Dynamic Duo – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/24/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Sept. 24, 2005
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Bright, sunny skies make conditions favorable to play tennis for enthusiasts of the game but for a pair of Ohio State seniors, playing under the sun is an added bonus.
Scott Green, a North Canton, Ohio, native and teammate Ross Wilson, who hails from Toledo, make up one of the most decorated doubles teams in the country heading into the 2005-06 season.
The duo was named to the 2005 Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-America team after the pair finished the 2004-05 season ranked No. 6 in the country. Green and Wilson captured back-to-back national doubles titles at the ITA All-American Championships, Oct. 10, 2004, and the ITA National Indoor Championships, Nov. 7 of last year.
They became the first doubles team to capture both the ITA All-American title and the National Indoors title in the same season since 1992-93, and are the third team to do so in NCAA history.
Green and Wilson went undefeated in 2004 fall tournament action with a 9-0 record. The pair finished 28-8 overall in 2004-05 with a 19-7 mark at the OSU No. 1 doubles spot. They were ranked No. 1 in the ITA poll from Jan. 13 to April 26 and finished No. 1 in the Midwest Region.
The Ohio State men’s tennis team has enjoyed a successful run under head coach Ty Tucker, who took over the program in 2000 and has made the NCAA team tournament in each of his six years as head coach. The Buckeyes had not qualified for the team event prior to Tucker’s tenure. Primarily an individual sport, Tucker instills the team concept upon his players, one that translates well to doubles play.
“Doubles is a change from singles because you are relying on someone else on the court,” Green said.
That dynamic is what helps the Buckeyes’ No. 1 doubles team excel, Wilson said.
“It’s more of a team game, which plays to our strength,” he said.
In college tennis, a dual match is decided when one team claims four of the seven possible points. A point is awarded to the team that wins at least two of three scheduled doubles matches. Six singles matches then begin. A point is awarded for each singles win.
It’s advantageous for a team to earn the doubles point to take the early lead. Wilson and Green thrive on the pressure to win at the No. 1 doubles position, setting the tone for the rest of their teammates.
“In doubles the scoring is different so a match can go either way in a hurry,” Green said. “The little things make a difference. We like (our teammates) counting on us like we did when we were freshmen behind (former OSU leaders) Jeremy Wurtzman and Vince Ng.”
Aside from the pressure internally, Green and Wilson are marked with the national title victories from last year.
“We’ve made a name for ourselves by winning the two national tournaments last year,” Wilson said. “We kind of came out of nowhere to do it.”
Players become known for victories over key opponents.
“Everyone is trying to improve their rankings by beating us now,” Green said. “That adds to the energy level when we play. We get everyone’s best effort.”
Effort is paramount to success in Ohio State’s program under Tucker, who as a former professional, knows that little things translate to victory.
Regardless of whether the duo is playing inside (fall season) or outside (spring), the Buckeye combo enjoys small, yet potentially significant, advantages over their opponents.
Wilson is left-handed, which can be trouble for those opposite the net.
“The spin from my serve is different,” Wilson said. “My serves also are directed to my opponent’s backhand, which is typically a weakness.”
When tournaments are played outdoors, Wilson and Green set up their serves so each player is serving with his back to the sun. One opposing player from a doubles team which has two right-handed players, for example, would have to serve facing the sun’s rays.
“The little things like that add up,” Green said.
The equation for a winning combination on the court for a doubles team differs among the top players nationally. Ohio State’s top pair each has an individual style that differs significantly.
“There is no set formula for success in doubles,” Wilson said. “I’m more of a power player and Scott is more if a finesse guy. Sometimes you face two power players. For us, it has worked best with my power game and Scott’s touch around the net.”
Tucker said being opposites is a rare advantage in doubles.
“One is a lefty and the other plays from the right,” Tucker said of his top team. “They match up nicely together. Each guy covers the other’s weakness.”
Tucker said it has been enjoyable to watch Wilson and Green progress over the years, though the two did not work as doubles teammates during their freshman season.
“It’s been nice to see two players born and raised in Ohio become two-time national champions at Ohio State,” Tucker said. “I think it means more to them because they are from the state of Ohio. It has been great to work with them. Not only are they fine student-athletes but they’ve done a great job of helping Ohio State recruit as well.”
The two deserve the success they’ve enjoyed to date, Tucker said.
“They have worked extremely hard over the years and have been able to stay in town to work on their games,” he said. “When competing at the collegiate level with the desire to be the best you can be, it is an 11-month commitment. Those two have had the best of both worlds in keeping up with family and friends while staying at Ohio State most of the time to train.”
With so much success to date, it would seem difficult to find the competition necessary to maintain their winning ways. Not so say the pair.
“Everyone on our team is naturally competitive,” Wilson said. “Our teammates know us pretty well. Our practices are extremely competitive, which carries over to the matches.”
One reason practices are so intense is Tucker’s demeanor. He could be equally effective coaching linebackers.
“He is high energy,” Green said of Tucker, “which you need in doubles. His energy rubs off on us from the practice court to matches.
“He has a system for doubles,” Green said. “He has taught us where to hit and how to cover the court in a certain way to get to the best spot in order to hit the highest percentage.”
Whether it’s the advantages of being opposites, Tucker’s tutelage or the position of the sun, the Green/Wilson doubles team has a bright view of the season ahead.
