Kontaveit enjoying Czech surroundings after advancing at Livesport Prague Open
It was there that she started the journey that has led her to the current second place in the world rankings.
However, the participation in the Prague tournament is the first time for her to meet the fans in the Czech capital.
She said: "It's my first time here, so I was very excited to finally get to know Prague. I've heard that the historical centre of the city is beautiful, supposedly it's a bigger version of Tallinn, so I'm really looking forward to it.
"I haven't had the chance yet, but I hope to see something," she said on Tuesday after her first match in which she beat Ekaterina Gorgodze of Georgia.
For Kontaveit, it was her sixth consecutive win on Czech soil. Last year in Ostrava, it was a wild ride thanks to victories over Cirstea, Bados, Kvitova, Bencic and Sakkari.
"It was an indoor tournament and a different time of year, so it was a bit different. Anyway, I have really wonderful memories, so I'm looking forward to making new ones here," smiled the Estonian tennis player.
At the time, it was the third tournament of her career and thanks to the confidence she gained, she was able to dominate the events in Moscow, Cluj and this February in St. Petersburg.
Anett Kontaveit arrived in Prague in good spirits, having reached the final at the Hamburg tournament last week: "It was a very positive week for me, because before Wimbledon I had health problems because of my covid, so now I am finally back and playing matches again.
"Last week was great, I played a lot of matches and got back into the rhythm of the tournament. I've been more confident match by match, I feel good on court again."
The Estonian tennis player recalled an unpleasant problem of recent times. For a long time, tournaments were lived in bubbles, players and women wore masks and were tested every other day. But COVID still haunts and this year's contagion has really shaken Kontaveit's disposition.
"I had COVID in April after a tournament in Stuttgart. I was constantly tired, I couldn't train at the intensity I needed. It was very difficult for me because I am an energetic person.
"Usually when I wake up I'm immediately ready for a new day, but at that time I was really exhausted, I slept a lot day and night.
"In short, I didn't have the energy for anything, it lasted for a few months and it was really hard," she explains, after her absence from several tournaments as well as the early finishes in Rome and Roland Garros.
"Before every tournament I believe that I have a chance to win it. I will go match by match, but no matter who I play in Prague, it will always be tough. I'm looking forward to all the challenges this week will offer."
This has been translated from an original article in Czech from livesport.cz. Read it here>>>
