"I hope she's not just happy to be there": Martina Navratilova wants to see desire to win WTA Finals from Marketa Vondrousova
WTAMonday, 30 October 2023 at 00:16
Martina
Navratilova analyzed Marketa Vondrousova's chances in the 2023 WTA Finals.
The
24-year-old Czech tennis player will be making her debut in the WTA Finals
after her surprising Wimbledon victory. Vondrousova enters the tournament with
limited match practice, as she hasn't played since her quarterfinal exit at the
US Open, and her most recent appearance at the China Open resulted in a
first-round defeat against Anhelina Kalinina.
Vondrousova
will return to competitive play after a four-week break, and her performance
remains uncertain. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova shared her thoughts on
Vondrousova and her prospects in the tournament:
“It’s the
one to win, if you’re only going to win one. And I think Marketa’s backed it up
with some decent results. Her ranking went up a little more because she had
better results than a year ago. She’s got a nice all-around game. She still has
room for improvement in her shot selection and shot placement and aggression,” 18-times
Grand Slam champion said.
“She’s
decent at the net. She can mix it up a bit more. I’m quite happy she broke
through at Wimbledon. We’ll see how she likes the court in Cancun, but she’s
never come anywhere near qualifying for the year-end final. So I hope she’s not
just happy to be there,” Navratilova added.
Vondrousova
began the season outside the top 100 and showed an upward trajectory throughout
the year, reaching her peak by winning Wimbledon and achieving other notable
results. In 2019, she reached the final of the French Open at the age of just
20, and her tennis career was expected to ascend rapidly. Unfortunately,
injuries prevented her from playing regularly, hampering her progress.
The Czech
player was drawn into the Chetumal Group, along with Iga Swiatek (2nd), Coco
Gauff (4th), and Ons Jabeur (6th). Vondrousova's opening match will be against
the Polish player Swiatek, who currently leads their head-to-head record 2-0.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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