Latest Czech star Vondrousova takes inspiration from country’s success
Marketa Vondrousova, who faces Johanna Konta in the French Open semi-finals tomorrow, is the latest big female talent to emerge from the Czech Republic.
The 19-year-old burst into the top 100 two years ago before injuries stalled her progress last season. But she has more than made up for that this year, and her 26 wins from 31 matches since the Australian Open is the best record of anyone on the women’s tour.
She is currently at a careerhigh ranking of 38 and will climb into the top 20 on Monday irrespective of the outcome against Konta.
Vondrousova was beaming from ear to ear after beating Petra Mar tic in a high- class quarter-final on Tuesday to reach the last four at a grand slam for the first time.
She said: “It’s not happening every day, right? I’m just really happy with my game. And it was very tough match for me. I beat her for the first time in my life, so it’s amazing.”
Vondrousova is one of five Czech women in the top 50, led by second-ranked Karolina Pliskova, and the relatively small country has won the Fed Cup six times in the last eight years.
Vondrousova, who remembers being inspired watching Petra Kvitova win the first of her two Wimbledon titles in 2011, said: “We have so many Czech players, especially girls. It was nice looking up when I was a kid, and I was enjoying watching Czech tennis and Fed Cup. It’s cool.”
Another inspiration was Latvian J elena O st apenko’ s stunning title victory at Roland Garros two years ago from a lower ranking.
“She did an amazing thing,” said the left-hand er from the small town of Sokolov. “She was the same age as me. It’s very tough to win seven matches in a row.”
Vondrousova is small in the modern game at only 5ft 6in but is an excellent mover having grown up on clay and has an attractive all- court game, with a particular penchant for the drop shot. She and Konta have played twice previously, with Vondrousova winning in Indian Wells last year and Konta in Rome last month
Both matches were tight, and Vondrousova said of her opponent: “She has great form and it’s going to be tough match, but we’ll see. In semi-finals I think anything can happen.”