WHAT SHOULD LEAGUE PLAYERS CONSIDER WHEN PICKING A DOUBLES PARTNER?

Cara Black: You have to pick someone who suits your needs. Obviously everyone wants a partner who is better, a stronger player. But maybe you pick someone who likes playing up if you like playing back, or someone who you get along with and can work together with on a common goal. Pick someone opposite from you. For instance, if you like playing the net, then pick someone who likes the back and vice versa.

IT’S NOT UNCOMMON FOR BOTH PLAYERS TO WANT TO PLAY ONE SIDE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE DEUCE SIDE, WHICH IS THE FOREHAND SIDE FOR RIGHTHANDERS.

Liezel Huber: One person has to be the bigger person and choose the side that isn’t their favorite. The person who gets to play the side that is their favorite has got to make sure to hit their shot. For instance, both Cara and I like the deuce side (forehand side), but we chose for me to take that side, so now I have extra pressure. I have to do my job and hit every return so I don’t put Cara in a compromised situation. If you get your side, you better be able to deal with the pressure. If it doesn’t work, the fortunate thing in doubles is that you can switch sides after a set.

FALL LEAGUE IS STARTING AND A LOT OF NEW TEAMS FORM. WHAT SHOULD BE THEIR EXPECTATIONS OF THE SEASON? LH: Aim high but not too high of expectations. Keep it simple. Don’t try and show off to your partner. You hit your best shot, and they should hit theirs.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE A SITUATION WHEN YOU OR YOUR PARTNER IS CLEARLY HAVING A VERY BAD DAY ON THE COURT? CB: Sometimes Liezel and I will play a match and one of us will be on fire. Then you start feeling the pressure, but you shouldn’t because you can only do what you can do. Keep things really simple and positive. Take it one point at a time. Keep it basic.

SOME PARTNERS TEND TO BE BOSSY OR NEGATIVE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH.

LH: Bossy is okay, but negative isn’t. Tell her that you’re there to have fun, that this is it or you’re walking off the court. Even at the pro level, we’re there to have fun. Tell her this is it or change your attitude.

CB: It’s still good to have a leader and take control. The bossy person needs to step up and control the situation. And if the bossy or vocal person is having an off day, then the other person needs to know to take on the leadership role.

WHEN DO YOU KNOW IT’S TIME TO CHANGE PARTNERS?

LH: If it’s not fun anymore. You won’t have the results if it’s not fun. Or, when you’ve tried everything, and it’s not working. If she thinks she can play with someone else and do better, you have to accept it. That’s okay; we have to support each other.

CB: It’s better to just walk away. If you’re not getting the results, a change in partners may be in order.

ANY LAST THOUGHTS FOR THE RECREATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYER?

LH: Put the serve in. They try to serve too hard or they try and go for a certain spot in the box, but the first thing is to put the serve in. You see so many free points given, and the serve is the most important shot of the game. Start the point. Put the serve in. You have two attempts at it.

CB: Keep the errors down. There’s nothing worse than giving a free point. At the club level, most of the time the point ends due to an error, not a winner. Keep your errors down, and you’ll stay ahead of the others.