Vondrousova was never deemed a significant contender for the championship, let alone a menace to the leading players on the circuit.
If you currently search for Marketa Vondrousova’s 2022 Wimbledon outcomes, you’ll find none on Google. Merely twelve months ago, the Czech athlete was still recuperating from surgery on her left hand’s wrist, with her arm encased in a cast. However, despite her personal hindrances, she traveled to London to support her friend, Swedish player Mirjam Bjorklund, who was participating in the qualifiers for the first time.
Fast forward a year, and Vondrousova has inscribed her name into Wimbledon’s historical records with a remarkable 6-4, 6-4 triumph over the No.6 seed, Ons Jabeur. On a monumental Saturday, within the iconic Centre Court, Vondrousova achieved an unprecedented feat in the Open Era – she became the first unseeded women’s singles player to secure the prestigious Venus Rosewater Dish.
Vondrousova was never regarded as a genuine contender for the championship, let alone a menace to the leading players on the tour. Her lackluster performance on grass courts leading up to the All England Club only bolstered this perception. After a disappointing third-round departure in Berlin and withdrawal from the Eastbourne International due to injury, her chances appeared slim.
In fact, her previous best result at Wimbledon was merely a second-round appearance in 2021, following three consecutive first-round exits from 2017 to 2019.
However, Vondrousova surpassed all expectations and astonished everyone as she emerged triumphant from the upper half of the draw. She accomplished this remarkable feat by defeating four seeded players in six matches, with her most demanding victory occurring against the formidable world no.4, Jessica Pegula, in the quarterfinals. Notably, this win marked her first-ever victory against a top-five player on grass.
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Who is Marketa Vondrousova?
Vondrousova, a 24-year-old from the Czech Republic, comes from a sports-oriented family in the western region of the country. Her maternal grandfather was a national pentathlon champion, while her mother excelled as a professional volleyball player.
Having attained the prestigious world No. 1 ranking during her junior career, Vondrousova wasted no time making an impact on the professional tour. At the tender age of 19, she reached the final of the French Open, only to be defeated by Australia’s Ashleigh Barty in straight sets. Unfortunately, a series of injuries then hindered her progress, preventing her from reaching another grand-slam final in her career.
Nevertheless, Vondrousova’s journey has been incredibly remarkable.
The southpaw is a formidable adversary, possessing an uncanny ability to effortlessly return even the most accurate serve on either side of the court. Their game combines mastery from the baseline and cleverly executed drop shots, making them an unpredictable force to be reckoned with. Overcoming Vondrousova requires a substantial amount of mental and physical endurance.
