Is 2019 Wimbledon finally Karolina Pliskova’s time?
The 27-year-old Czech has flirted with Grand Slam immortality the last few years but has not been able to make the big career breakthrough by winning a major singles title. Her career highlights to date are breaking through to become the No. 1 player on the WTA computer in 2017.
She also reached the final of the U.S. Open in 2016, losing a tight final to Angelique Kerber. That final-round loss, although painful, will provide her valuable lessons and experience as she once again tries to win a Grand Slam final. In the semifinals of that year at the U.S. Open, she beat Serena Williams, which is about as tough as an obstacle as you can overcome in a major tournament.
Pliskova is seeded No. 3 and the second-highest ranked player left in the draw and the highest seed in the bottom half. Her powerful serve is her biggest weapon, which should her well on the grass. However, her best career result at the AELTC is only a fourth round finish, which happened last year. She is fresh off winning the pre-Wimbledon grass court event in Eastbourne, so she is certainly trending in the right direction for Wimbledon’s second week.
Another factor in Plikova’s favor is she is always away from the bright Wimbledon spotlight. Despite being the No. 2 favorite in the Wimbledon betting odds she has been hidden in the press behind 15-year-old sensation Coco Gauff of the United States, newly-minted Australian No. 1 and French Open champion Ash Barty and, of course, 23-time-major winner Serena Williams. In Pliskova’s coaching camp is Conchita Martinez of Spain, who was herself a Wimbledon champion at Wimbledon 25 years ago in 1994. As a coach, Martinez also guided another Spaniard Garbine Muguruza to the Wimbledon title as a temporary coach in 2017. Rennae Stubbs, a grass-loving attacking former Australian player and brilliant tennis mind, has also been mentoring Pliskova recently.
