WASHINGTON, January 6, 2021 (by Michael Dickens)
Karolina Pliskova has won a singles title in the first week of the season in three of the last four years, going 16-1. She lifted trophies in Brisbane in 2017, 2019 and, again, last year. Whether by luck or by chance, that’s consistency.
Now, the big-serving, World No. 6 from the Czech Republic enters her first tournament of 2021 as the third seed in the Abu Dhabi WTA Women’s Tennis Open whose main draw begins on Wednesday. The WTA 500-series outdoor hard-court event was added to this year’s schedule as a replacement for the Brisbane International. It’s packed with four Top 10 and seven Top 20 players, including Pliskova, who will face 71st-ranked Sorana Cirstea of Romania in the found round.
Let the game begin! 🤗 pic.twitter.com/xW53zy0xVj
— Karolina Pliskova (@KaPliskova) January 5, 2021
Pliskova’s pathway to another first-week title could include playing 16th seed Donna Vekic of Croatia in the third round, and either No. 8 seed Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic or No. 11 seed Jennifer Brady of the United States in the quarterfinals. Then, No. 2 seed Elina Svitolina is a possible semifinalist while the top seed (in the other half of the draw) Sofia Kenin of the United States would be a formidable opponent in the final next week on January 13.
Meanwhile, Pliskova changed coaches in the off-season, connecting with Sascha Bajin, who previously worked with reigning US Open champion Naomi Osaka back when the Japanese star won back-to-back majors at the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open. In November, the former World No. 1 Pliskova parted with coach Dani Valverdu, following her 14-8 pandemic-shortened season. Her best results included winning the title at Brisbane and reaching the final in Rome in September, where she lost to Simona Halep.
TEAM PLÍŠKOVÁ 2021 pic.twitter.com/x2HAPJjAZY
— Karolina Pliskova (@KaPliskova) November 27, 2020
“I was looking for a new coach who could be full time for me during the year,” Pliskova said Tuesday during a virtual chat with media.“I think I’ve had enough sharing of coaches. So far, I cannot say one bad word about him – maybe, it’s too early to judge. Really, I’ve been enjoying the last couple of weeks. He’s doing everything possible he can do to make me feel good, make our team feel good. I don’t want to be feeling in the heaven, but everything is good.”
Pliskova finished her 2020 season on a two-match losing streak – a second-round loss to Jelena Ostapenko at Roland Garros followed up by a second-round defeat against Veronica Kudermetova at Ostrava. However, when the former World No. 1 was questioned about the direction her season ended, it didn’t seem any cause for concern.
No easy matches at @rolandgarros 😰 Happy but humble 🙏 pic.twitter.com/KWzLfQBaS7
— Karolina Pliskova (@KaPliskova) September 29, 2020
“A two-match losing streak is not so terrible; it doesn’t look so bad to me,” Pliskova told Tennis TourTalk. “The last tournament [Ostrava] I wasn’t really counting because I wasn’t supposed to play. I wasn’t ready to compete at my best level in my home country and, of course, Paris was tough. I was just happy to compete no matter how it went. Many players decided not to play. I was happy to have some matches – a couple of good tournaments, but not many. I think I just need time to get back into the rhythm of tournaments. Not playing for five months had never happened to me. I’ve had a good off-season. Let’s see what happens.”
Wearing my lucky socks to kick off the new season 🤞 pic.twitter.com/EwoK50uBz1
— Karolina Pliskova (@KaPliskova) December 27, 2020
Delray Beach qualifying reaches final eight
Only four of eight seeds won in the first day of qualifying for the ATP 250 Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com outdoor hard-court event in Delray Beach, Fla., on Tuesday. No. 1 seed Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera, ranked 254th, was upset by No. 789 Christian Harrison of the United States, 6-4, 6-4.
Peek the updates:
🎾 Main draw singles
🎾 Main draw doubles
🎾 Qualies➡️: https://t.co/OkAMocgYWh | @atptour pic.twitter.com/ZQRu0dGugU
— Delray Beach Open (@DelrayBeachOpen) January 6, 2021
AO hotel quarantine update
An update on quarantine hotels for #AusOpen 2021. pic.twitter.com/QhVJ3xzDEu
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 5, 2021
Update from TA chief executive Craig Tiley
There have been some unavoidable delays finalising flight details for players and I’d like to take this opportunity to provide an update.
— Craig Tiley (@CraigTiley) January 5, 2021
We appreciate your patience and are conscious that time timelines are very tight. We are doing our utmost to get the flight details to the entire playing group as soon as possible. Thank you for bearing with us, we will get everyone to Melbourne.
— Craig Tiley (@CraigTiley) January 5, 2021
Kiki Bertens will miss Australian Open
Women’s world No. 9 Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands wrote on her social media platforms that she’ll miss playing in this year’s Australian Open, but hopes to return in March.
Back on court😊 My rehab is going really well, although I had to make the tough decision to skip the trip to Australia this year😢 It’s coming too soon, and the risk is to big. So I will keep on working on a strong come back hopefully in March! 😘😘
— Kiki Bertens (@kikibertens) January 5, 2021
New Year, new routine for Rafa
#NewYear, new gym routine 🤪@RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/25SmdzU8kE
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 5, 2021
Britain’s Jay Clarke speaks out on diversity and discrimination
“I don’t think enough athletes do it and the fact that it was such a big tournament, it didn’t really matter because she knew what was important.” 💭@Jay27798 opens up about how powerful @naomiosaka‘s actions were to young Black players and minorities. https://t.co/ELJtjHJjVA
— TENNIS (@Tennis) January 5, 2021
What they’re writing
London Metro.co.uk tennis writer George Bellshaw opines on what to expect from tennis in 2021.
Less than a week into 2021 and tennis has already enjoyed its fair share of controversy & mishaps…
Here’s a look at what’s to come the rest of the year, with records being chased, continued political unrest and, for some, perhaps the end being nigh 👇 https://t.co/FwSXWDaKaX
— George Bellshaw (@BellshawGeorge) January 5, 2021
Remembering Bob Brett
The global tennis community is mourning the passing of esteemed coach Bob Brett, who guided numerous Grand Slam champions in a life-changing journey in the sport.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 5, 2021
Bob Brett was undoubtedly one of the best coaches in the world however he was much more than a tennis coach. He had a sixth sense about how to reach each player right where they were and make them better players and better people. My deepest condolences to Bob’s family.
— Nick Bollettieri (@NickBollettieri) January 5, 2021
I was just starting out as a coach and he was my star – one of the best coaches in the world.
He trusted me, believed in me, took me under his wings and taught me the job. He was my mentor and I can’t thank him enough.Rest In peace, my dear friend Bob Brett. pic.twitter.com/U9T9xwjMFJ
— Patrick Mouratoglou (@pmouratoglou) January 5, 2021
What they’re sharing on social media
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga / Best wishes for a Happy New Year
La famille Tsonga est heureuse de vous adresser ses meilleurs vœux pour 2021 😘 pic.twitter.com/D61JBpd6eQ
— Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (@tsonga7) January 5, 2021
