Post-Match conversation at Willy’s Café with Players RG and TA

After playing mixed dubs with Players DD and NS

where Player RG, a solid 3.5, remarked on how well I covered the short court

like a fat balloon, my ego soared

ancient arthritic wings flapping

Queen Spot Doubles

Coach MB gives me a place to stand

when my partner is serving

when the enemy is serving

he calls it the Queen Spot

a movable tubelike container 12-16 inches from the service T

the reason to plant yourself in the Queen Spot:

you get fewer lobs

(the lobs have to be really good)

you’re closer to the net

you’re taking away the truck lane down the middle

if you move one step toward the alley

the enemy will watch you moving and miss hitting the alley

on the service line you have simpler angles

if the enemy hits a short ball,

then you return to the alley with sidespin

the enemy has to take another step to return,

leaving the middle open

unless the enemy’s partner has studied doubles

and moves to cover the center line

the middle will stay open

winner for you

Coach MB says:

stay in front of the baseline

doubles is not singles

doubles is finding the hole

right middle left

two players to cover three holes and you can’t do that from behind the baseline