Pliskova after Wimbledon: It's over after the US Open, defe…
Plíšková: It hurts, but it goes on. Will the US Open decide the end?
Former world number one Karolína Plíšková lost to Iga Świątek at Wimbledon and admitted that her body is already reporting a break. Still, he's moving on - at least to New York. What awaits her and why is this choice so difficult?
Karolína Plíšková left Wimbledon 2024 defeated, where she was stopped in two sets by defending champion Iga Świątek. It was another blow for the Czech in a series of failures on grass, where she has not been doing well in recent years. Nevertheless, she did not put down her racket for good - she decided to continue at least until the US Open, where she wants to find out if she has one more peak in her.
Plíšková admitted that the body is already reporting a break. "I know it's taking a toll on me physically, but the motivation is still there," she said after the loss. " Her last Grand Slam quarterfinal came in 2021 at the Australian Open, she has not reached such a stage since.
Wimbledon was another proof that the top form is gone - she only managed four games against Świątek. The US Open is approaching, and Plíšková now faces a difficult decision. "I don't know yet if this will be my last tournament, but I want to try it," she said.
"If I feel like I'm ready there, I'll go for it. " Her next steps depend on how she handles the preparation and whether she manages to overcome the painful moments that accompany her recently. Plíšková has a twenty-year career, during which she was twice world number one and won 17 WTA titles.
However, the last year has been accompanied by injuries and irregular results. Her coach Jan Stočes talks about "one last attempt at a big comeback": "Karolína knows that she doesn't have much time left to try. " What's next?
If Plíšková actually goes to New York, she will have a tough preparation ahead of her. Her last Grand Slam build-up was marred by back pain that forced her to cut back on training. "I have to decide if I can do it physically and mentally," she said.
The US Open starts on August 26 - until then she has two weeks to clear her position. In recent months, Pliskova has been struggling with chronic pain in her right shoulder, which she brought on during the Australian Open 2024. The medical team recommended a six-week break, which she eventually shortened to three weeks in order to prepare for the US Open.
"It hurts, but I can suppress it," she admitted. " Her decision to continue to New York also has a strategic dimension. The US Open is the only Grand Slam where she has not lost in the first round.
In 2016, 2018 and 2020, she advanced to the quarterfinals there, but each time ended up on the racket of the later finalists. She could have a chance to atone for those defeats this year, especially if she can overcome her weaker form on grass and clay. Pliskova emphasized at the press conference that it is not just about tennis: "This is a question of identity for me.
When I stopped playing due to injury in 2022, I felt lost. " Her words reflect the pressure she is under - not only as an athlete, but also as a symbol of Czech tennis. Her next steps will depend on how she handles the preparatory tournaments in Cincinnati and Montreal.
Both are US Open warm-up events and will give her a final indication of whether her form is good enough. If she could at least make it to the second round, it could strengthen her resolve to continue. Otherwise, she might prefer to end her career to avoid another humiliating appearance.
Pliskova suffers not only from physical fatigue, but also from psychological distress. In recent months, she has been accompanied by doubts as to whether it still makes sense to continue. "When I was healthy, I was dangerous on the court.
Now I have to fight with the fact that I have become vulnerable," she admitted. Her words show how difficult it is to accept the change of role from favorite to outsider, especially when health complications are added to it. Analysts point out that Plíšková is not the only veteran who has recently faced similar dilemmas.
An example can be Serena Williams, who ended her career at the age of 41, or Venus Williams, who is still playing, although her results no longer correspond to her former dominance. Plíšková finds herself in the situation of many female athletes who have to balance the desire for further success with the reality of declining physical strength. Her decision to continue to the US Open may also be the last act of trying to keep her place in the elite ten of the world classification.
She was currently outside the top 20, and to return to the top twenty, she would need at least a quarter-final appearance. That, too, is why there is hope - and why her fans hope to see her in full force again. Read at iDnes Sport
Why this matters
When the former world number one opens up about her physical and mental struggles, she gives a behind-the-scenes look at elite sport. With her openness, Plíšková shows how difficult it is to accept the end of a career that has been synonymous with dominance for so long. Her decision to continue to the US Open is not only a sporting issue, but also a personal one - and for fans, it represents the last chance to see her on the court at full strength. At the same time, her case reveals the pressures female veterans face as they try to stay on top in an era where careers are shortening and physical demands are increasing. With her approach, Plíšková demonstrates that the end of a career is not only about results, but also about identity and meaning.
Frequently asked
Why doesn't Pliskova quit right after Wimbledon?
Plíšková wants to see if she has one more big chance. The US Open is her last Grand Slam opportunity of the season, and if she feels ready there, she will go all out. Her motivation stems from the desire to prove to herself that she is still among the best, despite her physical limitations.
What is her record against Świątek?
Plíšková and Świątek have met five times in their careers, with Świątek winning all of the matches. The last mutual duel on grass at Wimbledon 2024 ended 6:1, 6:2 for the Polish woman. For Plíšková, it was another reminder of how difficult it is to compete with the current world number one.
What are her greatest achievements?
Plíšková was twice world number one in singles and won 17 WTA titles, including two Grand Slam finals (US Open 2016, Wimbledon 2021). Her career was also marked by health problems, but she is still among the most successful Czech tennis players in history.
What is Pliskova's relationship with the US Open?
The US Open is an important tournament for Plíšková – in 2016, she won her first Grand Slam title there. At the same time, it is the last Grand Slam of the season, where he can make up for this year's unsuccessful results and show that he has one more peak in him.
What are his chances of a comeback?
The chances are minimal, but not zero. Plíšková has experience and a game built on a power serve and an aggressive style that can still work on the hard surface of the US Open. However, her physical condition and comparison with today's players speaks rather against her.
What preparatory tournaments await her before the US Open?
Plíšková should play in two preparatory tournaments: the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati and the National Bank Open in Montreal. Both events are warm-up events for the US Open and will give her a final indication of whether her form is good enough for the Grand Slam.
