Marketa Vrondrousova says she always believed in herself after reaching the last eight of Wimbledon for the first time.
The Czech player staged a comeback to defeat compatriot and 32nd seed Marie Bouzková 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. It is the first time this season she has managed to win four matches in a row within the same tournament. Although she has shown glimmers of her talent earlier this year on the WTA Tour by reaching two quarter-finals and one semi-final.
“I know her, I knew what was gonna happen,” said Vrondrousova. “I just wanted to stay in the match and be more active by going for the volleys and everything.”
Despite being only 24, the career of the world no.42 has been marred by injury. After she won her maiden WTA match in 2016 she was sidelined for six months with a left elbow injury. Three years later she reached the main stage of the sport by finishing runner-up to Ash Barty at the French Open. However, a month after that she missed more of the Tour due to wrist surgery.
The setbacks continued into 2022 when Vrondrousova had a second wrist surgery to treat a separate issue which resulted in another six-month absence. It is a frustrating outcome for somebody of her potential. She is also a former junior world No.1 and won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
“You never know what to expect when you’re coming back from injuries,” she said. “But, I started pretty well (after her latest comeback). I think my game wasn’t so bad after the injuries.”
“I just stayed focused and practiced as much as I could. I just believed that I could be at this level again.”
Belief appears to be crucial when it comes to the career of Vrondousova who had only won one match in four appearances at Wimbledon before this season.
“I talked with my coaches before and they told me I have the game for it (grass),” she revealed.
“I think you just have to believe it. Be open-minded and just work for it.”
In the quarter-finals, she will take on Jessica Pegula in what will be their first tour meeting.
