Interview to Donna Vekic

• Ténis Portugal: With just 17 years old, you finished your first season inside the top100 WTA, at 96th, and you became the youngest player among the best of the WTA. What are your thoughts on 2013, a year when you first broke into the top 100 after the Australian Open and you played your second WTA final at the age of 16?

Donna Vekic: It was such an amazing year for me and I’m proud of what I achieved and how I improved as a player. As always, there were some ups and downs but overall I think it was a great year.

• Ténis Portugal: 2013 was also a year when you made your transition, playing in the WTA circuit full time. Was that transition difficult? What are the main differences between ITF tournaments and WTA events?

Donna Vekic: Everyone says first year on the tour is the hardest and I can relate to that. The season is very long and you have to remain in good shape and be positive throughout the whole year. On the WTA events matches are a lot harder than on the ITF so its more tiring.

• Ténis Portugal: Even though you haven’t even turned 18, you have already some ITF and WTA finals. Due to that you are considered you of the most successful teenagers of the moment and what draws apart great players and champions is usually the mental issue. How do you deal with so many emotions at such young age?

Donna Vekic: I have a great team around me who helps me with everything, without them I wouldn’t be here. They also help me deal with the emotions, both good and bad ones. I think I still have a long way to go to learn how to deal with my emotions on court, its never easy not to react when you miss.

• Ténis Portugal: With two finals and some matches against top players in you history, what is the highlight of your career so far?

Donna Vekic: I think the highlights of my career are the two finals I played, in Tashkent and Birmingham. I hope there will be many more :).

• Ténis Portugal: Nowadays, the WTA circuit is dominated by Serena Williams. Do you feel like she sets the bar too high? Other players feel forced to work harder now that the level at the top is so high?

Donna Vekic: Serena is the best and there’s no one as good as her at the moment. I’m very competitive as a person so that definitely motivates me to work harder to be the best.

• Ténis Portugal: You were considered one of the ten players to watch in the next season! How do you handle that pressure of the media and the tennis fans who already name you as one of the main highlights of this new generation?

Donna Vekic: Its very motivating and challenging. I want to do the best I can and I always try to push myself beyond my limits, and its always nice to know someones following your career and wants to know how you did.

• Ténis Portugal: On the technical side, what are your weapons and, on the other hand, what do you intend to work on the most in these next few years?

Donna Vekic: I think my forehand and my serve are my best shots. I’ve been working a lot on my movement and slice in the off season and I can already see the improvements when I play.

• Ténis Portugal: Like some of the top players, you now live and practice in Monaco. Is it important for you to have this reference of players with more experience? If so, who do you look up to?

Donna Vekic: Monaco is such a great place to live and train in, has the perfect weather for tennis!! I don’t have anyone I look up to specifically, all the top players, both men and women, are so inspiring.

• Ténis Portugal: When did you realise you wanted to be a professional tennis player?

Donna Vekic: I think as soon as I started because I want to be the best at everything I do!

• Ténis Portugal: What are your goals for 2014? You have already been close to win your first WTA title and you have also been close to break into the top50 (you were ranked 62th, just a couple of weeks after turning 17).

Donna Vekic: My main goal still is to improve my game, the results will come naturally. Ranking wise, I would say top 50.

• Ténis Portugal: What are your first tournaments in 2014? Is there any chance of seeing you in Portugal Open next season?

Donna Vekic: My first tournament will be in Shenzen. I’ve been to Portugal few times and I really really love it so I hope I’ll play the tournament there some day.

• Ténis Portugal: To finish, a quick Q&A:

1. To be number 1 in the world or win a Grand Slam?
To be number 1
2. Hard Courts, clay or grass?
Grass
3. Win the Fed Cup or an Olimpic medal?
Olympic medal
4. Favourite city in the world?
London
5. Favourite Grand Slam?
Wimbledon