By Richard Kent Photo Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images
(September 19, 2011) Lisa Raymond, the 38 year old American from Pennsylvania won her tenth doubles Major (both women's and mixed doubles) this past week, teaming with American Liezel Huber to win her third US Open Women's doubles title, all with different partners. Raymond played at the University of Florida where she twice won the NCAA singles titles. She has an amazing 700-251 doubles record and has won over 7 million dollars in prize money. She sat down with Tennis Now's guest writer, Richard Kent, after her Open win:
TN- What were your expectations going into the Open?
LR- Well it is always to win, but it was still a surprise. We were playing well going into the Open, having won Toronto.
TN- What about Cincinnati?
LR- We didn't play as well and lost earlier.
TN- So why did you skip the New Haven Open?
LR- We wanted to take a few days off before the Open and then went to New York and practiced really hard on the Open courts. We had played a lot this Summer. I really like playing in New Haven though.
TN- How about the Open roof controversy?
LR- They need a roof. The USTA makes plenty of money on the Open and if Wimbledon can have one then the US Open can have one,maybe on Armstrong.
TN- I know that you have played doubles with Stosur,did you watch her win over Serena?
LR- Actually only parts because we were out celebrating our win, but did see some of it on a big screen tv. I am really happy for her.
TN- Where does the rest of this season bring you?
LR- Off to Asia next week and then hopefully the Championships in Istanbul at the end of October if we make it.
TN- Do you think that the women's game should consider 3 out of 5 sets in major women's finals?
LR- No you would have to do it all year long and that is not going to happen.
TN- How about the Djokovic year?
LR- Amazing, it will never be duplicated. He worked out and really devoted himself. He has Nadal's number. Maybe not Federer's number. They have different styles.
TN- How do you view the women's game now?
LR- In good shape. It is amazing that we had 4 different Grand Slam winners in singles and that the world no. 1 player did not win a Grand Slam. I know that a lot of people may not be familiar with the names of the winners.
TN- You interested in playing in the Olympics?
LR- Very much so. With Liezel but it is not my call. It is largely up to Mary Joe Fernandez. A lot depends on what happens going forward.
TN- Will you be back at World Team Tennis in July?
LR- I am sure that i will play a few matches again for Philadelphia.
Richard Kent is a lawyer by day and a tennis and college basketball writer at all other times. He has written for Athlon,SI.Com and writes now for Blackathlete.com. He has published 8 books,including Inside The US Open, which came out in 2008 and is currently being updated. He lives and practices in Connecticut.