Fichman Finding a New Sense of Tennis Purpose Through Coaching

Sharon Fichman hasn’t yet taken the time to, as she puts it, sit with her retirement from professional tennis, but that doesn’t mean she’s resting on her laurels either following a notable career as a player at the highest level of the sport.

While she’s keen to fondly reminisce about reaching the Top 100 in both singles and doubles on the WTA Tour, her two Junior Grand Slam doubles titles, and a magical run to the prestigious WTA 1000 Rome doubles trophy in 2021 that allowed her to achieve a lifelong dream of representing Canada at the Olympics, but these days,  the 34-year-old has shifted her attention to mentoring the next generation of Canadian players through her coaching role with Tennis Canada. It’s a role in which she hopes she can inspire young players while also paving the way for more women to stay involved in tennis, in both coaching and leadership roles.

“It’s funny because when I was playing, I always thought oh, I’ll never coach. And it was Sylvain Bruneau (former Head of Women’s Tennis at Tennis Canada) who called me and said there’s a Coach 3 course starting and we can fast track you. Would you be interested in trying it? I had no expectations going in and I loved it,” Fichman explained. “I remember at the end of that the first few days, I was so happy. You know when you’re doing something, and you become time blind? That’s what was happening, and I surprised myself when I realized that I wanted to stay involved in tennis.”

READ: Sharon Fichman retires from professional tennis, joins Tennis Canada in coaching role

Fichman coaches at the Regional Tennis Centre in her hometown Toronto and serves as a touring coach, travelling internationally with Canada’s top junior players. In 2024, she was named captain of the Junior Bille Jean King Junior Cup team.

“There’s definitely things that I wish I was able to do when I was their age or I had people to tell me some of the things that I’m doing my best to share with these young players,” Fichman said. “No one’s perfect. I’m learning, I’m trying my best and all the kids are too, but overall, I would say it’s really fun. It’s really rewarding and it’s also very therapeutic.”

Fichman is hoping her venture into coaching will inspire more women to do the same. Especially her fellow former players who she feels have so much to offer the younger players and that their impact would be integral to their development. A proud ambassador of Tennis Canada’s Game. Set. Equity. commitment, she is a strong advocate of the value that women with her experience can bring to the profession.

“There’s something about having been there at the highest level on the biggest stages that allows you to help players in a way that’s a lot more tangible.  You’ve been through it, you’ve felt what they’re feeling and you’ve come out the other side,” Fichman said.

Fans who watched Canada be crowned World Champions at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in 2023 on Sportsnet may recall Fichman’s emotional reaction live on air to the incredible moment she just witnessed as a commentator. It came from the heart as a proud former member of the team that made Canadian tennis history right before her eyes. In fact, one of Fichman’s biggest mentors was former Team Canada Billie Jean King Cup captain Rene Simpson Collins.

“She’s the reason why I want to be Billie Jean King Cup captain one day,” Fichman explained. “She helped me so much on court as a player and unknowingly gave me the tools that will hopefully be helpful when I’m on the bench because I remember things she used to tell me, the way she was and how she behaved, and I’ve tried to emulate that a lot. She was an integral part of my development, and I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today without her.”

As Fichman continues to inspire others to follow in her footsteps all while navigating the realities of a new career that hasn’t always put out the welcome mat for women, she’s only focused on instilling good habits and a strong ethic in the kids she coaches and representing herself well.

“I hope that my impact is positive on other coaches and the players. I hope when people work with me, I’m seen as not just a great female coach, but a good coach,” Fichman said.

So far, it’s mission accomplished for someone who has experienced her fair share of victories on the tennis court.