Halep’s loss means Pliskova will be No. 1
LONDON — Karolina Pliskova will rise to No. 1 in the WTA rankings for the first time next week despite a second-round loss at Wimbledon — and no Grand Slam titles.
Pliskova, a 25-year-old from the Czech Republic, was assured of moving up two places from No. 3 when the woman who currently is No. 2, Simona Halep, was beaten in the Wimbledon quarterfinals Tuesday.
Pliskova will become the 23rd woman to spend time at No. 1.
Angelique Kerber will relinquish the top spot after exiting in the fourth round at the All England Club a year after making it to the final. Kerber first got to No. 1, overtaking Serena Williams, by winning the U.S. Open in September, beating Pliskova in the final.
Pliskova reached her second major semifinal at the French Open last month, losing to Halep.
After losing to 87th-ranked Magdalena Rybarikova 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 at the All England Club last week, Pliskova was asked about the possibility of still being able to go to No. 1. Rybarikova advanced to the semifinals Tuesday.
“Well, for me, the tournament is over. So whatever happens, happens,” Pliskova said. “I’m not going to pray for somebody’s losing or winning.”
The rankings count points from the preceding 52 weeks, and in that time, Pliskova won four WTA titles and had nine victories over top-10 opponents. Court conditions: Bothered by what he called a “hole” at Centre Court, Novak Djokovic complained about the condition of the grass at Wimbledon.
Djokovic, who defeated Adrian Mannarino in the fourth round, said the courts are among the worst on which he has played in his 13 years at the All England Club.
The courts “are not that great this year and many players feel the same, but it is what it is,” Djokovic said in a television interview after his match ended. “I’m sure they’re trying their best, but I’ve played on better courts.”
On Tuesday, playing with the roof closed, Djokovic could be seen after points picking up or kicking away small portions of grass that had loosened on the baseline.
Tuesday was the first day persistent rain moved over southwest London since Wimbledon started. Because of the dry conditions, there was nearly uninterrupted play on the 18 courts over the first seven days of the tournament, which led to consistent wear. Coaching flap: Svetlana Kuznetsova noticed it. Her coach even complained about it during the second set.
Still, Garbine Muguruza said she was not being coached by her team during Tuesday’s 6-3, 6-4 quarterfinal victory at Wimbledon.
“It was pretty clear because we all speak Spanish here. She was talking to her all the time,” Kuznetsova said. “I don’t think it’s appropriate, but OK, I was focused on my game.”
It’s not the first time coaching during a match has been raised at Wimbledon this year. On Monday, Caroline Garcia said she did not see her father and coach signaling to her during her fourth-round loss to Johanna Konta.