A nice piece from the os wta...

November 21, 2007

Nicole Vaidisova

Nicole Spices Up Latin America

Ever since she burst onto the scene as a fresh faced teenager, Czech starlet Nicole Vaidisova has gained a reputation as not only one of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour's brightest young stars, but also as one of the game's most active supporters and promoters.

This reputation was further enhanced this November, as Vaidisova embarked on a three-city Reebok Tour of Central and South America. The first stop off was Panama City, where the 18-year-old spent two days carrying out tennis clinics, community events, in-store autograph sessions, photo shoots and press conferences. She followed her visit to Panama with two-day visits to Lima and Santiago, the capital cities of Peru and Chile respectively, where she took part in further events within the community to help promote tennis within the regions.

Vaidisova first came to prominence when, as a 15-year-old qualifier, she won her maiden Tour title in Vancouver. This spectacular showing was followed up by an even more impressive feat, when she became one of only three players in Tour history to win two events in her rookie year. The following season brought with it even more success for the teenage sensation, as she won three consecutive Tour titles, in Seoul, Tokyo and Bangkok. The past two seasons have seen the 18-year-old transform these performances onto the greatest stage, reaching semifinals at Roland Garros and the Australian Open and earlier this year she climbed to a career-high world ranking of No.7.

With her marketable looks and personality Vaidisova has featured regularly in Reebok's numerous advertising campaigns over the past few years. Most recently the current world No.12 starred in the company's "Run Easy" advert, in which she starred alongside basketball legend Allen Iverson, Barcelona football star Thierry Henry and Olympic track and field gold medalist Carolina Klüft.

Only registered users can see links on this board! Get registred or enter the forums!

Vaidisova heads field for Australian hardcourt tennis tournament

SYDNEY (AFP) - Czech star Nicole Vaidisova is among eight of the world's top 20 players confirmed for the Australian Women's Hardcourt Tennis Championships next month, organisers said Friday.

Vaidisova, who reached the semi-finals of this year's Sydney International and Australian Open, will be joined by Russia's Nadia Petrova (14).

Petrova, a finalist in the 2004 event, has reached the quarter-finals or better in 10 events and won this year's Paris Indoors.

Compatriot Dinara Safina (15) will be back to defend her title along with another former champion, Switzerland's Patty Schnyder (16).

Two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No.1 Amelie Mauresmo (18) of France will use the hardcourts to prepare for January's Australian Open.

Among others taking part are 18-year-old Agnes Szavay (19) of Hungary, one of the most improved players on this year's WTA Tour after beginning the season ranked 189.

Rounding out the top 20 players are Israeli Shahar Peer (17) and Austria's Sybille Bammer (20).

The 175,000 US-dollar tournament will be held at Royal Pines Resort on Queensland's Gold Coast from December 30 to January 5.

WTA Tour - Q & A: Nicole Vaidisova

Nicole Vaidisova wants to forget about an injury-filled 2007 season and is already looking forward to her biggest challenge of 2008, the Beijing Olympics.

The 18-year-old Vaidisova started the season at 10th in the WTA rankings, but finished 12th at the end of the year.

The Czech's injury troubles in 2007 were as follows: a split finger during an exhibition in Hong-Kong in January, an injured right wrist in April that kept her out of much of the clay season, a case of glandular fever in July that kept her out of play for nearly two months between Wimbledon and the US Open, a problem with the ligaments in her left knee in September, and another injury to her right wrist in October.

She is clearly hoping that 2008 will be a more healthy year than 2007:

Q: Nicole, have you started training for the new season?

NV: I have been building fitness since last week and I have just started actual tennis training a few days ago.

Q: I heard you have a new fitness coach. Is he strict?

NV: Yes, but I need that. (laughs)

Q: Tell me something about his training methods.

NV: I had not been doing anything for four weeks so we were starting practically from scratch. I mainly do a lot of jogging, sprinting, squatting, and gym work. Nothing unusual but a lot of practice.

Q: As for tennis, are you working on anything special with your father Ales Kodat?

NV: We have some points which show themselves in unsuccessful matches that I need to improve on. I don't want to talk about the main one but in general those are the technically-tactical things - going to the net or positioning on the court.

Q: What about your health?

NV: I am tired from the fitness training but apart from it I am absolutely fine. (laugh)

Q: So that is a change from what was otherwise a really unsuccessful year in terms of injuries. Are you happy that the season is over?

NV: To be honest, yes I am. I was happy to see the season over. I am looking forward to moving away from it and having a new start. I hope the next year will be better than this one. And I am working hard to make that happen.

Q: Has there been anything positive that stuck in your memory from 2007?

NV: It was a strange year. I had a great start, reaching the semi-finals of Australian Open, I played well at French Open after the wrist injury. I don't have only negative memories of this year, it was more like up and down.

Q: Many people predict you to be a main star in 2008, what are you objectives?

NV: I have just one objective, to go through the season without being injured or ill.

Q: What about returning to Top 10, a Grand Slam final or taking part in one of the Masters Cup events?

NV: Of course, I have an idea in my head what I would like to achieve. But that can be achievable only if I stay fit. Now it is useless to speak about it.

Q: Are you looking forward to the Olympic Games in Beijing?

NV: Enormously. The Olympic Games are one of the 2008 events where I am most looking forward to play.

Q: A lot of tennis players don't want to take part in it. Have you considered not playing there?

NV: Not at all. I would rather miss other tournaments than the Olympics. I love the tradition and the fact that you don't play just for yourself, that you also play for your country.

Q: The chances of winning the gold medal there might be open as Justine Henin is considering skipping the event. Why do you think she is ruling the tennis world in such style?

NV: Of course she has unbelievable strokes, but foremost, she is a big fighter. How she plays under pressure, in critical situations, that is simply unique.

Q: You are saying that you want to be the world number one in the future. So, would you like to have Justine Henin's fighting spirit and psyche?

NV: I would not like anything from her. (laughs) I would like if I personally make improvements.

Q: So, what are you lacking, except the points, to be like Justine?

NV: (laughs) Probably a sense of how to solve some exact situations on the court. But we are working hard on that. We need a little luck, for me to be fit and hard work. Then we will see.

Vasek Kadlec translated from Sport / Eurosport