Two of a Kind 

Penn State juniors Olivia Dorner and Maiko Uchijima have formed one of the Big Ten’s best doubles tandems over the past year. If you’re giving doubles tennis a try, check out their advice on how to make it a long day for your opponents. 

Attack with the Serve 

Uchijima recommends targeting the T, or rough center of the court, or get into opponents’ bodies with your serve, especially late in matches. 

Love the Lob 

Mix in lob shots when you can, Dorner says, both to keep opponents off balance and keep the ball away from strong net players.

Divide ... 

Put your better volley player (in their case, it’s Uchijima) around the net.

… and Conquer 

Leave your other player (Dorner) to roam the baseline and back up the net player.

Switch It Up

If you’re going to cross, or trade sides of the court, during a point, the best time is right after the initial return, Uchijima says.