Kristyna opens up on identical twin Karolina

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Kristyna opens up on identical twin Karolina

Sisters Karolina (right) and Kristyna Pliskova of Czech Republic pose with the trophy after winning the women's doubles final at the Hong Kong Open on September 14, 2014. (AFP file)

Dubai - Girls are doing better than boys in Czech Republic, says Pliskova

By Rituraj Borkakoty 


Published: Fri 24 Feb 2017, 4:35 PM

Last updated: Sat 25 Feb 2017, 12:07 AM

Kristyna Pliskova, owner of one of the deadliest serves in the women's game, never raises her voice above a whisper. The left-hander was such a big fan of Goran Ivanisevic that she liked everything the cult Croatian serve-and-volley player did on the court- from serving aces with unmatched regularity to breaking racquets after every double fault.
Pliskova, who hit a record 31 aces in her 2016 Australian Open match against Monica Puig, didn't reveal if her own temperament was influenced by the 2001 Wimbledon champion.
"I liked him because he was also a lefty and his temperament was like mine," Pliskova smiled.
During an interview with Khaleej Times, the 24-year-old player also spoke on her identical twin, Karolina -- the world number three and the 2016 US Open runner-up.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q Your sister Karolina told us at the start of the Dubai tournament that people get confused about who is who when they see both of you together. Do you have any funny memories?
Yes, we have different hair, but people always get confused. It happens almost every day. One day someone said hi to me and I am like 'I don't know you'. And then he is like 'I just spoke to you yesterday'. Then I have to tell that person that he must have spoken to my sister Karolina.
This is happening all the time. We have got used to it now. Maybe when they see us together they know, but when they see just one of us they get confused.
Q. Do you share a special bonding because you are twins?
I think so because we are the same age so we can talk about really the same stuff. As identical twins, we have lot of things in common. So I think the bonding is pretty strong and it's a big advantage for both us. If you have someone who is five years or 10 years younger or older, it's different. In that respect, we definitely have a big advantage.
Q You won all four of your doubles titles with your sister. But you are not playing together anymore. Can we see you both back as a team on the Tour?
For her, it's tough to play doubles now. She is the world number three in singles now. So it's tough to manage both singles and doubles for her. I believe you will see us again, but I don't know when. Maybe you can see us in the Grand Slams. I don't think she wants to play many doubles matches, but in the Grand Slams maybe she would like to play. We haven't really talked about it seriously yet but for sure one day we will come back.
Q You are now world number 58 in singles. But you are still 24. And the women's game recently has seen lot of players who have won their first Grand Slam singles title after turning 30. Does that inspire you?
The women's tennis is different now than what it was 10 or 15 years ago. Martina Hingis was 14 or 15 when she played her first Grand Slam. I think the time is now different. I think now you need to get more experience. I don't think for someone who is 15 now it is possible to win Grand Slams. So that gives me hope because I am now 24 and I think I can be great when I am 26 or 27.
Q What's the secret to Czech Republic's success in women's tennis? You have (Petra) Kvitova, (Barbora) Strycova, your sister Karolina in the top 20. You also won the Fed Cup last year.
I think compared to our men's tennis, the girls are doing pretty well. We have so many good players and there are a couple of good young players as well. It's good for the Fed Cup team. If one or two players are injured, we still have so many options. Maybe they are doing something right at the tennis schools.
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com