![]() ![]() If you talk to the great doubles players who were also singles players, like for example the Williams sisters who are amazing, they always say they would rather have a match on their day off than a practice session. But I just think that doubles is such a great complement for singles. “It could be that there’s just too much money now in singles, it’s such a big business that probably they just don’t want to take the chance of getting hurt or getting tired. Now, the women’s game has gone the way of the men’s, where the top singles players aren’t playing in doubles anymore. And later on, of course, the Williams sisters, they played doubles together and even mixed as well when they first got to the top. When I was playing, I remember we had Martina Navratilova, Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, Arantxa Sanchez, Steffi Graf - all of these were great singles players, but they were also amazing doubles players. “On the women’s game, it took a little bit longer. Sampras and Agassi, they didn’t play doubles. The doubles game, on the men’s side, started to suffer from top players not playing. McEnroe is the last male player that I can think of that was No.1 in the world and was playing doubles at the same time. “I think that’s what really hurt doubles, is back 20, 25 years ago the top players stopped playing doubles. Q: Why do you think that the top singles players don’t play doubles regularly anymore, like they used to? Your average tennis-playing tennis fan plays doubles, not singles.” The tournaments shouldn’t shut off the TV when the singles final is over, just keep the feed running! That way they actually end up running more doubles matches, because they understand that the viewers, that’s what they play. I know that because I’ve had a conversation with them. “In my opinion, I know are willing to televise more doubles, but it’s a matter of the tournament keeping the cameras running. They’re asking, like, “Why aren’t more doubles matches televised?” Because we know people want to watch doubles - I hear it all the time and people are always posting about it on social media. “I think that the fans really need to speak out more. Q: What can the sport do to improve bridge that gap between singles and doubles? I felt like there was more of a need for sharing good doubles instruction, so that’s why I started going more toward that path.”įernandez with longtime doubles partner Natasha Zvereva in 1993. So when I started traveling to conventions - like for example I would be at a three-day conference, and there would be like maybe one session that was just about doubles. I felt that we’re not teaching it enough and not really focusing on it. “Eventually we all have to learn doubles or end up playing doubles, and I found that there’s a gap in the instruction of doubles. If you go to any club in any part of the country at any time of the day, like 85% of what’s going on is doubles. But what people play, for the most part, is doubles. They like to tune in and watch the stars play, and that’s what’s shown more on TV and really focused on. “Here’s the big conundrum for me: what most people watch on TV in tennis is singles. What are your thoughts on the doubles game nowadays? Q: While you had a great career in singles, most of your success was in doubles. Overall they take better care of themselves so they have more longevity in general.įernandez during a New York Empire World TeamTennis match, with Maria Sanchez (left) and Kirsten Flipkens. “And part of that is now players are taking so much better care of their bodies - because they’re making more money, they have the ability to travel with a team, like trainers and physios and nutritionists. I retired at 33, and I was like, over the hill! You know, the career lifespan back in my era was much shorter than what it is today. Is that something you could ever imagine doing back when you were playing? ![]() ![]() Q: Right now the WTA is seeing quite a few players becoming mothers and coming right back to compete on the tour. That’s what I’ve been doing for the last five years.” I’m able to work with the adults in the morning and then I can be a mom in the afternoon. “So what’s great about coaching recreational players is that their leagues play in the morning - which is when my kids are in school. And you have to, for the player to be successful, but I’m just not in a position to do that with my nine-year-old twins “Coaching a professional tour player is a 24/7/365 commitment - you basically as a coach give up your life for the player. I have nine-year-old twins, and so for the last 10 years I just haven’t wanted to travel. “So I coached a couple of players, I coached Sam Stosur and Lisa Raymond, and they won their US Open when I was helping them. Have you considered eventually coaching WTA players? Q: Currently you’re coaching recreational players and and focusing on doubles. ![]()
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