Lucie Šafářová announced a short-term return to professional tennis. Five years after the end of her career and subsequent maternity break, she will resume her former successful collaboration with the American Bethania Matteková-Sands, with whom she won five Grand Slam titles. The thirty-seven-year-old Šafářová said this in an interview for the TV channel CANAL+ Sport, where she works as an expert.
“I want our Team Bucie to return to the stage, so that we can have some fun and that my children see me in action during matches,” said the thirty-seven-year-old Šafářová.
The former world number five in singles and number one in doubles returned to the courts last year. In October, she started at the ITF tournament in Reims, where she beat home Yaroslava Bartashevich 3:6, 6:3, 6:1 in singles. However, the ITF later announced to Šafářová that she did not meet the complete conditions for returning to professional tennis, and the Czech player had to withdraw.
The native of Brno is now enrolled in the anti-doping program, in which she must spend at least six months according to the rules. The 2015 Roland Garros finalist’s term ends on June 6. After that, he will be able to start the official duel.
“Beth and I talked about it. She said that she had her last season ahead of her. That she didn’t have a stable partner because one of the players canceled her contract. We thought we could cut a few events together. Bethany had to leave Wimbledon due to a serious knee injury she doesn’t want much on the grass, but if we were given the chance to start in London, she would manage somehow,” said Šafářová.
The title from the All England Club of Šafářová and Matteková-Sandsová is the only thing missing from the Grand Slams. In 2015 and 2017, they triumphed at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, and eight years ago they also won the US Open.
“However, I do not have the necessary ranking, so we would have to get a free card, which is difficult. We will see how it develops. And in August, we would like to try some America,” pointed out Šafářová, who has a daughter Leontýna and a son with former hockey player Tomáš Plekanec Oliver.
Šafářová and Matteková-Sands are certain to participate in the Livesport Prague Open tournament, which will take place from July 21 to 26. “We didn’t hesitate for a second when Lucka turned to us with a request for a wild card. It’s funny that she said goodbye to the Czech fans at our tournament. Now I’m looking forward to the beautiful welcome we’ll prepare for her together,” said the director of the tournament and the host club Sparta Prague Miroslav Malý.
Šafářová is also looking forward to the start in front of her own fans. “Team Bucie has never presented itself to the Czech audience in Prague. It would be nice if it could be done in the summer for the first time and probably for the last time,” she said, adding that she would also like to play with her nieces.
