When playing doubles, be it squash or tennis, the name implies 2 or team, therefore the first priority of any doubles player is to protect and empower their partner. The old adage “Charity begins at home!” is never truer than on the doubles court.

Good teams help their partners; stick to the game plan. They are consistent and predictable and provide emotional support and understanding, supporting their partner through good times and bad times. Having this attitude will mean that you have a chance to figure out what’s going on in the match, communicate with your partner, and possibly prevail in the end.

Even when you’ve been playing with the same partner for years, neither of you can read minds, letting your partner know how you feel is not only good but also helpful. When he feels strong, he takes responsibility for hitting the crucial points, if he feels more defensive, he plays it safe until he regains his confidence. However, he MUST take responsibility for himself and honestly assess his effectiveness on the pitch at every moment of the game. A distorted perspective is not necessarily helpful to your team.

In that sense, I remember years ago in England playing and captaining our Sussex county women’s team in a competition called “County Week” which is where 6 counties come together in a particular place with at least 9 tennis courts and play 5 matches. in 5 days Each day consists of 2 county teams of 3 pairs each playing 3 matches against the other team for a total of 9 matches per day.

This is a grueling schedule which means even when you’ve lost to the #1 team that day, you have to go out and play the #2 team and then regardless of the outcome, you have to focus again for that third game of the day against the #3 team. . Now this is where I learned about perspective and being in the “Eye of the Beholder”

I dropped one of the players on my team. In the ensuing discussion as to why, she said, “But I didn’t miss one of my service returns all day!” Unfortunately, her partner’s perspective was that her opponent was also not standing at the net volleying the ball at her feet for a winner. If she had really been messing with her partner, she would have figured it out and changed this, or at least she would have walked off the court apologizing for “Leaving her partner vulnerable after every one of her service returns!” !”

The same goes for the double pumpkin; it means being aware of the blows you hit and how they affect your partner. For example, if your partner is slowing down, a hard cross might seem like a good idea, but if you fail to get past your opponent, your partner may find themselves out of position, with no way to cover the next shot.

Play to enhance your partner’s strengths and cover their weaknesses and obviously the opposite is true for your opponents, play to expose their weaknesses and negate their strengths. If they like to run keep them back, if they love to hit the ball hard then float the ball over their heads and back. Move a stationary or slow player around the court by dragging them back and forth.

Give your partner clear messages, either verbally or nonverbally, by moving forward or getting into position without hesitation. This will make your partners hedging work much easier and consequently the relaxation and trust between both of you will increase as it will be obvious where to stand and what to cover.

Let your partner do their job and have faith and trust in them. You can’t try to hit their balls and expect them to play confidently and decisively. You have chosen to play with this person, so support them. Giving them dirty looks or muttering to yourself when they miss a shot definitely won’t bolster your partner’s waning confidence and will only ensure that you look impolite in everyone’s eyes except your own.

Treat your partner how you would like to be treated. Support them in difficult times and celebrate their victories, this way you will have a friend for life and enjoy all your matches, win or lose. I wish you fun on the court.