Doubles Strategy

Serving: It is easier to win your serve in doubles because you have a partner at net who should be able to attack returns hit to him and even some that are hit toward the server. So, choose to serve first if you win the toss. A major exception is when the sun is right where a right ­handed server tosses the ball and your team has a left ­handed server or a right ­handed server who is not bothered by the sun in his face. In that case require your opponents to choose first. This is called “deferring” and is Rule 9 of the ITF Rules of Tennis. If they choose to serve first, choose the side with the sun at your back. When you change sides after the first game the left handed server will be serving on the side that would bother his right­ handed partner. If they choose the side with the sun at their backs, choose to serve first. If the choose the side facing the sun, make them serve first. If they choose to receive first, choose the side facing the sun. Since most players are unaware of this rule, you may wish to carry a copy of the rule with you.