How Well Does the Tour’s Top Doubles Team Really Know Each Other?
Article by Aaress Lawless on Dec 27, 2007 | Print |
With three Grand Slam doubles titles already to their credit, Cara Black and Liezel Huber know each other’s tennis games perfectly.
But how well do they know each other off the court?
We posed the same questions to Cara and Liezel individually, but with a small twist. They had to answer not only for themselves, but for each other!
Cara Black |
Questions were asked of each player separately. Her partner’s answers about her are in bold. |
Liezel Huber |
|---|---|---|
| I enjoy reading, catching up with friends, shopping and hanging out with my husband Moose. LH: Reading or watching a movie |
Favorite Way
|
Cleaning house or reorganizing! Of course, surfing the web too and checking out the stock market. CB: Liezel’s favourite way to relax off court is either on her computer, reading a good Jodi Picoult book, playing with any dogs that are around, or doing cross words or suduku. |
| London LH: Harare |
Favorite City? |
Houston CB: Houston |
| Wimbledon 2007 LH: Wimbledon in 2005 |
Of her three Grand Slam titles with you, which one has the most meaning? |
Wimbledon in 2005. It was my first Grand Slam title and we didn’t lose a set all tournament! CB: I think winning our 2nd Wimbledon [2007] together had the most meaning for Liezel. |
| Every match is a tough one, so to prepare ourselves we both sit and chat with our husbands, Moose and Tony. We talk about how we’re feeling and tactics for the match. We get taped up in the training room with whatever we need on the day. Then we may read a bit or have a quick power nap. LH: Make sure she ate enough and that we have the game plan down. |
How do you prepare for a tough match? |
Make sure I am sweating walking onto the court, and that I am ready to go from the start. See Cara’s answer for Liezel and herself. |
| I pretty much do the same [as Liezel], except I give Moose a hard time instead and I don’t do crosswords because I’m terrible with them. LH: Takes a nap, reads her book or has treatment |
How do you pass the time during a rain delay at Wimbledon? |
Hang with my family and go on the internet. CB: You don’t have a lot of options when its raining at Wimbledon, so Liezel chats away with girls in the locker room, reads, gets on the computer, sleeps, does crosswords, and gives Tony a hard time. |
| If I didn’t play tennis, I think I would have been a ballet dancer. LH: Be a vet and help the homeless. |
If you didn’t play tennis, what job would you have picked? |
Be a vet and help the homeless. CB: If Liezel didn’t play tennis, she would be working for an animal foundation or creating her own! |
| Tiramisu LH: Gelato |
Favorite Dessert? |
Koeksisters and Milktart CB: Italian ice cream |
| Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe, or anywhere out in the bush in Africa LH: Zimbabwe |
Favorite Vacation Spot? |
Home in Houston or if I have to go anywhere, a cruise or in our RV. CB: Liezel’s favourite vacation spot is on a cruise ship, anywhere in the ocean. |
| I also enjoy doing certain projects that I’m involved with back in Zimbabwe, and I love reading. LH: Sleeping late! |
Favorite hobby, besides tennis? |
Working on our ranch. Gardening, mowing, you name it! And of course just staying busy! CB: Liezel’s favourite hobby is playing with her dogs, and being involved in different causes whether it be animals or anyone in need of help. |
| Liezel is such a successful doubles player because she is able to mix up her play very well. She can stay back on the baseline or serve and volley. She is also very good at reading the game, very smart tactically and at figuring out opponent’s strengths and weakness. She is also very competitive and always has a constant desire to win and never give up. She is a great teammate and is always 100% supportive of her partner. |
What makes your partner such a successful doubles player? |
She has great hands at the net and is extremely quick. |
You can keep up with Cara and Liezel during 2008 by visiting the team’s official website, www.blackandhuber.com.
This interview is the tenth and final installment in On the Baseline Tennis News’ 2008 Players to Watch Series.
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?? | Dec 28, 2007 | Reply
Cara does have amazing hands. I remember seeing her playing mixed doubles with her brother and the guys drilling the ball at her, but she had no problems.
Will.I.Am | Dec 28, 2007 | Reply
lol! That was hilarious! They barely know each other! Good job on this one.