Donna Vekic’s breakthrough run at Wimbledon almost didn’t happen after she considered taking time away from the sport in recent weeks.
The world No.37 defeated New Zealand’s Lulu Sun 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, to reach the last four of a Grand Slam on her 43rd attempt. Earlier in the tournament, Vekic also beat former world No.3 Paula Badosa and 28th seed Dayana Yastremska. She has won 10 main draw matches on the grass this season which is more than any other player on the WTA Tour.
Vekic’s surge in form comes during what has been a mixed season where at one stage she failed to win back-to-back matches at five consecutive tournaments. Throughout her career, she has faced numerous challenges and contemplated retiring from the sport after struggling to get back to full fitness following knee surgery in 2021. Suffering a tear to her plantar fascia, as well as knee and foot injuries in 2022.
Meanwhile, earlier this year she once again contemplated taking time away from the sport due to a lack of motivation and energy.
“There were a couple of times in my career that I didn’t want to play tennis any more. Most of you know that it was after my surgeries, but actually, there was one recent one.” She said.
“It was the Thursday before Roland Garros this year that we had scheduled practice. I arrived at the club. I told Nick (her coach), Listen, I want to pull out of the French Open. I want to go home. I want to take a longer break.
“I didn’t have any energy, any motivation to keep practising and keep pushing because I felt like the last couple months I’ve given everything for tennis, and I wasn’t getting the results that I kind of expected.”
She was persuaded to continue playing on the Tour and went on to reach the third round of the French Open before suffering a narrow defeat. Ironically it was that match that helped relight the spark in her tennis.
“What was a very tough loss for me in Paris. Honestly, it hurt me so much that I saw what I needed to change. It pushed me and motivated me even more.” She said.
“If I didn’t have the team of people around me, I don’t know how I would find the strength in me.”
The 28-year-old has been ranked as high as 19th in the world and has four WTA titles to her name, as well as nine runners-up trophies.
“So this now, reaching my best result ever at a slam, I’m really proud of myself, of the work that I’ve done, of the work that my team has done. I’m very thankful to them for believing in me when I didn’t.” Vekic concluded.
Vekic will play either Jasmine Paolini or Emma Vanarro in the semi-finals at Wimbledon.
