Vaidisova Announces Retirement
Former World No.7 Nicole Vaidisova has decided to curtail her second comeback and officially retire from tennis due to recurring injuries.
Former World No.7 Nicole Vaidisova has decided to curtail her second comeback and officially retire from tennis due to recurring injuries.
How have Angelique Kerber, Karolina Pliskova, Simona Halep and the rest of the Indian Wells contenders fared in the past?
Dominika Cibulkova’s boldest decision has a touch of romance to it.
She and her then-boyfriend, Miso Navara, had been dating for a year when they decided that he would leave his job to travel on the tour with her.
“It was after one year, and we didn’t know how it was going to turn out,” she recalls in an exclusive WTA interview.
As she points out, it turned out pretty well: “We are together for seven years, we got married last year and we are one happy couple,” she beamed.
Marriage proved a good omen for the 27-year-old, as she finished the year as the WTA World No.5, her highest year-end ranking. It capped a brilliant run of form for Cibulkova: her four WTA titles in 2016 were more than any other player and she picked up her 400th career WTA win in the quarterfinals at 2017 Doha. And last season, she ended the year in spectacular style, winning the biggest title of her career so far at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.
Cibulkova was marking International Women’s Day, which has ‘Be Bold For Change’ as its 2017 theme.
International Women’s Day falls on March 8 every year, and celebrates women’s contributions to culture, the economy, politics and society.
No.4 seed Kristina Mladenovic reached her fourth quarterfinal of the season with a solid straight sets win over rival Sabine Lisicki at the Citi Open.
Karolina Pliskova talks about her feelings and expectations before the BNP Paribas Open.
Dominika Cibulkova takes on Misaki Doi in the quarterfinals of the Bank of the West Classic.
INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – Former World No.38 Heather Watson got off to a good start on the first day of main draw play at the BNP Paribas Open, surviving a strong challenge from Nicole Gibbs, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, to book an exciting second-round clash with countrywoman and No.11 seed Johanna Konta.
? on the backhand winner from @HeatherWatson92! #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/ZVm80ZFAaF
— WTA (@WTA) March 8, 2017
“The first set was very close; I think I just made a few more errors than I usually do,” she said during her on-court interview. “I tried to go for bigger targets to have bigger margin; I think that worked!”
Watson and Gibbs split their last two encounters, with the Brit recovering from a set down in their most recent meeting at last year’s French Open.
AMAZING pass from @HeatherWatson92! ? #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/VJXe1wXpp9
— WTA (@WTA) March 8, 2017
“I’m good friends with Nicole off the court,” added Watson. “She’s a great player, and her strengths lie in her grit and fight on the court. I knew she’d be fighting her hardest no matter what today, so I just had to make sure that I was playing well and fighting back.”
Unseeded in Indian Wells, the 24-year-old had yet to win a WTA main draw match in 2017. She nonetheless roared back from a set down against Gibbs, hitting 26 winners to 15 from her American opponent to advance in one hour and 49 minutes.
Up next for Watson is a familiar face and Fed Cup teammate in Konta; the pair won a decisive doubles rubber just three weeks ago to clinch a spot in World Group II Play-Offs for Great Britain.
.@HeatherWatson92 finishes a great rally in style! #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/klBqgXrUlq
— WTA (@WTA) March 8, 2017
“Jo’s another good friend of mine; we just played Fed Cup together,” said Watson. “She’s playing brilliantly; she’s really shot up in the last year and a half. I look forward to it, and look forward to the challenge.”
Konta hasn’t played a match since, withdrawing from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships due to a left foot injury.
Over on Stadium 2, Monica Niculescu also came back from a set down to knock out fellow Romanian Sorana Cirstea, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. Niculescu next plays No.15 seed Timea Bacsinszky.
Venus Williams takes on Catherine Bellis in the quarterfinals of the Bank of the West Classic.
Ahead of the first Premier Mandatory event of 2017, the top seeds at the BNP Paribas Open convened on All-Access Hour to meet the press and answer questions about World No.1 Serena Williams’ withdrawal, who Agnieszka Radwanska would vote for in wtatennis.com’s Shot Of The Month presented by Cambridge Global Payments poll, and more from the Indian Wells Tennis Garden…
.@Simona_Halep stumped when asked to share something that no one knows about her. Says able to practice pain free, will see in matches. pic.twitter.com/GoulCpfs9E
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2017
Simona Halep
On the impact of Serena’s withdrawal…
I heard she is struggling with the knees, so I understand. After she won the Australian Open she can take a long time off. She will come back at Roland Garros and she will probably win!
On how her personality helps and hurts her game…
I think I struggle with the confidence a little bit. And then on the other side I’m ambitious. And very competitive.
On her decision to play Romania’s next Fed Cup tie against Great Britain…
I think we play in my hometown. It will be great. I said I will play even if I have pain. I spoke with Ilie Nastase and told him I am coming. It will be nice. I can’t wait to be on court with him as a captain. It will be a nice experience and hopefully we can win.
“How's life going for you?” @ARadwanska: “Good. Getting old.” Table laughs. Celebrated her b-day at Cheesecake Factory. “10 year tradition”. pic.twitter.com/f2Cg1gpq4J
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2017
Agnieszka Radwanska
On her toughest competition in the hot shot department…
Kirsten Flipkens. I think she is very good at those shots. Sometimes I thougth she’s gonna win, but then my shots are still better from the fans but if I had to pick, sometimes I’d pick her shots.
On celebrating her birthday in Indian Wells at The Cheesecake Factory…
That’s the tradition. Since 10 years. It’s the 10th year in the Cheesecake Factory. Different cheesecake every time. Oreo is the best one.
.@KaPliskova says she usually declines photoshoots. “I just want to play good tennis. That's the goal. I don't need to be in every magazine” pic.twitter.com/YkOJizjsXQ
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2017
Karolina Pliskova
On avoiding a potential third round clash with her sister Kristyna thanks to Serena’s withdrawal…
I was kind of happy. We were supposed to meet in the third round, so she would have to win two tough matches and me one, so it was not sure that we were gonna play but it’s definitely better to be in the place that I am now.
On what would mean more to her, titles or wins over certain players…
Pliskova: Definitely both titles and some players, which we all know there are some players I don’t like to play. We all know that.
WTA Insider: You mean Aga?
Pliskova: Yeah that’s the one. So I just want to beat those players which I don’t feel comfortable on the court. And then still, it’s the titles. Doesn’t matter which titles, it’s still always a good title, a good week. It gives me a lot of confidence coming to the next tournament. I just want to try at every tournament. I think I have a good chance every week. Doesn’t matter which tournament, doesn’t matter which surface – obviously clay gonna be difficult – I just want to try. Out of four tournaments I made two finals. So I think I have a good chance every week.
On getting offers for photoshoots and magazine spreads back home…
I usually say no to everything. I just don’t need this stuff. I was not raised this way. I just want to play good tennis. For me, that’s the main goal. I don’t need to be in any magazine.
.@SvetlanaK27 holding court. #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/pRgJ5oqHep
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2017
Svetlana Kuznetsova
On whether tournaments are more open with the absence of Serena, Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova, and Petra Kvitova…
For sure it’s a shame for the fans and it’s great to see all these great players playing. But I’m not sure if it’s that open because I believe tennis these past years the level raised a lot. All matches are so difficult. It doesn’t matter who is playing. It’s so difficult to win. Yes, it’s less great players. But still the players are getting better and better and I just look forward for all those players to get back and have those great fields again.
Zheng Saisai had Friday’s shot of the day at the Bank of the West Classic.