Q: When did you start playing tennis?
A: I started playing tennis when I was five and didn't really play much else. I played a little bit of soccer, a little bit of volleyball, but other than that, it was kind of just tennis.
Q: How would you describe your game and your playing style?
A: I'd probably say I'm a pretty aggressive player. I like coming to the net a lot, hence my doubles results. But, yeah, I would say a lot of variety and first ball striker.
Q: Can you tell us what it's like going from college tennis to the pro tour?
A: Just graduated in May of last year. And so, I've been on the tour full time for about eight months now. And, yeah, I mean, the transition, it's different. Obviously, it's a team environment in college, and they basically plan out your days and your training for you.
So, coming from college to the pro tour, you need to do everything yourself. You manage your time, your practices, yourself. So, it's been quite a transition, but I've been enjoying it so far.
Q: What’s it like moving from tournament to tournament on tour?
A: Yeah, I mean, it's obviously different, playing ITF versus WTA. On the ITF tour, you have to do a lot of it yourself. You know, it's not always covered, so you get your own hotels. You find either you want to stay in a hotel or Airbnb. You know, you have to find practice partners. You have to book your own courts.
So, you kind of just have to manage all of that, preferably a few days prior to when you get there. And then you get yourself ready, you do your routines, and you go and play out your first match.
Q: How do you pick your events?
A: Usually, I don't do it too far in advance. It’s a very last second decision most of the time. I have ideas and options, but it depends on, you know, my ranking and what I get into. And, you know, right now with my how my career is going, if I want to mix in singles, ITF tournaments, or if I want to play more WTA for my doubles.
Q: So, I heard you say that you're playing ITF events and WTA events. Let us know what the difference is between those two tours.
A: Yeah. So, the ITF is basically the transition tour. You know, there's different levels to that. So, 15, 35, 50, and so on. And then the WTA is basically what everyone sees on TV, and those have different levels too, but you guys all know the Grand Slams, which are the biggest ones.
Q: You just represented Canada at the United Cup. Give us, what that experience was like down in Australia.
A: It was a very surreal experience. I would say other than playing the NBO, it's probably the biggest event that I've ever attended. Even though I didn't get to play, just being around all the professional players, and getting to see Leylah and Felix compete right on the bench, was a really cool experience. Seeing everyone, how they prepare for matches, you know, being so close to them in the gym and the cafeteria. It was cool to be around.
Q: We got to watch you compete at the National Bank Open last year, and that was super exciting. The big breakthrough event for you, I'm assuming, being your first summer. So, tell us about that experience.
A: Yeah. It was definitely unexpected, getting into that tournament. My partner, Mia and I had won a 75 two weeks prior, and we were awarded the wildcard just a day or two before the NBO started. And, you know, playing the #6 seeds, I believe, the first round, in front of the home crowd—Court 1 was packed—and we fed off that energy, and it was just so much fun and we got that win.
We got into the quarters after that and played against the #1 seeds, Gabby and Erin Routliffe. We played on grandstand and it was packed. And, obviously, Gabby being a Canadian as well, it was a pretty neutral match cheering wise. But, I mean, we're feeding off the energy and we brought it to three sets, and it was just an amazing experience. Even though we didn't get the win, it was still a big breakthrough for Mia and I.
Q: So you're a member of the Babolat family, and you've been there for many years. I hear that you've used the same racquet for the past ten, twelve years. What racquet do you play with?
A: Yeah. So, I've been playing with the Strike, the Pure Strike for, I guess, since I was, like, 12. So it's been about ten years now, and I use RPM blast.
Q: When you travel, how many racquets do you take with you? How much string do you take with you?
A: I mean, it usually depends. Racquet wise, I usually bring five with me on tour. String depends how long I'm gone for. So, I just kind of calculate based off of that. And, yeah, I have eight racquets with me but, kind of rotate them throughout the year until I get my new sticks.
Q: How often do you string your racquets when you're traveling?
A: Pretty often. For matches, I use a fresh one every match. Practice wise, every few days, or every day or two, I'll string a new racquet, use a new racquet.
So, I would say I string a new racquet pretty often. Keep the elbow good.
Q: What's coming up next for you? What's the next little bit of tournaments that you got?
A: Yeah. So, I'm going to be going to Montreal for two weeks, and then I'm going to The Dominican to play two 50s. And then the plan after that is to play a 250 in Colombia. So, the 50s are the ITF’s and then 250s are WTA for the doubles. And then after that, it's all up in the air as I said. It's hard to schedule so far in advance.
Q: What are your goals and aspirations for this year?
A: I mean, I'm hoping to make a grand slam for my doubles this year. I think it's a reasonable goal to achieve and I’m pretty close and, you know, pretty confident in myself and I'm feeling good.
