Karolina Pliskova, the Czech No.11 seed talks bonbons, Marat Safin and the advantages of being a twin on the doubles court.
What’s your earliest tennis memory?
I’m [originally] from a small city called Louny, about an hour from Prague. There was a really small tennis club there with about eight clay courts. My twin sister Kristyna (who is ranked 134 in the world] and I started to play once a week with a coach. We were about four years old.
When you're small you don't have to worry about many things. Now life is a bit different
What’s the funniest moment you’ve experienced on a court?
It would definitely be something with my sister when we are playing doubles and wearing the same clothes. She’s a leftie and I’m righty but the people are confusing us all the time.
How would your friends describe you?
Calm, kind, friendly and fun.
What are the three things you need to be a successful tennis player?
To be fit and have good condition to play all the long matches. The second is to have a good head for the tennis. Sometimes there are moments that are tough to handle but you just have to get through it. Then there are the strokes – the serve, forehand and backhand. You have to have some weapons to beat the great players.
If you could take one shot from any player, past or present what would it be?
I would take volleys from Martina Navratilova because she was really good at the net.
What‘s your guilty pleasure?
Bonbons. I’m in love with them. My coach doesn’t want me to eat them and I try not to because of my teeth but I’d eat a packet of them a day.
Which player is most likely to Google his/her own name?
I’ll say my sister, Kristyna [laughing]
What’s the last book your read?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s the best book I’ve ever read, I’ve read it a few times.
Where would you go in a time machine?
Back to when I was small because things were different then. When you’re small you don’t have to worry about many things. Now the life with tennis, it’s a little bit different. I would go back to when I was five years old.
If you could replay one match what would it be?
I would want to replay more than one match but if I could choose one it would be Birmingham. [Karolina recently lost in the final of the Aegon Classic in Birmingham to
Angelique Kerber 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(4)]
Karolina Pliskova
What’s been the proudest moment in your life?
Everyone was saying "you’re good, you can be top 50" but not top 20 or top 15. I never thought that I would be No.11.
What’s your favourite court?
Any hard court – that’s my favourite surface. The tournament I’m in love with is Melbourne – Australian Open.
What’s your earliest memory of Wimbledon?
It was 2010 – the first time I played juniors, I didn’t play really well. My sister won the juniors, so I stayed the whole week supporting her.
Who were your idols growing up?
I was watching always Martina Hingis, Monica Seles and sisters Williams. I was watching a lot of tennis. Marat Safin was my idol.
What’s the most important piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
It was from Billie Jean King. We were playing World Team Tennis one year in the States and she was trying to help me and my sister. The main thing she said was just work on every point and work hard every day.
What’s your biggest strength?
I’m calm, not under stress. I think this is really helping me to play the bigger matches on the big stages so I don’t feel the pressure as much.
What do miss most when you’re travelling?
I don’t really miss anything. I quite like travelling and I’m sometimes going with my family as well so I see them quite often.
Wimbledon in three words?
Amazing. Traditional. Lots of things to see.
