Sharon Fichman hasn’t but taken the time to, as she places it, sit together 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 distinguished WTA 1000 Rome doubles trophy in 2021 that allowed her to attain a lifelong dream of representing Canada on the Olympics, however today, the 34-year-old has shifted her consideration to mentoring the following era of Canadian gamers via her teaching function with Tennis Canada. It’s a task by which she hopes she will be able to encourage younger gamers whereas additionally paving the way in which for extra ladies 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 Girls’s Tennis at Tennis Canada) who referred to as me and mentioned there’s a Coach 3 course beginning and we are able to quick monitor you. Would you be concerned about making an attempt it? I had no expectations stepping into and I cherished it,” Fichman defined. “I bear in mind on the finish of that the primary few days, I used to be so completely satisfied. if you’re doing one thing, and also you change into time blind? That’s what was occurring, and I stunned myself once I realized that I wished 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 high junior gamers. In 2024, she was named captain of the Junior Bille Jean King Junior Cup group.
“There’s undoubtedly issues that I want I used to be in a position to do once I was their age or I had folks to inform me a few of the issues that I’m doing my finest to share with these younger gamers,” Fichman mentioned. “Nobody’s good. I’m studying, I’m making an attempt my finest and all the children are too, however general, I might 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 ladies 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 growth. A proud ambassador of Tennis Canada’s Recreation. Set. Fairness. dedication, she is a robust advocate of the worth that ladies together with her expertise can convey to the career.
“There’s one thing about having been there on the highest degree on the most important phases that permits you to assist gamers in a approach that’s much more tangible. You’ve been via it, you’ve felt what they’re feeling you’ve and also you’ve come out the opposite facet,” Fichman mentioned.
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 stay on air to the unimaginable second she simply witnessed as a commentator. It got here from the center as a proud former member of the group that made Canadian tennis historical past proper earlier than her eyes. The truth is, one in all Fichman’s greatest mentors was former Workforce Canada Billie Jean King Cup captain Rene Simpson Collins.
“She’s the explanation why I wish to be Billie Jean King Cup captain in the future,” Fichman defined. “She helped me a lot on court docket as a participant and unknowingly gave me the instruments that may hopefully be useful once I’m on the bench as a result of I bear in mind issues she used to inform me, the way in which she was and the way she behaved, and I I’ve tried to emulate that lots. She was an integral a part of my growth, and I wouldn’t be who I’m or the place I’m right now 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 robust ethic within the youngsters she coaches and representing herself effectively.
“I hope that my influence is constructive on different coaches and the gamers. I hope when folks work with me, I’m seen as not only a nice feminine coach, however an excellent coach,” Fichman mentioned.
Up to now, it’s mission achieved for somebody who has skilled her fair proportion of victories on the tennis court docket.
