Valentova wins all-Czech final to claim Roland Garros girls' title
In the moments after Tereza Valentova clinched an historic Roland Garros girls' title, the Czechia teenager fell to her back in celebration before hugging opponent Laura Samson.
The 17-year-old, who had just claimed the first all-Czechia Junior Grand Slam final, burst into tears as she retrieved her towel before turning to greet dozens of autograph hunters.
The powerful right-hander had produced a performance worthy of a champion when edging Samson, 16, in a final of superb quality 6-3 7-6(0) in 1hr 40min on Court Simone Mathieu.
The embrace at the net with Samson and the praise each attributed to the other afterwards is understandable, for they train together at TK Sparta Praha in Prague.
“It feels incredible. I am just so happy now,” Valentova said.
“It was really tough, because we are both from the same club. We practice together sometimes, so it was pretty tough, but I think we (both) played good.”
Valentova, who has enjoyed considerable success on the ITF World Tennis Tour over the past year, becomes the sixth Czechia representative to win the Roland Garros girls' singles.
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The right-hander is the third player from her nation in the past four years to do so after the successes of Linda Noskova (2021) and Lucie Havlickova two years ago.
From Martina Navratilova to Jana Novotna, Petra Kvitova, Barbora Krejcikova and Marketa Vondrousova, Czechia has a rich tradition of producing senior Grand Slam champions.
Valentova, who has won four titles on the ITF World Tennis Tour including the W75 Ricany in March, is aspiring to join those champions as she looks towards a professional future.
Both finalists have enjoyed the privilege of hitting with Grand Slam champions at their club in Prague. Valentova has been on court with Kvitova, while Samson has hit with Krejcikova.
“I hope that I can be one of them in the future,” Valentova said.
“I met (Petra) here and I'm sometimes practicing with her, so that's good that she can give me some good advice.
“All the players are amazing. It is really good to see it is possible to get there, but it is really tough because it is a long way, but I hope that I am on the right way. We'll see.”
The fans who filled Court Simone Mathieu to near capacity will have left the stadium suspecting both Valentova and Samson are “on the right way” based on their performance.
The two combatants struck the ball brilliantly from the baseline, moved extremely well and also proved adept at the net in an engaging final complete with momentum swings.
Valentova won the first three games before her younger rival responded to level. The No.12 seed then regained the ascendancy to clinch the first set and move to a service break ahead in the second set, only for Samson to retrieve it after a prolonged game at 2-3.
The point that allowed the 16-year-old to draw level was superb. The club mates slid from side to side in an elongated rally until Samson came up with a delicate half-volley drop shot.
It drew applause from Valentova, who recognized the moment of ingenuity.
Valentova broke at 5-all to serve for the match. Samson hit back with a powerful forehand winner to force a tiebreaker. But the champion finished with distinction to seize victory.
“I think it is a really good moment for the country and for us also,” Valentova said.
“It's something that is incredible. To come from (the same club) is crazy … but it's really good for our club. And also for the Czechs. I think we can be proud of ourselves.”
It proved a memorable day for Valentova, who also teamed up with Slovakia's Renata Jamrichova to win the girls' doubles title. Valentova and Jamrichova dispatched American dup Tyra Caterina Grant and Iva Jovic – girls' doubles champions at January's Australian Open – 6-4 6-4.