The players who dominated the under-14 world championship in Prostějov and the under-16 EC in Mariánské Lázně could, among other things, view a photo of Barbora Krejčíková and Kateřina Siniaková, the golden doubles pair from last year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo. “At the last Olympics, tennis helped us a lot, because we got two Olympic medals from it,” Kejval recalled and Markéta Vondroušová’s silver medal in singles. During his visits abroad, Czech tennis is a big topic. “They keep asking how they do it in the union, that new and new girls are coming. I hope it will last as long as possible,” he noted.
The tennis association tries to support the youth as much as possible, but it is not enough on its own. “The role of parents is essential. Without their often even self-sacrifice, this would not be possible at all. Parents also have common sense, at some point they seek advice and it is possible under the guidance of experts. We really have the most sophisticated system of competitions, classifications, tournaments, trips, training centers. It’s about enormous hard work to the point of self-sacrifice,” said the head of Czech tennis, Ivo Kaderka.
Probably the most numerous tennis visit at the ČOV headquarters, the U16 and U14 champions themselves, coaches David Škoch and Petra Cetkovská, Jan Stočes on the far left. pic.twitter.com/sZmvwEtQNT
— Jaroslav Plasil (@JaroslavPlasil) August 8, 2022
The young ladies already undergo almost daily preparation, they spend weekends at tournaments. The under-16 team, led by captain David Škoch, relied on number one Tereza Valentová. “She is capable of beating everyone in her category,” Škoch pointed out. And Valentová herself has big tennis dreams. “Winning several Grand Slams, definitely being at the top of the world,” she confided.
The Czech Republic are 2022 U14 European champions!
The championships took place last weekend in Loano, Italy, and they beat Slovakia 2-0 in the final.
From left to right:
Alena Kováčková, Eliska Forejtková, Laura Samsonová and captain Petra Cetkovská.
EXCELLENT ????????????????????!!’ pic.twitter.com/JxKytc8lDT
— Simone Curto (@CurtoSimone) July 4, 2022
The trio of newly minted under-14 world champions was led by Petra Cetkovská, who was herself a member of the winning team at the championship in this category in 1998. “It was fun, we all pushed and pulled each other terribly. It was very challenging, it was in Japan, but the the feeling was absolutely incredible,” she recalled. The success at that time represented the impetus for her future professional career, during which she advanced to the round of 16 at Roland Garros 2008 and Wimbledon 2011, reaching as high as 25th in the world rankings. “When successes arrive, of course they motivate and give strength to continue,” she added.
