Albano Olivetti is the #22-ranked doubles player on the ATP tour. He recently won a grass court title in Halle and owns the record for the 2nd fastest serve of all time.

In this brief conversation, we unpack what really wins on fast courts and why he and his partner, Theo Arribage, feel confident right now. Albano shares practical serve and return lessons, plus his perspective on building a doubles partnership that keeps getting better.

• What they learned from 's-Hertogenbosch that helped them win the Halle ATP 500 Title
• What changes when you move from clay to grass, especially with the bounces and slice
• The story behind his 160 mph serve and why the ATP doesn't count it
• Serve advice for people who are not close to 7 feet tall 😆
• Committing to doubles after COVID and why it fit his game
• Learning from fellow French doubles star, Nicolas Mahut - improving return technique, and using simple return patterns
• How he's made steady ranking progress
• Handling different vs consistent partners on tour
• What makes his chemistry with Theo work, from tactics to technical adjustments - they have four titles in 2026
• Goals for the season, with the ATP Finals as the target
• Honest thoughts on making pro doubles more popular and what support is missing

Follow Albano on Instagram below and watch him play this year on Tennis Channel Plus and Tennis TV.

Learn more about Albano & follow:

• Instagram
• ATP Profile
• Wikipedia

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**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

This is another AMA episode where I focus on the return of serve. Perhaps the most important shot in doubles, and certainly the least practiced.

I break down why the return of serve is misunderstood and how I think about practicing and implementing effective returns. I also dig into consistency, targets, patterns, deuce vs ad court, and tactics for the return.

• Why returns and groundstrokes are not the same thing.
• One common mistake that you should fix to reduce return errors.
• The two biggest return priorities.
• Crosscourt vs down-the-line vs lob returns.
• What to look for to determine your best return options.
• Members Only: How to handle variety - fast, slow, spin, flat, and weak 2nd serves.
• Members Only: How to cut your return errors from the deuce court.
• Members Only: A practice plan for improving your returns.

Become a Tennis Tribe Member to access the full episode.

Upcoming Camps & Trips:

• Dallas-Fort Worth Doubles Strategy Camp: August 15-16, 2026
• NYC Doubles Strategy Camp: September 3-4, 2026
• Rally Trip: US Open - September 4-7, 2026

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**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players**

• New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox

**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

This AMA episode covers a variety of topics, including net position, formations, and strategy frameworks. A few of the lessons are from a tight mixed doubles match that I recently played, while the others are from Tennis Tribe Members.

1. When is I-formation a bad idea?
2. Why I recently told my partner to stand in two different positions on my return points.
3. When should the baseline player change something? (including how to handle inactive partners at net)
4. Members only: My backhand volley pops up and floats every time. How do I fix it?
5. Members only: How and when to add new strokes to your game. In this case, a semi-western forehand.
6. Members only: What to do against two tall players who rush the net.
7. Members only: The deuce court returner has a great crosscourt forehand. What should we do?

We only have 2 rooms left for the Rally Trip at the US Open!

If you're interested and want to sign up for the Doubles Camp from September 3-4, you can email me: will@thetennistribe.com.

If you're not a Tennis Tribe member and want this full episode, learn more and sign up here.

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**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players**

• New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox

**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course