Few places offer a better opportunity to spot future tennis champions than the Wimbledon qualifying tournament at Roehampton’s Bank of England Sports Centre. Many players begin their ascent into the sport’s elite here.
Last year, Czech player Marketa Vondrousova was seen among the spectators, not competing. After undergoing a second wrist surgery nearly two months prior, she was on a six-month break. Vondrousova traveled from the Czech Republic as a tourist, supporting her best friend and doubles partner, Miriam Kolodziejova, ahead of her wedding.
A year later, Vondrousova returned to win the Wimbledon title. Reflecting on her previous trip, she said, “We did some sightseeing and shopping. It was just a normal vacation, but I would have never dreamed of this moment.”
Vondrousova’s triumph highlights the unpredictable journey of a tennis player. She is the first unseeded Wimbledon women’s champion and had previously struggled on grass, making her victory one of the biggest surprises in recent years. Yet, her potential was always evident.
A former junior No. 1, Vondrousova was one of the first of her generation to break into the top 100 and join the main tour. She won her first title at 17, capturing attention by winning a WTA 250 event in Biel, Switzerland, from qualifying while ranked No. 233. Two years later, she reached the French Open final at 19.
Vondrousova is 11 days younger than last year’s Wimbledon champion, Elena Rybakina, but she had been ahead in their early careers. While Vondrousova played in the 2019 French Open final against Ash Barty, Rybakina lost in the first round after qualifying for her first grand slam tournament.
Vondrousova’s progress has been hampered by two wrist surgeries, one shortly after her French Open run, and by a lack of confidence and winning mentality in matches. Her flat performance in the 2019 French Open final was disappointing, even though Barty later became world No. 1.
Two years later, Vondrousova excelled on the hard courts of Tokyo, defeating Naomi Osaka and Elina Svitolina on her way to the Olympic gold medal match. Despite having everything needed to win, she lacked the mental toughness to clinch the final against Belinda Bencic.
Inconsistency has marked Vondrousova’s career. The 24-year-old reached the Wimbledon final with only one WTA title, having lost four consecutive finals before her recent victory. Her tendency to falter in big moments frustrated those around her.
After her Wimbledon win, Vondrousova recalled a conversation with her mother following a doubles final loss in Berlin this year, her seventh consecutive defeat in a WTA final in singles and doubles. “My mom was so upset. She told me: ‘I don’t want [you] to be second all the time.’ I was like: ‘OK, Mom, we’ll try today.’”
Vondrousova won Wimbledon without a clothing sponsor. Nike chose not to renew her contract last year, which motivated her. “It was sad when it ended, but I thought: ‘I’ll show them I’m good. I’ll play well and see what happens.’ It drove me here.”
Now that she has reached this milestone, the challenge is to maintain her success and consistently perform at a high level. Her game, characterized by variety and lefty trickery, offers a refreshing contrast to the powerful, first-strike players at the top. With her delicate touch and strategic play, Vondrousova can be difficult to beat while also possessing the firepower to compete with stronger hitters. However, sustaining her position among the elite is a challenge that has only just begun.
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