Donna Vekic has spoken about the positive influence that Pam Shriver has had on her game after reaching the Australian Open quarter-finals for the first time.
The Croatian is into the Australian Open quarter-finals for the first time in her career after a 6-2 1-6 6-3 win over 17 year-old Linda Fruhvirtova.
Vekic hit 42 winners as she edged into the last eight where she will play fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka.
After the match Vekic spoke about her new partnership with 22-time Grand Slam doubles champion Pam Shriver.
The duo first met in San Diego, where Vekic reached the final as a qualifier and the Croatian said they never looked back after that, “Yeah, it started in San Diego very randomly. We spent a lot of time there together. I went to L.A. after, so we also saw each other there,” Vekic explained in her press conference.
“I was like, Hey, Pam, we get along so well, do you want to join Team DV for next year? She said yes, which is, one, a huge honor for me to have such a champion wanting to work with me. Two, I really believe that she can bring a lot to my game.
“Everyone says she’s only bringing volleys for me, and I’m going to improve my volleys, that’s for sure. Also, a lot about serve and the
rest of the game. That’s for sure.”
The Croatian also spoke about Shriver’s approach which is a very direct one and spoke about how her form is now coming together, “I always like that from any coaches, for them to be direct,” Vekic stated.
“Even if it’s sometimes what you don’t want to hear, kind of at the end of the day you do want to hear these things if you want to improve. She’s, like you said, always been very direct. Something I really appreciate. But other than that, I think we have a great atmosphere in the team.
“With Nick as well, they make such a good combination. Nick and I did really hard work in the off-season in Monaco, and we were talking with Pam on the phone from L.A. We all met here in Melbourne.
“It’s also great to see that I have success and results from our work so early. It’s not just from the work now, I’ve been working hard the last couple of months. It’s finally all coming together.”
Vekic will hope that this form continues as she looks to recover her ranking after a major knee surgery in 2021.
The former Grand Slam quarter-finalist admitted that she had doubts about whether she could return to her previous form as she gave an insight into her mental state during her injury, “I said twice I’m going to quit tennis,” Vekic said.
“But after saying that, one, I won Courmayeur, then I played really well in San Diego. Of course, you have doubts especially because I wasn’t really fit, I was so far from moving the way I was before. I didn’t trust my knee. I didn’t trust my abilities.
“Then my fitness was improving, but it wasn’t coming together on the match court. I was putting a lot of pressure on myself, as well. One thing, to play well in matches, having the expectations of my level what was before surgery.
“San Diego was really important week for me, beating all those top players, ranking-wise. It was a huge confidence boost. Gave me a lot of belief.”
Vekic, who is now 64 in the world, is looking to make her first Grand Slam semi-final at 26 years of age and will believe she can go all the way.
Next for the Croatian is in-form fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka who defeated Belinda Bencic in straight sets.
However Vekic will fancy her chances as she currently holds a 5-1 head-to-head record over the Belarusian heading into Wednesday’s clash.
