Karolina Pliskova's fans will not get to see the former WTA world No. 1 during the opening two months of the 2025 season because of an injury.
Pliskova was one of the most consistent players on the WTA Tour for several years. From 2016 until 2021, she finished in the year-end Top 10, showing her ability to play at a high level throughout the entire season.
The Czech's most notable achievements are reaching two Grand Slam finals. She finished as the runner-up to Angelique Kerber at the 2016 US Open after beating the now-retired tennis legend Serena Williams in the semifinal at her home major tournament.
Pliskova's second Grand Slam final came almost five years later at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships. Ashleigh Barty defeated her in a thrilling final and retired from tennis less than a year later at the age of 25 after losing motivation.
Although Pliskova could not get over the line in either Grand Slam final, she became the world No. 1 in 2017 and also claimed two WTA 1000 titles at the 2016 Cincinnati Open and 2019 Italian Open, as well as reaching five other finals at that level.
However, losing the Wimbledon final seems to have had a significant impact on Pliskova. After finishing in the Top 10 from 2016 until 2021, she ended 2022 and 2023 outside the world's Top 30.
Pliskova had a brief revival in January and February this year after the Australian Open. The former US Open finalist won her first title in over four years at the Transylvania Open in Cluj-Napoca, followed the next week by a run to the semifinal of the Qatar Open.
The Czech's level dropped again afterward, and it has now been revealed that she suffered with an ankle injury for several months before that problem became more severe at the US Open, meaning she could not play for the rest of 2024.
In an interview with the Czech outlet Idnes, Pliskova revealed she plans to return in March during the North American hardcourt swing but acknowledged a setback before then to delay that date was possible. That means she won't be playing at the 2025 Australian Open.
"I can’t run yet and we’re still a long way from tennis. Even though I was under injections. It just started, I just jumped up in New York and that was it. Both of my tendons ruptured and they had to do some ligaments."
"The subsequent treatment also became more complicated. I got an infection twice, I had two antibiotics. It didn’t look good. It just took a long time for everything to heal."
"I don’t want to rush anything. I already made a mistake with my hand – I played in pain for a month and a half, and I still didn’t win anything. It makes no sense. So I’ll take the protected ranking and come back in March for Indian Wells and Miami. Of course, unless there’s another hitch."
Although Pliskova's level in the last two years has not been what it once was, 32 is not old for a tennis player in the modern game, and she could still return to a high level when she returns.
0 Comments