In this interview, we chat with 2017 Australian Open mixed doubles champion and former top 10 player, Abi Spears. Abi has been playing tennis at a high level for her entire life and is now coaching players of all levels.
She also posts lessons on her website, where you can book time with her.
During her playing career, Abi was a force to be reckoned with, terrorizing players with her aggressive style.
In this conversation, we talk about lots of strategy and technique advice for club-level players.
- What’s wrong with your half-volley and how to fix it.
- A huge mistake club-level doubles players make with their partners.
- How to win more serve and return points without hitting bigger.
- Winning with a weaker partner and being a good teammate.
We also discuss how Abi got into tennis, why she left college for the pros, and, of course, how to make doubles more popular. This episode offers some great tips for any tennis players who want to reach the 4.5+ level.
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25 expert serve (7), return (5), net-play (5), baseline (4), & approach (4) tactics you can use in your next doubles match.
Interview Notes from this Podcast
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- Follow Abi on Facebook, YouTube, & Instagram
- Abi’s website is abispearstennis.com
- 3.5-4.0 Technique Mistakes
- Club-level players should focus more on shifting well with their partners and communicating better on middle balls.
- On half-volleys, your turn shouldn’t change and you should push with your legs and not your arms.
- When serving, be consistent with your toss, have a fluid motion, and let your racket be an extension of your throwing motion.
- 3.5-4.0 Strategy
- Communicate with your partner, be willing to adapt your game, and make adjustments during the match.
- Play high-percentage crosscourt returns and focus on the ball not the player at the net.
- Consider staggering at the net to avoid being lobbed, and always ask yourself why you’re being lobbed.
- How to win with a weaker partner
- Figure out what part of their game is weak and try to focus on getting them in positions to avoid those areas.
- Think more about playing well yourself and encourage your partner often.
- Abi’s Favorites
- Tournament: Australian Open
- Sports Book: John Wooden Books*
- Non-tennis Book: Lord of the Rings*
- Other People Mentioned
- Juan Sebastian Cabal
- Raquel Atawo was Abi’s doubles partner through most of her career
- James Blake
- Abi’s Half Volley Drill
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