World No.8 Karolina Pliskova will bid for her maiden grand slam title at the US Open with the backing of newly appointed advisor Conchita Martinez.
Hours before the women’s draw for Flushing Meadows took place, Pliskova confirmed that she has added the Spaniard to her team for the final grand slam of the season. Martinez claimed 33 singles and 13 doubles titles on the WTA Tour, including the 1994 Wimbledon title. The collaboration was triggered by a recommendation by Pliskova’s current coach Rennae Stubbs, who will focus on her other commitments during the US Open.
“Rennae has a contract with the ESPN TV company for the U.S. Open, which means she will be very busy working and commentating during the tournament, so she recommended Conchita herself,” Pliskova’s manager, Michal Hrdlička, said in a statement.
“Conchita will focus on Karolína’s tennis skills and technique. She cut short her vacation and flew to the U.S. on Thursday,”
Since retiring from the tour in 2005, Martinez has remained involved in the sport. She has previously coached Garbine Muguruza on the tour and guided her to the Wimbledon title last year. Martinez has also captained the Spanish Fed and Davis Cup teams.
Heading into New York, Pliskova is hoping for an upsurge in her form. During the North American hard court swing this month, the Czech has only won two out of five matches. Pliskova’s latest defeat was at the Connecticut Open when she lost in straight sets to Ekaterina Makarova.
“I know my game is sometimes a little bit up and down,” Pliskova admitted following her first round exit. “I’m not that sad (about my first-round loss). I’m just disappointed about not being able to get some wins here.”
The US Open brings back fond memories for the 26-year-old. It was at the tournament where she reached her first and so far only grand slam final back in 2016. She was denied the title by Angelique Kerber, who prevailed in three sets. Last year the Czech lost to Coco Vandeweghe in the quarter-finals.
Pliskova, who is seeded eighth in the draw, will start her bid to win this year’s US open title against Zarina Diyas in the first round. So far this season she has won 33 out of 49 matches played.
