Karolina Pliskova and her twin sister Kristyna spoke about the differences between women’s and men’s tennis last weekend during the Mercury Charity. They also find that Maria Sharapova was not careful enough about doping and explain why they don’t want to have friendships on the professional tour.
Karolina Pliskova can look back on an outstanding season, which brought her to the top of the world rankings for the first time in her career. She gave an interview with her sister, who was two minutes her senior, to the Kleine Zeitung.
Kristyna Pliskova on…
… Life on the WTA tour:”Profiling isn’t always as cool as it seems. I don’t like travelling all the time.”
… a double career with Karolina:”First we want to achieve our individual goals, but for later on a double specialization is an issue. You have to train differently for the doubles. There’s no time for that now.”
… her successful sister:”On the one hand, it is an advantage because she can help me with her experiences on the field. On the other hand, it can be stressful because people keep asking me when I’m going to be so successful. But I’m not jealous of Karolina’s successes. I wish her all the best.”
… Maria Sharapova’s ban on doping:”Almost all say the punishment was just. But no one accuses her of being a cheater. She’s got this big staff around her – it shouldn’t have happened to them.”
Karolina Pliskova on…
… the return of Serena Williams:”I think it will be difficult for them. On the other hand, it is so much stronger than all of us – not only physically, but also in our minds. That’s why she can be trusted.”
… Dominic Thiem:”We’ve known him since the youth tournaments – he wasn’t a hero back then. He is a hard worker and fighter, physically strong and fast. He can beat the big boys, but not in five sets at Grand Slams. I think he’s missing his punches. But he’s still young.
… the difference between men’s and women’s tennis:”Men are stronger and have a greater wit. In the women’s singles, everyone always wants to beat winners with all their strength, the men are smarter, more patient, faster and waiting for their chance.”
… Maria Sharapova:”She was an idol for children and players. This has changed a little now. “Many people have lost respect for her, because in the end she definitely knew what she was taking.”
… Friendships on the WTA tour:”We are not friends with Mary, and we don’t want to be friends at all. It’s not pleasant to play against a friend. I know there are such friendships on the men’s tour, but they see things much more relaxed.”