With semifinal and quarterfinal doubles results at the last two Grand Slams that were held, 21-year-old Caroline Dolehide is ready to take it one step further at the 2020 US Open, where she will pull double duty and play both singles and doubles at the tournament, which starts Monday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Ranked No. 134 in the world in singles and No. 31 in doubles, Dolehide had her best Grand Slam result to date at the 2019 US Open, teaming with Vania King to reach the women’s doubles semifinals. She gave another impressive performance at the Australian Open in January, where she and partner Jennifer Brady advanced to the doubles quarterfinals.
Dolehide was originally granted a wild card to compete in singles when wild cards were announced earlier this month, but the Illinois native ended up not needing the free pass, instead moving into the main draw after several players ahead of her in the rankings withdrew. She will face Anna-Lena Friedsam of Germany in the first round on Monday, in her third US Open appearance and fifth Grand Slam main draw overall.
USOpen.org recently caught up with Dolehide, who discussed her mindset heading into the Open, taking college classes through WTA University over the tennis shutdown, whether she prefers playing singles or doubles and more.
Q: You were originally granted a wild card into the singles draw, but now that you have moved in on your own, does that change your mindset on how you enter the tournament?
Caroline Dolehide: It feels really good to get into the main draw of the US Open for the third time in my career, and I’m excited to compete in my home Slam. My mindset going into this year’s tournament will remain the same. This year specifically, I’ve been focused on appreciating every moment on court and showing myself—and the world—how hard I’ve been working during these last several months.
Q: Back in January at the Australian Open, you made a quarterfinal run in doubles and then watched fellow 21-year-old American Sofia Kenin win her first Grand Slam title. How special was your 2020 Aussie Open experience?
CD: It really was. I’ve known Sofia since we were 10. We got to play doubles a few times, playing on the Philadelphia Freedoms [in World TeamTennis] this summer and won our matches, and we played once in an ITF event a few years ago. We just seem to have a really good connection on court, and it’s been so fun getting to know her even more. I’ve known her so long. She is so funny, and she’s so competitive and fun. We’re both so young at 21 and still getting to know the game and learning from all of our experiences.
Q: You participate in the WTA University program and had plans to attend UCLA before deciding to turn pro. Have you had extra time to work on school work since you’ve been in the bubble?
CD: WTA University has been a great resource to have while we have some extra time on our hands. I’ve been enrolled in college ever since I graduated high school, so I’ve been used to the studying. The only extra thing I did was add a few more classes that just recently finished before the Western & Southern Open. It was a bit stressful picking up my course load, but I’m happy to be back on a good schedule now so that I can put all my effort and focus into both.
Q: Your three siblings have played or play NCAA sports, and your sister Courtney is the men’s and women’s head tennis coach at Georgetown University. Do you hear from your siblings on a regular basis during your tournaments?
CD: I hear from my siblings quite frequently during events, especially the Slams. Courtney, Brian and Steph came to the US Open last year, so I’m missing them a little extra this year, but I know that they’re going to be following my matches every chance they get. They are so supportive, and they know when to leave me alone and when not to. Honestly, it’s almost more important to hear their voices in times where I didn’t think I played or felt great because they usually say something like, “You looked amazing!”
Q: You made the semifinals in doubles at last year’s Open with the now-retired Vania King. What did you learn from playing with her?
CD: I learned so much from Vania, specifically about having an optimistic attitude and an aggressive mindset. We were both very positive and complemented each other by the way we served and returned. I’m going to miss her on tour, but it feels good to know that the only time we ever played together we made semis at our home Slam.
Q: Which do you enjoy more during tournaments—playing singles or doubles?
CD: I wouldn’t say I enjoy one over the other because tennis, in general, challenges me, which is why I love it so much. I enjoy singles because I love the dynamic of having to rely only on yourself to make or break the match. It is up to how you train, how you adjust and how resilient you are. Similarly, you need these aspects in doubles, too, but it is challenging in a different way because you have someone else who also needs to do their part in order for you to be successful.
Q: You worked with Tom Lockhart for more than 10 years before joining the USTA development program and spent five years with Stephen Huss. Who is your current coach?
CD: I’m now working with Jorge Todero. I met him with the USTA, but he is no longer there. So I just hired him as my private coach.
Q: Do you still get over to the USTA National Campus to train?
CD: Yeah, I go over there, here and there. I live in Orlando, so it’s nice to have the proximity. Orlando has really become a hub for a lot of players to live and train, even if they aren’t with the USTA full-time. The National Campus is an incredible place, so of course I’m going to go make my way over there. There are some incredible coaches and resources that I can utilize.
Q: Do you miss living outside of Chicago, and would you consider moving back there?
CD: That’s not in the plans. I’m going to play it by ear and see how it goes, and just hope I stay healthy.
Q: At the junior US Open, you once made it through qualifying in singles and then upset three of the Top-10 seeds to reach the semifinals. What do you remember most about that run?
CD: Well, my best experience at the Open was last year, when I made the semis in doubles. But I definitely remember my first in the juniors and how incredible it was to make the semis after having to qualify. It was just so great experiencing all of that for the first time. But my first time qualifying in the main draw was also amazing.
Q: What do you remember most about that match?
CD: That’s the thing, I don’t remember much. I think I played Melanie Oudin in qualies, and honestly, I blinked, and it was over. I did get some games. I was so nervous. But it gets better every year.
