Jan Zielinski and Luke Johnson are both top 30 ATP doubles players who recently reached the Australian Open semifinals. I sat down with them at Indian Wells to talk about what clicked early in their new partnership, the season so far, and more. We spoke about emotional intensity, brutally close losses, mixed doubles, and why doubles still isn’t marketed like the product it can be.

• What “great practice” looks like and why small gains matter
• How the partnership forms and how offseason training actually works
• Early-season lessons from Australia plus grit in tight moments
• Building points for your partner instead of chasing hero shots
• Sets versus drills and how to use match data fast
• Where Jan's on-court emotion comes from, plus the benefits and downsides
• Their crazy loss in Acapulco and how they process it
• Mixed doubles strategy with Hsieh Su-wei (they won two Grand Slams in 2024)
• What to change about US Open mixed doubles access
• Why ATP doubles marketing lags, plus simple fixes like better highlights

Jan and Luke are one of the most entertaining teams to watch on the pro tour, with amazing return skills, impressive volleys, and highlight points. Watch them throughout the 2026 season on Tennis TV and Tennis Channel Plus.

Learn more about Jan & follow:

• ATP Profile
• Wikipedia
• Instagram

Learn more about Luke & follow:

• ATP Profile
• Wikipedia
• Instagram
• Previous interviews with Luke:
  • Luke Johnson Interview: Tiebreaker Strategy, Climbing the Rankings, & Winning the Barcelona ATP 500
  • Preparing for the French Open Quarterfinal with Coach Calvin Betton, Sander Arends, & Luke Johnson

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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

David Collins is the coach of Grand Slam-winning ATP doubles players John Peers and Michael Venus. I spoke with him at Indian Wells to get practical advice about doubles training, from tour-level first-volley reps to simple technique fixes that instantly change your net game. We also dig into why club players fear the net, how to build a better doubles player over a year, and what pro doubles needs to grow.

• How John Peers preps the day before a match with scouting, serve-plus-one priorities, and specific volley patterns
• Michael Venus’s injury update, return plan, and what a long rehab block demands
• The catch-to-volley drill that keeps the hand in front and stops the shoulder turn that causes late contact
• A high-speed server's partner drill that trains angle volleys, poaches, split-step timing, and lob awareness
• A simple development plan for club doubles players that sharpens strengths while raising weak areas
• The three net fears and concrete fixes for passing lanes, lobs, overheads, and getting jammed
• Why pro doubles struggles for visibility, and what better streaming and promotion could change
• How to pair partners at the club level by matching comfort zones and contrasting skills

Upcoming Doubles Camps:

• Dallas-Fort Worth: https://thetennistribe.com/camps/fort-worth/
• Miami: https://racksandraquets.com/pages/miami-doubles-strategy-weekend-with-will-boucek

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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

Coach Jeff Coetzee is one of the top doubles minds in our sport. He reached a career high of #12 in the world during his playing career, and has since coached some of the best doubles teams on tour, including Robert Farah and Juan Sebastian Cabal.

Today, he coaches the top WTA doubles team in 2026, Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic. I spoke with Jeff at Indian Wells to unpack their season so far and how he's helped develop Danilina into the player she is today. One of the topics we focus heavily on is belief.

• Early-season surge built on defined roles and aggression
• Training the net player to disrupt and own first volleys
• Belief built through daily target serving and measured wins
• Timing poaches and varying return patterns against singles hitters
• Practicing volleys from behind the service line for real points
• Post‑match debriefs tailored to player personalities
• Seven-in-a-row serve drills to simulate pressure
• Playing to win with a lead, not protecting it
• Learning from finals losses to break through in Doha
• Ideas to promote and grow doubles

Jeff's team is still in the tournament at Indian Wells, so be sure to watch them on Tennis Channel Plus throughout the weekend and the 2026 season.

Learn more about Jeff & 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

Neal Skupski is currently ranked #1 in the world in doubles. He won the Australian Open earlier this year, and has made three of the past four major finals. His brother, Ken Skupski, is a former top 50 doubles player who now coaches Neal and his new partner, Christian Harrison.

Neal & Ken joined me at the Dallas Open to unpack the Australian Open Title, the new partnership with Christian Harrison, and the British system that has elevated five British players inside the top ten. We dig into drills, pressure management, and their relationship.

• Neal's takeaways from reaching 3/4 slam finals and returning to world #1
• How they've adjusted to the new partnership with Chrstian Harrison
• Off‑season habits and routines that travel into week one
• The serve‑plus‑one volley drill: Footwork and technique
• How Ken develops himself as a coach
• Ken's method for breaking up majors into two tournaments
• The brothers’ coach‑player dynamic, conflict avoidance, and trust
• Thoughts on the Sam Querrey top‑40 doubles claim and respect for the craft

Learn more about Neal & follow:

• ATP Profile
• Wikipedia
• Instagram

Learn more about Ken & 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

Former world No. 5 and ATX Open tournament director, Christo van Rensburg, joins the show again to preview a star-packed field for his upcoming tournament, led by Venus Williams.

Christo shares how he recruits players, changes coming in 2026, including a huge announcement for 2027, and the player field this year. We also dig into practical doubles strategies you can use.

• How Venus Williams’ wildcard came together and what it means for fans
• Behind-the-scenes recruiting with agents and player relationships
• Headliners returning and rising names to watch across singles and doubles
• Taylor Townsend's relationship with a fan from Austin
• Fan experience upgrades, including suites, activations, and the players’ party (which fans can buy tickets to)
• Modern doubles vs Christo's era
• Why you need to make your weaknesses "presentable"
• The new Austin 125 event details and timing during Indian Wells
• Where to get tickets and when Venus is most likely to play

Links:

• ATX Open tickets (February 21 - March 1, 2026)
• Austin 125 (March 9 - 14, 2026)
• Dropshot LLC

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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

I recently asked Tennis Tribe Members what they want to improve in 2026. In this episode, I respond to six of their answers with challenges to help them improve different strategic and mental aspects of their doubles games.

Topics include playing against players who don't follow patterns and mishit the ball, building patience on slow balls, and taking away the middle against pace and spin. I also share drills, mindset resets, and simple challenges to improve your on-court thinking.

The first 3 are free to all, while you'll need to become a member for the last 3.

1. How to deal with unconventional 3.0 players who defy patterns and mishit/shank the ball a lot.
2. Changing your mindset to minimize errors, especially against players who hit with slower pace.
3. How to still control the middle against players who hit with tons of spin and power.
4. Members only: Quickly recognizing and exposing opponents' weaknesses early in the match.
5. Members only: How to not let nerves or distractions make you play tentative or down to your opponent's level.
6. Members only: How to play more strategically with a long-time partner and use more formations.

Links:

• Become a member to get the last 3 lessons.
• Already a member? Download the member podcast feed.
• Go to thetennistribe.com/camps to register for upcoming camps.
• Sign up for the Indian Wells Rally Trip, March 3–6. Tickets and details here. (deadline February 9)

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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

This episode is a little different. I'm diving into tennis gear, everything except the racquet and shoes, with the founder of one of my favorite brands, ADV. I use their bags, dampeners, and even sweat bands.

Lavie Sak has a tech background, plays tennis, and used to coach as well. We explore how his company lets players lead the design of its products. From dampeners to grips to their popular bags, ADV innovates as well as any company in tennis. Lavie shares the messy first prototype, the tough cuts, and why ADV chose quality over mass pricing while partnering with pros who give real feedback.

• How ADV got started
• Dampener testing across 27 racquets and sound profiles
• Tennis grips - how to choose between dry and tacky
• Designing the ADV Pro bag and prioritizing features
• How they develop an idea into a finished product
• Feedback loops that shaped V2 and V3 of the bag
• Why ADV makes two backpacks
• Curated training kit components and use cases
• Pricing tradeoffs, materials, and longevity
• Doubles tips on serve variety and aiming middle
• Partnerships with Sem Verbeek, JP Smith, and Zus Tennis

I use the ADV Pro for travel and the Flex bag locally around Fort Worth.

Links:

• Shop ADV Tennis

Learn more about ADV & follow:

• ADV Tennis - Instagram
• ADV Tennis - YouTube
• ADV Tennis - Facebook

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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

We preview the Nexo Dallas Open’s second year as an ATP 500 with tournament director Peter Lebedevs. Peter and I discuss court speed and ball consistency on tour. We also dive into what he learned in year one at the new Dallas Open facility and what changes fans can expect in 2026.

Peter is an excellent coach as well, so I asked him how he would help a club player improve their game this year.

• How court speed is measured and targeted for fairness
• Why balls feel different despite standardization
• Venue upgrades that fans and players asked for
• How to predict the Dallas Open doubles champs 😉
• Peter is implementing a new, never-before-done, college doubles wildcard at this year's tournament
• Early singles and doubles field highlights
• Format experiments like US Open mixed and one-point slam
• Actionable advice for club players on consistency and shot selection

Go to DallasOpen.com to get your tickets.

Learn more about Peter & follow:

• Peter on X/Twitter
• Dallas Open on X/Twitter
• Dallas Open on Instagram
• Buy tickets, volunteer, or find more information about the tournament at DallasOpen.com

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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