As far as tennis in Australia goes, interest usually peters out after January when the Australian Open wraps up, briefly resurfacing for the start of the other majors.
While the big names of Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Stosur have borne the most attention on court, and Bernard Tomic unfortunately off court, the best story of 2013 has come from the pairing of Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua in the women’s doubles, who have just reached their third Grand Slam final for the year at the US Open.
This year, neither of this bubbly duo have had the success in singles they might have liked, for varying reasons.
However, this has not halted their drive, with doubles providing a useful extra avenue into the last weekend of the Grand Slams.
Dellacqua has been riddled with injuries throughout her career, a fact which has taken a toll on her game, which at its peak proved good enough to rival the best. Just have a look at some of her scalps on her fourth round run at the 2008 Australian Open.
Nowadays though, her career is heading into the twilight and she has motherhood to look forward to. However, with singles consistency a challenge, a switch to a wider court might just grant her the taste of Grand Slam success again (Dellacqua actually won the Roland Garros mixed doubles title back in 2011, with American Scott Lipsky) before hanging up the racquet. Or the sweatband or the runners or the visor. Whichever one fits.
Barty’s situation on the other hand couldn’t be more different. At 17, Tennis Australia would be hoping she will be pushing for WTA seedings in the next few years, and possibly into the top 10. No pressure.
Although having struggled on the singles circuit this year, Barty has been made well aware of her inexperience and is content to wait for results to come as they please. For her, doubles allows her time to develop her game against seasoned campaigners. This could yet turn out to be a canny move for the youngster. People should remember that before Sam Stosur made it in singles, she had honed her skills in doubles, reaching the top spot for a time; as had Francesca Schiavone.
Something they do have in common is a cheerful, down-to-earth personality and an invaluable willingness to really enjoy their tennis. Undoubtedly, this chemistry has been a major part of their success. Throw them together on a doubles court and it is a perfect mix of experience and flare. The young prodigy with the former Grand Slam doubles champion.
This year, reaching the finals of both the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and falling just short both times, these two have the chance to go one better at the US Open. Since not much is happening in the singles competition, you’d think we’d be up in arms about these two. Perhaps we will be in a few days.
Despite the skill, reflexes and rapid-fire volleying that doubles exhibits, its appeal has waned over the years, which is a shame. With all the steely looks of Serena Williams, the nonchalant struts of Bernard Tomic, and the general hysterical racquet-smashing coming from the singles draw, it is certainly a relief when good humour arrives on court, and this eminently likeable duo delivers it in spades. I hope the young up-and-comers are taking note.
In their final assignment, they will run into the winner of Czech pairing Hradecka and Hlavackova, and the Williams sisters; the latter of whose pre-match introductions make up a significant amount of their court time. Whichever way it goes, it’ll be far from a walk in the park.
If they’re cradling meat platters at the end, it will still be a huge achievement and a deserving one. But maybe, just maybe, this will be a case of third time lucky. Fingers crossed.
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