UCLA men’s tennis team threatened by doubles challenges

As can be expected of a team that features the nation’s No. 1-, No. 5- and No. 51-ranked singles players, UCLA men’s tennis has had few problems dominating singles play so far this year. But in doubles, the story has been less encouraging – the No. 4 Bruins (7-1) have lost five of the last six doubles points heading into Saturday’s home matchup against the Pepperdine Waves.

For the majority of that stretch, this weakness was not a major issue and the team was able to overcome its struggles in doubles with strong singles play. However, a dropped doubles point proved crucial in Sunday’s 4-3 loss against USC, when junior Marcos Giron was defeated in singles, bringing the Bruins’ their first loss of the season.

Coming off that disappointment, there were various perspectives on the causal factors behind the team’s poor doubles play.

Freshman Joseph Di Giulio, who has competed regularly in doubles this season, attributed the issues to the doubles teams’ lack of experience playing together.

“With the (doubles) teams being mixed around a bit, guys just haven’t played together,” Di Giulio said. “So we just have to get the ball rolling on getting used to playing with our partner (and) gaining confidence playing together.”

Di Giulio further elaborated on the challenge that he and fellow freshmen have faced adapting to playing doubles, having focused primarily on singles play throughout their careers to this point. He cited the variance in level of energy between doubles and singles as a key factor differentiating the two styles of play.

A major reason why these freshmen have been called on to step up and play doubles has been the absence of senior Adrien Puget, who has been absent all season while recovering from patellar tendinitis. According to coach Billy Martin, the team sorely misses Puget and his strong experience playing doubles.

“With (Puget’s) absence, we’ve lost one of our best doubles players,” he said. “Adrien has really been the steadfast of our doubles for the past three years, and we’re really missing that this year. That being said, we’re not going to have (Puget) forever, so the guys are going to have to step up and fill his role.”

It is clear that the team’s struggles in doubles is acknowledged as the biggest area for growth – and that both players and coaches alike are focused on improving and developing the team in that area. Coming off their first loss of the year, the team is hungry to get back on track and solve the issues that threaten it.

“The loss (against USC) was a rough one, but I think it will really help us get geared up for the rest of the season,” said freshman Gage Brymer, “It’s just inspiring everybody to work harder and do better in the upcoming matches.”