Shelby Rogers to focus on getting better and staying healthy
Her tennis plate is full and she’s poised to make a lasting impression at Wimbledon. But Shelby Rogers insists she feels no pressure.
“No I don’t really feel any right now,” Rogers said from Spain during a recent USTA teleconference. “Especially being in Europe -- it’s not as big of a deal. Maybe if I was in the States, I’d feel it more. But I’m really enjoying being here. You see different players and feel a different dynamic, but I’m just trying to push myself and also be realistic. My goal at the beginning of the year was to make it into the slams this summer, which I’ve already achieved so I’m proud of that. I want to finish the year definitely in the top 75.
Mission accomplished.
Rogers, a 23-year-old Daniel Island native, made a name for herself around the world when she reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, the second Grand Slam event of the year. But that was then and this is now. Next up on the WTA tour is Wimbledon, which begins Monday. Not only is it a change in venues, but also a change in surfaces.
“I haven’t played too many matches on grass,” Rogers, who vaulted from World No. 108 to 60. “The big servers have the advantage, so I have to keep my serve going. I think that alleviates some of the pressure coming off of the French. On grass a lot of players that you don’t see maybe on the clay come out with their different strengths, big serves, big ground strokes, things like that, so it’s kind of a little different dynamic, which is kind of cool and exciting, and like I said, alleviates some of the pressure.”
Rogers says the most important step in her career after her performance in Paris is consistency.
“I have to play well throughout the year,” Rogers said, “just not a couple great tournaments. I just have to focus on getting better and staying healthy.”
Rogers’ effort in Paris was remarkable because she became just the ninth player since 1983 to enter the tournament ranked outside the top 100 and reach the quarterfinals.
That effort might not have changed Rogers’ life, but it changed her daily routine.
“There’s been a lot more scheduling going on, trying to schedule media around practices and training and recovery, stuff like that,” Rogers said. “I think that’s been the biggest difference, just time management, trying to fit everything in while traveling. It’s been a little bit challenging, but it’s been a lot of fun, actually, at the same time. I’m overwhelmed in a good way.”
The hardcourt season kicks off after Wimbledon and concludes with the U.S. Open, which is slated for Aug. 29- Sept. 11.
Rogers will log plenty of time on the hardcourts after the grass season concludes. Rogers was drafted second overall in March’s draft by the World Team Tennis entry San Diego Aviators, who are hoping Rogers can make a difference after finishing 5-9 in 2015. Rogers is no stranger to the WTT format, but will be playing a full season for the first time after filling in as a substitute.
“I am very excited to experience my first full season of World Team Tennis. I’ve heard great things about my team and I’m looking forward to playing, a lot,” she said.
The team’s roster includes Dan Evans, Darija Jurak, Raven Klaasen and James Blake, among others.
The WTT crowd can sometimes be rowdy, which is just fine with Rogers.
“I absolutely love the crowd,” she said. “The louder the better. The fans are a big reason of why we play, so if they are having fun then so are the players.”