Tennis News

The boldest decision Karolina Pliskova ever made came at a very young age.

She was 12 – and she made the choice to focus on tennis rather than education.

“I decided to start with tennis and quit with school,” she said in an exclusive WTA interview. “I didn’t study at all, I just put everything into the tennis and it worked.”

It proved a wise decision for the 24-year-old, who turned pro just five years later, in 2009. After reaching her maiden Grand Slam final at the US Open in 2016, she has taken her game to a new level this year and has two 2017 titles to her name already, at the Brisbane International in January and the Qatar Total Open in Doha last month. Her success in Brisbane saw her reach a career-high No.3 in the WTA rankings on January 30.

Pliskova’s comments mark 2017 International Women’s Day, the theme of which is ‘Be Bold For Change’.

International Women’s Day falls on March 8 every year, and celebrates women’s achievements in culture, the economy, politics and society.

The boldest decision of Agnieszka Radwanska’s life was one with which many people will sympathise. It came when she was 19 years old -and decided to leave her parents’ house for a home of her own.

“The toughest decision in my life was moving out from home,” she revealed in an exclusive WTA interview. Looking back, she believes it was a great choice, which helped her to learn to become more independent.

“When I moved out I started a new life and made my own decisions in my own home,” she added.

Radwanska’s reflections mark the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day – ‘Be Bold For Change’.

The WTA World No.6, who celebrated her 28th birthday on Monday, is on a run of six consecutive WTA Top 10 year-end finishes. She soared up the rankings after turning pro in 2005 and enjoyed success at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global in 2015. In addition, she was a finalist at Wimbledon in 2012 and has accumulated 20 WTA singles titles.

International Women’s Day falls on March 8 every year, and celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

Dominika Cibulkova’s boldest decision has a touch of romance to it. 

She and her then-boyfriend, Miso Navara, had been dating for a year when they decided that he would leave his job to travel on the tour with her.

“It was after one year, and we didn’t know how it was going to turn out,” she recalls in an exclusive WTA interview.

As she points out, it turned out pretty well: “We are together for seven years, we got married last year and we are one happy couple,” she beamed.

Marriage proved a good omen for the 27-year-old, as she finished the year as the WTA World No.5, her highest year-end ranking. It capped a brilliant run of form for Cibulkova: her four WTA titles in 2016 were more than any other player and she picked up her 400th career WTA win in the quarterfinals at 2017 Doha. And last season, she ended the year in spectacular style, winning the biggest title of her career so far at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.

Cibulkova was marking International Women’s Day, which has ‘Be Bold For Change’ as its 2017 theme.

International Women’s Day falls on March 8 every year, and celebrates women’s contributions to culture, the economy, politics and society.

 INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – As one might expect, there are plenty of players working hard on the practice court as Indian Wells gets under way – and they’re certainly enjoying the views.

Nice view from the office @BNPPARIBASOPEN ???Тренировка с видом??? #indianwells pic.twitter.com/TMq0WiI6R5

— Elena Vesnina (@EVesnina001) March 8, 2017

Lara Arruabarrena is soaking in the sights as well.

Not many places better than this one to play some tennis. Hello from the desert?? pic.twitter.com/ifBYwwcPHH

— Lara Arruabarrena (@laraarrua) March 8, 2017

Simona Halep is toiling away under the sun and watchful eye of coach Darren Cahill – and taking on the tough task of two opponents at once.

Double trouble for @Simona_Halep. That @darren_cahill forehand still has some stick. #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/INxQXpSs9b

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 7, 2017

There was still time for a bit of fun, though. For starters, WTA Insider Courtney Nguyen was out and about with players in a most unorthodox way – riding around on a golf cart.

Elina Svitolina shared her excitement for the week ahead.

Golf carting with 13-match win-streaker @ElinaSvitolina @BNPPARIBASOPEN. pic.twitter.com/u0B9nLY0xN

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 7, 2017

 Timea Bacsinszky confessed her “blonde moment”. 

Golf carting with @TimeaOfficial, who explains why she had a bit of a “blonde moment” this morning. #creds #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/mXKbrpvyJA

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 7, 2017

And Barbora Strycova talked about suffering from jetlag.

Last golf cart of the day with @BaraStrycova talking about life, love, and home improvement. Get some sleep, Bara! pic.twitter.com/JELl5rRrrR

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2017

Lauren Davis took some time out to try out a relaxing yoga session.

And Zhang Shuai smiled for the cameras in a photo shoot for the Tennis Channel.

And there’s no better way than to end the day having dinner with your best girls in Indian Wells – and Kristina Mladenovic got her posse of famous friends to synchronize their footwork.

Dinner with the girls in Indian Wells!? @DKasatkina @PutintsevaYulia @Daria_gav @BelindaBencic @anakonjuh pic.twitter.com/0y0ENFwEnZ

— Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) March 8, 2017