Good Things Come in Pairs at Tennis Hall of Fame

Noah put species on the ark two by two, and this year Newport’s International Tennis Hall of Fame honored outstanding doubles partners Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva, winners of 38 titles together, including 14 Grand Slam events, and the “Woodys, Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde. The ladies' impressive display at the Hall of Fame calls them the “yin and yang” of doubles play.

Charming Aussies Woodbridge and Woodforde, the legendary Australian doubles team who amassed 61 ATP doubles titles including 11 Grand Slam championships, were also inducted, delighting attendees at their press conference with their accents, candor and "down under" humor.

The Hall of Fame display

Also honored wth tennis’s highest accolade were Owen Davidson, 12-time Grand Slam tournament champion, Derek Hardwick, who instrumental in development of Open Tennis, and Brad Parks, the pioneering founder of wheelchair tennis and the first ever wheelchair tennis inductee. Tony Trabert acted as moderator, and the irrepressible Bud Collins arrived late, and asked specific match questions.

Ms. Fernandez stated that every great combination has a left/right, and is “like a marriage.”

Brad Parks, in a wheelchair since the age of 18, developed wheelchair tennis into a recognized competitive sport, including the 2-bounce rule, and it is now part of all Grand Slam tournaments. “Wheelchairs are especially manufactured for the game,’ he stated, which has become worldwide.

Basketball star LeBron James’ recent choice to join the Miami Heat was raised, and it was commented that he is joining attwo other great names in basketball as a partner.

Another fabled doubles player, Pam Shriver, who is often a commentator at Wimbledon, showed up at the Hall of Fame Museum, and attended for the Induction ceremony.

It takes two to tango, and two to “tennis” in doubles, an intricate and
skilled form of the game. The advice from both of the legendary doubles pairs: “Get a good partner.”