Tennis Congress Blog | Tactical Tennis Insights & Event Updates

Why Doubles Is Worth Watching—and Worth Protecting

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:49:49 GMT

How holding, faking, poaching, and hovering reveal the strategy that makes doubles one of tennis’s most valuable formats.

The current conversation around professional doubles is about more than draw sizes, prize money, or television coverage.

It is also a conversation about what makes this format of tennis so unique—and why it continues to matter.

Recent reports suggest the ATP is considering significant changes to professional doubles, including smaller tournament draws and a reduced share of prize money.

While these proposals are still being discussed, they have sparked an important debate throughout the tennis world.

Whether those changes happen or not, they raise a larger question:

What makes doubles so valuable in the first place?

For me, the answer has never been about prize money or television ratings.

It is about the game itself.

At Tennis Congress, we spend a great deal of time teaching doubles because it is the version of tennis that many adult players will enjoy throughout their lives. It brings together different personalities, playing styles, strengths, and experiences in a way that singles simply cannot.

More importantly, doubles asks players to solve problems together.

That is what has always fascinated me about it.

More Than Four Players on a Court

If you have never studied a high-level doubles match closely, it can be easy to assume that doubles is simply a faster version of singles.

It is not.

Every point is a series of decisions.

Players are not only reacting to the ball. They are reading each other, studying positioning, recognizing patterns, and communicating—often without saying a word.

The best doubles teams are not always the teams with the biggest serves or the hardest groundstrokes.

More often, they are the teams that make better decisions together.

They recognize patterns sooner.

They communicate more clearly.

They understand how their movements affect both their partner and their opponents.

Those small decisions, repeated point after point, often have a greater impact on the match than any single spectacular shot.

That is one reason doubles deserves more attention. The excitement is not only found in the final volley. It is found in everything that happens before it.

The Four Core Decisions at the Net

Nowhere is that decision-making more visible than in the role of the net player.

From the outside, the net player’s movement can appear instinctive or even random.

In reality, every step should have a purpose.

Most situations come down to four core decisions:

Hold. Fake. Poach. Hover.

Understanding these choices is often what separates a reactive doubles player from one who begins to control the point.

Hold

Sometimes the smartest decision is not moving at all.

Holding your position protects the line, keeps your team balanced, and shows confidence in the partner playing behind you.

The temptation is to move simply because movement feels active.

Players may feel that they need to cross, pinch, or show constant motion to influence the point.

Experienced doubles players understand that patience can be just as effective as action.

A well-timed hold can take away the opponent’s safest target. It can also prevent the net player from opening too much space before the quality and direction of the ball are clear.

Holding is not passive.

It is a deliberate decision to protect the right part of the court.

Fake

A good fake is not necessarily about touching the ball.

It is about influencing the person hitting it.

One convincing step toward the middle can create hesitation, change the returner’s target, or tempt an opponent into attempting a lower-percentage shot.

That is one of the unique qualities of doubles:

You can influence the outcome of a point without ever making contact with the ball.

The key is making the fake believable.

The movement should resemble the beginning of a real poach. If it is too early, too dramatic, or too predictable, the returner may recognize it and respond comfortably.

A strong fake creates uncertainty.

For just a moment, the returner has to wonder:

Are they crossing?

Is the middle still available?

Should I change direction?

That moment of doubt can be enough to change the point.

Poach

Poaching is probably the movement most people associate with doubles.

It is aggressive, visible, and often ends with a decisive volley.

But successful poaching is not built on speed alone.

It is built on anticipation.

A strong serve may force a late return.

A predictable return pattern may create an opportunity.

A clear signal between partners may allow the net player to move with confidence.

When those pieces come together, the poach is not a gamble.

It is the right decision at the right time.

The best poachers do not wait until the ball has already crossed the net to begin moving.

They recognize clues early and commit to the play.

That commitment matters.

A hesitant poach can leave both partners covering the same area—or neither player covering the open court.

A decisive poach allows the team to move as one unit.

Hover

Hovering exists somewhere between holding and fully committing to a poach.

The net player begins moving toward the middle and becomes more involved in the point, but remains flexible enough to react.

Sometimes this includes pinching toward the center to reduce the space available to the opponent.

The player is not necessarily crossing to take the next ball, but is placing themselves close enough to become a threat.

Hovering narrows the opponent’s options.

It can make the middle feel smaller, discourage a floating crosscourt return, and position the net player to attack a weak ball.

Sometimes that subtle movement is all it takes to make an opponent second-guess their shot selection.

The best doubles players understand that pressure is not created only by hitting the ball.

Sometimes it is created by simply being in the right place.

See These Decisions in Action

Reading about doubles positioning is one thing.

Seeing these decisions unfold on the court is another.

In this lesson, Coach Carla introduces a simple three-step framework designed to help net players make better decisions before the ball crosses the net.

Rather than reacting at the last possible moment, players learn how to recognize patterns, anticipate what their opponents are likely to do, and select the right position for the situation.

That may mean holding the line, showing a fake, committing to a poach, pinching toward the middle, or hovering in a position that creates pressure.

As you watch, do not focus only on how quickly the players move.

Pay attention to why they move.

That is where smarter doubles begins.

Watch the Youtube Video Here:

Why These Decisions Matter

One of the most rewarding moments as a coach is watching players begin to recognize these patterns for themselves.

At first, they only see the volley.

Then they begin to notice the movement that happened before the volley.

Eventually, they understand why that movement occurred.

That is when doubles becomes a completely different game.

You are no longer watching four players exchanging shots.

You are watching two teams constantly creating and solving problems together.

Should I pressure the middle?

Should I protect the line?

Is this the right moment to poach?

Can I make the returner uncomfortable without touching the ball?

Should I move now, or wait for more information?

Those questions are being answered during every point, often in only a few seconds.

That is the intelligence of doubles.

It is fast, but it is not thoughtless.

It is social, but it is not casual.

It rewards athletic ability, but it also rewards awareness, patience, trust, and communication.

Looking Beyond the Headlines

Whether professional doubles changes in the coming years remains to be seen.

The business side of tennis will always involve difficult decisions.

Tournament organizers must consider scheduling, court availability, fan interest, television coverage, and financial realities.

But I hope one thing never changes:

I hope more players discover just how enjoyable—and intellectually rewarding—doubles can be.

For many of us, doubles is where lifelong friendships are built.

It is where communication matters as much as technique and where strategy can matter just as much as execution.

It is also where many adult players spend the majority of their competitive tennis lives.

That is why doubles deserves greater appreciation.

Not simply because it has always been part of professional tennis, but because it offers something that no other part of the sport can completely replace.

A Better Way to Watch—and Play

The next time you watch a doubles match, whether it is at your local club or on the professional tour, try looking beyond the ball.

Watch the net player.

Notice when they hold.

When they fake.

When they poach.

When they hover.

Pay attention to how their movement changes the returner’s options. Look at how their partner responds.

Ask yourself why they made that particular choice.

You may find that the most interesting part of the point is not the winning volley.

It is the decision that happened before it.

The more you begin to notice those moments, the more you will appreciate what makes doubles such a unique and rewarding game.

And the more clearly we understand what makes doubles special, the stronger the case becomes for protecting its place in tennis.

Download the Complete 18-Scenario Net Position Guide

The complete PDF breaks down all 18 scenarios from Carla McKenzie’s lesson, including the court side, whether the opponent is using the sword or shield, the direction of movement, and the net position that best matches the likely reply.

Download Here

Save it to your phone, review two or three situations before your next match, and start making your first move before the ball is struck.

This article is based on Carla McKenzie’s Tennis Congress presentation on anticipation and positioning in a one-up, one-back doubles formation.

Wimbledon Experience 2026: More Than Watching Wimbledon

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 22:51:28 GMT

Our first international Tennis Congress brought ten passionate players together for a week of learning, world-class coaching, and a fresh perspective on the game.

There are moments that mark a new chapter for an organization.

For Tennis Congress, this was one of them.

This summer, we hosted our first-ever Tennis Congress event outside the United States , bringing together ten passionate adult players in London for an unforgettable week of coaching, learning, and experiencing one of the greatest events in our sport.

It was a milestone we're incredibly proud of—not because we traveled farther than ever before, but because it proved something we've believed from the very beginning:

Great coaching and a love for the game bring people together, no matter where they're from.

Ten Players. Five Coaches. One Shared Goal.

One of the things that makes Tennis Congress different is the size of our events.

With just ten players , everyone had the opportunity to spend meaningful time with our coaching team, ask questions, receive individual feedback, and learn alongside others who shared the same commitment to improving.

This year's coaching team included:

Gary Innes

Bill Riddle

Dominic King

Sophia King

Emma Wells

Feisal Hassan

Each coach brought a unique perspective, but they all shared the same philosophy: help players understand the game,

not just play it.

Throughout the week, we explored movement, positioning, anticipation, communication, and decision-making—the details that often make the biggest difference once a match begins.

The Perfect Classroom

Every morning started at Wimbledon Park.

The courts came alive with warm-ups, conversations, and plenty of curiosity. We worked through tactical situations, doubles formations, net movement, transitions, and the small adjustments that help players compete with greater confidence.

Then, after lunch, we headed to Roehampton to watch the Wimbledon Qualifying Championships.

That combination made the experience special.

Instead of simply watching professional tennis, our players were able to connect what they had practiced that morning with what they were seeing on court.

A movement pattern suddenly made sense.

A doubles formation became easier to recognize.

An angle that looked impossible suddenly had a purpose.

Watching tennis became another coaching session.

Seeing the Game Differently

One idea came up again and again throughout the week.

The best players don't just watch the ball.

They read the player.

They notice body position.

They anticipate movement.

They recognize patterns before the shot is struck.

Once you begin looking for those details, it's difficult to watch tennis the same way again.

That's exactly what happened in London.

A Lesson Worth Taking Home

One of our players, Rob Thomas, shared a thought after one of the sessions that perfectly captured the week's biggest takeaway:

"What a difference it makes, instead of watching the ball that you just hit, focusing on the other player for cues on what will be coming back! You don't just watch, but begin to move to the right position on the court, making it more likely that your next shot will be a good one. Thanks to the great coaching, which taught us what specific cues to look for from our opponents!"

Comments like that remind us why we do what we do.

Sometimes the biggest improvement doesn't come from changing your stroke.

It comes from changing what you pay attention to.

More Than a Week of Tennis

Of course, there was plenty of tennis.

There were long days on court, warm London afternoons, lots of walking between Wimbledon Park and Roehampton, and more conversations than I can count.

But there was something else that made the week memorable.

Players from different backgrounds came together with a shared willingness to learn.

Ideas were exchanged.

Friendships were formed.

Coaches learned from players just as players learned from coaches.

That's always been one of my favorite parts of Tennis Congress.

The coaching brings us together.

The people are what make us want to come back.

Looking Ahead

As we wrapped up our final day in London, there was already one question being asked:

"When are we coming back?"

The good news is...

We will be back.

We're already looking forward to returning to London for another Wimbledon Experience, and we can't wait to welcome both familiar faces and first-time participants.

If you've ever dreamed of combining world-class coaching with one of the most iconic weeks in tennis, I hope you'll join us.

Until then, thank you to everyone who made our first international Tennis Congress such a memorable experience.

We'll see you on the court.

Welcome to the Tennis Congress Blog

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 18:36:52 GMT

Where tactical insights, player stories, and unforgettable tennis experiences come together.

Gary's Note

One of the best parts of every Tennis Congress event happens after we've left the court.

Players gather over lunch, continue conversations from the morning session, ask questions, share stories from their own matches, and often discover that someone else has experienced the exact same challenge they're working through.

Those conversations have always been one of my favorite parts of Tennis Congress.

This blog is simply another place for those conversations to continue.

Welcome, and thanks for stopping by.

If you love tennis as much as we do, you're in the right place.

Over the years, Tennis Congress has brought together players from around the world who all have something in common: a genuine passion for improving their game and a curiosity to keep learning, no matter their age or level.

That's what makes this community so special.

Some people come looking for better doubles strategy. Others want to become more confident competitors or experience training with world-class coaches. They arrive from different places and with different goals, but they all share the same mindset—a love of tennis and a desire to become a little better than they were yesterday.

This blog is an extension of that community.

Why Start a Blog?

People often ask if they can revisit something they learned during a Tennis Congress event.

Maybe it was a tactical concept discussed on court.

Maybe it was a conversation over lunch.

Or perhaps it was something we noticed while watching professional players compete that completely changed how we looked at the game.

Those ideas don't have to stay at our events.

This blog gives us a place to continue those conversations and share them with players everywhere.

What Is Tennis Congress?

Tennis Congress was created by serious adult players, for serious adult players.

Our mission has always been simple: to give passionate adults access to the kind of world-class coaching and learning environment that's often reserved for elite juniors and professional players.

But Tennis Congress has never been just about improving your forehand or serve.

It's about learning how to think better, compete smarter, and enjoy the process of getting better.

It's about challenging yourself alongside people who share the same passion.

And it's about building friendships that often last well beyond the final day of an event.

Today, Tennis Congress has grown into a global community of players, coaches, and experts who believe that learning never stops.

I'm proud to be part of that community.

What You'll Find Here

This won't be a place for endless lists of tennis tips.

Instead, we'll share the stories behind the coaching.

You'll find event recaps, tactical insights, behind-the-scenes moments, player experiences, coach perspectives, and lessons we've picked up from spending thousands of hours on courts around the world.

We'll also explore ideas that can help you become a smarter player, whether you enjoy singles, doubles, league tennis, or simply competing with friends on the weekend.

If an article helps you see the game a little differently before your next match, then we've done our job.

More Than Tennis

Tennis has shaped my life in ways I never expected.

It gave me opportunities I wouldn't have had otherwise.

It introduced me to lifelong friends, allowed me to travel the world, and ultimately led me to a career that I genuinely love.

That's why I believe tennis is about more than competition.

It builds communities.

It teaches resilience.

It encourages lifelong learning.

And it has a remarkable way of bringing people together, no matter where they're from.

Those are the kinds of stories you'll find here.