'We needed to preserve energy': Sam Querrey and John Isner reveal shocking doubles strategy

In a candid moment on The Tennis Podcast, American tennis veterans Sam Querrey and John Isner revealed a surprising doubles tactic they used during their careers: intentionally losing the second to save energy.

While the strategy may sound bizarre to fans, it was calculated move rooted in the demanding nature of professional tennis. For players whose main focus singles, managing physical exertion across multiple matches in a tournament was crucial. Doubles became a strategic playground, one where certain 'sacrifices' were made in favor of long-term goals. That's where their unconventional approach came in.

“We used to lose the second set on purpose,” Querrey confessed, referring to their earlier days competing as a doubles team. The reasoning? It was all about conserving energy for singles play. “We would try to win the first set, and if we won it, we would literally just roll over in the second and then try in the 10-point breaker."

This strategy, while unusual, was driven by pure logic: "The doubles, it’s great, but you’re not making much money. We’re not doubles specialists," Isner explained. "We would literally be like, ‘Let’s just lose this set 6-1 and save ourselves.'"

The two big-serving Americans were primarily singles players throughout their careers, often entering doubles draws at tournaments for extra court time or to support each other. But their honest admission has sparked fresh debate about the role of doubles on the ATP Tour and the sometimes conflicting priorities of players.

Their story touches on a wider issue in professional tennis, how doubles is often deprioritized by top singles players. With less prize money, less fanfare, and more physically taxing schedules, some singles stars see doubles as expendable. This mindset may be more common than fans realize.

While some may see their comments as controversial, others might view it as speek behind the curtain of professional decision-making. Isner and Querrey's openness challenges the public to consider how tournament structures and schedulling can impact player choices. The controversy around singles and doubles tennis opens up for a new chapter after the changes made for the upcoming US Open.

The event will now feature a reduced draw of 16 teams, with matches played over two days during the week prior to the main singles draw. Early rounds will consist of best-of-three sets to four games, incorporating no-ad scoring and a 10-point match tiebreak in lieu of a third set. The winning team will receive a $1 million prize, a substantial increase from previous years.

These modifications sparked the debate among doubles specialists. Renoun players such as Sara Errani have critized this as a "profound injustice" that disrespects the players viewing the shifts prioritizing profit over the purity of the game.