When Michael Downey was named CEO of Tennis Canada in the mid-2000s, he began guiding a group that set the bar high for the program.
While Canada was only a small fish in the enormous pool that represents international tennis, the federation set itself the objective of developing players who would win major singles titles for both men and women. , and who would capture the titles of both team tournaments.
Three out of four isn’t bad.
The Canadian women’s team added a trophy to the federation’s collection this weekend, winning the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time. The victory comes less than a year after the men won the Davis Cup, and four years after Bianca Andreescu won the U.S. Open.
“In a 15-year cycle, we have achieved three out of four goals and Canadian athletes are capable of even more,” Downey said Monday. These aren’t victories that happen by chance and that’s what makes it special. »
Last week in Spain, Leylah Fernandez was the rock of the Canadian team that swept its way to the playoffs, before beating Italy 2-0 in the final.
Marina Stakusic caused surprises with singles victories, while Gabriela Dabrowski served as a cornerstone in doubles. Eugenie Bouchard and Rebecca Marino completed captain Heidi el Tabakh’s team.
“I think it’s a phenomenal team effort,” Downey said. The girls developed strong bonds. Rebecca knew Marina was ready to play. Gabriela could play with Eugenie to save Leylah, but Leylah delivered the goods.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRECHETTE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Michael Downey
“I think they have redefined what makes a good team and will continue to be successful.” »
Fernandez, who occupies 36e world ranking, has won each of his five matches, while Stakusic, 261eplayed with the confidence of an experienced player a few weeks shy of her 19e birthday.
“I think it helped, she surprised her rivals,” said Downey, who will retire next month. The players didn’t know what to expect from Marina and she played some spectacular tennis. »
Stakusic beat three players inside the world top 100, including Martina Trevisan, 42e, finally. Her performances took some pressure off the shoulders of the doubles players during the group stage.
In the absence of Andreescu, who had a back injury, Bouchard and Marino were the favorites to support Fernandez in singles. However, el Tabakh opted for Stakusic, who has had success on the ITF circuit, but has never played a main draw match in the WTA.
“I think we can say that a champion was born this week,” el Tabakh told journalists in Spain. She exceeded everyone’s expectations. »
Canada made its debut at the tournament formerly called the Fed Cup in 1963. Its previous best result was an appearance in the semi-finals in 1988.
Marino remembers his first participation in 2011, when Canada lost to Serbia and was relegated to the Americas zone.
“From this defeat to the world title, it’s a spectacular turnaround in the space of 12 years,” Marino said at a press conference after the victory. I am proud of the women here next to me. They have worked hard to get us here. »
Tennis Canada’s decision two decades ago to create a national tennis center to bring high-level coaches and develop regional sectors will have been worth it.
Bouchard reached the final at Wimbledon in 2014 and Milos Raonic did the same two years later on the men’s side. The next generation watched them closely.
Andreescu and Fernandez – finalist in New York in 2021 – then emerged among the ladies. And on the men’s side, Denis Shapovalov and Félix Auger-Aliassime became stars on the ATP tour and guided the Canadian team to victory at the Davis Cup last fall.
“It’s hard to predict when you’ll achieve success, but I truly believe it becomes contagious,” Downey concluded.