The career of Timea Bacsinszky is one that few can relate to. Coping with an overbearing father and her injury struggles on the tour, the Swiss player took a break for the sport in 2013 to work in the hotel industry. It seemed like Bacsinszky’s tennis dream was over until her run to the semi-finals of the French Open two years later. She has come a long way since that memorable run, but it doesn’t mean that things are any easier for her.
This season has seen Bacsinszky experienced both highs and lows in her career. In May she achieved a ranking best of 9th in the world after a successful period on the clay, when she won her first and only title of 2016 in Rabat, Morocco. The triumph came after her testing start of the year after returning to action from a knee injury.
“In March I began to win again to my great surprise. I would not have expected such good results so quickly after this serious injury.” Bacsinszky wrote in an exclusive article for Tages Anzeiger. “That showed me that you should never let your head hang.”
There is little doubt surrounding the potential of the 27-year-old, who managed to grab back-to-back wins over top five players Agnieszka Radwanska and Simona Halep earlier this year. At the time she drew inspiration from another heavyweight in Swiss tennis, Stan Wawrinka. Still trying to nurse an injury during the first past of this season, it was the wise words of the US Open champion that triggered a change in Bacsinszky’s mindset.
“In Indian Wells, he sat down with me…I was coming back from an injury, and many times the press [would ask me] ‘What happened today?'” Bacsinszky recently said. “He told me to not use [my injury] as an excuse anymore.”
“He inspires me a lot. You have the [natural] talent of Roger and then you compare Stan. His talent is that he’s a huge worker.”
Despite the promising momentum, 2016 has been far from perfect for the Swiss player, who managed to win only two matches throughout the US Open series. Leading into the swing she opted to shorten her summer break and play in the Gstaad Open. It was an understandable decision considering it was her home tournament, but she was warned about the ‘extra risk’ by both her coach and fitness trainer.
“I did not want to listen to them. I thought I was a superwoman – and added Gstaad to my program. (I do not regret it, because I love this tournament. And I intend to play it again in 2017, But I will consider this week in my planning).” She admitted.
Bacsinzky’s risk came with consequences as she was troubled by a viral infection throughout the later part of the year. It is inaccurate to fully blame Gstaad for this, but once again the experience of the world No.15 has shown how critical it is for players to carefully plan their season.
The season has now come to a close for Bacsinszky, who achieved a win-loss of 32-23. Like her entire career, she has endured a bumpy road to where she wants to be. Nevertheless, she enters 2017 full of confidence.
“If I look back at this year, I am very proud of myself. It was an extremely difficult year for me, with great feelings, both good and bad, from the beginning to the end. A real roller coaster ride.” She summarized.
Looking ahead, the future is bright for the Swiss number one. How bright it will be remains to be seen.
