从候补到夺冠：马泰克肯宁组合传奇再续，励志姐张帅热情鼓舞

12 days ago, when the Miami Open released the doubles draw, Mattek and Kenin were shocked to find their names not among the main list but instead placed on the waiting list.

Mattek and Kenin ranked 143rd in doubles when they signed up, a ranking that wouldn't secure them a spot in the main draw. However, considering their historical achievements and reputation, they should have been granted a wildcard entry. After all, both had won Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and Olympic gold medals.

Moreover, in the first stop of the Sunshine Double at Indian Wells, this duo received a wildcard entry. Additionally, being American players, receiving a wildcard in Miami should have been a natural progression. Mattek and Kenin were confident about this prospect.

On February 11th this year, Mattek/Kenin clinched the doubles title at the WTA 500 event in Abu Dhabi, marking their second title together since winning the China Open in 2019.

However, things didn't go as planned. The organizers of the Miami event didn't grant Mattek/Kenin a wildcard entry but instead placed them as first alternates. Fortunately, the pairing of Buzarnescu/Tormo withdrew, allowing Mattek/Kenin to enter the main draw as replacements.

12 days later, "unfazed, undeterred, undaunted," Mattek and Kenin defeated formidable opponents like Ostapenko, Hsieh, and Errani, winning five consecutive matches to stage a miraculous comeback at Miami.

"I believe you have to believe in yourself to attract good luck, to have good luck on your side," said 25-year-old Kenin after their victory.

For 39-year-old Mattek, however, it's not just about luck; it's about how you respond when things don't go your way.

"When we saw that we didn't make it into the main draw, we were disheartened. But to some extent, you have to let go of that emotion, you have to keep accepting these results, and then good luck comes," Mattek reflected.

"Don't let bad luck affect you, change your daily routine, change how you perceive yourself, change how you view the world around you. If you can maintain this, you'll have all the good luck in the world," she added.

Their positive mindset proved to be the key to their eventual victory.

In the first round of doubles, Kenin and Mattek faced a tough battle, clinching victory in a deciding tiebreak against the Grand Slam-winning team of Ostapenko. In the second round, they defeated the veteran Romanian duo Niculescu in straight sets.

In the quarterfinals, they encountered top seeds Hsieh/Mertens. After losing the first set 1-6, they fought back to win the second 6-4 and eventually triumphed in a tense third-set tiebreak, securing victory with an 11-9 scoreline.

In the semifinals, they faced the newly crowned Dubai singles champion, Bencic, and the experienced Italian, Errani. Despite Mattek twisting her right foot early in the match, they persevered, winning decisively in the third-set tiebreak with a score of 10-1, advancing to the final.

After winning the semifinal, Mattek spent the entire Saturday receiving treatment for her injured foot, hoping to withstand the upcoming final.

"I'm very grateful to be playing on such a beautiful court. The weather today is great. I've learned to move at this speed rather than trying to rush everything. Let things happen naturally. I think this has a lot to do with creating your own luck," Mattek reflected after the final.

With this significant victory, Mattek rose to 24th place in the doubles rankings, while Kenin climbed to 43rd place. They became the second American pairing to qualify for the Paris Olympics, ranking just behind the team of Gauff/Pegula.

As this year is an Olympic year, competition in doubles is much fiercer than usual, with no pair dominating consistently. Winners are more spread out than ever before.

At 39, Mattek proves she can still clinch titles at major events, while 38-year-old Hsieh continues to hold the top spot in doubles rankings, showcasing not only tennis prowess but also serving as an inspirational figure.

The story of Mattek/Kenin has caught the attention of Zhang Shuai, the Chinese tennis star who has many friends on the tour. Zhang Shuai congratulated Mattek and Kenin on their victory via Weibo, saying, "Congratulations to my good friends Mattek and Kenin on their triumph. Never underestimate this 39-year-old substitute. The king returns! Bethanie Mattek!"

Zhang Shuai also revealed that she would partner with Miami singles champion Collins for doubles this year and invited her to consider playing in Beijing after finishing the China Open before considering retirement. (Source: Tennis Home, Author: Yun Juan Yun Shu)