At a tournament she described as magical, Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky has once again beaten the odds to reach the semifinals at the French Open.
The world No.31 overcame the rainy weather in Paris to prevail over home favourite Kristina Mladenovic 6-4, 6-4. In a match that lasted almost two hours, Bacsinszky produced 25 winners and benefited heavily from Mlaenovic’s unforced error count of 35. The victory takes her into the semifinals at Roland Garros for the second time within the past three years.
“I think the magic has been happening here (Roland Garros) for me always, like, even the first time I came here as a little kid.” She said. “I’m still finding out why. I have some ideas, but I’m still not sure if it’s 100% this or that.”
It was her 2015 run at the French Open that helped revive Bacseinzky’s career. Frustrated with numerous injury problems setting her back, the Swiss player took a break from the sport to work in the hotel industry. It wasn’t just physical issues affecting her, there was mental factors too. Growing up Bacsinszky was under heavy scrutiny from her father, who pushed her to succeed in the sport. During a heartfelt interview with L’equipe, she once described her father, who she no longer speaks to, as somebody who only looked after her when she was playing on the court.
Bacsinszky’s journey from being a victim of pushy parents to playing tennis on her own terms is a lesson for many to admire and follow. Still, she doesn’t intend to completely wipe out her childhood. After all, there were happy moments during her younger life. Her visit to Roland Garros as a child sparked her ongoing love affair with the grand slam tournament.
“There is a special bond, and I’m lucky to have it here in Paris with the French Open. So, yeah, I’m definitely enjoying all my minutes that I’m spending here.”
Reflecting upon her latest win on Tuesday, the 27-year-old spoke about how her previous experience of playing in the quarter-finals of a major aided her mentality. Whilst the prospect of going deep into a slam generates greater media attention and scrutiny, Bacsinszky proudly describes it as a privilege.
“At the end, it’s a tennis match, and you have to feel the privilege that you’re playing it and you’ve worked so hard every day for your whole life to be there.” She explained.
“There are many things, many influences in your tennis career. But when you’re over there, you just enjoy the moment. And that’s what I told myself today, as well. Just enjoy it. You’re privileged.”
In Thursday’s semifinal, the Swiss No.1 will play Jelena Ostapenko, who defeated Caroline Wozniacki in three sets. The two are familiar with each others game after playing doubles together in previous tournaments. On the other hand, they have never played against each other on the tour.
“She’s feisty. I’m no longer feisty. I’m eight years older than her, even though at the French Open I’m in a fighting mood.” Bacsinszky said about Ostapenko.
“Great credit to her. She has a very big serve. She’s a complete player.”
The latest leg of Bacsinszky’s French Open love affair with occur on Thursday when she will play her semifinal match. It seems as it is almost destiny that she could reach her first grand slam final at her beloved tournament on her birthday. Bacsinszky’s journey in Paris over the years is already worthy of a movie script, but she hasn’t finished writing it yet.
