Barbora Strýcová she definitely put her tennis career on hold after becoming a mom. But she is definitely not done with sports. She leads both children to him and cannot imagine life without him. Proof is the prestigious Boston Marathon, where she qualified last year. However, if he will actually be ready to start this spring, that is still in the stars.
In addition to the parental role, she has another one – and a rather fundamental one, which concerns her favorite sport. The successful and popular tennis player also revealed what her children Vincent and Josefina teach her, why she misses her beloved grandmother so much and who drives her the most.
You are one of the personalities who share their privacy on networks without retouching and tinsel…
It’s important for me to be authentic on Instagram. Of course, to show nice things, but sometimes also feelings and emotions that are not exactly nice. Someone may be going through the same thing right now, they need sharing and it can help them.
Many people admit that in their free time, they sometimes browse the web mindlessly and a little absent-mindedly. How are you doing?
I would like to slow down with Instagram, because sometimes I find myself scrolling completely unnecessarily and looking at nonsense instead of reading a book, for example. So I would like to change so that the time spent on social networks is less.
You are a mother of two young children. What does your typical day look like?
That’s different. It certainly includes sports. It is important for me to examine it every day for an hour and a half to two hours. Usually, as soon as I drop Vincent off at daycare, I go to play sports. It is essential for me to feel good. To be a good mom. We have a nanny to look after my younger daughter, so I have more free time for myself. There are also children’s groups, where I take them. Every day is busy. I like when the days are planned and fly by. But we don’t forget to have fun either, we go to the playground or play games.
Maintaining good relations with grandmothers and great-grandmothers has always been very important in our family. It’s one of the things we really cling to…
Do you have any rituals or moments that you enjoy with your children even with a more demanding schedule?
I don’t know if it’s a ritual, but Vincent likes to make breakfast, so I like to assist with that. Josefínka and I play, goof around and laugh. Those are the things I like.
You lead both children to exercise. Do you see a talent for a sport in them?
For me, it is important that they move and have several of those activities. Because they need to develop and sport is important in life. He accompanied me my whole life and I was guided to him since I was a child. And my sister and I are following in the same footsteps.
Since the children are still young, I don’t see any great talent in them yet. Of course I want them to know tennis. Vincent already plays it and also goes to soccer and gymnastics. Josefina is still little, but she goes to children’s exercises. So we take them to sports, they see it here as well – we both do sports with Peter every day. And when we don’t feel like going anywhere, we practice at home.
What did you realize thanks to the children – did they teach you something?
He teaches me every day, especially patience. I’m an impatient person and that doesn’t quite work with children. It teaches me to slow down, because the faster I rush, the more things fall apart. I would like to be more patient and not so accelerated. But I am just who I am, even if I try to improve it every day. And there are simply days when it goes better and when it goes worse.
Can you find a moment to be alone with your partner?
Yes, we have grandmothers who like to babysit, so luckily we have that time to ourselves and can enjoy it.
Last year, your grandmother passed away at the age of almost 100, you dedicated a beautiful memory to her on Instagram…
Grandma was an important person in the life of the whole family. She was a role model for me mainly in the way she lived, because she had great strength and energy and passion for life. With covid, things changed a little, but she rode a bicycle until she was 92 years old, did Tibetan exercises, went to exercise with her friends… It’s unbelievable how old she lived. Maintaining good relations with grandmothers and great-grandmothers has always been very important in our family. It’s one of the things we really hold onto.
Three years ago, you said goodbye to the tennis career that made you a world-class star. How challenging was it for you?
Again, it wasn’t that difficult. I had already told myself in advance that I would only return to the WTA circuit for a few months. I wanted to end it in my head. And I wanted to play in front of an audience and at tournaments that I liked and where there were people. When I finished my career, I was pregnant, and it was during the covid pandemic – it was played without spectators and that was sad.
In 2023, when I returned for a while, we are won the doubles at Wimbledon and I also won a few matches in singles. I felt really good about my game.
But what was more difficult was getting into a life where there is no tennis. It took me a few months to get my bearings, to understand that it’s not entirely about me, especially when I have a small child, and that it’s primarily about him. I had to get used to it and adjust it.
And since then, have you ever thought that you could come back as a player?
I didn’t think about it at all. I ended my career exactly the way I wanted. I didn’t feel like going back at all. Now I have a new challenge, and that’s it captain role of the Czech fedcup national team. This is another challenge and task that I look forward to.
Foto: Toyota
This year, you may have another important event waiting for you. You qualified for the legendary Boston Marathon, which will be held in April. Where did this idea originate?
I thought about it when I was actively playing. I wanted to try to run this marathon in order to find out if I could do it and if I could endure it not only physically, but also mentally. First I decided run in Prague. I prepared diligently from approximately November to May. And I think I managed it pretty well. I ran in 3 hours and 18 minutes and thus qualified for Boston.
I would really like to run there, but I don’t know if it will work out in time, because at that time I will have obligations with Fed Cupem and other matters. Let’s hope it works because I’m really looking forward to it. Although I can’t quite run now because I have an injured ankle.
If it worked, would your children fly to cheer too?
Why not, they are both excellent travelers. I flew with them alone from America when the little one wasn’t even walking yet. Of course, it was difficult for me, but they managed it without any problems. For now, I also have to knock that there is no crying on board either, they are really great.
How is it when traveling by car – the classic voice often comes from the back seats: “When will we be there?”
Yes, that’s exactly what I’m hearing! As soon as we leave, exactly this question follows. We basically only travel by car. I have my beloved Toyota RAV4 that I can’t let go of. Everything fits in it: stroller, bike, tricycle, both seats for children. I use the car every day, I drive it around the Czech Republic, Europe, mountains, everywhere. What is also important, and I have already tried it, is to have a lot of snacks on hand for long trips.
What or who can turn you on the most while traveling?
I think I’m an active driver and they know how to deal with my emotions. Sometimes it’s mainly pedestrians who turn me on. But it’s great that my car has signals that alert me when something is going on.
Can you curse while driving?
Definitely. But lately I also like to sing a lot behind the wheel. Josefína sings when we go to kindergarten, so I sing too.
You seem strong and resilient, which is typical of people born under Aries. Do you sometimes cry, whine or complain? I can’t imagine you like that at all.
I’m an Aries, but I think I’m also quite a sensitive person who cries sometimes. I can be more fragile and sensitive. But otherwise, I’m every inch an Aries.
And how do you feel about admitting your own mistakes – Aries sometimes have a problem with that…
I have always been a very self-critical person and I know how to admit a mistake – and I can also apologize for it.
In March, you can expect a celebration of the logs. Does approaching forty manifest itself in any fundamental way on the body or the spirit?
I confess that I do not feel it significantly on my body. Sure, sometimes when it’s said out loud that I’m going to be 40, my reaction is, “Damn, already?” But otherwise I don’t worry about it at all and physically I feel very well.
What would make you happy for your birthday?
A celebration with the closest people I care about. To enjoy it: big party, good food and drink.
