Reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova says she is not experiencing any physical discomfort after crashing out of the Australian Open on Monday.
The world No.7 was beaten 6-1, 6-2, by Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska to suffer her earliest exit from a major event since 2020. Vondrousova was far from her best as she hit 19 unforced errors, which included seven double faults. Overall, she only managed to win 41% of her service points.
“I didn’t train much before the tournament because I was injured. I think this was the key,” Czech media quoted Vondrousova as saying.
“I didn’t get off to the best start, I immediately lost my serve. I didn’t play well, but she didn’t give me many chances either. She played great and she deserves credit. I have to take this defeat and move on.”
Vondrousova’s one-sided loss occurred after she pulled out of the Adelaide International last week with a right hip injury. A frustrating situation for the 24-year-old who claimed her maiden Grand Slam title and reached a ranking high of sixth last year. She is one of two players from her country currently in the world’s top 10 along with Karolina Muchova who isn’t playing the Australian Open due to a wrist injury.
“Nothing hurt me, but the preparation was stupid. It was probably to be expected.” She said of her exit from Melbourne Park.
“My lower back hurt and somehow it also reached my hip… I was sick. But now I can hardly feel it.”
Describing her preparation for the new season as ‘not ideal,’ Vondrousova will be eager to forget her latest clash with Yastremska who has become the first qualifier to drop three or fewer games against a top 10 player in Australian Open history.
Yastremska, who has been ranked as high as 21st in the world, will next play Varvara Gracheva who beat Yania Wickmayer in her opening match.
