30 Days of Tennis Challenge – Day 3: Favorite doubles team

This one was a bit tough to call. My emotional investment in the doubles game is not even close than in singles. And then, I had some philosophical doubts about its concept – Should I pick an ATP or a WTA team? Does it have to be a full-time partnership or I could choose any random couple of players who had already teamed up to play a two vs. two tennis match? To avoid four subdivisions of this topic, I present you the rules:

a) One ATP and one WTA team

b) I will pick two teams that have played more than one single tournament together.

 

ATP:

What? Tennis is not only made of pretty faces.

Taking a look at the top teams in the rankings, there are none I can say I dislike. I like the Bryans – though their dominance sort of repels me (except when it comes to Davis Cup) – but no. I could also select Roddick/Nalbandian from Queen’s, but it turned out to be an one-match only team. I could pick some teams from the past, like Elitngh/Haarhuis or Mac/Fleming. But ruled out. Zimonjic/Llodra and Melzer/Petzschner (and maybe even the Indian Express) are among my favorite pairings but this team won the race. By a nose. Or a volley.

Nestor and Mirnyi, both former #1s, veterans with countless titles, are the chosen ones. They both come from lovely countries, and Nestor was involved in some interesting teams – with Knowles (one of my faves!) and Zimonjic (loved it!). And Mirnyi always had my admiration – he is a specialist now, but once was a top-20 singles player – serve and volley style, has a Masters Series final among his singles deeds.

I’m terrible at finishing texts and posts. So I’m not sure of what I should write now. Something different than “Yay” or “Keep Rocking!”. Well, I guess I will just go on and name my WTA favorite doubles team. Yes, that’s what I’m doing.

 

WTA:

 

So much win

This one wasn’t as hard to choose as the ATP winners. What happens when you take two players from my personal top-10 and team them up in a winning pair?

The 2011 Miami champions. Daniela Hantuchova and Agnieszka Radwanska – or simply Dani/Aggie – are by far my favorite girls’ team. At least this year.

If Hantuchova is that sort of player that drags your attention for the dress, or the legs, or the swimsuit calendar, Aggie on the other hand (though she’s a cuttie!) will get you in the moment she flies the first drop-shot of the day. Or the head of her racquet flies away, but whatever.

Thing is, even though other of my faves also play doubles – Pavs, sometimes with JJ and sometimes with Vera, or Dulgheru/Rybarikova, even Wicky/Flipkens – none of them even gets close of Hantuchanska, or Radchova, or Danieszka, or Aggniela.

(Unless Kim and Nina decide to sign up for a competition together. Until then, I stand)

 

Useful:

Prologue and explanation

Day 1 – Favorite men’s player

Day 2 – Favorite women’s player