Emma Raducanu’s comeback at Wimbledon this season is a welcome shock! In any case, even after encountering a change of participant within the first spherical, Raducanu has steered luck in her favor along with her abilities on-court. Elise Mertens is subsequent as much as problem her abilities on grass. The 28-year-old Belgian participant is now gearing as much as put up an intense struggle towards the Brit. Though her prowess in singles is outstanding, in doubles, her abilities have made her shine much more! Capitalizing on her distinctive expertise in doubles, she has bagged a large sum of prize cash, too!
The No. 1 in doubles at the moment, Elise Mertens’ all the time leaves followers wanting extra. In any case, the four-time doubles main champion has made her mark within the US Open, the Australian Open, and Wimbledon! Because of this, her profession’s prize cash sums as much as an astounding $14,033,047. Curiously, that is greater than thrice Emma Raducanu’s prize cash ($4,067,065). In contrast to Raducanu, who reached the highest by her singles performances, Mertens’ ardour lay in doubles. Questioning when and the way she aced the doubles?
The 21 doubles title winner, who turned professional in 2013, confirmed early indicators of her prowess within the doubles as a junior-level participant. Profitable her first doubles title in 2016 in Auckland, Elise Mertens, who at the moment has a 368-150 file in doubles, is aware of how one can dominate the courtroom with completely different companions on-court! She gained her first doubles slam on the 2019 US Open however needed to wait for two years to provide the identical consequence within the Australian Open of 2021.
Curiously, through the Australian Open, she partnered with none aside from World No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka! Nonetheless, that’s not the one time she gained the doubles in Melbourne. Along with her distinctive on-court abilities, she as soon as once more gained the doubles in 2024. Nonetheless, her companion was completely different this time: Hsieh Su-wei. Questioning if that’s it? Effectively, no! On the grass courts of Wimbledon, her outcomes converse volumes as effectively.
Ruling the doubles class on this occasion since 2021, Mertens’ journey ended as a runner-up at Wimbledon within the final two consecutive years! In singles, the previous World No. 12 has additionally made her mark by profitable 8 titles. Nonetheless, it’s within the doubles that she has discovered her consolation and success. Though she has gained 4 doubles majors, a lot like each participant, profitable her first was a particular second for her.
Elise Mertens describes her partnership with Aryna Sabalenka through the doubles closing on the 2019 US Open
In 2019, Elise Mertens requested Aryna Sabalenka a query that stored her thoughts occupied for days. When she lastly requested her if she would doubles along with her within the US Open, the Belarusian participant enthusiastically agreed! Though Sabalenka had by no means performed doubles, Elise Mertens trusted her expertise and introduced her to New York. The remainder is historical past!
Describing her partnership with Sabalenka, Mertens stated, “It actually labored out effectively. She would hit these actually exhausting flat balls whereas I would have to make use of my palms on the internet. That’s the mixture that we use, and it really works.” With their superb partnership on-court, they defeated Victoria Azarenka and Ashleigh Barty 7-5, 7-5 within the finals. “The US Open ladies’s doubles title was a tremendous feeling. Me and Aryna simply began taking part in collectively so we actually didn’t count on it. We performed collectively as a result of we wished to have some enjoyable,” Mertens stated after her win.
Nonetheless, this season at Wimbledon, the problem is completely different. Mertens, who misplaced the second spherical final season, now has to surpass Emma Raducanu within the second spherical. Very similar to her doubles performances, Mertens will likely be trying to conquer her goals within the singles, too!
