Volley Training, US Open Semifinal Prep, Match Momentum, & Mixed Doubles with Coach Bruce Lipka

Bruce Lipka, coach of US Open doubles champion Erin Routliffe, joins the show for the second time. I spoke with him before Erin Routliffe and Gaby Dabrowski played their semifinal match in New York.

• Why preparing for semifinals involves months of work
• Championship-level doubles requires continuous improvement rather than focusing on winning or losing
• How they turned around a 0-6 first set in the quarterfinals
• The compact tournament format creates challenges with mental recovery as players compete multiple days consecutively 
• Three essential volleys for club players and how to train them
• Club players' biggest mistakes: not moving enough and taking balls they shouldn't touch
• Professional margins are incredibly slim
• "Players don't rise to their level of play; they fall to their level of training."

Have questions about doubles tennis or college tennis? Bruce welcomes inquiries as he also serves as the men's tennis coach at Penn State.

Listen to my previous episode with Bruce.

Learn more about Bruce & follow:

• Twitter/X
• Men’s head coach at Penn State
• Coach of world #1 and 2023 US Open champion, Erin Routliffe

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