Belgian tennis player Kirsten Flipkensová.
Paris – Tennis player Karolína Muchová is experiencing the best of Roland Garros. Today, from 11 a.m., she will challenge Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on the clay in Paris in a match to advance to the semifinals, and the Belgian player Kirsten Flipkensová is also behind her successful campaign. The 2013 Wimbledon semifinalist works as a mentor and advisor in the Olomouc native's team. She told reporters that if the Czech stays healthy, she can break into the top ten of the world rankings and even win a Grand Slam title.
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“We have known each other for quite a long time. I also had a good relationship with her former coach David Kotyza. I always liked her style of play and we are good friends,” Flipkensová, who has been working with Muchová since the beginning of this year, told journalists. “I'm more of a mentor. I pass on my experience to her about things on and off the court. I'm still an active player, I play doubles, but if we're both in the same tournament, why not. Kája is doing well, I'm happy for her,” she added.
The 37-year-old Belgian is also known to Czech fans thanks to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon 2013, in which she defeated Petra Kvitová. He describes the success as one of the biggest in his career so far. That is also why he smiles when reminded that he is helping another Czech tennis player today. “It's funny how life works. But Karolína and I really understand each other. We know when it's time for serious work and when it's time to have a little fun,” Flipkensová pointed out.
The former world number 13 alternated between Roland Garros Match Watch Muchová with her doubles matches with American Shelby Rogers. She and Muchová are also linked by the variety and variability of the game.
“She has a big arsenal of weapons. She is very talented, she can serve volley, slice or drop shot. It is not easy to ask all these things from one player. But she is even better than I used to be. She is taller, so she has a better serve and has good backhand. She is a very complex player. I am happy to help her as much as possible,” she said.
The Belgian believes that the Olomouc native should be high on it. “She played in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, so I believe that if she stays healthy, she can win a Grand Slam and be in the Top 10. She just needs to be fit and trust the process. I told her at the beginning that if I didn't believe in her, I wouldn't go. I'm watching her since last year's US Open and I believe she can win the Grand Slam,” added Flipkensová, who is also friends with Barbora Strýcová or Petra Cetkovská.
She herself played the last duel in singles last year at Wimbledon. Now he is also looking forward to a bye in the doubles. “I definitely won't be playing for another two or three years. I have to decide what I want to devote myself to. I played on the circuit for twenty years, sooner or later I have to say goodbye,” she said, adding that she is attracted to the position of coach. “I've already helped a few players, like (Alison) Van Uytvanck. I'm also an assistant in the Fed Cup, so I think it has a future,” added Flipkens.
