In this AMA episode, I answer questions from players I've coached recently, as well as Tennis Tribe Members.

You'll learn how to respond when an opponent has a clear pattern that keeps beating you, an in-depth breakdown of I-Formation, practice ideas, and how to play with non-strategically minded partners.

The first 3 are free to all, while you'll need to become a member for the last 3.

1. How to handle someone who hits sharp angles.
2. What to do if someone keeps lobbing the return vs the I-formation.
3. How to play doubles with a partner who isn't interested in strategy and just "smacks the ball."
4. Member only: The best way to attack the I-formation, and what to consider.
5. Member only: All the different ways to cover the lob after you get a short, approach shot.
6. Member only: 12+ themed practice ideas for a 90-minute clinic, and how I think about planning drills.

If you're in the Miami area and want to sign up for my doubles camp on April 18-19, we do have a couple of spots left. Shoot me an email (will[at]thetennistribe.com) or sign up here.

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**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players**

• New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox

**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

Andy Fitzell is the coach of rising US doubles stars JJ Tracy and Robert Cash. I spoke with Andy at Indian Wells to unpack how a pro team actually prepares, competes, and keeps improving when the margins are almost invisible.

We dig into scouting, training plans, partner psychology, and what tennis needs to change for doubles to get the attention it deserves.

• Match-day practice and routines at Indian Wells
• The use of film for both scouting and technical improvement
• Learning doubles through Vic Braden, Steve Smith, and other coaching mentors
• Developing JJ and Robert as individuals and as a team
• Using brain typing to tailor coaching, improve communication, and reduce friction
• Changing serve technique and improving net play with video, rationale, and practice
• Why change feels hard, and how daily reps overwrite old habits
• Managing expectations after breakout results and staying with the process
• Learning from losses by reviewing video and spotting repeatable patterns
• The doubles scoring system and what could make doubles more popular

Andy is a walking encyclopedia of tennis knowledge, so I'm sure I'll have him on again in the future. Be sure to watch JJ Tracy and Robert Cash on Tennis TV and TC Plus this year!

Links:

• Vic Braden - watch his "Go for a Winner" video
• Steve Smith from Great Base Tennis

Learn more about Andy & follow:

• GPTCA Profile
• Instagram

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**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players**

• New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox

**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

Jan Zielinski and Luke Johnson are both top 30 ATP doubles players who recently reached the Australian Open semifinals. I sat down with them at Indian Wells to talk about what clicked early in their new partnership, the season so far, and more. We spoke about emotional intensity, brutally close losses, mixed doubles, and why doubles still isn’t marketed like the product it can be.

• What “great practice” looks like and why small gains matter
• How the partnership forms and how offseason training actually works
• Early-season lessons from Australia plus grit in tight moments
• Building points for your partner instead of chasing hero shots
• Sets versus drills and how to use match data fast
• Where Jan's on-court emotion comes from, plus the benefits and downsides
• Their crazy loss in Acapulco and how they process it
• Mixed doubles strategy with Hsieh Su-wei (they won two Grand Slams in 2024)
• What to change about US Open mixed doubles access
• Why ATP doubles marketing lags, plus simple fixes like better highlights

Jan and Luke are one of the most entertaining teams to watch on the pro tour, with amazing return skills, impressive volleys, and highlight points. Watch them throughout the 2026 season on Tennis TV and Tennis Channel Plus.

Learn more about Jan & follow:

• ATP Profile
• Wikipedia
• Instagram

Learn more about Luke & follow:

• ATP Profile
• Wikipedia
• Instagram
• Previous interviews with Luke:
  • Luke Johnson Interview: Tiebreaker Strategy, Climbing the Rankings, & Winning the Barcelona ATP 500
  • Preparing for the French Open Quarterfinal with Coach Calvin Betton, Sander Arends, & Luke Johnson

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**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players**

• New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox

**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course