Markéta Vondroušová Celebrates Wimbledon Victory and Wedding
Over the weekend, Markéta Vondroušová had plenty to celebrate. On Saturday, she triumphed at the most prestigious tournament, and on Sunday, she tied the knot. “It’s a dream come true,” said Vondroušová at the All England Club.
What has been happening to you since the thrilling final match?
It’s still sinking in, I’m still in shock and don’t know how to process it all. Of course, I’m overjoyed. No one expected this, even though Markéta had a great season. But I’ve noticed a huge mental shift in her. She has improved a lot psychologically. But to win Wimbledon, I definitely didn’t predict that.
How do you observe that she has strengthened her mind?
She demonstrated it perfectly in the final. Playing for the Wimbledon title in this manner? Every game the same, without any slip-ups? Unbelievable. Yes, she made a double fault on the first match point, but on the second, she served an ace and ended the match. With this absolute balance and composure, she won the entire tournament.
And you have become the most famous cat-sitter in the world?
Yes, for the next two days, I guess I will be. It’s fun, but we have to take care of our Frankie. Whenever we go somewhere, we have to have someone look after her. But those are pleasant worries.
With Markéta’s absence, the responsibility falls on you. Who takes care of the cat when you went to London?
We have an excellent and friendly cat-sitter. I messaged her on Thursday evening, and she was already with us on Friday afternoon. That was a great help.
Can Frankie not stay home alone like other cats?
She is not independent at all, on the contrary, she is very sociable and active. She would be very sad if we left her alone.
Does Frankie destroy your furniture?
She almost destroyed the entire apartment. When she has nothing to destroy, we are more at ease.
What words did you say to Markéta before the final?
In the last moment, we didn’t say anything significant. My main goal was for her to enjoy the event, be comfortable, and have fun playing the match. That’s the most important thing for her. When she steps on the court and realizes that tennis is not just work but also fun, she plays her best.
Can she also handle tough losses?
She really loves sports, but it’s not always easy for her to maintain this mindset. Now she managed it, which significantly contributed to her success. She was able to enjoy tennis.
Did you talk during the break in the quarterfinals against Pegula? Markéta was losing 1-3 in the third set and was getting frustrated. How did you help her?
It wasn’t that serious. Markéta said in the press conference in English that we talked on the phone, but we only exchanged messages. And I didn’t give her any profound advice; she could vent to me. She poured out everything that was wrong.
What did you reply?
I wrote to her: “Sure, sure. But I think you’re playing well, and it’s not over yet. Your opponent can also help you because it’s a lot at stake.”
You were right. What else challenges Markéta in tennis?
Markéta is unique in that she doesn’t see tennis as work. She lives it. During a tournament, for example, she plays two matches a day and then watches tennis in the hotel. She enjoys watching other matches.
Does she not have to force herself to train?
No. Her daily life doesn’t feel like a drill. It doesn’t seem like she’s suffering. She wants to play tennis, and she can handle it.
Does she also enjoy other sports?
She enjoys almost all of them, and she’s good at all of them, which is a bit unfair (laughs).
In the Wimbledon final, she showed incredible composure. Does she handle her personal life the same way?
She is phlegmatic, as long as it’s not about competition. Once points and victories start to matter, everything else goes out the window. And things can get heated.
So you have an Italian household?
No, we don’t play anything together to have peace and quiet.
You used to play tennis. Does that help you understand her career a bit more? Do you talk about it?
I played tennis for eighteen years, but I can’t compare or advise her. On the other hand, I have some understanding. I know that after a loss, it’s unpleasant.
How did it go with the racket?
I never lost to Markéta. (laughs) No, I only played at the Czech level until junior tennis.
She mentioned that you had your first wedding anniversary on Sunday. Does it warm your heart to see how everything turned out?
We thought about it. It’s just beautiful. And I remember when we had thoughts about getting married, Markéta had just recovered from her injury. We didn’t know how she would play, if she would ever fully recover. And that she would win Wimbledon a year later? That’s completely incomprehensible to me.
Did Markéta have any dark thoughts during her injury?
At one point, when the injury was being addressed, there was a moment when no one really knew what the future held. Those were very dark moments. The question of whether she would ever come back was hanging in the air.
Did you support her?
I tried. I couldn’t do anything else. And it’s also my, in quotation marks, job as her partner. I tried to encourage her, and maybe it helped.
What else can you reveal about her as a person?
She loves peace and quiet. Some people go to parties, celebrate, or get involved in something with a bunch of friends. Markéta enjoys watching TV shows at home.
That’s why the commotion that arose around her after the Roland Garros final bothered her so much? And won’t it bother her even more now?
Well, it’s not going so well. The hustle and bustle started after the quarterfinals, and after the semifinals, it escalated.O víkendu však spolu mohli slavit radostné chvíle. Sobotní triumf na nejslavnějším turnaji a nedělní výročí svatby. “Nádhera,” řekl otec v All England Clubu.
“Co se s vámi dělo po proměnném finálovém mečbolu?” ptá se novinář.
“Je brzo, zatím jsem v šoku a nevím, jak se mám s tím srovnat. Mám samozřejmě obrovskou radost. Tohle nikdo nečekal, i když Markéta měla výbornou sezonu. Každopádně na ni pozoruji obrovský posun v hlavě. Po psychické stránce se hodně zlepila. Ale že vyhraje Wimbledon, jsem teda netipoval,” odpovídá otec.
“Jak pozorujete, že posílila svou mysl?” ptá se novinář dále.
“Třeba ve finále to předvedla dokonale. Hrát o wimbledonský titul tímto způsobem? Každý game stejný, bez jakéhokoliv výpadku? Nesmírné. Ano, na prvním mečbolu udělala dvojchybu, ale při druhém už šla na síť a ukonila zápas. Touhle absolutní vyrovnaností a klidem si vyhrála celý turnaj,” vysvětluje otec.
“A z vás se stal nejslavnější hlídač koček na světě?” ptá se novinář s úsměvem.
“Jo, tak na dva dny jméno teď asi budu. Je to sranda, ale my starosti s ní máme. Kdykoliv někam vyrazíme, musíme mít hlídání. Ale to jsou příjemné starosti,” odpovídá otec.
“V Markétině nepřítomnosti je péče na vás. Kdo se o mazlíka stará, když jste se vydal do Londýna?” ptá se novinář dále.
“Máme jednu výbornou a vstřícnou paní hlídačku. Napsal jsem jí vše v čtvrtek večer a v pátek odpoledne už byla u nás. To byla velká pomoc,” odpovídá otec.
“Frankie nevydrží sama doma jako jiné kočky?” ptá se novinář.
“Ona vůbec není samostatná, naopak je hrozně společenská a aktivní. Byla by hodně smutná, kdybychom ji nechali opuštěnou,” vysvětluje otec.
“Jakými slovy jste provázel Markétu na finále?” ptá se novinář.
“V poslední chvíli si už nic zásadního neřekneme. Hlavně jsem chtěl, aby si tu událost užila, byla v pohodě a zápas ji bavil. To je pro ni nejdůležitější. Když jde na kurt a uvědomuje si, že tenis není jen práce, ale i zábava, hraje nejlépe,” odpovídá otec.
“Dokáže tak brát i těžké porážky?” ptá se novinář.
“Sport má opravdu ráda, jen není snadné si tohle nastavení vždycky udržet. Teď to podle mě zvládla, což zásadně přispělo k jejímu úspěchu. Dokázala si tenis užívat,” vysvětluje otec.
“Mluvili jste spolu i při přestávce ve čtvrtfinále proti Pegulaové. Markéta ztrácela 1:3 ve třetí sadě, zatahovala se do střechy. Prý jste jí pomohl. Jak?” ptá se novinář.
“Nebylo to tak horké. Markéta sice anglicky na tiskovce říkala, že jsme spolu mluvili po telefonu, ale jen jsme si psali. A nedal jsem jí žádnou světobornou radu, spíš si u mě mohla postěžovat. Vychrlila na mě všechno, co je špatně,” odpovídá otec.
“Co jste odpověděl?” ptá se novinář.
“Napsal jsem jí: Jasně, jasně. Ale myslím, že hraje dobře, a ještě není konec. Soupeřka ti taky může pomoct, protože už jde o hodně,” vysvětluje otec.
“Měl jste pravdu. Co všechno Markétu tenisu obtěžuje?” ptá se novinář.
“Markéta je specifická v tom, že tenis nebere jako práci. Ona jím žije. Na turnaji třeba odehraje dvě utkání za den a v hotelu si pak pustí tenis. Baví ji koukat na ostatní zápasy,” vysvětluje otec.
“Nemusí se nutit do tréninku?” ptá se novinář.
“Ne. Její každodenní život nepůsobí jako dril. Nepřijde mi, že by dělala a trpěla. Chce tenis dělat a zároveň jí jde,” odpovídá otec.
“Má ráda i jiné sporty?” ptá se novinář.
“Má ráda snad všechny a zároveň jí všechny jdou, což je trochu nefér,” směje se otec.
“Ve wimbledonském finále se skvěle ovládala. Zvládá to i v osobním životě?” ptá se novinář.
“Je flegmatická, pokud nejde o nějakou soutěž. Jakmile se začnou počítat body a výhry, jde všechno stranou. A leccos je vyhrocené,” vysvětluje otec.
“Pak máte italskou domácnost?” ptá se novinář.
“Ne, my spolu rádi nic nehrajeme, abychom měli klid,” odpovídá otec.
“Směje se, že jste se tenisu věnoval. Rozumíte díky tomu její kariéře trochu víc? Rozmlouvíte o ní?” ptá se novinář.
“Já hrál o osmnáct rovně n, určitě se s ní nemůžu srovnávat ani radit. Na druhou stranu mám určité pochopení. Vím, že po porážce je člověku nepříjemně,” odpovídá otec.
“Jak vám to šlo s raketou?” ptá se novinář.
“Třeba s Markétou jsem nikdy neprohrál,” směje se otec. “Ne, já hrál do dorostu jen na české úrovni.”
“Zmínila tu, že máte v neděli první výročí svatby. Za
What kind of sacrifices did Markéta have to make in order to maintain her level of dedication and commitment to tennis?
Evenings. She is constantly thinking about tennis, analyzing her opponents’ games, and strategizing. Tennis is not just a sport for her, it’s a passion and a lifestyle. This level of dedication and commitment can sometimes be challenging, as it requires sacrifices and hard work. However, Markéta has shown that she is willing to put in the effort and overcome any obstacles that come her way.
What do you think made the difference for Markéta at Wimbledon this year?
I believe that Markéta’s mental strength played a significant role in her success at Wimbledon. She had a clear focus and determination throughout the tournament, and she maintained her composure even during tough moments. She stayed calm and composed, and this allowed her to make smart decisions and execute her game plan effectively. Additionally, her improved psychological state and belief in herself contributed to her performances. She truly believed that she could win, and that confidence translated onto the court.
How has Markéta’s wedding affected her performance at Wimbledon?
I think Markéta’s wedding actually had a positive effect on her performance at Wimbledon. It gave her a sense of joy and happiness, and this positivity carried over onto the court. Sometimes, athletes perform their best when they are in a good emotional state, and getting married was undoubtedly a joyful event for Markéta. It provided her with an extra boost of motivation and happiness, which she channeled into her matches. Overall, I believe that Markéta’s wedding added to her overall sense of fulfillment and contributed to her success at Wimbledon.
What’s next for Markéta after Wimbledon and her wedding?
After such a monumental week, Markéta will definitely take some time to rest and celebrate her achievements. She deserves to enjoy this moment and reflect on her incredible journey. However, I’m sure she will soon be back on the court, continuing to train and work towards her future goals. Markéta is a dedicated and hardworking athlete, and I have no doubt that she will continue to strive for success in her tennis career.
Is there anything else you’d like to add about Markéta’s Wimbledon victory and wedding?
I just want to reiterate how incredible Markéta’s achievements are. Winning Wimbledon is a dream come true for any tennis player, and to do so while also celebrating your wedding is truly extraordinary. Markéta has shown incredible resilience, determination, and mental strength throughout her career, and it has all paid off in a remarkable way. I am incredibly proud of her and excited to see what the future holds for her. She is a true inspiration and a role model for aspiring athletes everywhere.
