ashkor87 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 3:02 am
Doubles Players who became great singles players...
Krejcikova is the latest example, are there others? Barty, perhaps! Can't think of a recent such transition/progression among the men...Bob Lutz in earlier times, perhaps...
interesting thought... I think most players can't concentrate on both singles and dubs. A successful doubles player would have to sacrifice time (practice, recovery) to invest in their singles, and it's a risk. Most doubles players don't make enough money to take a hit to their income, if their doubles results slip while they are pursuing singles. Their partner might not be supportive, initially or eventually. It's easier for a successful singles player to translate that to doubles, if they can do well without putting in a lot of dedicated doubles practice. Like Azarenka, Sabalenka, Shapovalov, Swiatek - I don't know for a fact that they didn't practice doubles a lot, but I'd be surprised.
Luisa Stefani talked about this when I interviewed her at the Open. When she started out on tour, the results came faster in doubles. She wanted to make money so her parents didn't have to support her, so she went where the money/results were, even though she really wanted and intended play singles. Perhaps the goal is to save enough from doubles to eventually support a few years of not making much in singles but still afford a coach and a lot of traveling. But she is already 24, and she could be 26 or 27 before that ever happens. She may never find that opening. If she hadn't gotten hurt in the US Open semis, she might have won the title and qualified for the WTA finals. She lost a lot of money and a big opportunity when that happened.
It sure helps to come from a country that hosts tournaments so you can get a wild card and a shot at a chunk of points and prize money.