As last year’s NCAA championship got underway, the men’s tennis teams of UCLA and Virginia understood that just one point could be the deciding factor in who would be crowned national champions.
Yet the Bruins gave up the very first point of the match in doubles. After defeating UCLA’s first two doubles teams, Virginia secured a 1-0 advantage in the match. That point proved fatal to the Bruins, who eventually lost the title match to the Cavaliers 4-3.
With the 2013 season behind them and a new one ahead, UCLA understood the necessity to correct its doubles play.
The Bruins entered the 2014 season ranked third in the NCAA, behind the No. 1 singles player in the country and a freshman recruiting class ranked 2nd nationally. But despite their individual talent and a starting record of 11-2, the Bruins lost the doubles point in six of those matches.
The Bruins’ singles play was strong throughout the season, but with such a dismal record in doubles play, it was evident that athletic ability alone would not win many doubles points for UCLA.
“There are a lot of facets that are important to doubles which don’t always transfer over to singles,” said coach Billy Martin.
One of the most important facets in doubles is the ability to work well with a teammate. In such an individualized sport as tennis, it can be difficult to get different players on the same page.
UCLA had the pieces to be successful, but they needed to fit them together correctly. The Bruins tried various player combinations to see which pairs worked the best together.
“It’s just something that has to click,” said junior Marcos Giron. “Some guys, you play with them, you feel like he brings my game up and I bring his game up.”
As the season progressed, the team’s chemistry seemed to improve. The Bruins’ players learned to rely less on their own talents and place more trust in their teammates.
In learning to be a better teammate, each player improved as an individual as well.
“We have to get them in a doubles mindset,” Martin said. “And we have to stress that the things they work on in the doubles can help their singles play.”
During the second half of the season, the Bruins’ winning percentage in doubles play improved significantly as they won the doubles point in 10 of their final 12 games.
The Bruins were also relieved by the return of senior team captain Adrien Puget, who was out for most of the season recovering from knee surgery. Since returning to the team on April 18 against USC, Puget has not lost a doubles match.
“He’s an amazing player overall,” said freshman Gage Brymer. “But I think he’s helping us a lot especially at doubles.”
With experience and senior leadership, the Bruins hope that their recent success in doubles will carry over into the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
“I think that we’ve got great a singles lineup,” Giron said. “But if we can play well and win in the doubles point it will help us tremendously in getting through the tournament.”