University of Tennessee Athletics
Catching Up With Caitlin Whoriskey
July 25, 2017 | Women's Tennis
Just a couple of weeks after making her first appearance at Wimbledon, the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, we caught up with former All-American Caitlin Whoriskey to find out about her experiences throughout her career and how her time at Tennessee prepared her to compete professionally.
1. What was it like to be able to compete at Wimbledon?
"It was an incredible experience. It's every tennis player's dream to compete at Wimbledon, and I still can't believe I played there. To play on the grass with Centre Court in the background, the all-white tradition, and just the history of the tournament itself made it such a special moment to be a part of. It's something I'll never forget, and I hope to return next year."
2. You found out you were in the main draw just a couple of hours before the event. Can you explain that process, and what you felt when you found out you were selected to be in the draw?
"We lost in the last round of qualifying. All the teams that lose that round get drawn out of a hat as lucky losers. They are placed back into the tournament in case someone in the main draw withdraws before their match. We got pulled as the third lucky loser team, but I didn't really think three teams would pull out of doubles. Wednesday rolls around, and we were sitting in the players lounge and the supervisor found us and said, 'There has been a retirement. You will be filling in. By the way, you'll be on next after the men's match,' which was 2-2 in the third set and a team was up two sets to love. Confusion actually set in first because we didn't know the team ahead of us got in. Then came shock and panic because we could be on in 20 minutes. And then just complete elation because we were actually going to be playing in Wimbledon. We had to run across the grounds to get our tennis bag and change into match clothes, and on the run, I just started laughing thinking we actually got in. Lucky for us, the men's match went to five sets so we had about two hours to calm down, formulate a game plan, and warm up as best we could. It was a roller coaster of emotions for us."
3. How did you meet your doubles partner, Ashley Weinhold, and how long have you all been competing together?
"I met Ashley a few years ago while playing on the circuit. We started playing together about two years ago after deciding to play the Midland 100k and making it to the semifinals. We clicked as a team and decided to play together as much as we could."
4. How many total titles have you won in your career? Any of them stand out to you?
"I have won 14 doubles titles and two singles titles. Last year, the singles title I won was only a couple weeks after I thought of giving up tennis. I kept going because I had a lot of people behind me telling me to stay positive and giving me support, which got me out of that slump and to a title. Also, the 100k doubles title Ashley and I won earlier this year. I worked really hard in the offseason, and the people I surrounded myself with believed in me, which gave me the confidence to play some of the best tennis I've ever played."
5. What has been the most memorable moment of you career to this point?
"Professionally - I'd say winning 10 matches in a row to win the U.S. Open Playoffs in 2014 and then winning my first round of qualifying at the Open. Collegiately - tied between beating Michigan to make the Elite 8 and beating Georgia on Georgia's senior day."
6. What do you miss most about being at Tennessee?
"I miss the team atmosphere. Playing for something more than just myself, playing for my teammates and my school."
7. You have competed at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open during your career. How did your time at Tennessee prepare you for these opportunities?
"Tennessee taught me how to be a professional; from how to train, fitness/nutrition, recovery, and mental strength. The coaches pushed me everyday to get one percent better. The fitness trainers would be there for me when I wanted an extra workout or needed a program while on the road. Dr. Joe, the sports psychologist, was always a phone call away. I utilized everything Tennessee offered. The coaches helped me understand what tour life was going to be like and how to handle success and failure of the the week-in and week-out grind."
8. What are your impressions of head coach Alison Ojeda since she has returned to Rocky Top?
"Alison has brought (as she says) a 'championship culture' to the program. She has brought Tennessee pride back into the program. Everything the team does whether it's athletically or academically will be done to the best of their abilities. She brings a passion to the sport and the university unlike any coach I've seen. She has a tireless work ethic, and she is continuously searching for ways of improvement so her players can reach their full potential."
1. What was it like to be able to compete at Wimbledon?
"It was an incredible experience. It's every tennis player's dream to compete at Wimbledon, and I still can't believe I played there. To play on the grass with Centre Court in the background, the all-white tradition, and just the history of the tournament itself made it such a special moment to be a part of. It's something I'll never forget, and I hope to return next year."
2. You found out you were in the main draw just a couple of hours before the event. Can you explain that process, and what you felt when you found out you were selected to be in the draw?
"We lost in the last round of qualifying. All the teams that lose that round get drawn out of a hat as lucky losers. They are placed back into the tournament in case someone in the main draw withdraws before their match. We got pulled as the third lucky loser team, but I didn't really think three teams would pull out of doubles. Wednesday rolls around, and we were sitting in the players lounge and the supervisor found us and said, 'There has been a retirement. You will be filling in. By the way, you'll be on next after the men's match,' which was 2-2 in the third set and a team was up two sets to love. Confusion actually set in first because we didn't know the team ahead of us got in. Then came shock and panic because we could be on in 20 minutes. And then just complete elation because we were actually going to be playing in Wimbledon. We had to run across the grounds to get our tennis bag and change into match clothes, and on the run, I just started laughing thinking we actually got in. Lucky for us, the men's match went to five sets so we had about two hours to calm down, formulate a game plan, and warm up as best we could. It was a roller coaster of emotions for us."
3. How did you meet your doubles partner, Ashley Weinhold, and how long have you all been competing together?
"I met Ashley a few years ago while playing on the circuit. We started playing together about two years ago after deciding to play the Midland 100k and making it to the semifinals. We clicked as a team and decided to play together as much as we could."
4. How many total titles have you won in your career? Any of them stand out to you?
"I have won 14 doubles titles and two singles titles. Last year, the singles title I won was only a couple weeks after I thought of giving up tennis. I kept going because I had a lot of people behind me telling me to stay positive and giving me support, which got me out of that slump and to a title. Also, the 100k doubles title Ashley and I won earlier this year. I worked really hard in the offseason, and the people I surrounded myself with believed in me, which gave me the confidence to play some of the best tennis I've ever played."
5. What has been the most memorable moment of you career to this point?
"Professionally - I'd say winning 10 matches in a row to win the U.S. Open Playoffs in 2014 and then winning my first round of qualifying at the Open. Collegiately - tied between beating Michigan to make the Elite 8 and beating Georgia on Georgia's senior day."
6. What do you miss most about being at Tennessee?
"I miss the team atmosphere. Playing for something more than just myself, playing for my teammates and my school."
7. You have competed at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open during your career. How did your time at Tennessee prepare you for these opportunities?
"Tennessee taught me how to be a professional; from how to train, fitness/nutrition, recovery, and mental strength. The coaches pushed me everyday to get one percent better. The fitness trainers would be there for me when I wanted an extra workout or needed a program while on the road. Dr. Joe, the sports psychologist, was always a phone call away. I utilized everything Tennessee offered. The coaches helped me understand what tour life was going to be like and how to handle success and failure of the the week-in and week-out grind."
8. What are your impressions of head coach Alison Ojeda since she has returned to Rocky Top?
"Alison has brought (as she says) a 'championship culture' to the program. She has brought Tennessee pride back into the program. Everything the team does whether it's athletically or academically will be done to the best of their abilities. She brings a passion to the sport and the university unlike any coach I've seen. She has a tireless work ethic, and she is continuously searching for ways of improvement so her players can reach their full potential."
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