Q&A with Sharon Fichman

Merchant of Tennis caught up with Sharon Fichman to discuss how she is enjoying playing professional tennis and what it feels like to play for Canada. 

Here is what she had to say:

Q: When and where did you start playing tennis? 

I was 5 years old when I first picked up a tennis racquet. It was at Viewmount Park Tennis Club in Toronto, Ontario. 

Q: When and how did you decide that you wanted to make playing tennis your career?

Since watching Martina Hingis reach the finals of the 1997 French Open.  

Q: What do you miss the most while you are traveling and playing on the tour?  

My cat, the sushi in Vancouver, the restaurant Fresh in Toronto and of course, my friends and family (Not in order of importance :P)

(Sharon and her friend)

Q: How would you describe your game?  

I like to take the ball early and attack with timing and placement. I aim to make my opponents feel like they are under time pressure.   

Q: Can you talk about the feeling the first time you got called up to play for the Fed Cup team?What is it like now?

I was excited, honoured, curious, nervous and all of the other natural emotions that would come with it. It was particularly special because I was the (and currently still hold the title) youngest player to ever be named and compete for the Canadian Fed Cup team in Canadian tennis history. I had never met Marie-Eve Pelletier, who at the time was our #1 singles player, so I was a bit shy at first. Little did I know at the time that it would only be the beginning of a great friendship, as I am honoured to say that Marie-Eve is one of my closest friends. 

(Canada's Fed Cup Team)

Now, my role is quite different. At 24 years old, there have already been a couple of Fed Cup ties in which I have been the "veteran" of the team. It's been an amazing experience thus far as there have been countless highs and lows over the past 10 years. We clawed our way up from the qualification rounds in South America a number of times to eventually reach the World Group 1 for the first time in Canadian tennis history. I have been very fortunate to be a part of reaching all of the milestones that we have been able to accomplish and I look forward to many more in the future. It's still just as much of an honour to play for Canada as it ever has been but the experience that I have been able to attain over the years are certainly a great asset in the present moment. And last but certainly not least, the remarkable people I have met and had the opportunity to work with over the years because of Fed Cup is something that you cannot put a price on. 

Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of / stands out the most in your career?

In terms of results, it's difficult to pick just 1. If I had to, I would say that winning the 100K event in Cagnes-Sur-Mer, France has been the most memorable for my singles career so far. While winning my first WTA event in doubles in Auckland, NZ has be my biggest doubles achievement thus far. 
Perhaps it's a bit atypical of an answer but what I am most proud of so far (outside of my results) in my career are the obstacles I have overcome. There are no lessons in life like adversity and the moments in which you feel that everything you have endured was worth it are some of the best and proudest moments of my life. 

(Doubles title in Auckland)

Q: What are your goals for the next tennis season. 

My goals for the next tennis season are to keep improving mentally, physically and of course, my level of tennis. I was sidelined for the majority of the past 16 months due to injuries so I have a lot of benchmarks to hit before breaking new barriers. 
 
 

Speed Round 

 
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