Luke Johnson is currently ranked #40 in ATP doubles and is coming off his biggest career win at the ATP 500 tournament in Barcelona with partner Sander Arends. I spoke with him earlier this week about his recent success, doubles strategy, and more.

• How he and Sander's complementary playing styles create an effective partnership
• Advantages to using different returning styles and court positioning
• The journey of rising through the ATP rankings, effectively halving his ranking each year for five consecutive years
• One practice lesson he's learned from his coach, Calvin Betton, that you can implement too
• College tennis as a developmental pathway
• Maintaining composure and strategic thinking during crucial tiebreakers

At the end, Luke breaks down the championship-winning 10-point tiebreaker from the Barcelona Final point-by-point.

• Watch it here on YouTube

Learn more about Luke & follow:

• ATP Profile
• Wikipedia
• Instagram

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**Other Free Doubles Content**

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

Erin Routliffe, the #3 ranked WTA doubles player, unpacks her recent title run in Charleston with Jelena Ostapenko and shares insights about navigating the 2025 season so far.

• How her off-season injury affected her at the start of the year and how Gaby Dabrowski supported her
• Experience playing doubles with Ostapenko and winning in Charleston
• Differences between playing with Ostapenko versus her regular partner Gaby Dabrowski
• Plans for the clay court swing
• Why she doesn't look at draws
• Her friendship with Asia Muhammad and learning from each other's games
• The toughest teams she & Gaby have faced
• Thoughts about recent US Open mixed doubles format changes that disadvantage doubles specialists

Erin is one of the best players to watch if you want to learn how to play smart doubles. She possesses great net skills, movement, and strategic variety from the baseline that you should try to emulate. Follow Erin throughout the rest of the 2025 season.

Previous interviews with Erin:

• Sep 13, 2023 - Dealing with Nerves & 10-Point Tiebreakers from 2023 US Open Champion
• Dec 21, 2022 - Her Huge Ranking Leap, Practice Routines, & Match Preparation

Learn more about Erin & follow:

• WTA Profile
• Wikipedia
• Instagram
• Twitter/X

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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

In this special episode on the state of doubles and the professional doubles debate, I speak with ATP & WTA Coach, Dan Kiernan. Dan is the coach of Gaby Dabrowski, Michael Venus, and Nikola Mektic, and has been on the show several times before (below).

In this conversation, we examine the future of doubles from multiple perspectives and challenge current assumptions about the format's viability.

• Reactions to the idea that "doubles specialists have no place in the future of tennis"
• The doubles debate centers on "the WHO, not the WHAT" – personality and storytelling matter more than format
• US Open's controversial changes to the mixed doubles format make commercial sense in the short-term but we must consider the long-term timeline as well
• Doubles players face three options: accept diminished status, fight for change within the tour structure, or break free to create their own tour
• Professional doubles needs to embrace vulnerability, personality-driven content, and innovative viewer experiences to thrive
• The seven tennis governing bodies lack a cohesive vision for doubles, focusing instead on short-term commercial priorities
• For it to survive, doubles specialists must take initiative in building their own brands and connecting authentically with fans
• Innovations like free fan movement, court-side service, and more relaxed atmosphere could transform the doubles spectator experience and change in a way that singles is resistant to

This is an open invitation to everyone in tennis – players, coaches, tournament directors, and media – to continue this conversation and work together toward solutions that benefit doubles and the sport as a whole.

Previous Episodes with Dan Kiernan:

• Dan Kiernan Interview: GROWTH, Coaching ATP Doubles, Aggressive vs Consistent Returns, & an Illegal Volley Drill - April 5, 2023
• Coach Dan Kiernan Interview at the WTA Finals - November 5, 2023
• Coach Dan Kiernan Shares Stories from the WTA Finals, 2nd Set Adjustments, Positive Mindset, & More - November 20, 2024

More from Dan:

• Dan's Podcast - Control the Controllables | Twitter | Instagram
• Soto Tennis Academy | Twitter

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• New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox

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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

Ellen Perez is the #17 doubles player on the WTA tour. I spoke with her at Indian Wells on an off day after her 2nd round win with Jelena Ostapenko. We discussed their partnership, working with coach Rennae Stubbs, US Open Mixed changes, and more.

• Working with Rennae Stubbs and understanding strategic shot placement
• Ostapenko's funny on-court nature
• Partnership changes early in the 2025 WTA doubles season
• Goals for the rest of 2025
• Adjusting to playing with doubles specialists like Melichar-Martinez vs more baseline-oriented/singles players like Mertens & Ostapenko
• Her candid reaction of the US Open mixed doubles format changes
• Finding the right communication style with different partners' on-court personalities

Check out our previous episodes with Ellen below where we dive deeper into her full tennis journey.

Other interviews with Ellen:

• WTA Finals Match Breakdown, 2023 Plans, & Balancing Doubles vs Singles - November 16, 2022
• Her Story, Lefty Advice, How to Slide, The Doubles Calendar, & More - September 25, 2024

Learn more about Ellen & follow:

• WTA Profile
• Wikipedia
• Instagram
• Twitter/X

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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

Andrea Vavassori is the #9 doubles player on the ATP Tour and won the 2024 US Open Mixed Doubles title with Sara Errani. He also reached the final of the men's doubles at the Australian Open earlier this year.

I spoke with him at Indian Wells this year about those achievements, his vision for the future of doubles, the controversial US Open mixed doubles changes, and a lot more.

• Potential innovations for mixed doubles including a ranking system and year-end Masters event to increase visibility
• Reflecting on his successful partnership with Simone Bolelli and their journey to three Grand Slam finals
• Explaining his reaction to US Open mixed doubles format changes and why tradition matters more than money (Read his viral Instagram post)
• Describing how Bolelli's calm demeanor complements his energetic playing style
• Highlighting the "Sinner effect" that has transformed tennis popularity in Italy
• Discussing the challenges of balancing singles and doubles careers

Andrea and Sara went on to win the BNP Paribas Open mixed doubles draw in Indian Wells less than a week later. He is on the ATP player's council so I'm hoping he can continue to fight for doubles and make positive changes for tennis.

Learn more about Andrea & follow:

• ATP Profile
• Wikipedia
• 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

Demi Schuurs and Asia Muhammad join the show for their 3rd and 2nd times respectively (listen to the previous episode with Demi | episode with Asia).

This team just won the BNP Paribas Open and I chatted with them after their second-round victory at Indian Wells just before practice on their off day. We discussed their impressive run to that point in the tournament, how their partnership formed, what's working so well, and more.

• Defeating Olympic champions and major finalists Paolini/Errani in round one with clean, aggressive tennis
• Finding partnership chemistry through shared temperament—both value staying "chill" under pressure
• Their aggressive, net-focused playing style
• Demi expresses concerns about US Open mixed doubles changes limiting opportunities for doubles specialists
• Asia discusses her transition to a doubles-only focus, which brought her into the top 10 within a year

Demi and Asia went on to play an amazing tournament only dropping one set and defeating some of the top teams on tour. They're a fun team to watch and you can learn a lot from how they play. Be sure to watch them throughout the rest of the 2025 season.

Learn more about Demi & follow:

• WTA Profile
• Wikipedia
• Instagram

Learn more about Asia & follow:

• WTA Profile
• Wikipedia
• 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

Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten are the #1 doubles team on the ATP tour, having captured two of the last three major doubles titles including Wimbledon 2024 and Australian Open 2025. I spoke with them in Indian Wells a few days before the start of the BNP Paribas Open.

In this conversation, we discuss their practice routines, their partnership, the state of ATP doubles, and more.

• Detailed breakdown of their practice sessions, including specific drills like "volleyball" for serve and return practice
• Strategic approach to facing teams with singles specialists like their first-round match against Melo and Zverev
• Comparison between their Wimbledon and Australian Open victories and the different emotional experiences
• Insights into Henry's relationship with his coach, Calvin Betton, who was also on the podcast recently (below)
• Perspective on the current state of professional doubles and how to increase its popularity among fans
• Discussion of mixed doubles format changes at the US Open and implications for the sport

Watch Harri and Henry play doubles through the rest of the season on Tennis Channel Plus and Tennis TV.

From this episode:

• Tennis Tribe Memberships (Ad Court Webinar 3/25 @1pm CT/2pm ET)
• Calvin Betton Interview

Learn more about Harri & follow:

• ATP Profile
• Wikipedia
• Instagram

Learn more about Henry & follow:

• ATP Profile
• Wikipedia
• 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

Kimberly Birrell is the #76 singles player on the WTA tour and reached the finals of the Australian Open in mixed doubles a few months ago. I spoke with Kim after her round-one victory in Austin Texas at the ATX Open. We discussed her recent Australian Open performance, how she's improved her game as her career has developed, and more.

• Kim's experience playing AO mixed with doubles veteran JP Smith
• Singles vs doubles mindset, and the importance of belief and partnership trust
• Discussing goals for the future and her doubles plans
• Ideas on promoting the doubles game and discussion around the mixed changes at the US Open

At the beginning, you'll also hear from Matt, a rockstar tennis WAG. You'll learn what that is and how he manages all the responsibility, including one recent fire he put out in Austin.

Follow Kimberly:

• Instagram
• WTA Profile

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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