“It’s something new for me” – Vondrousova enters brave new world as Wimbledon champion

Marketa Vondrousova is adjusting to life as a superstar a month after winning the Wimbledon title. The 24-year-old Czech isn’t the type of player who craves the limelight, as she chooses to keep a low profile on tour, so becoming an overnight celebrity will certainly take some getting used to.

So far so good, as she picked up a win in her first match since her Wimbledon final victory over Ons Jabeur, defeating Mayar Sherif, 6-4, 6-2 on Tuesday at the Omnium Banque Nationale in Montreal.

“I know if you are a Grand Slam champion, the expectations are very high, but for me it’s important to stay just in my small circle and just work on things and just to get through some matches.”

— Marketa Vondrousova

“It’s always tough to be coming back as a Grand Slam champion,” Vondrousova told reporters on Tuesday. “It’s something new for me.”

The 24-year-old southpaw admitted that she is approaching this stage of the season with some trepidation. Now ranked at a career-high No 10, she knows that players will be gunning for her more than ever.

“I was a bit nervous, and I feel like everybody is going to play great tennis, and everybody wants to beat you. So I was a bit nervous, but then I feel like I just play a couple of games, and you are back into your rhythm.”

Expectations surging

Vondrousova knows that she’ll be expected to produce big-time tennis now, but she says that the best way to handle the pressure is to do what has always worked for her in the past: stay grounded and keep working to improve.

“People around me, I feel like they’re going to expect so much now,” she said. “I know if you are a Grand Slam champion, the expectations are very high, but for me it’s important to stay just in my small circle and just work on things and just to get through some matches, you know, with nerves and everything and just get used to the pressure and everything. So that’s what I’m working on now.”

Crazy times at home

A good time was had as she celebrated her Wimbledon triumph on home soil, taking time in her hometown and also in Prague, where Vondrousova was celebrated by media and fans.

“When we came home, the first week was really crazy,” she said. “I went back to my hometown also, so it was amazing. Then was in Prague, so I had a couple of things to do.”

Living in the limelight doesn’t come easy for Vondrousova, who is a quiet soul by nature, but she’s learning to cope.

“For me I feel like it’s a change,” she said. “People are recognizing you more, even in the city and everything. For me I don’t like these kind of things to be seen this much.

“Then I just started to practice, so it was better.”

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