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The OSC Interview: California Dream Head Coach David Macpherson

by Fran Stuchbury
July 28, 2015 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
California Dream


The Courts at Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights, Home of the California Dream
The Courts at Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights, Home of the California Dream
(California Dream)

OurSports Central contributor Fran Stuchbury spoke to California Dream Head Coach David Macpherson following his team's 22-16 victory over the Philadelphia Freedoms that clinched a playoff berth for California in the Western Conference. Macpherson, who is guiding the Sacramento-based Dream in the team's inaugural season in WTT, previously coached the San Diego Aviators in 2014 and led them to a 10-4 record, good for first place in the Western Conference. He was named WTT Coach of the Year for his efforts. Macpherson coaches top-ranked men's doubles team Bob and Mike Bryan, who also play for the Dream this season. Macpherson played tennis for 14 seasons, most recently in 2007. He won 16 ATP World doubles titles and achieved a career-high ATP doubles ranking at number eleven.

Fran Stuchbury: Are you happy with your team's performance tonight?

David Macpherson: Very happy, it was such a high quality match, incredible tennis. I was extremely happy.

FS: Dream members Bob and Mike Bryan dominated the Freedoms Robby Ginepri and Marcelo Melo, winning the doubles match 5-1. They showed why they are the number one men's doubles team in tennis.

DM: They were very determined to come out and help the team. They really feel a great kinship with the team. They wanted to make sure the team's perfect record with them stayed alive that is now 3-0. They played really well.

FS: Do you feel the Bryan brothers get enough respect since they play doubles, and that doesn't get the attention that singles gets, considering everything that they have accomplished?

DM: I think they really have to earn it since doubles doesn't get the attention and credit that it deserves. They have done so much for so long, I know there is enormous respect for them from great singles players in the locker room. They hold the Bryan brothers in high esteem.

FS: Last season you were the San Diego Aviators head coach and led them to a 10-4 record, first place in the Western Conference and were named WTT Head Coach of the Year. How much of an honor was that for you?

DM: Fantastic year, I really enjoyed the season with San Diego and had a great time. The team played extremely well. It was fantastic but I couldn't be happier in Sacramento coaching the Dream. Bringing WTT back to that great city, I am really excited.

FS: Why did you leave as head coach of the San Diego Aviators?

DM: The ownership changed and this is sports. When ownership changes, there are changes across the board and what happened in San Diego happens in sports everywhere.

FS: How has the fan support been during the California Dream's first season in WTT? Sacramento has a long history of winning in WTT.

DM: Absolutely, we have been building our crowds back; we had a capacity crowd at our last home game at Dream Stadium at the Sunrise Mall in the Sunrise MaretPlace. We had some incredible home matches with some fantastic finishes. I think we are restarting our proud tradition of WTT in Sacramento.

FS: Is the Dream ownership group committed to WTT and the Sacramento community in the long run?

DM: Absolutely, they made a big effort. They are very committed; I think it is going be a long and fruitful WTT era in Sacramento now with the California Dream.

FS: With the playoffs on the horizon, has the Dream developed any rivalries in the Western Conference?

DM: Sure, the Austin Aviators have beat us three matches in a row. We're trying to beat them and make it to the WTT Championship; it will be extremely tough and I am looking forward to the challenge.

FS: Also with coaching in WTT, how much does it help the players, compared to regular tennis where you are only in the stands?

DM: It is so much more interactive. We have five sets to think about and we can call timeouts. Yes, it's completely different from regular tennis where you just prepare your players leading up to the match. Then once they step out between the lines, it's all them. Here you have more interaction, so coaching is very intense.

FS: You were a doubles player; do you find it more fun for the fans to watch doubles compared to singles?

DM: I think in doubles, when it's played well as when these players play it, it is the most exciting form of tennis and I think TeamTennis is the most exciting form of tennis. It's unbelievable what you feel in the buildings going around the league. It's great and I hope WTT continues for decades to come.

FS: For fans that haven't checked out a California Dream match, why should they attend?

DM: I think we're a very cool team; we have exciting players that give it one hundred percent every night. The product of WTT is fantastic.




Images from this story

The Courts at Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights, Home of the California Dream
The Courts at Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights, Home of the California Dream
   

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