New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Recent changes all positive for former world No. 1 Pliskova
NEW HAVEN — Marriage, a new coach — indeed, things have changed for Karolina Pliskova the past two months.
For a player like Pliskova, who admitted she’s not exactly the most positive person in the world, such changes have her feeling optimistic as she begins play in the Connecticut Open.
A 26-year-old native of the Czech Republic, Pliskova was ranked No. 1 in the world this time last summer, before finishing the season as the WTA’s fourth-ranked player.
Though she’s claimed one tournament this year, has posted a 32-14 singles record and has earned more than $1,700,000 in 2018, Pliskova wasn’t pleased with her inconsistent play and opted to make a change.
Currently ranked eighth in the world, Pliskova recently enlisted the services of Rennae Stubbs, a winner of several WTA titles, as her coach. Tomas Kruppa coached Pliskova for eight months, before she made the change.
“I made the decision for a new coach when I played in Montreal just a few weeks ago,” said Pliskova, who is making her first appearance at the Connecticut Open since she lost in the quarterfinals in 2015. “I just needed a change and I felt it was an improved option for me. To me, it was more about the mental aspect. She (Stubbs) knows the game of every girl playing out there, she knows
a lot about tennis and she played. Sometimes, I feel like she knows how I am feeling out there. I felt maybe this change will help me at the end of the year.”
Feeling the need for positive reinforcement also made Pliskova reach out to Stubbs.
“I am not the most positive person in the world, so I need someone who is more positive for me,” said Pliskova,
who plays Russian Ekaterina Makarova in the opening round of the Connecticut Open. “I think I need this what I need right now — someone who keeps me more positive.”
Pliskova, who got married in June, believes earning her No.1-ranking in 2017 was tougher than keeping it.
“For sure, it is harder to get there,” she said. “Not many players achieve this No. 1 ranking. It’s also hard to stay in the top 10. To me, it doesn’t matter if I am 9, 10
or 20. The ranking doesn’t matter. I just want to play really well and go deep into tournaments.”
Despite her impressive resume, Pliskova can’t help thinking back to last year when she was the top player in the world.
“Sometimes I get frustrated, I wanted to be better this year,” said Pliskova, who has won 10 WTA events. “I was lucky to win a couple of matches the beginning of last year — sometimes you don’t know how you win a match, you just win. But
everything can change quickly. It’s tough to have a second great year like last year, but this is still the second best one of my career. I think next year is going to be better for me.”
Perhaps aiding Pliskova’s mindset during the Connecticut Open is the presence of her twin sister, Kristyna. They will compete together in the doubles draw. They had not played together in three years before pairing at Indian Wells in March.
“We have a great relationship off the court, but our lives are different and we haven’t seen each other much,” Karolina Pliskova said.
The Pliskova sisters are sharing the same room this week for the first time in six years and Karolina couldn’t be happier. She’s hoping it will show in her performance.
“It’s great to be around her and share the court with her,” Pliskova said. “I want to have fun playing doubles, that’s we are playing together. I don’t want to get frustrated in doubles, because I get frustrated enough playing singles.”
Having fun — that’s what Pliskova is also going to try to do when she competes in the singles draw at this week’s tourney in New Haven.
“So far I am enjoying myself and I am focusing on playing good tennis,” she said. “I feel there’s always a chance I can play well at any tournament and go far.”