Sharon Fichman hasn’t but taken the time to, as she places it, sit along with her retirement from skilled tennis, however that doesn’t imply she’s resting on her laurels both following a notable profession as a participant on the highest degree of the game.
Whereas she’s eager to fondly reminisce about reaching the High 100 in each singles and doubles on the WTA Tour, her two Junior Grand Slam doubles titles, and a magical run to the celebrated WTA 1000 Rome doubles trophy in 2021 that allowed her to realize a lifelong dream of representing Canada on the Olympics, however lately, the 34-year-old has shifted her consideration to mentoring the subsequent technology of Canadian gamers by means of her teaching function with Tennis Canada. It’s a task during which she hopes she will encourage younger gamers whereas additionally paving the best way for extra girls to remain concerned in tennis, in each teaching and management roles.
“It’s humorous as a result of once I was enjoying, I at all times thought oh, I’ll by no means coach. And it was Sylvain Bruneau (former Head of Ladies’s Tennis at Tennis Canada) who referred to as me and stated there’s a Coach 3 course beginning and we will quick monitor you. Would you be fascinated about attempting it? I had no expectations entering into and I liked it,” Fichman defined. “I bear in mind on the finish of that the primary few days, I used to be so glad. You understand whenever you’re doing one thing, and also you turn out to be time blind? That’s what was occurring, and I stunned myself once I realized that I needed to remain concerned in tennis.”
READ: Sharon Fichman retires from skilled tennis, joins Tennis Canada in teaching function
Fichman coaches on the Regional Tennis Centre in her hometown Toronto and serves as a touring coach, travelling internationally with Canada’s prime junior gamers. In 2024, she was named captain of the Junior Bille Jean King Junior Cup staff.
“There’s undoubtedly issues that I want I used to be capable of do once I was their age or I had folks to inform me among the issues that I’m doing my finest to share with these younger gamers,” Fichman stated. “Nobody’s excellent. I’m studying, I’m attempting my finest and all the children are too, however general, I’d say it’s actually enjoyable. It’s actually rewarding and it’s additionally very therapeutic.”
Fichman is hoping her enterprise into teaching will encourage extra girls to do the identical. Particularly her fellow former gamers who she feels have a lot to supply the youthful gamers and that their influence could be integral to their improvement. A proud ambassador of Tennis Canada’s Recreation. Set. Fairness. dedication, she is a powerful advocate of the worth that girls along with her expertise can deliver to the occupation.
“There’s one thing about having been there on the highest degree on the largest phases that lets you assist gamers in a means that’s much more tangible. You’ve been by means of it, you’ve felt what they’re feeling you’ve and also you’ve come out the opposite aspect,” Fichman stated.
Followers who watched Canada be topped World Champions on the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in 2023 on Sportsnet might recall Fichman’s emotional response reside on air to the unbelievable second she simply witnessed as a commentator. It got here from the center as a proud former member of the staff that made Canadian tennis historical past proper earlier than her eyes. In reality, one among Fichman’s largest mentors was former Crew Canada Billie Jean King Cup captain Rene Simpson Collins.
“She’s the rationale why I need to be Billie Jean King Cup captain in the future,” Fichman defined. “She helped me a lot on courtroom as a participant and unknowingly gave me the instruments that can hopefully be useful once I’m on the bench as a result of I bear in mind issues she used to inform me, the best way she was and the way she behaved, and I I’ve tried to emulate that loads. She was an integral a part of my improvement, and I wouldn’t be who I’m or the place I’m right this moment with out her.”
As Fichman continues to encourage others to observe in her footsteps all whereas navigating the realities of a brand new profession that hasn’t at all times put out the welcome mat for girls, she’s solely centered on instilling good habits and a powerful ethic within the children she coaches and representing herself nicely.
“I hope that my influence is optimistic on different coaches and the gamers. I hope when folks work with me, I’m seen as not only a nice feminine coach, however a great coach,” Fichman stated.
To this point, it’s mission completed for somebody who has skilled her fair proportion of victories on the tennis courtroom.
