Virtually unknown two months ago, Rebecca Šramková is now a member of the Top 50, and the spearhead of Slovakia, which defied the odds to reach the final of the Billie Jean King Cup. For one last feat?
Who knew Rebecca Šramková before September 2024? Avid followers of the WTA circuit, or rather lower tournaments. A player, professional for almost ten years, never in the Top 100, whose greatest title was a W100 in Biarritz in 2016, that did not really speak to many people.
Especially since his season on the main circuit was once again hardly glorious. A main feat of arms, coming out of qualifying to reach the round of 16 of the WTA 1000 in Rome (and coming close to exiting Jelena Ostapenko) but no match won in the Grand Slam main draw, an ITF W50 title in January, and that was about it.
Nothing prepared for what was to follow, especially after a pitiful elimination in US Open qualifying against Usue Maitane Arconadaranked beyond 400th place. However, this bitter failure would be followed by an incredible Asian tour, which would lead to a first career WTA title, nothing more, nothing less. But not only that.
Because all this did not start in Asia, but in Africa, in Tunisia, in Monastir. A simple WTA 250 checked because at the end of the US Open, no real headliner on the menu, and therefore a chance to sign a good performance. For her, it was a question of finally entering the Top 100. But she will first come back a set behind against Elsa Jacquemotthen save match points against Sara Smiles Tormoto go to the final, his first on the WTA circuit, lost against Sony Kartal.
Except that the performance in this context goes unnoticed. A player, who over a week manages to mobilize sufficiently to deliver a big performance in a table depleted of “big players” (no Top 20, Elise Mertenscurrently 34th in the world, was the No. 1 seed). That's not enough to make a name for yourself.
But the following week, we will quickly understand that it was not a fluke. In Hua Hin, she will pay Magda Linette et Tamara Zidansekeach a former Grand Slam semi-finalist, before dominating a WTA circuit champion, Laura Siegemundin the final. Unthinkable two weeks ago, this first title on the main circuit becomes a reality.
What’s next? An exit from qualifying at the WTA 1000 in Beijing to reach the third round, and it will take none other than Paula Badosa to interrupt his streak of 9 consecutive victories (7-5, 7-5and she will still have two balls to get a third round). Before a new final in Jiujiang, lost against Victoria Golubic. In two months, she won 17 matches out of 21 and went from 120th to 43rd place in the world. But it's still not enough to get people talking about it.
You need a big stage to definitely make a name for yourself. This is good, Slovakia is qualified for the final stages of the Billie Jean King Cup. And now, while she was not present for the qualifications in April, Rebecca Šramková is indisputable since Slovak number 1. Except that no one imagines him arriving on the courts and offering himself Danielle Collinsone of the players of the season, winner in WTA 1000, but totally overwhelmed by the Slovak, like Ajla Tomljanović et Katie Boulter afterwards.
How does an unknown player suddenly reveal herself? Šramková is a relatively powerful player, with a good serve, solid behind her first ball. She moves well, doesn't have a real strong shot, but is capable of springing a forehand, with the added bonus of great command of the drop shot. But what is truly striking when watching her play is her incredible ability to provoke fouls from her opponent.
Her strength is incredible in the rally, and yet, the three players mentioned above undoubtedly hit harder than her, have more experience, but ended up breaking down from seeing the ball come back. If we had to name a strong point, we would talk about his ground coverage, quite incredible, which offers him many opportunities to reverse a poorly started exchange. And these three victories played a vital role in Slovakia qualifying for their first Billie Jean King Cup final since the unforgettable 2002 triumph.
But to win the trophy 22 years after the band Daniela Hantuchováwe will have to dominate Italy. And she will have to face the ultimate challenge: Jasmine Paolinilike her, a revelation, except that for the Transalpine, this materializes in a WTA 1000 title and two Grand Slam finals. And when we talk about ground coverage and domination without a real strong shot, the Italian is the best possible example. A mountain to climb with the added pressure of a final.
But what matters in the end? Because a victory would not guarantee the coronation of Slovakia. And a defeat could not be more logical against the world No. 4. Whatever happens, we already have a beautiful story that we love, and at 28 years old, Rebecca Šramková finally launched a career that no one predicted for him. And after winning the first Slovak title on the WTA circuit in six years, what can prevent her from conquering the Billie Jean King Cup?
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