Ask a rising tennis star about another player who inspired their professional pathway, and there's almost certainly a compatriot in the mix. But few get the opportunity to spend an extended period with their heroes, as some grateful competitors have done at the United Cup this week.
For Great Britain’s Harriet Dart and Katie Swan, it was an experience that in fact began in the weeks before the United Cup. Ahead of their travel to Sydney, the Team GB captain spent more than five days training with Dart and Swan in London, and the benefits were clear as the team overcame Australia and Spain to progress to the City Final.
“I mean, Tim’s obviously had an amazing career himself. Someone that all of us, I think, looked up to when we were younger, and what's been so good about him is that he's just really taken time to get to know each of us individually,” related Swan.
The positive energy flowing from Great Britain’s Team Zone has translated to match wins. Swan made a perfect start to her 2023 season with a straight-sets victory over Australia’s Zoe Hives and an upset the higher-ranked Spaniard Nuria Parrizas Diaz.
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Swan explained how Henman, a former World No. 4 and a six-time Grand Slam semifinalist (including four times at Wimbledon) helped her maintain a positive outlook in each match.
“He’s just not even letting me go there where I start to get down on myself. He just picked me right back up out of that,” she said. “I'm learning so much.”
While the 23-year-old adds with a smile that “(Henman) is quite tough as well,” it’s obvious that Swan is cherishing the lessons provided by the British great. “Like during the practices, he’s on your case but in a good way. He just wants us all to keep improving and keep going,” she said.
Swan, currently ranked World No. 145 and with a goal to sufficiently improve her ranking in time to earn Roland Garros main draw entry, expects the confidence gained under Henman’s guidance will benefit her career in the longer term.
“Honestly, the main thing that he's been telling me is to just stay consistent with the work that I'm putting in,” she said. “I know in myself that I'm doing a really good job day to day, and I think having him there, someone who has seen the top of the game and been there himself, just hearing that reinforcement that I'm doing all the right things has been great. It's more now about staying consistent with it and also just the belief that he has in me.
“And then having that reinforcement during a match as well – it's like little pieces of gold dust having him there.”
Maddison Inglis, who grew up idolising Grand Slam-winning compatriot Sam Stosur, played her first professional match in an Australian team against Dart on Tuesday and is equally appreciative of the opportunities created by the United Cup. An already unforgettable debut, said the 23-year-old Inglis, was made even more memorable by having Stosur courtside as Team Australia co-captain.
“It’s surreal,” said the world No.179 Inglis, after Hart posted a straight-sets victory. “I still can't really wrap my head around it, but we were talking to each other during the match, she's warming me up today and yesterday we hit. She's amazing and to have her as the captain this week has been awesome.”
Lleyton Hewitt is the other Australian captain, and as he guides the team in Sydney, the former World No. 1 is also generating the winning energy that shaped his own career.
Hewitt, the 2001 US Open and 2002 Wimbledon champion, is a long-time mentor of Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur and earlier this week, was an equally positive influence when Jason Kubler claimed an electrifying win over Dan Evans.
Kubler, ranked 80 places below World No. 27 Evans, recovered from a 0-5 second-set victory as he battled to a 6-3 7-6(3) win.
"It’s tough to give up when you’ve got Rusty on the bench and Demon," said Kubler. "They’ve got that never-say-die attitude. Any time I’m down, especially in front of these guys, I’ve just got to give it my all and luckily tonight I was able to turn it around.”
Alycia Parks, who celebrated her 22nd birthday with fellow USA team members on Saturday, has forged some inspirational new connections in her first professional team event.
“Jessica (Pegula), she has a special feeling in my heart. Madison (Keys), she’s just goofy, so we’re always laughing,” Parks smiled. “It feels nice to be around top players, especially from the US.”
And the bonds formed with those role models could last well beyond the United Cup.
While still a baby when Henman dominated on tour, Swan has long respected his place in the sport.
“I remember the results that he had and, and, of course, at Wimbledon, Henman Hill is iconic, so I've known for a long time that he's a legend in British tennis,” she said. “It's been so special just to spend some time with him, and I'm really making the most out of that.
“I really want to learn as much as I can from him and I hope after this event is over that we can stay in touch.”
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