The Dangerous Doubles Syndrome

[johnyandell]

Let's get your thoughts on Joel Drucker's, article, "The Dangerous Doubles Syndrome"

[bottle]

I completely agree with this. But there's one angle that should be brought up. We all get older. While one's singles career was more important in one's development we may at a certain point choose just to play doubles probably because of shrewd opponents who know how like Djoker to dink to horrible places on the court.

The antidote: Great hits. Have a hit with a great player. Set up the other guy. Then hit away from him. He does the same for you. Even play some singles points.

There could be something else though. Because you don't see the shot you're working on as often, you think more about it.

That's supposed to be bad but isn't.

[klacr]

I can always count on Joel to write an article that is sure to get some comments. His articles are always thought provoking and leads to some great introspection. In South Florida, doubles is pre-dominant game of choice due to
#1 Age of players (Florida is God's waiting room)
#2 Social Matches

I prefer singles but am certainly not opposed to doubles. There is a great league here set up by Ed Krass known as one-on-one doubles. Players play full points cross court in a tournament format.

Many players fall into the doubles vortex and it is difficult to get them to make significant changes or break out of their normal doubles match routine. Many players are intimidated by the physical exertion that they feel singles takes on them. Some will even make the excuse that don't don't understand or know any singles strategy (often times these are 2.5 players that could not execute most strategies to begin with on a doubles or singles court.) Singles play gets pigeonholed as being for the hardcore, young, fit player. But it is not the young, fit player that improves and plays this game for a lifetime, it is the player most willing to adapt.

Pleasure to read your articles Joel.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton