Karolina Pliskova before the final of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, WTA Stuttgart 2018
Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic before the final at the 2018 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix

‘Big motivation’ | Pliskova talks about driving licences, and getting into trouble for swearing in press

By Ros Satar, in Stuttgart

  • Karolina Pliskova wins the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix – but still has not got a driving licence
  • Describes her feelings about facing twin sister Kristyna in Prague next week, in the first round
STUTTGART, GERMANY – Karolina Pliskova talked to the press about driving licences, and got herself into trouble again for swearing in her press conferences.

 

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There was a real possibility that the Porsche Tennis Grand prix would see two players contest the finals, neither being actually able to drive the high performance beast on show throughout the tournament.

As it was Caroline Garcia exited at the hands of defeated finalist Coco Vandeweghe but that left Karolina Plsikova, whose prior weekend in the arena helped the Czech Republic to another Fed Cup final.

The semi-final saw her admit that she ‘made a little drama’ in closing out against Anett Kontaveit, but serving at 5-2, the jitters came full force.

She said: “All matches what we played it’s pretty similar. There is always a tiebreak and there is always one break in the set. It’s always tough with her. You have to really like be there mentally to try to get every point even though you are down in the game. I think with her everything is possible.

“So, I went a little bit back and was just trying to everything through rally and I think I was more successful than her today in the rally. The serve was okay, the end was a little bit shaky I would say (laughs) but it’s normal when you are playing, and the car is waiting there.”

Now she has it, what are her plans for actually being able to drive it?

“This is for sure a big motivation to do it but it’s tough with our schedule. So, I was already planning to do it last year, but I’ll try to get it this year maybe. [Kristyna] can drive, she has the licence, but I think she didn’t drive for like two years (laughs).”

Talking of twin sister Kristyna, she will be waiting for her sister in Prague, not as part of a triumphant home coming for the family, especially after having her father coaching her in Stuttgart this week, but as a first round opponent in their home tournament.

She had already landed in a little hot water in her semi-final press conference inadvertently swearing to the amusement of the press and a roll-eyes of the WTA Communications manager. It would only get funnier (or worse, depending on your point of view!)

“I had this in my head since yesterday. It’s the only thing what I’m thinking from yesterday and today, what are we going to do, how are we going to play? So, I think that’s just unfortunate. It’s in Prague.

“Well, thank God it’s not a Grand Slam but still it’s a tournament in Prague, there’s going to be hundreds of people coming to watch and I think the match will look shit – she told me not to say shit anymore (laughs).

“Because when we play together it’s always bad quality because we know each other and there is some pressure and nerves or whatever and I don’t really want to beat my sister. So, that’s how it is. Anyway, I’m just going to try to prepare and we will see.”

Pliskova(s) will play in J&T Banka Open Prague which takes place between 29 April and 5 May.

Main Image: Jimmie48 Tennis Photography

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