Karolina Pliskova can confidently lay claim to being the busiest women in tennis.

Less than two weeks after crowning a season in which she played more matches (79) than any other player by teaming up with Barbora Strycova to earn the decisive point in the Czech Republic’s Fed Cup victory over Russia, Pliskova was jetting off to India to compete in the International Premier Tennis League.

This marks the start of the 23-year-old’s preparation for the new season, a season in which many will expect her to start challenging for the game’s biggest prizes.

Already a regular in the winners’ circle on tour – she has four WTA titles to her name – Pliskova has found success elusive at the Grand Slams, where she has never been beyond the third round.

“It has been a little pressure from me,” she said ahead of the US Open where she succumbed to qualifier Anna Tatishvili in the opening round. “It was a new thing. I was playing really well at the tournaments before the Grand Slams. Maybe I came a little tired.

“I am seeded now and that is different. I am getting used to it and hopefully next year I will be different.”

Pliskova is very much the prototype for the modern tennis player – a booming serve backed up by equally punchy groundstrokes. This game and her willowy frame have seen parallels drawn with compatriot Petra Kvitova and seven-time major winner Venus Williams.

In her final WTA outing of the year, Pliskova was beaten by the latter in a high-quality Zhuhai final. And despite being pipped in two tight sets, holding her own in such esteemed company bodes well for the future.  

“I’m really happy with the way how I played and happy with the match, but just I wish I could just change the end,” Pliskova said after the final. “I think, and even my coach thinks this, that this was the best week from the whole year like with the way how I played.

“Very happy about this week. Obviously it’s going to help me to start the new season next year.”

Yes, they are! @DreddyTennis @NickKyrgios @BelindaBencic @KaPliskova @Charlymoya @marcelomelo83 #Tenfie #IPTL2 pic.twitter.com/JfFtIuMLOD

— IPTL (@iptl) December 3, 2015