How to "Be Hailey Baptiste"
After Baptiste's monumental win over No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, an interview with Baptiste's new coach, Will Woodall.
It’s been a big week for many at ATP-WTA 1000, particularly alums of the University of Virginia’s tennis program.
19-year-old Rafael Jodar, who left Virginia to turn pro late last year, continued his steep surge by beating No. 8 Alex de Minaur and No. 31 João Fonseca—also a Virginia recruit—to reach the quarterfinals on the men’s side, where he ultimately lost to top-ranked Jannik Sinner in a second set tiebreak.
Another Virginia men’s tennis alumnus, Will Woodall ‘23, also made a big impact through his coaching role on the women’s side of the draw.
The 26-year-old Woodall has been coaching his fellow Washington DC native 24-year-old Hailey Baptiste, who has been having the best tournament of her young career.
After beating No. 9 Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-3, Baptiste bounced back from disappointment to outlast No. 12 Belinda Bencic 6-1, 6-7(14), 6-3. She then stepped up for the biggest opponent yet, bravely battling No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to the wire and then saving six match points in a thrilling 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(6) victory on Tuesday night.
What impressed me most as I watched those six match points was not their quantity, but their quality. Baptiste played boldly and bravely. She hit aces, serve-and-volleyed, lobbed, and stepped around her backhand to crack a big inside-out forehand return. When Baptiste earned her first match point, she only needed one to get the job done.
After the huge win, and ahead of the biggest semifinal of her career, I spoke to Baptiste’s coach Will Woodall about their long relationship and their work together, and how Baptiste has learned to do the little things to let her be herself at her best.
“It’s been there—it was floating around—and I think now it’s tattooed in her brain, what she’s supposed to do in those moments.” —Will Woodall on Hailey Baptiste
To read the full interview, please subscribe to Bounces! -Ben
