The Miracle of Mixed Doubles

It’s a conversion that rarely ends with mutual agreement, but it’s a challenging exchange that hopefully ends with at least mutual respect. But here is a supporting question that you can ask, which may just be the tippy point you need to help sell your point of view. How many mainline sports compete men against women toe to toe, at the highest of levels? The answer…professional tennis.

This observation is highlighted during the larger events, especially the Grand Slams. Although the mixed doubles draw at these major tournaments may not attract the audience that both singles and doubles enjoy, or for that matter, the media’s attention, mixed doubles continues to be a very respected game on the tour. At the recreational level of tennis, if you are a member of any tennis facility, or take part in league play, mixed doubles is quite common, both socially and competitively. But the fact that it played competitively at a professional level and also at the club level and with the same competitive intensity, remains unique.

One of the reasons mixed doubles is less televised may be because the style and strategy of the competition at the pro level are so much different than that of the social or recreational level. The recreational player is not likely to possess the ability to hit with the speed and spin in which the pro game is played. But that doesn’t mean that there is not something to be learned by watching these matches. In fact, many narrators will point out the value of some of the tactics used by the pros, which are also important for any level player to utilize. The influence of lobbing. The importance of the serve return. But maybe most relevant, is the equity in the responsibility of the players on the court.  Both the men and the women have important roles, maybe not performed the same, but equally valuable to the outcome of the match.

Another common bond that exists at the pro level and the recreational level is the enthusiasm and team spirit that is shared. Both the joy of winning and the disappointment of losing is a common emotion that is shared at all levels. There is also that common characteristic between pros and club players of having a great commitment to their partners. At the pro level, money is on the line, but the emotional investment and the earning of titles are common to all players at all levels.  

With all that said, we still come back to that rare fact, that few other main-line sports have this unique professional venue. There are a number of sports where men and women combine to compete, but they do not include hand-to-hand competition.  That 130-mile-an-hour serve that some pro men can hit, has to be and is handled by many of the female players. Also, the quick and often violent poaching volley never seems to intimidate any of the pro-female players.  But it’s not all about the difference in the physical style of play. There are a number of female players who are excellent lobbers, have great finesse skills, and have a keen sense of how to cover the court properly. In fact, if you follow the tour, you will note there are several female players who are respected as the backbone of their doubles team. It is not a subtle influence, but rather a well-respected skill set that results in many wins and titles.

Recreational players should take note of these touring pros’ individual skills and recognize their ability to be great teammates. Being a compatible partner is a key element that creates confidence and trust with their teammate. Great doubles players seem to always influence their partners to play better when the going gets tough. They set them up with opportunities during play and will match their emotional investment in a match. At the end of a match, it wasn’t just who played best, but also who was capable of optimizing their partner’s performance, win or lose. Again, all qualities are shared from those just getting into tennis all the way up to the professional level.

Take pride in our unique sport, knowing that you are part of a very special group of athletes who are competing with the same rules and intense competition, no matter what their level or rating might be. And if you ever do get into that conversation comparing your sport with others, feel free to reach back and use this insight or knowledge, or just ignore that conversation and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you are playing the same exact sport, under all the same exact conditions, just like the best players in the world.