Q.) You enjoyed a very good 2019, particularly in doubles, winning three titles in quick succession. In two of those wins, you were partnered by Eden Silva, why do you think the partnership between you both has worked so well? You must have created a solid rapport on and off court. Also, on Eden – her mixed doubles run at 2019 Wimbledon was superb, just how good is she?
A.) 2019 was a good year for me, despite having quite a few injury and illness set backs, I was really proud of my efforts and achievements overall. I think the partnership between Eden and I works so well because our game styles really complement each other, Eden has a great backhand which often sets me up to get involved at the net, and vice versa I’m able to set up Eden at the net using mainly my forehand and lefty serve. I play with more heavy spin whereas Eden plays a lot flatter, so this is also a really good contrast in doubles as opponents are always receiving a different ball. Eden and Evan (Hoyt) had an amazing run at Wimbledon in the mixed doubles, they both played with so much freedom and confidence, it was really nice to watch them play and see how much they enjoyed themselves out there, they really made the most of the whole experience. Eden is a great player and athlete, she has a strong all-round game which doesn’t have really any weaknesses which is pretty key these days to go far on the tour and compete against the best in the world.
Q.) In the past two years, you have won 6 doubles titles, a great return. Does doubles take priority over singles, and what are your long-term targets for your doubles career?
A.) Since having some success in doubles in the last few years I have been adding in doubles skills as part of my training sessions. But I would say singles and doubles both still have equal priority. I really enjoy singles and I believe my game can go a lot further. My target for my doubles is to be regularly competing on the WTA tour, which I started doing this year. I hope to resume this once the pandemic is over and keep on pushing up the rankings and work hard to be a strong contender in these events.
Q.) Does your approach towards singles and doubles matches change? Which do you prefer playing?
A.) The preparation for a singles or doubles match changes in the sense that when preparing for a doubles match it is very much tactics based, you’re discussing with your partner the ways in which you’re planning to try and set each other up and also analysing the opponents weaknesses which you’re also going to try to expose together.
Singles preparation is also largely tactics based but unlike in doubles you are out there on your own so you have to be mentally prepared to problem solve on your own. Mental preparation is key for singles, going into the match with a clear mind and no outside distractions will help you to focus and adapt your focus the best you can throughout the match. I prefer singles because of the individual aspect of it, it’s just you and the ball and that’s essentially why I started playing tennis. However, doubles is really enjoyable for me as it’s a team event and I’m often teaming up with my friends.
Q.) Over the past few years, you have spent the majority of years touring and playing tennis. Are you taking this period as an opportunity to rest, or are you still training and preparing for future tournaments?
A.) This is a really difficult period for everyone as we don’t know for sure how long it’s going to last. So I am trying my best to find balance between keeping myself fit and staying disciplined with my diet, but also ensuring I take time to enjoy being home and pick up a few creative skills which I have neglected a little as I’ve been giving all my energy and focus to my tennis for the past couple of years.
Q.) If you could play doubles with anyone at Wimbledon next year, who would your dream partner be? Mixed and Women’s.
A.) I would really enjoy to play the ladies doubles with Hsieh Su-wei. She’s so creative and fun to watch. In the mixed doubles I’d like to play with Joe Salisbury. I really enjoyed watching him at the ATP Cup this year and his amazing serve would make my life easy at the net! Maybe a little biased there as he’s British too.
Q.) There is many of the NxtGen group hunting a maiden grand slam title – Danil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Borna Coric and Frances Tiafoe, just to name a few. Who do you see winning a grand slam first?
A.) I enjoy watching Zverev and Tsitsipas, their games are really impressive and I would like to see either one of them win their first grand slam.
Q.) 11 different women have won grand slam titles since 2017. The consistency and level of matches we get on the WTA is reaching crazy heights, every tournament is wide-open, but is there a player you think could dictate for a spell of time?
A.) Women’s tennis is really exciting at the moment, there are so many players of such a high standard that it feels each tournament is anyone’s for the taking which we have seen so often over the past few years. I think if Bianca Andreescu can stay fit she could be the one to dictate for period of time.
Q.) The new crop of women players coming through are so exciting to watch, Bianca Andreescu, Jelena Ostapenko, Naomi Osaka and Sofia Kenin are already grand slam champions. Which youngster do you enjoy watching and why?
A.) Out of the youngsters I’ve really enjoyed watching Sofia Kenin and Bianca Andreescu. They have each brought something refreshing and exciting to women’s tennis with their individuality and the variety they have in their games. Andreescu is extremely powerful and dynamic and seems to be able to hit winners from all angles of the court. Then there is Kenin who seems to be more of a counter puncher. She looks like she plays tennis as if it’s a game of chess with the way she out manoeuvres her opponents. Both players are really great to watch and learn from in their own individual ways.
Thanks a lot to Sarah for giving us another interview, follow her on Twitter to track her progress.
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