Bonjour from Canada via Georgia. She's there, I'm here! Let's talk doubles shall we?? Natalie went to Quebec with an agreed partnership already. Unfortunately, their combined rankings didn't get them into the draw as of late yesterday afternoon. She spent the last 18 hours trying to find a new partner with a high ranking. This is a very normal happening, last minute partner changing once players can look at pairings list to see the ranking cut off to make it in.
Not sure of all the details of how it went down, but she located a new partner who happens to be ranked 88th in the world in doubles. Just looked at her playing history, seems like she has only been playing doubles this year and just back out on the singles tour. Just guessing, I would think that she has been out on injury but I'll have to wait to hear the scoop from Natalie.
Anyway, her name is Liga Dekmijene and she is from Latvia. Her dad is a coach, sister is a hockey player. Liga has been on the pro tour for a while and has a great history on the court. I'm very happy that Natalie is networking with new people, very important to her continued success. However, her and Jackie will always have a place on the dubs court together. They will play with each other at the Macon tourney.
Which reminds me ....many have asked me to inform you when Natalie will be play near home. Well, you have your wish, she will be playing in Macon the first week of October. The tourney will begin on Sunday, October 6th with the singles qualifying draw. Doubles will begin on October 8th, but the first round of dubs is split between two days, so she will either play dubs on Oct. 8th or 9th. After that, dubs will be every day. The main draw of singles will begin on October 8th. We won't know until the week before the tourney if she will be in the qualifier or main for singles. Hope that is clear as mud.....soooo confusing I know, but that is the world of tennis. Minute to minute decisions and plans.
So mark your calendars....we would LOVE a big hometown crowd! But for now, we still have business in Canada to handle. Until that lil yellow ball begins to bounce in Quebec, I'll continue to catch up around the house and you my friends.......Be Blessed! Love and Blessings....Sherry!
