In this interview, we chat with Pam Shriver, a former player with 22 career doubles majors, and a renowned commentator on ESPN and Tennis Channel. Additionally, she is a top-30 WTA singles coach, coaching Donna Vekic, and a mother. Pam was a dominant force on the doubles tour, having won 111 titles in total. During the conversation, we delve into several topics related to doubles, including the state of doubles and some semi-controversial comments around the current level of ATP doubles, the dom...
Apr 19, 2023•31 min•Ep. 107
This is a conversation with Danielle Collins from the 2023 Charleston Open where she and Desirae Krawczyk won the doubles title. Danielle was a singles finalist in the 2022 Australian Open, a doubles semifinalist at Wimbledon that same year, and reached a career-high in singles of #7 in the world in 2022. This episode is a little different because it’s the first time I’ve had a “singles player” on the show to discuss doubles. Danielle and I discuss: Why Danielle is playing more doubles alongside...
Apr 12, 2023•42 min•Ep. 106
This is a conversation with Leylah Fernandez and Taylor Townsend from the Charleston Open. I spoke with them after their round 1 win. We discussed what's been working well for them over the past several weeks - they took the Czechs to 3 sets and made the finals in Miami. I also asked Taylor what specifically has made the new partnership succeed so far (they had never spoken to each other!) and their plans for the rest of the year - very exciting news for doubles fans! At the end, Leylah shares s...
Apr 07, 2023•10 min•Ep. 105
This is a very short conversation with Danielle Collins and Desirae Krawczyk after their round 1 win at the Charleston Open. You'll hear both their thoughts on the 3-set match where they won the first set 6-1 but lost the second. I also ask about Danielle's plans for doubles the rest of the year, what she's improved over the last 6-12 months, and how Desirae adjusts to playing with partners who have very different game styles. **Doubles Strategy Course** This video course will teach you the best...
Apr 06, 2023•11 min•Ep. 104
This is an interview with Dan Kiernan, a former #1 British doubles player, the coach of top 5 ATP doubles team, Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara, founder of SOTO Tennis Academy in Spain, and the host of the Control the Controllables tennis podcast. Dan knows how to develop players so this is a great episode for anyone who wants to start improving their game faster. You’ll notice he starts with principles, then works his way towards strategy and technical skills from there. I ask him about hi...
Apr 05, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 103
This is the first episode in an eight-part series on doubles strategy. I'm going to share with you how to think about different aspects of doubles to help you create a better game plan and win more matches. How can you use time to win in doubles? There are two ways to think about time in doubles. You want to take away time from your opponents (attack). You want to buy time for yourself (defend). I'll share how to take away time and different in-match scenarios where I like to rush the opponent. ...
Mar 30, 2023•22 min•Ep. 102
This is an interview with Bob Moran, the tournament director for one of the most successful tournaments on the WTA Tour, the Charleston Open. We talk about what makes the tournament special, the fan experience, the player field, and how to grow your local tennis community. Bob and I also discuss: The recent renovations that were done at the site. What the tournament does to grow its relationship with players. Why building youth programs is so important to tennis. We had this conversation only tw...
Mar 24, 2023•23 min•Ep. 101
This is our second interview with Vania King, a 2-time Grand Slam champion. We talk about how and when to cross at the net, practice time, and return strategy. Also in this conversation: What Vania would do to help a 3.5-4.0 player improve in 3 months at the net. How she ranks her play as a server, returner, server’s partner, and returner’s partner. A specific tactic she used for returning down the line. You will hear how to improve your net play, specific doubles strategy for club-level players...
Mar 22, 2023•56 min•Ep. 100
This is a conversation with top-50 WTA doubles partners, Erin Routliffe and Aldila Sutjiadi. This conversation was after their 1st round victory. They went on to win the ATX Open. Erin and Aldila share insights about their post-match practice, the importance of partner energy, and their strategy. Their matches provided lots of room for constructive questions and moments that are useful to players of all skill levels. You'll learn: Why they practiced on the court after their 1st round victory Why...
Mar 09, 2023•13 min•Ep. 99
This is a conversation with WTA doubles partners, Ingrid Neel and Olivia Tjandramulia. I previously chatted with Ingrid at the ATX Open after her first round win. They went on to win in the quarterfinals and lost in the semifinals. This conversation is after their quarterfinals victory. Ingrid and Olivia share insights about their quarterfinals match, specific moments from the match, and their strategy. Their quarterfinals match was full of strategy and communication tidbits. You'll learn: Why I...
Mar 07, 2023•19 min•Ep. 98
One of the most requested podcast guests to date has been Caty McNally. She is up to a career high #75 in singles and top 20 WTA doubles player. As a back-to-back US Open doubles finalist, you can learn a lot by studying Caty’s game. Tennis Tribe writer, Hanlon Walsh, and I finally got to chat with Caty at the ATX Open between her first and second round of singles. This is a brief but insightful conversation. You'll learn: The difference between Caty in 2021 & 2023. How Caty adjusts to playi...
Mar 03, 2023•11 min•Ep. 97
This is a conversation with #89 ranked WTA doubles player, Ingrid Neel. I chatted with Ingrid at the ATX Open after her first round win. She went on to win in the quarterfinals and hasn’t played her semifinal match at the time of this writing. Ingrid shares insights about her round 1 match, where she teamed up with Olivia Tjandramulia for the first time. I asked her how they handle winning in convincing fashion – they won 6-3 6-1. We also discussed: How you play against someone who you know so w...
Mar 02, 2023•16 min•Ep. 96
In this episode, we chatted with two rising American WTA stars, Ashlyn Krueger and Robin Montgomery. These two 18-year-olds had just won their R1 match at the ATX Open and we discuss how they adjusted their strategy in the 10-point tiebreaker. They also recently won an ITF tournament in Orlando, so we ask them what’s been clicking lately. You’ll get some insights into how a team builds chemistry on and off the court as well as how players manage their schedule as they fight to get into the top 1...
Mar 01, 2023•11 min•Ep. 95
We chatted with #1 ATX Open seed, Nicole Melichar-Martinez, on day 1 of the tournament in Austin, Texas. Learn what she and partner, Ellen Perez, focused on in practice on the first day of the tournament. We discuss how they've handled some very tight losses recently, as well as what makes the Czechs, who have won 4 consecutive majors, so good. This is Nicole's 4th appearance on the podcast. Listen to my other conversations with her below. #1 - Nicole Melichar Interview: WTA #19 Doubles Player (...
Feb 28, 2023•15 min•Ep. 94
What is the best way to approach the net in doubles? There are certain times you might want to avoid the baseline rallies. Maybe you're in an unfavorable matchup from the baseline, you need to put pressure on the opponents, or you're simply more comfortable at the net. Regardless of the reason, there is a lot you want to consider when approaching the net in doubles. Is it better to hit deep or short? Can I approach with a lob? Should I always hit to the baseline player? How often should I hit at...
Feb 22, 2023•23 min•Ep. 93
This is an interview with Top-50 doubles players Nate Lammons and Jackson Withrow. I got to sit down with them after their semifinal win at the Dallas Open to talk doubles. This is a brief, but really fun interview, that will give you insights into how top doubles teams think. Nate and Jackson have been one of the top teams so far in 2023, making two finals already, after a very strong fall last season. I could tell their team chemistry is off the charts. Nate and Jackson share: Their post-match...
Feb 15, 2023•24 min•Ep. 92
This is an interview with current Top-100 doubles player Catherine Harrison. We talk about her time at UCLA, her match against the World No. 1s at the Australian Open ( she & her partner were the only team to win a set against the Czechs ), and her two-handed forehand. Catherine also discusses: Her mindset going into and during her match against the World No. 1 Czechs. Having Peter Lebedevs as a coach and how he has helped her. How she manages her crazy travel schedule – she provides new det...
Feb 08, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 91
This is my second interview with Christo van Rensburg, the 1985 Australian Open doubles champion, and the tournament director for the new WTA 250 ATX Open. We talk about what to expect from the inaugural ATX Open, some behind-the-scenes stuff, and return strategy for doubles. In this conversation, Christo shares: What has gone into putting together the ATX Open up to this point. A new way to think about going down-the-line on returns in doubles. A player he is coaching who has the potential to m...
Feb 01, 2023•51 min•Ep. 90
This is our second interview with Peter Lebedevs, coach of Top-100 WTA Doubles Player Catherine Harrison, and tournament director of the Dallas Open. We talk about the upcoming Dallas Open set for February 4-12, what he has learned in the past year, Catherine's offseason and progress, and doubles strategy. In this conversation we talk about: What will change at this year’s Dallas Open including electronic line calls. What Peter told Catherine Harrison in preparation for her Australian Open match...
Jan 25, 2023•34 min•Ep. 89
Will Boucek and Hanlon Walsh preview the Australian Open men's & women's doubles draws. We make picks for each quarter including unseeded teams to watch out for, and our predictions for the 2023 AO doubles champions for both the ATP and WTA. Who has momentum going into the AO? What new teams are we excited to see? Who are the favorites & dark horses this year? Watch the doubles live from the Australian Open on ESPN+ at espn.com/watch/ #WatchMoreDOUBLES **Doubles Strategy Course** This vi...
Jan 17, 2023•37 min•Ep. 88
This is an interview with a Former World No. 3 doubles player, 2-time Grand Slam champion, and Top-50 singles player, Vania King. Vania shares key moments and what led to them during her career, the unique way that she made adjustments (especially to her kick serve), and what went right in 2010 for her two majors. She won Wimbledon and the US Open back-to-back in 2010 with doubles partner Yaroslava Shvedova. I also ask Vania about: Her unique approach to improvement that led to her first singles...
Jan 11, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 87
Being able to use variety while returning can be a huge weapon if you know when to implement different types of returns. Learn how to return more effectively in doubles with these six return tactics. I cover three for the deuce court & three more for ad court returners. You'll learn: How to hit better lob returns. Where to aim when hitting down the line. Why your position is crucial to effective returns & how to adjust. Mentioned in this episode: Video Lesson: Parachute Return Will Hamil...
Jan 04, 2023•23 min•Ep. 86
This is an interview with the current World No. 30 WTA Doubles Player, and a rising doubles star, Erin Routliffe. I spoke with Erin about her improvement (especially in terms of mindset), her practice and match routines, and all things doubles. In this conversation we talk about: The importance of college tennis for her career & her opinion on if players should go pro or to college at 18. How she went from being a top-100 doubles player to a top-30 doubles player. The special way she starts ...
Dec 21, 2022•51 min•Ep. 85
In 2021, the USTA bumped my rating up from a 4.5 to a 5.0. In 2022, I think I improved even more. In this episode, I share 3 lessons that helped me get better in 2022 so that you can use them to work on your own doubles game. You'll learn: A simple tip that made volleys MUCH easier for me (and more effective). How off-court training improved my forehand, backhand, and serve. 3 specific shots I'm practicing that I've started using more in matches. Doubles Ebooks & T-shirts are on sale now thr...
Dec 14, 2022•19 min•Ep. 84
What is the best strategy to beat a lefty in doubles? Last week, I talked about how to play with a left-handed player in doubles. Today, we're discussing how to beat them. Left-handed players can create all sorts of issues on the doubles court, but there are tactics and tendencies you can take advantage of when playing against a lefty & righty combo. Here are a few questions I answer in this episode. I can't return the lefty serve. What do I do? What's the best serve strategy against a left-...
Dec 07, 2022•22 min•Ep. 83
If you're right-handed, how can you effectively play with a left-handed partner in doubles? If you're left-handed, how can you best strategize with your right-handed partner who rarely plays with a lefty? In this episode, I'll cover how to best play doubles with a lefty and righty combo: Which side should each player return on? How can you take advantage of the lefty slice serve? What serve formations should you use with a left-handed player? Who should cover the ball in the middle? I'll also co...
Nov 30, 2022•18 min•Ep. 82
This is an interview with former World No. 1 doubles player, 11-time Grand Slam champion, and the holder of the most doubles wins in WTA history, Lisa Raymond. I spoke with Lisa about her career, what she’s doing now, and all things doubles. In this conversation we talk about: The importance of college tennis for her career & her opinion on if players should go pro or to college at 18. Her Tennis Hall of Fame nomination How to play with different partners – including playing with weak partne...
Nov 23, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 81
This is an interview with WTA top 20 doubles player, Ellen Perez, in Fort Worth during the WTA Finals. We watched the end of a round-robin match with Ellen, so you’ll get the chance to listen to her break down the game and how she handles different aspects of playing doubles and singles on tour. In this conversation we talk about: Her experience at the WTA Finals and her plans for 2023. How she manages to play singles and doubles. What she thinks went well during her 2022 season – especially the...
Nov 16, 2022•22 min•Ep. 80
The #1 doubles team in the world for the past few years have undoubtedly been the Czech team of Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova. Hanlon and I got to sit down with them after their semifinals win at the WTA Finals to talk about doubles. This is a brief, but really fun interview, that will give you insights into how the WTA’s best doubles work together to dominate the tour. I could tell their team chemistry is off the charts. In this conversation we talk about: What it’s taken to get whe...
Nov 09, 2022•14 min•Ep. 79
We're in the middle of the WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas. There is a lot we can learn from watching the world's best doubles players and in this episode, I share 3 lessons I've learned so far. How should you serve against someone who never misses returns? What can you do against really good crosscourt backhand? How should you play against someone who hits the ball with tons of pace? These lessons are from watching Jessica Pegula, Veronika Kudermetova, and Beatriz Haddad Maia at the WTA Finals....
Nov 02, 2022•11 min•Ep. 78
