
What Doubles Training Covers
📍 Court Positioning
Where should you stand when your partner is serving? Receiving? During rallies? We cover all the
standard doubles formations: “one up, one back,” “both at the net,” “Australian formation,” and when
to use each.
Proper positioning is the foundation of good doubles. Get this right, and you’ll win more points
without changing anything else about your game.
💬 Communication Systems
We develop a communication system that works for you: hand signals, verbal calls, pre-point discussions.
You’ll learn when to talk, what to say, and how to make split-second decisions together.
Good doubles partners finish each other’s sentences on the court. They know who’s taking the middle
ball before it’s even hit. That doesn’t happen by accident—it’s trained.
🎯 Shot Selection & Tactics
I teach you which shots work in doubles (and which don’t). We practice high-percentage plays: serving
to the backhand, returning cross-court, approaching on short balls, and finishing at the net.
Doubles isn’t about hitting winners from the baseline—it’s about creating opportunities for your
partner and capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes.
🤝 Partnership Dynamics
How do you handle mistakes—yours and your partner’s? How do you stay positive when you’re losing?
How do you celebrate wins without making your partner feel like a sidekick?
The emotional side of doubles is just as important as technique. I teach you how to be a supportive,
effective partner—on and off the court.
⚡ Specialty Shots
Doubles has unique shots: the poach (crossing over to intercept), the lob (hitting over the net player),
the return of serve down-the-line, and the overhead smash. We practice each until they’re automatic.
These shots separate average doubles teams from great ones. Mastering them makes you dangerous.
🎮 Situational Drills
We simulate real match scenarios: “You’re down 4-5 in the third set.” “Your partner is having an
off day—how do you compensate?” “The opponents are poaching aggressively—how do you respond?”
Drilling technique is important, but practicing decision-making under pressure is what wins matches.
Doubles Training Is Perfect For…
💑 Couples
Want a shared hobby that’s active, social, and fun? Doubles tennis gives you quality time together,
a reason to get outside, and an activity you can enjoy for decades.
Plus, learning how to communicate effectively on the court often improves communication off it too.
(Seriously—multiple couples have told me this.)
👥 Friends & Training Partners
Already have a friend who plays tennis? Doubles training takes your games from “just hitting around”
to actually competitive play. You’ll learn how to play as a team and win together.
🏆 Competitive Teams
Playing in leagues or tournaments? Specialized doubles training gives you the tactical edge over
opponents who are just winging it. Strategy wins matches, not just skill.
🎾 Singles Players Transitioning to Doubles
Good at singles but struggling in doubles? That’s because they’re different games. I’ll teach you
the adjustments you need to make—positioning, shot selection, mindset—to excel at both.
👨👩👧👦 Parent-Child Pairs
Want to play competitively with your teenager? Parent-child doubles is a beautiful way to stay connected
as they grow up. I’ll teach you how to work together effectively and enjoy the partnership.
🏢 Corporate Teams
Building team culture at work? Some companies bring pairs of employees for doubles training as a
team-building exercise. It’s fun, challenging, and teaches communication under pressure.
Doubles Training Pricing
Private Doubles (One Pair)
- Training for one doubles pair (2 people)
- Fully customized to your partnership
- Focus on your specific weaknesses
- Flexible scheduling
- Perfect for couples or committed partners
- Video analysis available upon request
Doubles Clinic (2 Pairs)
- Two pairs train together (4 people total)
- Play actual doubles matches against each other
- Live coaching during match play
- Great for friends or league teammates
- More affordable than private training
- Realistic match simulation
Tournament Prep Package
- Intensive preparation for competitive doubles
- Advanced tactics and match strategy
- Mental toughness training
- Video analysis of your matches
- Scouting common opponents (if applicable)
- Save €25 vs. individual sessions
Can’t find a partner? I maintain a list of players looking for doubles partners. Email
me your skill level and availability, and I’ll try to match you with someone compatible.
What Doubles Teams Say
“We’d been married 20 years and never found a sport we could do together. Olga’s doubles training
gave us something we both love—and we’re actually good at it now! We play every weekend.”
“Before Olga, my partner and I kept losing to teams that were less skilled than us. She taught us
strategy and positioning, and now we’re winning our league. Turns out talent isn’t enough—you need tactics.”
“My teenage daughter and I took doubles training together. It gave us something special to share,
and honestly, the communication skills helped our relationship outside of tennis too.”