Bruce Lipka Interview: World #1 Doubles Coach, Mindset for Improvement, & How to Play the Net

Doubles Only Tennis Podcast

Bruce Lipka is the coach of WTA #1 doubles player, Erin Routliffe. He has coached over twenty top 100 ATP and WTA players, won USPTA Tour Coach of the Year three times, and now is the head men's coach at Penn State.
Erin has improved immensely under Bruce's coaching, and it's something I've personally noticed since watching Erin over the past few years. In our discussion, we talk about her improvement, as well as specific drills that you can use.
Bruce has been the Director of Tennis at Woodmont Country Club in Maryland for the past 25 years where he worked with club players. His principles-based thinking provides a proven improvement process for players at every level.

• How Erin has gone from outside the top 50 to world #1.
• The best drills to improve your net game.
• Why Bruce offered a one-hour tennis lesson for $1,500.
• Exactly how Bruce and Erin structure practices.
• Drills for club-level players.
• and more...

He also answered many of your questions from Instagram and Twitter towards the end.
Bruce is one of the top coaches I've had on the podcast and I expect this episode to be a big hit for players and fans. You might listen twice to absorb all this doubles knowledge.

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• Serve Strategy for Doubles: https://www.thetennistribe.com/serve-strategy-for-doubles-ebook/
• Net Play Strategy for Doubles: https://www.thetennistribe.com/net-play-strategy-for-doubles-ebook/

Chapters

1. Player Development and Coaching Insights (00:00:00)

2. Building Strong Partnerships in Tennis (00:10:24)

3. Post-Match Analysis and Practice Progression (00:23:06)

4. Mindset and Skill Development in Tennis (00:26:46)

5. Early Tennis Development and Coach Mentors (00:31:13)

6. Creating Chaos and Structured Doubles Strategy (00:42:01)

7. Winning Through Problem Solving and Options (00:48:02)

8. Mastering Different Types of Volleys (00:59:06)

9. Player Development and Coaching Logistics (01:08:01)

10. Locker Room Access and Wimbledon Favorites (01:16:02)

11. Reviving and Valuing Doubles Tennis (01:22:21)