Wickmayer celebrates Mother's Day in style with W100 Trnava triumph
Former world No. 12 Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium conquered all before her at W100 Trnava to claim her biggest title since returning to tennis following the birth of her daughter, Luana, in April 2021.
Somewhat fittingly, Wickmayer, who has topped the podium at five WTA events and reached the semi-finals of the US Open during an impressive career, achieved the feat on Mother’s Day.
“Titletown on Mother’s Day makes this one extra special,” wrote Wickmayer, who has competed exclusively on the ITF World Tennis Tour this season, on Instagram.
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World No. 191 Wickmayer – she is set to rise further in the rankings once they are updated following the Italian Open – now has two singles titles to her name this term following her success at W40 Tallinn in January.
Victory at W100 Trnava – the second of three successive clay-court W100 events in Europe – is also perfect preparation for Wickmayer ahead of Roland Garros, where she will be competing in qualifying from 22 May.
Four of Wickmayer’s matches in Slovakia required three sets to resolve, while two of those saw her opponents – Slovakia’s Kristina Kucova and Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland, retire during the final set.
The only match which failed to go the distance was the final, where Wickmayer defeated her good friend and doubles partner – the duo have won three doubles titles together in 2023 – Greet Minnen, 6-0 6-3.
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“I am very satisfied, but it has been a really tough week in general,” said Wickmayer. “I have played a lot of three setters and spent a lot of hours on court, but it is very nice to end the week with a win and a trophy.
“It was a tough match playing my friend, it is never easy playing someone that you know but, in a way, it was really special to share this moment together and I am just really happy with the win.
“It was weird being on the other side of the net to Greet, especially as I am used to playing doubles with her. As I say, it felt weird and it didn’t feel right, but I just tried to focus on my game and be aggressive from the beginning.”
Elsewhere on the ITF World Tennis Tour, there was a third title of the season for Romania’s Jaqueline Adina Cristian at W60 Zagreb, while Caroline Dolehide of the United States triumphed at W60 Naples, Fl and Natsumi Kawaguchi at W60 Fukuoka.