When you least expect it, Vondrousova

Fernando Murciego | 23 Jun 2025 | 21.00

Marketa Vondrousova, expert in unexpected successes. Source: Getty

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Marketa Vondrousova is like summer storms: you don't see her coming. It can be 38º in the shade, scorching heat, you go out wearing your flip-flops, your tank top, and suddenly... the unexpected happens. This phenomenon, translated to the women's circuit, connects me directly with the Czech tennis player, a woman who has been building a remarkable career by always causing surprises at the right moment. Specializing in upsets where no one expects, invisible in predictions, her danger level multiplies the further she is from the favorites. Here are some examples.

We can start with her first professional title, all the way back in 2017 at the modest WTA 250 in Biel, under the Swiss vault. Ranked #233, only 17 years old with no experience on the circuit, the Czech reached the final defeating Anett Kontaveit 6-4, 7-6. It was only her second time in a main draw of the professional circuit, enough to leave her mark and confirm that she was ahead of her time. Many of us took note back then, not mistakenly, as her face would grace more headlines.

The next breakthrough came in 2019, two seasons later. On clay, a surface where her skills and varied game found a shortcut to her first Grand Slam final. It wasn't the most high-profile ending at Roland Garros, a completely unexpected final against Ashleigh Barty where the Australian began scripting what would become a sublime journey only finalized by her challenging relationship with tennis. Holding the silver tray, ranked #38, Vondrousova smiled, demonstrating her ability to perform on the big stage.

I can't forget the Olympic silver she captured in Tokyo 2021, the most chaotic Olympic Games in history with many withdrawals, conditions far from ideal, and empty stadiums post-COVID outbreak. They won't be fondly remembered, but there stood Marketa again, falling in the final to Belinda Bencic, regardless of her ranking at #42. Her knack for delving deep into tournaments where she wasn't even a seeded player would reach its pinnacle at Wimbledon 2023, where for the first time a champion displayed such a low ranking: #42. This is Vondrousova's story, a tale of overcoming challenges with many chapters yet to unfold.

BERLIN, SPRINGBOARD TO WIMBLEDON

After two years in limbo, half the time without playing tournaments and the other half trying to make a comeback, Marketa landed at the WTA 500 in Berlin without much expectation, but in her mind, that chip was activated, saying 'Watch out, we know how to do this well here.' Racking up wins, she defeated Sabalenka in straight sets in the semis and emerged victorious against a young Xinyu Wang in the final. This marks her first title since becoming a Grand Slam champion. A reward for effort, perseverance, and never ceasing to believe, even though her body made it incredibly tough. Do you know at what ranking she clinched this latest trophy? A remarkable #164 in the world, but by now, it's not surprising. Neither should it surprise if in three weeks we see her contending in the final rounds at The Championships, where she touched the sky just a couple of seasons ago.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Cuando menos te lo esperas, Vondrousova

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