Lisa Raymond is in it to win it for Freedoms

Valley Forge native Lisa Raymond has truly done it all in her storied tennis career, including most recently winning a bronze medal in the London Olympics. Now, all that’s left is to bring a championship to Philadelphia.

Raymond, who’s been ranked No. 1 in doubles and has won every grand slam, is now the player personnel director for the Philadelphia Freedoms. Last season, Raymond helped to put together a roster that nearly dethroned the Washington Kastles. Now, she’s hoping the Freedoms take the next step.

Raymond had a successful draft in protecting league MVP Marcelo Melo, doubles specialist Liezel Huber and rising star Taylor Townsend, who defeated Venus Williams in WTT action last season. Added to the mix was one-time U.S. Open semifinalist Robby Ginepri in replacing Frank Dancevic.

“Four core players is the most important thing,” Raymond said of her draft strategy. “It’s important to have that core group, hopefully you can get the same four back. We have three of our four and with Robby, who’s been highly ranked, I think he’ll be a nice addition and we can make another run.”

In addition to helping draft the team, Raymond’s new position is to help promote Freedoms’ tennis. She will be doing one such event Saturday night at the Upper Dublin Sports Center where she will be play a WTT pro set against the club pros.

“Usually if you are at a country club or a tennis club, we try to promote it,” Raymond said. “We hope people are coming out. We hope they get excited about the Freedoms.”

The time has come to get excited about the Freedoms. After struggling in recent years with injuries and commitments, Raymond put together a championship-level team last season. In fact if not for a freak injury to Huber during the Eastern Conference finals, the Freedoms may have won the championship.

The key to the team’s success was MVP Melo, who at times seemed to single-handily will the Freedoms to victories. A doubles specialist to be certain, Melo was the best player on the court in both men’s and mixed doubles.

Huber, a former partner of Raymond’s, was his equal. She and Melo formed a dominant mixed doubles team, while Huber also got Townsend up to speed on the doubles court. The Freedoms lucked into Townsend last year and she was nothing short of sensational, especially against seasoned players like Venus Williams and Martina Hingis.

Lastly, there was top-100 player Dancevic, who held his own on the men’s singles front. Now, that torch is being passed to Ginepri. There are no superstars on this squad, just four extremely talented players who all excel in their roles.

“I think starts with the players,” Raymond said. “It can be a grind. You’re practicing together, eating together, living together. You want a good core group. You want some of the best talent, but you want players that get along and understand what world team tennis is about. Tennis is so individual, it’s definitely a change. It’s a good change.”

The Freedoms once again expect some packed houses at Villanova University with the likes of Serena Williams, Eugenie Bouchard and the Bryan brothers all visiting this summer. Williams, the world’s No. 1, will play for the Kastles on July 20th. She will be making her first visit to Philadelphia since 2009.

The Bryan Brothers will be playing for new WTT team, the California Dream. They will be visiting on Sunday, July 26th. Current world No. 7 Bouchard will be playing for the Boston Lobsters on July 28th. Bouchard had a breakout 2014, including making the finals of Wimbledon.

Raymond won’t be playing in any of these matches, but she’ll be there at Villanova, knowing she had a hand at helping deliver a championship to her city.

“I love the interaction with the fans,” Raymond said of WTT. “That’s the biggest thing, you also have music in between points, those things can only help the crowd.”

In addition to her new role with the Freedoms, Raymond’s own playing career is winding down. She’s recently become a part of Madison Keys’ coaching team, helping the young American make the finals of Charleston.

“I love helping people,” Raymond said. “When I was approached by (Keys coach) Lindsay (Davenport), I remember Madison when she was 14 playing for the Freedoms, I think she’s a very special young lady. I think she has a tremendous future.”

Raymond wants to play one last Wimbledon and may call it quits as a player then. You get the feeling she has enough to keep her busy from promoting the Freedoms to coaching. She’s never one to not offer help to any young player and would be an ideal candidate in developing talent for the USTA.

“The number one thing is you have to enjoy it,” Raymond said of advice she’d give to a young player. “If I had been on the court four, five hours when I was 11, I would not be playing. You have to be smart about scheduling and truly enjoy it.”