DIRECT FROM MELBOURNE – Nikola Bartůňková (19) has had a very difficult time. After a forced break, she was inspired to restart her career last year, and during her first ever visit to the Grand Slam among adults, she prepared an unpleasant surprise for Darje Kasatkinová in Australia. She saw off the newly minted Australian representative in three sets and is now preparing for a clash with another icon, Belinda Bencic.
A very emotional match in which Bartůňková caught the “canary” in the second set ended with her triumph. She didn’t give up, scraped out the remnants of her strength and ended Kasatkin’s home Grand Slam debut in the first round. “She congratulated me and wished me luck,” describes the young Czech hope in an interview for Livesport Zprávy.
You experienced the premiere at the Grand Slam tournament in the Kia Arena. How big were the emotions, especially in the match against Kasatkina?
“I think it was probably more emotional for her. I knew it would be a tough match, it was my first Grand Slam, my first match in the main competition. So I took it more like an honor to be there. Just a dream come true. But I went to win it and of course enjoy it.”
Even in the qualification you had to go over the domestic player. Did you feel that there were Australians in the stands?
“It was obvious, but in the end it was pretty good, because I probably showed that I play good tennis and they finally came to my side. I’ve experienced worse crowds. Here in Australia they’re quite lively when they support the home team, but it’s cool.”
You didn’t even play a game in the second set. Where did you finally get the belief that the match can still be won?
“It was difficult because, of course, I was very tired in the first set. Darja was a little better on the court, she sped everything up. And then I had to knock myself back and also speed up everything. In the end, I succeeded. I tried to forget and reset myself.”
If the procedure didn’t work out, how big of a blow would it be to you?
“I didn’t really expect anything before this trip. It’s my first time in Australia, it’s my first time at a Grand Slam. So I’m really happy just for this experience. And that I succeeded? It’s really beyond expectations. It’s just great here and I’m enjoying it.”
How did you actually conceive of the Australian mission? Who do you have available in your team?
“My dad and my coach, Mr. Vaníček, are here with me. It’s so modest, it’s not a team like the top players have. The preparation was nothing extra because I had the flu during Christmas. But since January, I’ve already been in Canberra, played a tournament there, and then flew to Melbourne.”
Now you have a match with Belinda Bencic, who shone at the United Cup. Do you have a plan for her?
“I have! (smile). Sure, it will be a very tough match. I have probably never played with such a player anywhere. So it will be another great experience. I will try to make it as difficult as possible for her. We’ll see how it goes. I’m going there humbly, but at the same time I’m going to win it. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Do you take the current Grand Slam in Australia as a consolation for the unpleasant period when you had to stand for half a year due to a doping test?
“Now I enjoy every ball on the court. Even after all the experiences I’ve been through, I realized that I really love tennis. Now I can only concentrate on my performances and enjoy it. The results will hopefully come by themselves. I’m still such a newcomer in this world. I’m still researching everything, every new thing that’s being talked about here. It’s just all an experience for me now…”
Kasatkinová – Bartůňková 6:7, 6:0, 3:6
The article was originally published for Livesport Zprávy.
