Last Saturday, UCLA men’s tennis handled Pepperdine with relative ease in singles. But doubles play proved to be a different story.
After being upset in one of the earlier doubles games, the Bruins needed a dangerously close 8-7 victory from freshman Gage Brymer and sophomore Karue Sell in the decisive doubles game. The match illustrated a growing source of concern for the team: its doubles play.
This weekend, UCLA will have a chance to improve on its doubles play at the 125th Annual Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship in La Jolla, running Friday through Sunday.
The first Pacific Coast Doubles Championship was held in 1890. Since then, some of the greatest names in tennis history, including former Bruin Arthur Ashe, have competed in the tournament.
The tournament attracts teams from all over the West Coast and is held exclusively for doubles competition. It will provide a good challenge for the Bruins (9-1), who have struggled to solidify their doubles game despite very strong singles play.
“I can’t remember getting off to a worse start and losing doubles points at the beginning of the year,” said coach Billy Martin.
Injuries have also contributed to UCLA’s challenges with doubles play, forcing the Bruins to rely on younger, less experienced players.
“I was a little pessimistic when I knew we weren’t going to have (senior Adrien) Puget for a while. We have three freshmen playing in the doubles lineup right now,” Martin said.
Fortunately for the Bruins, this weekend will provide an opportunity for the team to work on any flaws in its doubles play.
“Right now we’re not playing our best doubles, so it’s good to get to go play some doubles where there’s not a lot of pressure,” Sell said.
Being a good singles player does not always transfer perfectly to being a good doubles teammate. There are many other factors that make a strong doubles player.
“For me, a lot of it is instinct. Sometimes either it clicks or it doesn’t,” said freshman Mackenzie McDonald.
Unlike singles play, in which a player relies solely on his own ability, doubles players must trust their partners and work with them in order to succeed.
“A lot of it is chemistry – knowing your partner, and knowing what’s going to happen next,” Sell said.
Despite the struggles so far, the Bruins are confident that their doubles play will improve as the season progresses.
“Our guys are talented, they’re hardworking and I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that we will be a much better doubles team at the end of the year,” Martin said.