Seattle-based photographer and Rose City Review contributor Nikita Taparia has something in common with Thorns midfielder Gabby Seiler: they’re both huge tennis fans. Taparia sat down (via Zoom) with Seiler for a wide-ranging conversation touching on female athletes, tennis fashion, and the similarities between the two sports. The conversation below has been edited for length and clarity; the full audio is available on our Patreon for $10 subscribers.
Nikita Taparia: What is your tennis origin story? Like, how did you become a fan, and at this point, how hardcore do you think you are?
Gabby Seiler: So, it actually started with my boyfriend. He played tennis at Florida, and I met him at Florida, and I remember going to my first tennis match and being like, what the hell is going on? I knew absolutely nothing, and I never watched tennis growing up. So I went to my boyfriend’s, McClain’s, tennis match at Florida, and I was just like flabbergasted, like I was obsessed. I would go to his tennis tournaments or his matches. I just started to love it, and then I started watching majors.
NT: Do you have a favorite player that you absolutely love watching?
GS: So since I started playing tennis, I think the player that I would like to play like is probably someone who mimics me too, kind of on the soccer field, is [Angie] Kerber.
NT: Ooh, yes!
GS: We have similar body types, and I feel like she’s super powerful, muscular, and she’s super quick, agile, athletic, can kind of cover all the bases on the court. Obviously, I love Serena. I mean, how can you not? She’s an absolute legend and I mean, she’s amazing. Those two are probably my favorite players. Obviously, Osaka is really talented and so fun to watch, and she’s amazing. I feel like there’s just a lot of women that I just love to watch.
NT: I’m right there with you. So of those players and of women’s tennis, if you could take one attribute from them, like strength, or flexibility, or mentality, or endurance, or whatever, and use it towards soccer, what would it be?
GS: Honestly, so I never was the biggest fan of Azarenka—like she’s amazing, but I didn’t really know her that well since I’m new to tennis—so once I knew her background, and hearing her story, I think she has a really cool story. I really like her energy. I think she has this mentality about her, and like, nothing really phases her and she stays really composed. I said that to McClain, and he said, Gabby, you haven’t seen her in previous matches.
NT: Yeah, I feel like there definitely has been an evolution in her game.
GS: And one thing I really like is how calm Osaka is, like even in the final, I was really amazed with her composure, and I think with soccer you need that. And I think, for me, I have a lot of energy, but I think adding that composure and just being able to settle things down, or just like not let things affect you, is really amazing and kind of compartmentalized.
NT: Yeah, we saw that on the women’s side for the US Open, where it was first Vika who was coming back after that first set [against Serena], and then we saw Naomi do literally the same scoreline to Vika, but it was this idea that, I think she literally said, I didn’t want to lose this way. It was like a switch that turned on all of a sudden.
GS: Yeah, and I think that’s so cool, and I really appreciate that. What was cool about Vika is that she went straight to play the next tournament like nothing [happened], and she was absolutely crushing it. I think that’s so cool!
I think I have grown to like her and kind of root for her, just from hearing her story. And I think whenever you hear someone’s background and story, it kind of changes, too. I think that’s the cool thing about tennis in the sense of, it’s not a team sport, so everyone has this really unique story.
NT: You are hitting it right on the nail. I feel like in the beginning, I was pretty equal in my watching of men’s and women’s tennis, but over the years, I have very much gravitated towards women’s tennis because I just love the way all of them play. They all have their different styles, strategies, and whatnot. And I mean, that’s not to say that the men’s side doesn’t have that, but—I don’t know, I just haven’t had as much inspiration.
GS: Yeah, I agree with you, and I think we can kind of relate to them a little bit more. I just have so much respect for them. I have respect, you know, for the fact that they get paid the same and things like that. I just think that’s cool for the women who did that before them, so that they have what they have now. I think for me too, I just relate to their stories, like you said. Not that I don’t really like the men’s—I just feel more connected to it.
And you know, sorry, but females also have babies! So I have a lot of respect for people like Serena, and girls who are moms, and Vika. I think that’s so cool, and I can’t even imagine what’s that like, but even for soccer players who do that, that is actually amazing. And those women are superheroes.
NT: Absolutely. I feel like we’ve been gravitating towards this: on the women’s side of the game, what lessons do you think NWSL can learn from tennis?
GS: Ooh, that’s a good question! I think that something we can learn from tennis is obviously what Billie Jean King did—she took a huge risk, and that’s definitely not easy, and she kept pushing for more and pushing for more. I think like we as women shouldn’t have to do that, but I think we keep having to do the same, whether that’s us supporting the WNBA, or whether that’s the WNBA supporting NWSL.
I just think we have a unique opportunity as females and as athletes to use our platform, and I think even like, what Osaka did in the US Open, I think that’s something we can all continue to learn from. I think that NWSL’s definitely getting there. I know at least on our team, we’re having those conversations and we’re trying to push for more. But I think there’s always room for improvement.
And then secondly, I think we as players, the thing I love about tennis is I feel like all those women are so unique and they use their strengths, and I think sometimes when you’re on a team you can become a little bit monotonous, or kind of be a robot. I think we all have unique abilities, and I think the more that we can bring that to the women’s game and show those unique qualities in games, it’ll make the women’s game more fun.
NT: Yeah, for me that’s a number one thing, and it’s interesting because I think on my side, as a photographer, I start to kind of pick up on habits of players while they’re playing. Like I was having this discussion earlier about how I’ve noticed how players run.
GS: Oh, yeah, I believe it!
NT: Literally how they run. And in terms of, because I photograph it so often, and I edit it so often that I’ve picked up on how they run and when they’ll run where. And I think, again, that uniqueness does come out, but, yeah, I’m all for everybody doing whatever trick shots you want to do, any tricks you want to pull off!
GS: Yes, it’s true! No, I think one thing that I know like, our coaches try to—they want you to do, obviously, what’s best for the team, but we obviously are all here for a unique reason and we all have different strengths, and I think like, you want to try to bring those out too within the team environment. Even today when we were watching the Reign game, when Sofia Huerta let it go through her legs for Bethany [Balcer]. I think the more we can do things like that—because the women’s game is really fun to watch, and I think people don’t realize that, because, one, it’s not on TV, but. I think the more we can do that, the better, and the more people will want to watch.
NT: One aspect that I often think about as a tennis fan, and it’s part of football culture as well, is fashion is a big thing. I’m wondering, are there any particular tennis looks that you’ve started to notice and that you’ve liked?
GS: Yeah! I, one, fell in love with tennis because of my boyfriend, but then, the outfits are really what drew me in. Because I love the cute tennis skirt, the cute tennis dress. You know, there’s been some unique ones. The US Open ones, I didn’t particularly love them this year. I think you have to find a balance, but I’m also not into, I know it’s been a tradition and I think it’s kind of cool, but—
NT: The white?
GS: Yes. The whole white thing. I don’t know, I personally like the uniqueness too. But I’m trying to think—I don’t know how you feel about Sharapova, but I do kind of like her outfits. I actually really liked Serena’s US Open outfit. But I think I definitely like the dresses. I wore one once for tennis and it’s so comfortable and so great. But I think the cool thing about tennis is they’re all unique and all different, and you can kind of show your fashion sense through whatever brand you’re wearing.
I love team sports, but I love the individuality within tennis, you know? Obviously there’s a lot of pros to team sports, too, like I have a million best friends.
NT: I also think individuality, we see this in the WNBA, where they’ll have different shoes on, and a lot of it is because they want to share a message with the world. So I feel like there is room where you can have players bring out whatever it is. I forget who it was, but there was actually a tennis player that, if I remember, was wearing rainbow laces, and I thought that was a pretty cool thing, because when it comes to tennis I don’t normally see a lot of outspokenness.
GS: Activism, yeah. It’s very true.
NT: So even the gesture of wearing rainbow laces, I appreciated.
GS: Yeah, I agree with that, and you don’t see that as much within tennis. I think that’s why it’s cool what Naomi Osaka did. I think she’s kind of been the leader in that and I think that’s been really cool, and it’s been unique to tennis. Some of the announcers during the tennis were kind of killing me, but—you know, she started a conversation and I think that’s the first step sometimes. But I love that the WNBA and NBA—I love the shoes! I think that is so cool, and I know like Adidas did, they had a Black Lives Matter cleat, but it wasn’t so much a unique—like it would be cool having your own message. That would be really neat. I feel like we’ll start to see that more, though.
NT: Yeah, I think it will grow as the women’s game grows, you’ll see more unique kits, you’ll see more individuality.
GS: Yeah, I love our kits.
NT: I can’t wait to photograph it.
GS: They’re really, really amazing. The detailing’s really amazing. I’m like, blown away. I can’t wait for you to photograph them.
NT: From afar, but it’ll happen. So, you mention you’ve played tennis, and I’m wondering, is there anyone else on the Thorns that have played tennis? Have you played tennis with them?
GS: Yes, so we’ve given—a lot of my teammates are very interested. Emily Menges is very interested. She wants to get some lessons. But actually, McClain’s given Britt a few lessons, and she’s actually, like, really good. She’s just super athletic, and she’s amazing, so it’s not shocking. But it was funny because McClain served to her a few times, like actually served to her, and she was like, “oh my GOSH!” She couldn’t believe how fast it was! I think it’s cool when us as soccer athletes can appreciate other sports. I even think after that lesson, she had a new fascination for [tennis].
I played a little tennis when I was coming back from my ACL, and it kind of helped me get my cutting back. I didn’t do anything super reactive, but just kind of getting that cutting and that agility down, I would do some drills with McClain, and it was really nice, because it kind of gave me the confidence to cut again, and it was a good stepping stone into getting into reactive cutting in soccer. My boyfriend says I would have been a really good tennis player because I have really good footwork, and I didn’t realize how important that was in tennis either. He’s like, sometimes amazed at how good I can move with my feet, and I’m like, see, there’s benefits to playing multiple sports! So that was cool, seeing the difference and kind of the crossover.
NT: Yeah, I think footwork is actually one of my favorite things to watch for a tennis player and a soccer player.
GS: Same here.
NT: I never share these a lot, but I’ll often end up photographing [soccer players’] footwork when you’re doing something. Especially in one-v-one situations, because it’s fun to watch you like, problem solve out of it. And I get a front view of it.
GS: Yeah, it’s really cool, and I think like, a lot more goes into footwork than what you would think from the outside. For example, Kling, she has the best feet I’ve ever seen when it comes to her one-v-one defending and just how good she is with her feet, defending. She’s amazing and I have such an appreciation for it.
NT: I feel like I’ve heard that people play ping pong, so I would love—
GS: Oh, yes, Britt is amazing at ping pong! So, her hand-eye coordination obviously is so good. She’s so good at ping pong.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9AeIVyhGM2/
NT: So I don’t know where I came up with this idea but I’m really excited for it. I’m going to present you with a tennis situation, and I want you to give me the soccer equivalent. I’ll do an easy one: an ace on match point.
GS: Ooh, an ace on match point. What’s the score? Is it like 6–0, 5–0? Like, I need to know the score, because then—
NT: Okay, let’s say it was a long deuce point, at like, 5–4 where the person serving is trying to finish the set, and the receiver is trying to level it, and then suddenly ace, match point, boom, it’s over.
GS: Ooh, that would be a goal in like the 92nd minute. Don’t you think? But like, not just a goal—like I feel like, if it was off a corner kick or something.
NT: Ooh, set piece goal in the 92nd minute, and the score is tied and you finish it.
GS: Yes, and you put it away. It’s a header.
NT: Okay, here’s one. So my friend often calls this, in tennis, a golazo: having a dropshot followed by a lob winner in tennis. And really it could just be the lob winner.
GS: I love this. What would I—hmm, okay. I feel like that would equate to like, a really good possession by [one] team, and they almost score, but then the other team counters and scores.
NT: And I feel like it would have to be a lob goal, like a chip—chip the goalkeeper.
GS: Yeah, like you win it, and chip the keeper or something, right?
NT: Yeah, that feels right. Well, okay, on a similar idea, netcord winner. We saw a bunch of them [at the US Open]. I like to call it the tennis gods at the net.
GS: Ok, ok, I have a good one. I have a good one. I know what you’re going to say. And yes, I agree with that, but I think about when you are up 1–0, and somebody ties the game in the 89th or 90th minute. But you absolutely dominated them, the score could have been [2–0] or 3–0, but then they score to tie it, and then you don’t get three points. I think that’s what I would feel with a netcord.
NT: What! That’s pretty extreme. I mean, usually netcord winners are just random winners….
GS: I know! But that’s how I feel when that happens sometimes, especially if it is against me.
NT: Netcord winner on match point, I guess that would make sense.
GS: I feel some type of way though. I’m like, you gotta be kidding me. Especially when the netcord winner is a very, very huge winner.
NT: Okay, this is the complete opposite thing now: it’s a 40-shot rally, a crazy rally that ends with both players diving to the ground to keep the ball in play, and of course, one fails in the end and one prevails.
GS: Ooh, that’s a little bit harder. That one has me a little stumped. You know what actually, I feel like those kind of remind me of a lot of the games that we have with Reign. In the sense that it’s a battle, and it can be so back and forth, you know, it kind of can be a bloodbath sometimes. Super physical and really exciting, but it’s tough and a grind, but then someone pulls through. That’s kind of what I would compare it to, NWSL speaking. What do you think?
NT: I like that comparison. I was thinking, it’s this battle that is in the midfield that’s constantly in the midfield, and then eventually, someone breaks through.
GS: Yes. I like that. That is good too. I totally see it. I feel like a lot of times that happens in are games with Reign too. It’s like very much a midfield battle. Like, there’s a bunch of headers. The ball’s in the air a lot more than it should be. It’s physical and it is a grind, but someone pulls through in the end. I like that.
NT: Okay, this will be a simple one: a failed smash winner. Like you’re going for the smash winner—
GS: Like you’re pissed?
NT: No, like you are going for the winner and you smash it, and have you ever watched Djokovic play, where he tries to smash it and it actually goes into the net?
GS: Yes! A failed smash winner.
NT: We call it Djokosmash sometimes.
GS: That is actually the worst. Ooh, what would I compare that too? I feel like it could be someone has like, a one-v-one with the goalkeeper, and you did all this hard work, and all you have to do is just place it into the goal, and you miss like crazy over the bar, or wide or something insane.
NT: Another fun question: if you could pick five tennis players for a five-a-side soccer game, who would it be, and what positions would they play?
GS: Ooh. So I would definitely would pick Serena. Position, a striker, because I feel like I would compare someone who could strike the ball well, [with her] amazing serve.
We need some defenders. Ooh, this could get kind of crazy! Obviously I would pick Kerber, because I love her as a player, but I would pick her as a midfielder, because I feel like she would cover a lot of ground. Let’s see, who else? Definitely Osaka, because I just need her calmness and composure, so I would actually pick her as a midfielder too, so that’s three. And then I would pick myself—no I’m just kidding.
NT: No, you could put yourself in this!
GS: No, no. Okay, and then, I would need a goalie. Who would you pick as a goalie? That’s kind of hard. I feel like they would all have good strengths, because they can see the ball well.
NT: Who has the quickest reflexes maybe?
GS: Yeah, what are we thinking here?
NT: Or who strikes the ball early, I guess.
GS: True. That one’s up for debate. I’m not sure who I would choose, actually. I feel like you need a good goalie for your five-a-side team. Let me tell you, it’s a game changer. I’m trying to think! You know what, I don’t know. I need to think about that one.
NT: Okay, who would you have as a defender then, because you have a striker, two midfielders—would you have a defender?
GS: I don’t know. You know what, I would maybe pick Wozniacki. Only because I feel like she is a fighter to the end of time. And she will, no matter how tired she is, she will literally go to the end and like you need that person on your five-v-five team.
NT: I like that! I see it.
GS: That’s a ballin’ five-v-five team if you ask me.
NT: Well you picked four! You need one more!
GS: Yeah, but then myself.
NT: Oh okay, you’re in this. How about you play goalkeeper?
GS: Yeah, that would be the best actually. Actually five-v-five is my favorite thing ever, so I’m really glad you asked that. We’re going to win the tennis NWSL cup!
