Nicole Vaidišová
5.9.2008
(* 23rd April 1989, Norimberk) is Czech professional tennis player, currently top ranked Czech woman player in WTA (Women's Tennis Association).
She begun playing tennis when she was six and her coach was her stepfather Alex Kodat. Among others she was trained at well known Nick Bolletieri's academy. She is right-handed,a plays two-handed backhand and her biggest weapon is considered to be her serve. She speaks fluent Czech, English, German and is learning French.
Vaidišová debuted in 2003 on ITF circuit where she won three tournaments without losing a single set. Her second victory was in February 2004 in Columbus.
She debuted in March 2004 in Acapulco On WTA circuit, where she advanced to the quarterfinals. She won first title in August 2004 in Vancouver, which was only her third WTA tournament and she defeated four out of five top players. In the age of 15 she became sixth youngest winner of WTA tournament in history. In October 2004, as 103rd player, she won her second title in Taskent tournament and advanced up to 72nd place. She ended as 77th player on the ladder in 2004 season. Even thought she succeded among adults in her 14 years, we shouldn't forget to mention that she played final in Junior Australian Open in January 2004.
In April 2005 she advanced between 50 best players in WTA and won her first match against player from top 10 when in 2nd round she defeated 6th player Anastasia Myskinova in three sets. In October 2005 she triuphed on three tournaments in three weeks in Seoul, Tokio and Bangkok where she won 15 matches in row. She was sixth woman in history, who won 5 WTA tournaments before she was 17 years old. She finished season 2005 as 15th player on the ladder.
In May 2006 Nicole won her sixth tournament in Strasbourg. On Grand Slam French Open in June 2006 she reached semifinals, when she overwhelmed the top player Amélie Mauresmo, and Venus Williams in quarterfinals. During her debut on tournament in Stanford she advanced to semifinals where she was defeated 7:5, 6:2 No. 1 player and winner Kim Clijsters. After her success in San Diego Vaidisova climbed from No. 12 to 9 in world ranking and for the first time she was part of Top 10 and became 12th youngest player in history, at that time she was exactly 17 years, 3 months and 2 weeks old. In qarterfinals match at Kremlin Cup in Moscow, she dominated over Amélie Mauresmo when she was able to turn around unfavourable state 1:6, 2:5 and played well against three matchballs. Unfortunatelly in semifinals she lost to Nadia Petrova. On US Open she lost in third round when she was defeated by Jelena Janković. She finished season as No. 10 in world ranking.
She begun year 2007 successfully, reached semifinals in both Sydney (lost to Janković) and Australian Open (lost to the winner Serena Williams), this helped her to move up to No. 9 WTA ranking. Later she advanced to quarterfinals in Tier 1 in Indian Wells and in Miami. Later, she led the team to victory against Slovakia 5:0. Unfortunatelly because of her wirst injury, she couldn't play in Berlin, Roma and Strasbourg. But she was able to advance to quarterfinals in Roland Garros where she lost to Jelena Janković 6:3 and 7:5. On Wimbledon Nicole showed that she is great tennis player, defeated last year champion Amélie Mauresmo but following round lost to Ana Ivanović while she didn't win with three matchnballs.
Becouse of mononucleosis she couldn't play in Fed Cup and also in tournaments in America so she felt a little on the ladder in world ranking. Still she had a good return, after one month break and she advanced to 3rd round on US Open. On her next tournament she reached semifinals, defeated No. 3 player Jelena Janković and after long, exhausting battle lost to No. 1 player Justin Henin 3:6, 6:3, 7:5. Later on she got to semifinals in Linz. She was forced to drop out in next tournament in first round because of her wrist injury. Even though, Nicole finished the year on very nice 12th position in world ranking and showed she belongs among top players.
Nicole's appearance on Olympic Games in Beijing wasn't her best. The first set Nicole played well but in second, she let Alizé break through her service quiet few times and this had to be punished. She was defeated in the first round by Alizé Cornet in three sets 4:6, 6:1, 6:4.
Vaidišová is a face of Reebok and has been featured in their "I Am What I Am" and "Run Easy" campaigns. She also endorses Citizen Watch Co., Ltd and its Eco-Drive design. An avid reader, Vaidišová is part of the "Get Caught Reading Campaign" to encourage people to read more. She has taken part in other philanthropic causes, such as becoming an ambassador for PlayPumps International, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing clean drinking water to African children.
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