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Doubles Only Tennis Podcast
The only tennis podcast with a focus on doubles. We believe doubles should be more popular and get more coverage than it does, so we’re fixing that. Our goal is to help you become a better player with pro doubles tips and expert strategy. We interview ATP & WTA tour doubles players and top tennis coaches to help you improve your game.
Doubles Only Tennis Podcast
Quinn Gleason & Ulrikke Eikeri: Cincy R1, Their Partnership, Max String Tensions, & More
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Tennis Tribe doubles beat writer Hanlon Walsh chats with top-50 players Quinn Gleason and Ulrikke Eikeri right after their Cincinnati Open round-one win.
They discuss the match, how their partnership has clicked, what it takes to break into 1000-level events, and why WTA doubles feels deeper than ever.
- Match recap and the energy shift that wins the third set
- What aggression “on our terms” looks like in doubles
- Quinn’s ranking rise and the confidence of an experienced partner
- Ulrikke’s insanely tight string tension
- How the partnership started and how they learn week to week
- The reality of alternates and the fight to enter 1000-level tournaments
- Goals for the rest of the season
- Norway travel tips from Oslo plus Midwest hidden gems
- Dream mixed doubles partners and the Olympics hurdle
Learn more about Quinn & follow:
Learn more about Ulrikke & follow:
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Post Match Interview Setup
SPEAKER_00You're about to hear another post-match interview from the Cincinnati Open with Tennis Tribe Doubles beat rider Halen Walsh. This time Haman caught up with top 50 WTA Doubles players Quinn Gleason and Orico Ikiri. He spoke with them after their round one win, which was in a tight third set 10-point tiebreaker. They discussed the win. They discussed their partnership. They've been playing together since Clay season. Quinn talked about her uh advancement this year, how she's been able to improve her ranking to a career high. Ulrike talks about her string tension, which is the tightest that the screening machine allows, which really blows my mind. They discussed the difficulty of getting into 1,000-level tournaments and how competitive the field is. And then they step back and discuss their goals for the year, the state, and the quality of WTA doubles, uh, off-court activities, thoughts on the Cincinnati Open. Urike shares some recommendations for those of you who like to travel and want to go to Norway, where she is from. And then at the end, they share their dream mixed doubles partners. So without further delay, enjoy this conversation with Hanlon Walsh, Quinn Gleason, and Urike Ikeri.
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Keys To Winning The Tiebreak
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SPEAKER_03Well, Quinn and Urike, congrats on the one today. Can you uh tell me a little bit about the match and what were the keys to victory today?
SPEAKER_01Thanks so much. Yeah, um, I think it was a roller coaster match. You know, the first set was a battle. I think we there were a lot of deuce points. The score didn't look as close, but I think the point differentiation was like with like a handful. So a lot of deuce points, super close. Second set, they played really, really well. I think they stuck to their game plan really well and exposed some things. And then third set, I think was a lot of energy. I think we came out and uh just tried to play our game more and be aggressive and play on our terms. And I think that's kind of what made the difference. Just bring the energy in the teamwork. And uh I think Urique definitely stepped up in the third set and um just yeah, team energy really helped there, I think. Yeah, for sure. I agree.
SPEAKER_03And you had some big volleys. Give yourself some credit too. Those last few points. You had some big swinging volleys, if I remember correctly. So um, yeah, you guys played great.
Ranking Jump And Team Confidence
SPEAKER_03Um, Quinn, I'll start with you. I was looking at the live rankings, and it looks like you've tied your career high at number 34, and you're also the number three highest um ranked American in the WTA doubles ranking. So how does that feel?
SPEAKER_01Cool. I didn't know that actually.
SPEAKER_03Um I believe so. You're I know uh Taylor and Nicole are both the the top two, and I think you're number three right now.
SPEAKER_01So yeah, um, it's just been a really fun few months playing with Ulrique. Um, lucky to have such a experienced player next to me on court, and I think that helps bring so much confidence to the court. And I I think we're just um growing as a team, and there's a lot of goals off like based on rankings and all that, but I think the main thing is just getting better every day and really working hard on our own games and how our games mesh together.
SPEAKER_03Awesome. Ulrike, I've heard from um a former partner of yours that your string tension is very high.
SPEAKER_02It's pretty high.
SPEAKER_03Can you can you share what uh what tension your rackets are at right now?
SPEAKER_02I'm doing 88 this week. Yeah, so it's actually maximum on the machine, so it's just as high as it goes.
SPEAKER_03Okay, really pushing the limits there.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, it's a random number to be the highest on the machine. Yeah, sometimes it goes to 90.
SPEAKER_03Can you guess which partner uh gave us that info?
SPEAKER_02Uh which of your former partners? No.
SPEAKER_03Uh Catherine Harrison.
SPEAKER_02Harrison, yeah. Okay.
SPEAKER_03Well, tell
String Tension Pushed To The Limit
SPEAKER_03me a little bit how um your partnership came about earlier this year because you guys have really had a breakout season together and have some have some big, you know, consistent results the last few months. So can you guys take us back to square one when you first started playing together?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I mean, obviously we started uh clay season. Um I think we were both at a point looking for partners. And we we obviously we know each other. Uh we've known each other for years. Never we played once. We played once many years ago. Um, but other than that, I haven't actually played together. Um so yeah, and then uh we kind of just been taking took it week by week and been like, yeah, building, building
How Their Partnership Started
SPEAKER_02from there. Yeah.
SPEAKER_03What have you learned about each other in the process of playing together the last few months as a as a team and both you know individually?
SPEAKER_01I'm just always impressed by her work ethic. I don't think there's a girl that works harder than Ule. So having that next to me is inspiring and uh I think that's really drives the team is work ethic. We're we will do whatever it takes. Yeah, you know.
SPEAKER_02But I you I think you're the same though. I think you work super hard as well. And uh yeah, I like that. I like to have a partner that likes to likes to work hard, like enjoys it, you know. Yeah.
SPEAKER_03What about from a tactical standpoint? What do you feel like both of you bring to the table as a as a partnership on the court?
SPEAKER_02Um, I feel like we we just we've been learning so much. I feel like we've grown a lot from our first match. Every match is like uh either we win or we lose. We really try to break it down and learn from it. Uh and I honestly feel like we've just developed so much.
SPEAKER_01Um yeah, I think it's a great combo. I had been asking Vule to play for a long time before she finally agreed. And I I had a feeling our games would match up really well together. And I'm just yeah, I'm happy it's been I'm happy with our progress and that's my yeah.
Getting Into 1000 Level Events
SPEAKER_03Was it a rankings thing? Because I know you guys it looks like are kind of you know in the 30, 40 range, so like right on the cusp of making masters or um talk about the rankings, you know, um I guess the equation where you are right now.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I guess like finding partners is always tricky because you have to find someone with a certain ranking, right? To get into tournaments. Uh so I feel like now we're in a great position. I think we'll get into whatever we want to. So which is which is nice. Um yeah.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. I was an alternate here last year. So getting to play here and getting a W, I think is extra special, you know?
SPEAKER_03Yeah. So is this your first full season to play uh Masters events and slams?
SPEAKER_01So I mean one out of Indian Wells, one out of Miami. Was that was there both ready to go? So I mean, this has been uh uh a dream the last few months getting to play every tournament. So I'm just trying to take it all in and capitalize.
SPEAKER_03How do you, when you're you know, previous times when you've been kind of on the cusp, the alternate list, like what's the the gamble or like the mindset, you know, before like if you're trying to decide if you want to be on site somewhere and and and take the risk?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I mean it's worked out and it hasn't worked out. I think if you know you're a double specialist and you know where you want to go, you gotta take the risk a lot of times and just be there, especially if it's in the US. I think it's you show up, you know. You never know. You don't want to miss those opportunities.
SPEAKER_03Yeah.
Goals For US Open And Beyond
SPEAKER_03And then looking ahead for the rest of the year, um, what what plans or goals do you guys have, you know, either individually or as a team, you know, for the US Open and then beyond in the Asian swing as well.
SPEAKER_01I think uh just as a team looking to build um every day, I think there's things we can work on and get better at every day. And that's obviously kind of an answer that's not specific, but um Yeah, I'm passing it.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, and obviously like the bigger the tournament, uh like the like the thousands on the slums are obviously where we really want to try to make a deep run and uh and do well. So yeah.
SPEAKER_03How would
Why WTA Doubles Feels Stronger
SPEAKER_03you looking at the you know the top teams right now and and just the state of WTA doubles right now? Like what sticks out? Are there any like teams or players or stories that are that you feel like are um you know kind of at the top of the game right now, or just I guess maybe talk about the the competition right now?
SPEAKER_01I think there's so many good players, and I think the quality of doubles is like hugely increased. And I'm like so proud of everyone, and I think everybody's working hard and just the quality of the matches, it's going way up. There's so many good players. Every match could go either way, like and I think it's it's so fun for us because it's super competitive, and I think it's fun for the fans too. I think uh we're actually playing a lot of doubles doubles, you know. Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_03The draw here is especially stacked too. I mean, there's not there's not an easy round for anyone.
SPEAKER_02Zero easy matches, you know, it's so tough from the first round. So so yeah, like the level is uh is it's super close. It's it's just I feel every year it's uh gotten higher and higher. Yeah.
Cincinnati Open Off Court Favorites
SPEAKER_03So let's talk a little bit about um some non-tennis related questions because I also do some travel writing too. So I wanted to hear uh what you guys think about Cincinnati and this tournament. And you know, are there any favorite activities that you have away from the court? Um, and then also like what makes Cincinnati special as a tournament.
SPEAKER_02I think it's it's a super nice tournament, one of the one of the best uh in the air, I think. Uh they just take really good care of the players. Like food is amazing, so many practice courts is easy to practice. Um yeah, it's just I feel it just feels like they take really good care of the players here.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, yeah. Uh I love the Midwest vibes. Like I went to Notre Dame, so I like home. The one tournament I can wear a Notre Dame hat and get, you know, like a lot of crowd support earlier.
SPEAKER_03It was definitely pro uh pro you guys in the crowd.
SPEAKER_01It seems like I'm having a blast. Like I said, last year I was an alternate and was like dying to get to play here, you know. And like this year, I'm just so happy to be here and actually be in the drops. So enjoying every moment and really thankful to the tournament and the the quality they're bringing. It's amazing. Like this feels like a grand slam.
SPEAKER_03It really does. This is my first time to come here too, since they've upgraded the site and it I think you know outkicks the US open coverage in some ways and the other slams. So um it's it's been great to be here too from a media standpoint.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Um Ulrike,
Norway And Midwest Travel Recommendations
SPEAKER_03if if I was planning a trip to Norway next year, where would you recommend I go? Maybe like a popular destination and somewhere off the grid that nobody knows about.
SPEAKER_02I mean, if you like skiing, go in the winter. Like we have great like mountains, a lot of snow, it's super cold. So uh if you don't like the cold, then definitely come in summer. So um I mean, Oslo is where I live. I think it's a great city. So where are you based in Norway? In Oslo.
SPEAKER_03Oslo, okay.
SPEAKER_02So yeah, so I'm born born in Oslo and lived there my whole life. Yeah. Okay.
SPEAKER_03And have you known how long have you known Kaspar Rood? Because I know you guys have played mixed doubles together, some at national events.
SPEAKER_02So I've known him I mean, I guess uh ever since he was uh he was a kid. So we we've been practicing together and um and tennis in Norway is pretty small, so most people know each other. Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Very cool. And Quinn, being you know, kind of a a Midwesterner from college, where would you say I feel like the Midwest is more of an under under the radar destination for international travelers, especially you know, maybe on the tennis circuit. Where would you say in the Midwest is uh maybe a hidden gem or a local secret that uh tennis fans should know about?
SPEAKER_01Interesting. I mean, I'm gonna be biased and say South Bend. I think the campus is beautiful, courts are really nice. Um, but actually there was a tournament in Chicago during the summer, like a few years back, and I I thought that was like a really cool tournament during the summer. Got to get the Chicago Midwest fives. I missed that tournament.
SPEAKER_03So that was a what was it a 125 or 175?
SPEAKER_01125, they had a 500, they had a 250. I played every time.
SPEAKER_03Chicago needs an eight event, I feel like it's a really cool area in the summer, especially.
SPEAKER_01But yeah, I mean, my dad is from Ohio, so also got the Midwest tides that's a good thing. Oh, great. Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Okay, and then last question for both of you uh on mixed doubles.
Dream Mixed Doubles Partners And Olympics
SPEAKER_03If you had a dream, you know, mixed doubles partner that you could play with at a slam, it can be an active player or a retired player. Who would it be and why?
SPEAKER_02I know yours.
SPEAKER_01Oh, your mixed doubles partner? Rafa. I would say that, but I would actually answer Jamie Saratani, my coach. I think that like that. I think that would be actually super fun. Yeah. I would I I hope that happens someday. I'll bring him out of retirement.
SPEAKER_03That would be fun. And then if not him, then Rafa. Rafa's gonna be a good one. Yeah, because I don't call she knows me.
SPEAKER_02Yep.
SPEAKER_03What about you, Ulrike?
SPEAKER_02I mean, I love playing with Casper. I've done it a couple times. I would say it's probably number one. Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_03Are you guys gonna hope to play together at the LA Olympics in 28 for Norway?
SPEAKER_02Well, I hope so. So it it all depends. I I need a doubles partner to be able to play mixed doubles. So that's why I didn't play in Paris because I I didn't have a doubles partner. So let's see how the situation is. Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Well, hopefully, hopefully you can find one and then you can Casper can team together.
SPEAKER_02Hopefully, yeah.
SPEAKER_03All right. Well, this has been great. Thanks, guys.
SPEAKER_02Thank you. Thank you so much.