Playing doubles may look more relaxed because you share the court with a partner. You just cover your side, hit the balls that come your way, and hope your partner is ready if anything gets past you. In reality? It’s not that simple. In doubles, you don’t just need to think about your own shots. You also have to pay attention to your partner’s position, the open spaces on court, communication, and who should take certain balls. Sometimes you hit a good shot but still lose the point because both players go for the same ball. Or the opposite happens: both of you assume the other person will take it, and the ball simply goes by. 

Some mistakes in doubles tennis happen quite often, especially when you’re still getting used to playing regularly with a partner. The good news is that many of them can be improved through practice andmore consistent communication. Let’s take a look at some of the most common mistakes. 

Why Does Doubles Require Better Teamwork? 

When you play singles, almost every ball on your side of the court is clearly your responsibility. In doubles, it’s different. Two players need to move as one team. That means small decisions—such as moving toward the net, staying back at the baseline, taking a ball down the middle, or letting your partner hit it—can affect bothplayers’ positioning. That’s why a strong doubles team isn’t always made up of the two players with the hardest shots. 

Sometimes, the pair that communicates better and knows when to move together can be much more difficult to play against. So if your doubles game still feels a little messy, your forehand or backhand may not be the main problem. It could simply be the teamwork that needs improving. 

Common Mistakes in Doubles Tennis 

From communication to court positioning, here are some mistakes in doubles tennis that can easily cost you points.

1. Not Communicating Enough with Your Partner

This is probably one of the easiest mistakes in doubles tennis to make. You step onto the court together, but barely say anything throughout the game. Even simple communication like “mine,” “yours,” “switch,” or telling your partner where you plan to serve can help them read the situation faster. Communication doesn’t only have to happen while the ball is in play either. 

Between points, take a moment to talk about your opponents’ patterns. Maybe they often return cross-court, or one player likes moving forward to the net. You don’t need a five-minute strategy meeting after every point. Just a few words that both of you understand can make a difference. After all, your partner can read the ball, but they probably can’t read your mind.

2. Both Players Going for the Same Ball

The ball comes down the middle. You move toward it. Your partner moves toward it too. Suddenly, your rackets almost collide and neither of you makes a clean shot. Sound familiar? 

Balls down the middle can create hesitation because they fall between two players’ coverage areas. That’s why it helps to have an understanding before the match about who is more likely to take certain ballsin certain situations. Communication is still the key. 

If one player commits to the ball, the other should quickly adjust position to help cover the space that has opened up. Don’t let both players chase one ball while half the court is left wide open.

3. Focusing Too Much on “Your Side”

“This is my right side, and that’s your left side.” That kind of division can help as a starting position, but doubles doesn’t mean you have to stay in one lane for the entire match. The ball keeps moving, and your positioning should move with it. If your partner is pulled far to one side to chase a ball, you may need to shift over and help cover the space they leave behind. 

Likewise, if you move forward to the net, your partner needs to understand which area now requires more attention. Think of doubles positioning as moving together. Not as two singles players who just happen to be standing on the same court.

4. Staying Too Static

You find a comfortable position, stand there, and wait for the ball to come to you. The problem is, tennis balls rarely cooperate like that. In doubles, your position needs to keep adjusting based on where the ball is and where your opponents are. If the ball moves to the left side of the court, you and your partner will usually need to adjust as well. If your opponent gets a short ball and looks ready to attack, your positioning may need to change again. 

You don’t need to move so much that you lose your balance. Just don’t let your feet feel glued to one spot. Doubles still requires footwork.

5. Being Afraid to Move to the Net

If you’re more comfortable playing from the baseline, moving toward the net can feel a little intimidating. The ball comes faster. You have less time to react. And when you miss a volley, somehow it feels very obvious. But the net plays an important role in doubles. If you always choose to stay far behind the baseline, your opponents may have more space and time to build the point. 

Start gradually. Practice your volleys, learn to read the ball, and figure out when it feels right to move forward. You don’t have to sprint to the net after every shot. But the net also shouldn’t be somewhere you only visit when shaking hands after the match.

6. Being Too Aggressive When Cutting Off Your Partner’s Ball

Once you start feeling more confident at the net, suddenly every ball looks like something you should intercept. That also needs a little control. Poaching can be a great way to put pressure on your opponents. But if you do it without reading the situation or communicating with your partner, you may leave a large area of the court open. And your partner may already be prepared to hit that ball. 

Now you have two rackets going for the same shot again. If you want to become more aggressive at the net, practice those patterns with your partner. That way, the movement feels like a strategy rather than a reflex of, “There’s the ball, I’m taking it.”

7. Not Adjusting Your Position After a Serve or Return

Getting the serve in doesn’t mean your job is done. The same goes for the return. After your first shot, immediately think about your next position. If your serve produces a weak return, there may be an opportunity to take a more aggressive position. 

On the other hand, if your opponent’s return is deep and puts you under pressure, don’t force yourself to rush forward. The same idea applies when you’re receiving serve. After hitting your return, pay attention to where your partner and opponents are. Don’t just stand there admiring your shot. The ball is still in play. The point isn’t over yet.

8. Blaming Your Partner Too Often

Your partner misses one volley. Hits a double fault. Or sends an easy ball out. Feeling a little frustrated is understandable. But if every mistake is met with disappointment, your team can quickly lose its rhythm. 

Remember, doubles means winning and losing points together. If your partner makes a mistake, reset and move on to the next point. If you make the mistake, the same rule applies. 

Sometimes a simple “it’s okay, next point” is much more useful than discussing the error while the match is still going on. Chemistry in doubles isn’t only about hitting winners together. It also shows in how well you can both move on from mistakes. 

How Can You Become a Better Doubles Team? 

You don’t need to start with complicated strategies. Begin with simple habits during practice. Get used to communicating before and during points. Practice cross-court rallies so you become more comfortable controlling direction. Work on volleys and net play, and occasionally simulate real matchsituations. 

Just as importantly, learn your partner’s tendencies. Some players are comfortable taking middle balls with their forehand. Some are more aggressive at the net. Others feel more confident controlling the baseline. The more often you play together, the more natural those roles usually become. 

And if you still miscommunicate from time to time? That’s normal. The goal isn’t to find a partner who never makes mistakes, but to learn how to improve as a team. 

Feeling More in Sync? Try the Tournament Atmosphere 

If some of those mistakes in doubles tennis are happening less often, your communication is getting smoother, and you’re starting to understand your partner’s playing patterns, it might be time to trysomething different from your usual fun match. FiberCreme Tennis Cup 2026 will take place on September 19–20, 2026, at Ancol Tennis Warehouse (ATW), Jakarta. The tournament features a Women’s Doubles Team category for Upper Beginner, Low Intermediate, and Intermediate players, as well as a Women’s Doubles Individual category for Low Beginner players. 

So, players at different levels can choose the category that suits them best and experience a tournament atmosphere with their partner. FiberCreme Tennis Cup 2026 is also part of FiberCreme’s 9th anniversary celebration, carrying the spirit of PLAY. FUEL. FEEL GOOD., while bringing sports and community together as part of an active lifestyle. 

Read more: Looking for a Tennis Tournament in Jakarta in September 2026? Get to Know FiberCreme Tennis Cup 2026

Found the Right Partner? Time to Hit the Court! 

In the end, doubles isn’t only about who has the fastest serve or the biggest forehand. Communication, positioning, footwork, reading the situation, and chemistry with your partner all play a major role. If you still go for the same ball, forget to adjust after serving, or focus too much on protecting your own side, don’t get frustrated right away. Use those moments as material for your next practice session. 

The more often you play together, the easier it becomes to understand when to move forward, when to shift position, and who should take the ball. And if your training has become more consistent and you’ve found a doubles partner you really click with, sign up for FiberCreme Tennis Cup 2026! 

For more information and registration: 

Dorthy: 0877-8433-9701
Albert: 0816-1110-656 

Don’t forget to follow @fibercreme, @ancoltenniswrhouse, and @infinitetournament on Instagram for the latest event updates. Now it’s time to get back on court with your partner, improve your communication, and work through those mistakes in doubles tennis one by one before match day. 

Let’s PLAY, FUEL, and FEEL GOOD at FiberCreme Tennis Cup 2026!