Karolina Plíšková’s winning gesture after winning the Wimbledon semifinals over Aryna Sabalenková.
Kirsty Wigglesworth, ČTK / AP
“I can’t wish for anything better. You want to run into the best player in the finals. I didn’t want anyone else,” 29-year-old Plíšková told reporters. “She is in the role of a bigger favorite than I am, but of course I will want to win at any cost. We both have a chance,” she added.
For the first time, Plíšková played the grand slam final in 2016 at the US Open. The hopefully played duel with Angelique Kerberová from Germany, who became the first player in the world after the tournament, lost in three sets. “I already have some experience and I want to enjoy it somehow,” said Plíšková.
Twenty-five-year-old Barty is also in the grand slam final for the second time and will face the Czech opponent again. The year before, in the fight for the title at Roland Garros, she defeated Markéta Vondroušová.
F O R T H E G L O R Y ????
Who will be lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish on Saturday?#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/3DTTaBgh8V
– wta (@WTA) July 8, 2021
For Barty, the Wimbledon final is the fulfillment of a dream. “I never thought I could do it,” said the 2011 London Junior winner, adding to the grass play, “It’s a process. You’re still learning and adapting as the grass changes during the tournament. It’s faster, harder.”
Plíšková played with Barty seven times and won two matches. This year, the Australian lost after a clay fight in Stuttgart, where she was separated by two balls from victory. “It was balanced. She will make you feel a little ugly thanks to her game. Her style is very difficult to face. On the grass, especially because of her slice and other blows. I never played a terrible match against her,” said Czech.
FINAL TWO STANDING ????
Although world No.1 @ashbarty will be the favorite heading into the Wimbledon final, there’s more than enough reason to believe @KaPliskova can pull off the upset.
Our #Wimbledon final point-counterpoint ↓
– wta (@WTA) July 9, 2021
The trustee of the German coach Saschi Bajin wants to enter the central court without any worries. “I have nothing to lose. The main thing will be done mentally well, because I’m not worried about my game,” said Plíšková, who in the tournament is mainly decorated with great service and 54 aces. “My level of play has been really good for two whole weeks, which I hope to keep one more match.”
The losses at Wimbledon in 2018 (third round) and 2019 (fourth round) described Barty as one of the most painful in her career. “I learned that hell from those weeks. I think you always get the most experience from your dark times anyway,” Barty said.
What happened to Plíšková? She got up from the bench and had a different look, says the coach
At this year’s Wimbledon, she pays tribute to Evonne Goolagong Cawley, who won the first of her two Wimbledon titles 50 years ago. Barty plays in a skirt which, with its hemming with ridges, resembles the dress of her famous compatriot. “I’m proud to have Evonne-inspired clothing and a chance to make history. I can’t wait for Saturdays,” Barty said.
After advancing to the final, Plíšková has a certain shift from 13th to eighth place in the ranking, thanks to the title she would have jumped to fourth position. The Australian will remain at the top of the WTA singles standings. The winner will receive the famous Venus Rosewater plate and 1.7 million pounds (49.3 million crowns).
.
