Mastering tennis serve rules in doubles

A powerful, well-placed serve can be the key to dominating a doubles match. However, to maximise your advantage, you must fully understand the tennis serve rules in doubles.

From positioning to service rotation, let’s break down everything you need to know to serve strategically in your doubles matches.

Where to stand when serving in doubles

In doubles, the server must stand behind the baseline, within the boundaries of the singles side-line and the centre mark. Unlike singles, where players have the entire court width, doubles servers must consider their partner’s positioning and the opponent’s formation.

To legally serve, ensure:

• Your feet remain behind the baseline until the ball is struck
• You do not step on or over the baseline before hitting the serve
• Your serve lands in the diagonal service box across the net.

If any of these conditions are violated, it results in a fault.

Order of serving in doubles matches

Doubles serving follows a strict rotation. The serving order is determined at the start of the match and remains consistent throughout the set:

1. Player A (Team 1) serves the first game
2. Player X (Team 2) serves the second game
3. Player B (Team 1) serves the third game
4. Player Y (Team 2) serves the fourth game
5. The rotation repeats in the same order.

Each player serves for an entire game before rotating. If a team mistakenly serves out of order and it is discovered mid-game, the correct server must resume service immediately without replaying points.

Double faults and their impact

A double fault occurs when a server fails to land either their first or second serve into the correct service box. In doubles, double faults are costly as they immediately give away a free point to the opposing team.

To minimise double faults:

• Focus on a high-percentage first serve rather than going for excessive power
• Ensure a reliable second serve with spin to increase consistency
• Communicate with your partner to strategise return positioning.

Let serves in doubles

A “let” occurs when the served ball clips the net and lands in the correct service box. In this case, the server is allowed to replay the serve without penalty. However, if the ball touches the net and lands outside the service box, it results in a fault.

Poaching and Partner Positioning During the Serve

Unlike singles, doubles introduces a strategic element where the server’s partner can move and intercept the ball mid-play. This tactic, known as poaching, allows the net player to cut off weak returns and apply pressure.

Legal positioning rules for the server’s partner:

• They must stand inside the doubles court but outside the service box
• They can move before or during the serve but cannot obstruct the receiver’s view
• They must avoid hindering the returner, or it results in a let or hindrance call.

Receiving Serve in Doubles

Just as serving has a rotation, receiving follows a fixed pattern. Each player on a team must return serves from a designated side of the court for the entire set.

Key receiving rules:

• The receiver must wait behind the baseline before returning the serve
• The returner’s partner can stand anywhere but must avoid blocking the receiver’s view
• If the incorrect player returns the serve, the point is awarded to the serving team.

Switching sides and tiebreaks

Doubles follows the standard tennis rule of switching sides after every odd-numbered game. During a tiebreak, serving alternates every two points after the initial serve.

In a tiebreak:

• The player who would have served next starts with one serve
• The opposing team then serves for two points, and service alternates every two points thereafter
• Players must maintain the original service rotation.

Using these tennis serve rules in doubles

Understanding and following the tennis serve rules in doubles can significantly improve your match performance. By mastering positioning, service rotation, and effective communication with your partner, you can serve with confidence and precision.

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