Pliskova‘s Return Sparks Debate Over Training vs.Match Intensity
CALDAS DAโข RAINHA, โPORTUGAL – Karolina Pliskova’sโข highly anticipated โขreturn to the โWTA tour โfollowing a lengthy hiatus has ignited discussion among fans and commentators,โ centering on her candid admission that โshe feels she “runs little” โฃduring matches and the stark difference between training and competitive play. The 33-year-old is working her way backโฃ into form, participating in smaller tournaments ahead of the Asian โswing and the WTA Finals.
Pliskova, a 2016 US Open finalist and 2021 Wimbledon finalist, revealed in a recent podcast appearance โฃ- alongside husband Michal Hrdliฤka, twin sister Kristรฝna Plรญลกkovรก, and commentator Frantiลกek Haลกl โ- that she experienced notable physical strain during her initial matches back.She โขdescribed feeling “sharp” after completing a two-hour and 40-minute match,following a week of twoโ five-hour contests,emphasizing that โขmatch intensity โขis incomparable to any training regimen. “I am โคsuch a stupid type that I will โnot get โinto such a rhythm and as a level as โinโข the match,” sheโ stated.
A seemingly off-the-cuff remark about her running during matches – “Iโ run much more in the match AI โขwhen someone comes, that I โrun little,โข so I run less in training”โ – resonatedโ with listeners, prompting laughter and further debate aboutโค her approach to physical readiness. Pliskova clarified โthatโฃ matches are “much more demanding for me both physically and mentally.”
Her return to competition began โat โthe WTA125 event in Caldas da Rainha, Portugal, โฃwhere she secured a 6:1, 4:6,โ 7:5 victory over Tessah Andrianjafitrim inโ the first round before falling to polina Jacenkova 7:5, 4:6, 4:6 in the second. Despite the loss, Pliskova expressed satisfaction with earning aโ win after a long absence, noting the psychological boost โof securing that โฃinitial victory.
Fans can follow Pliskova’s progress and the remainder of the WTA season live on CANAL+ Sport, which will broadcast major tournaments including events in Beijing and Wu-chan, andโ also the WTAโค Finals in Riyadh.The networkโฃ will also feature the Openti Expert Studio with guest analysis.