We are already planning for 2026 with details to be announced soon - 7th to 11th & 11th to 15th May.
Rome Masters - click HERE
Next stop: Lucca and Florence.
Think morning top class tuition on beautiful clay courts, afternoons exploring cobbled streets and Tuscan hills, and evenings filled with great food, wine, and laughter.
Whether you’re here for the tennis, the views, or both – these weeks are something truly special.
Lucca - click HERE
Florence - click HERE
Still some spaces left on our special hosted weeks in Lucca (16th - 23rd August) and Florence (30th August to 6 September).
How to play one up and one back doubles?
Paolini & Errani v Andreeva & Shnaider in Rome
Being the most common form of doubles at club level, who should you watch to help you understand the key elements done at the highest level (but still relevant to club play)?
In Rome we were fortunate to see up close on both the match and practice courts Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani. They won the doubles for the second year running and also won the most recent Olympic gold medal.
In my view their matches were the highlight of the entire tournament. The fun and energy that they bring to the court is a joy to watch but what are the key points of their play that club players can attempt to emulate?
1. The positive energy that they consistently manage to produce is fundamental. They do it in different ways with Paolini staying relaxed and smiling often (much like Alcaraz) and Errani, who has a more abrasive personality, with great determination and resilience. Due to this very effective personality combination they are able to navigate the complexities of the tennis scoring system and play well at the most important times.
So for you, the club player, find someone who complements well with you mentally, first and foremost.
2. Errani may not have the biggest hit in the world but her shot selection is absolute perfection. She almost never plays the wrong shot and her topspin lob in particular gets her out of trouble for returns, cross court rallies and creating opportunities for both her and Paolini to get to the net.
As a club player at least one of the team must be good at lobbing whether it be an aggressive topspin or a more defensive push or slice. This will keep you in the rallies and be a strong counter against the bigger hitters.
3. In an ideal world one of the team should be strong from the back of the court and the other one great (or at least decent) around the net. Paolini is no slouch at the net but her groundies are awesome allowing Errani ( a great volleyer) to pick off interceptions.
Try to combine with another club player who can fill the role you least prefer i.e. at the net or baseline.
4. In a similar vein to the above, Errani crossed on 90% of Paolini's 1st serves with Paolini covering behind her if the opponents played down the line. This created uncertainty with the returners and worst case scenario Paolini got immediately involved in a baseline rally which she is always favourite on (even against Coco Gauff).
At club level the more dominant net player must be moving or faking on a regular basis with the partner covering behind, especially if moving on to their favourite shot i.e. forehand or backhand.
5. On occasion both Errani and Paolini would retreat to the baseline especially if the opponents had a big first serve. This allowed them to work their way into the point and then get Errani to the net on a positive footing and Paolini hammering it from the back again.
Both players back at club level can be perceived as a negative but it can be a great way to give your opponents a different look if your normal strategy isn't working. And it doesn't mean that one or both of you can't work your way into the net at the right moment.
If you haven't watched Errani & Paolini playing doubles please do so - great fun to watch and loads of learning opportunities.
Rome Masters - click HERE
Next stop: Lucca and Florence.
Think morning top class tuition on beautiful clay courts, afternoons exploring cobbled streets and Tuscan hills, and evenings filled with great food, wine, and laughter.
Whether you’re here for the tennis, the views, or both – these weeks are something truly special.
Lucca - click HERE
Florence - click HERE
Still some spaces left on our special hosted weeks in Lucca (16th - 23rd August) and Florence (30th August to 6 September).
How to play one up and one back doubles?
Paolini & Errani v Andreeva & Shnaider in Rome
Being the most common form of doubles at club level, who should you watch to help you understand the key elements done at the highest level (but still relevant to club play)?
In Rome we were fortunate to see up close on both the match and practice courts Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani. They won the doubles for the second year running and also won the most recent Olympic gold medal.
In my view their matches were the highlight of the entire tournament. The fun and energy that they bring to the court is a joy to watch but what are the key points of their play that club players can attempt to emulate?
1. The positive energy that they consistently manage to produce is fundamental. They do it in different ways with Paolini staying relaxed and smiling often (much like Alcaraz) and Errani, who has a more abrasive personality, with great determination and resilience. Due to this very effective personality combination they are able to navigate the complexities of the tennis scoring system and play well at the most important times.
So for you, the club player, find someone who complements well with you mentally, first and foremost.
2. Errani may not have the biggest hit in the world but her shot selection is absolute perfection. She almost never plays the wrong shot and her topspin lob in particular gets her out of trouble for returns, cross court rallies and creating opportunities for both her and Paolini to get to the net.
As a club player at least one of the team must be good at lobbing whether it be an aggressive topspin or a more defensive push or slice. This will keep you in the rallies and be a strong counter against the bigger hitters.
3. In an ideal world one of the team should be strong from the back of the court and the other one great (or at least decent) around the net. Paolini is no slouch at the net but her groundies are awesome allowing Errani ( a great volleyer) to pick off interceptions.
Try to combine with another club player who can fill the role you least prefer i.e. at the net or baseline.
4. In a similar vein to the above, Errani crossed on 90% of Paolini's 1st serves with Paolini covering behind her if the opponents played down the line. This created uncertainty with the returners and worst case scenario Paolini got immediately involved in a baseline rally which she is always favourite on (even against Coco Gauff).
At club level the more dominant net player must be moving or faking on a regular basis with the partner covering behind, especially if moving on to their favourite shot i.e. forehand or backhand.
5. On occasion both Errani and Paolini would retreat to the baseline especially if the opponents had a big first serve. This allowed them to work their way into the point and then get Errani to the net on a positive footing and Paolini hammering it from the back again.
Both players back at club level can be perceived as a negative but it can be a great way to give your opponents a different look if your normal strategy isn't working. And it doesn't mean that one or both of you can't work your way into the net at the right moment.
If you haven't watched Errani & Paolini playing doubles please do so - great fun to watch and loads of learning opportunities.
