Karolina Pliskova has sidestepped allegations that she snatched a coach from a fellow player on the tour.
Fed Cup team mate Barbora Strycova has accused the former US Open finalist of taking her coach abruptly. Strycova was previously mentored by Tomas Krupa, who is best known for his long stint with Tomas Berdych. Following the US Open, Kurpa attended a meeting with Pliskova’s manager about him joining her team. It has been alleged that it was conducted behind the back of Strycova, who recently won her first WTA title in six years at the Linz Open.
“Our relationship is zero. We do not go for coffee. We no longer have to use the word ‘friend,’” Strycova was quoted by Idnes.cz as saying in Linz. “When she told me she was interested in my trainer, her manager, Mr. [Michal] Hrdlička, was already with him. It was done behind my back…And then I learned on the phone that it was over.”
Pliskova has not commented on the allegations. Her manager has publicly defended her by saying that Strycova was told about the situation ‘face-to-face.’ Shortly after her win over Venus Williams at the WTA Finals, the Czech declined to provide her version of the story.
“I don’t want to respond to that. Right now I’m in Singapore, so I just want to focus on those matches what I have here, on my week, on my team, and not any other things.” She told reporters in Singapore.
Unlike Pliskova’s reluctance, Strycova detailed her version of events in a lengthy Facebook post. In it, she claims that Kurpa informed her that their partnership was over via text message. Later adding that she will have no issue with playing alongside Pliskova in the Fed Cup.
“I’m not disappointed. It’s not my problem what she’s doing.” The world No.3 said about the Facebook post. “My team is absolutely fine. It’s going to be fine, even for next year, so I don’t have any problems with that.”
Pliskova is bidding to become the fourth Czech player to win the WTA Finals and the first since Petra Kvitova in 2011. Following her win over Williams, she will play Garbine Muguruza and Jelena Ostapenko later in the week.
