Every successful doubles tennis team features a strong bond established on a foundation of trust, chemistry and purpose. For the Pilots, the new dynamic duo of senior Sally Pethybridge and junior Alaia Rubio-Perez exemplifies these values.
With their combined strength as a doubles team this year, Pethybridge and Rubio-Perez have led the Pilots to an impressive home record of 7-1. Their connection on the court didn’t happen by accident. Their success this season is a result of their hard work, determination and long-term friendship.
Despite being first-time doubles partners this season, Pethybridge and Rubio-Perez knew each other long before joining the Pilots. They both grew up in London and first met at a tennis tournament when they were 12.
According to Head Coach Filip Zivkovic, Pethybridge introduced him to Rubio-Perez who eventually got recruited because of this connection.
“One thing that Sally said about Alaia through [the recruiting] process is [that] we [would] never regret bringing her [in]...” Zivkovic said. “Alaia has succeeded every single expectation that [was] put on her. Sally played a big part in Alaia becoming a Pilot.”
Pethybridge and Rubio-Perez at a tennis tournament prior to starting at UP. Photo courtesy of Sally Pethybridge.
Rubio-Perez says that their friendship got stronger once she arrived at UP. She says that Pethybridge became a great mentor to her and was always available to give her advice.
“Once I got here, Sally became my guide through college…we have full trust in each other on and off the court,” Rubio Perez said.
Zivkovic has high praise for both Pethybridge and Rubio-Perez, emphasizing how willing they are to sacrifice for each other and the game.
“They’re both, first and foremost, fearless,” Zivkovic said. “For doubles, you have to be willing to make the right play, not be afraid of the ball, be OK with getting hit and just roll with those punches. They are willing to put their body on the line. That willingness to [be] aggressive feeds the rest of their game.”
Pethybridge and Rubio-Perez are always setting each other up for easy points and looking out for one another's position on the court in order to make tough plays.
“Knowing each other well and communicating well allows them to improvise points when needed and still know exactly where the other is,” Zivkovic said.
Before Pethybridge and Rubio-Perez teamed up, Pethybridge was partnered with the now-graduated Iva Zelic on a successful doubles team. Pethybridge says that although having a new doubles partner is challenging to start, it’s been pretty easy to adapt.
“It’s different at the start, but at the end of the day, we’re all taught the same principles in doubles,” Pethybridge said. “It’s been pretty easy to adapt. We buy into the same plays and tactics, so it hasn’t been difficult to transition.”
Rubio-Perez, who previously held the third doubles spot while Pethybridge was partnered with Zelic, says it was amazing to learn from such a strong team.
“My two years before this, I was playing the number three spot in doubles,” Rubio-Perez said. “I’d always have Sally and Iva to look up to. They were the pair that we could always rely on. I would watch them and I had full confidence that they would always win.”
Rubio-Perez says that stepping up to take Zelic’s spot wasn’t easy but that Pethybridge made the transition much smoother.
“When Iva left, I had to step up,” Rubio-Perez said. “I was very nervous, but I had full trust in Sally that [she] was going to carry me through and teach me…Sally completely guided me through the first few matches and reassured me.”
Zivkovic describes their partnership as “meant to be” due to their friendship and trust in each other.
Pethybridge and Rubio-Perez playing on the courts. Photo courtesy of Pilots Athletics.
Together, Pethybridge and Rubio-Perez have not only strengthened the core of the Pilots women’s tennis team but also set a lasting example for future players and future Pilots doubles teams.
As Pethybridge prepares to graduate, Zivkovic says that she will leave behind a program that is better because of her leadership, character and the culture of trust she helped create.
“They’re incredible human beings,” Zivkovic said. “I’m just privileged to be their coach and spend as much time as I have with each of them. They are constantly choosing to be loyal to each other, their friendships and [their] relationships… I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Aidan Hyde is a sports reporter at The Beacon. He can be reached at hyde25@up.edu.
