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Nicole Vaidišová
N Vaidišová R Štěpánek 2019 (cropped).jpg
Vaidišová in 2019
Country (sports)  Czech Republic
Residence Prague, Czech Republic
Born (1989-04-23) 23 April 1989 (age 36)
Nuremberg, West Germany
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Turned pro 2003
Retired 2016
Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Prize money US$ 2,778,619
Singles
Career record 225–116 (65.98%)
Career titles 6 WTA, 2 ITF
Highest ranking No. 7 (14 May 2007)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open SF (2007)
French Open SF (2006)
Wimbledon QF (2007, 2008)
US Open 4R (2005)
Other tournaments
Olympic Games 1R (2008)
Doubles
Career record 13–31 (29.55%)
Career titles 0
Highest ranking No. 128 (2 October 2006)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open 3R (2008)
French Open 1R (2006, 2009)
Wimbledon 2R (2006, 2007)
US Open 1R (2005)
Other doubles tournaments
Olympic Games 1R (2008)
Mixed doubles
Career record 4–3
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
French Open 2R (2005)
Wimbledon 3R (2008)
US Open 2R (2005)

Nicole Vaidišová Štěpánková (born on April 23, 1989) is a former professional tennis player from the Czech Republic.

She was a very successful player, reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open and French Open. She also made it to the quarterfinals twice at Wimbledon. Nicole started playing tennis at just six years old. She trained at the famous Nick Bollettieri tennis academy in Florida.

Nicole was known for her powerful serve. Her strong groundstrokes, combined with her serve, made her an aggressive player. On August 9, 2006, when she was only 17, she became one of the youngest players ever to reach the top 10 in the WTA Tour rankings. Her highest ranking was world No. 7 in May 2007. She first retired from tennis in 2010, but came back in 2014. She retired again in 2016 due to injuries.

Career Highlights

Starting Strong: 2003–2004

Nicole Vaidišová began her professional tennis career in 2003. She quickly reached three finals and won an ITF tournament in the Czech Republic.

In 2004, her first full year as a pro, Nicole finished among the top 100 players. She won her first WTA Tour title in Vancouver. She was only 15 years old, making her one of the youngest champions in tour history. She also won her second title of the year at the Tashkent Open. By October, she was ranked No. 74, becoming the youngest player in the top 100.

Nicole played in her first major tournament, the US Open, but lost in the first round. She ended 2004 with two WTA titles and a great record of 31 wins and 8 losses.

Rising Star: 2005–2007

Nicole Vaidisova medibank international 2006 02
Vaidišová at the 2006 Sydney International

In 2005, Nicole got her first win at a Grand Slam event at the Australian Open. She reached the third round there. In April, she entered the top 50 rankings. She also achieved her first win against a top 10 player, beating Anastasia Myskina.

Nicole reached her first final in Istanbul in May, but lost to Venus Williams. At the US Open, she made it to the fourth round, her best Grand Slam result at that time.

She then won three titles in a row in Asia: Seoul, Tokyo, and Bangkok. This winning streak of 15 matches was very impressive. She became the first player since 2004 to win three titles in three weeks. By October, she was ranked No. 18.

In May 2006, Nicole won her sixth WTA Tour title in Strasbourg. In June, she had her best Grand Slam performance at the French Open, reaching the semifinals. She beat world No. 1 Amélie Mauresmo and Venus Williams there. At Wimbledon, she reached the fourth round. This meant she had reached the round of 16 or better in all four Grand Slam tournaments.

In July, she reached the semifinals in Stanford and San Diego. After San Diego, she moved into the top 10 for the first time, becoming the 12th-youngest player to do so. She finished 2006 ranked No. 10, making it her most successful year.

Starting 2007, Nicole reached the semifinals of the Sydney International. She then reached her second Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open, losing to the eventual champion Serena Williams.

Nicole Vaidisova 2007 US Open (cropped)
Vaidišová at the 2007 US Open

She had a wrist injury that made her miss most of the clay court season. However, she still reached the quarterfinals of the French Open. At Wimbledon, she reached the quarterfinals again. She had beaten defending champion Amélie Mauresmo in the fourth round.

Nicole was out for two months after Wimbledon due to illness. She returned at the US Open. She finished the year by reaching semifinals in Zürich and Linz.

Challenges and Retirement: 2008–2010

Nicole Vaidisova US Open
Vaidišová at the 2009 US Open

In 2008, Nicole reached the semifinals of the Sydney International. She then had a tough period, losing six matches in a row.

At Wimbledon, she surprisingly made it to the quarterfinals. By the end of 2008, her ranking had dropped to No. 41. In 2009, her ranking fell out of the top 100.

In March 2010, at just 20 years old, Nicole's stepfather announced her retirement from professional tennis. He said she had "lack of interest in tennis."

Comeback and Second Retirement: 2014–2016

Nicole Vaidišová made a comeback to professional tennis in September 2014. She played in an ITF event in Albuquerque, winning her first match.

In March 2015, she qualified for her first WTA Tour main draw since 2010 at the Monterrey Open. She also played at the Miami Open, winning her first match before losing to a top player.

In July 2016, Nicole announced her second and final retirement from professional tennis due to injuries.

Personal Life

Nicole Vaidišová was introduced to tennis by her mother, Riana. She has three younger brothers: Filip, Oliver, and Toby. She can speak Czech, English, and German.

Nicole married fellow Czech tennis player Radek Štěpánek in July 2010. They divorced in 2013 but remarried in 2018. They have two daughters, Stella and Meda.

Endorsements

Nicole Vaidišová was a face for Reebok and appeared in their advertising campaigns. She also promoted Citizen Watches. She used Yonex racquets during her career.

In 2007, Nicole was featured in the video game Virtua Tennis 3.

Wins Over Top Players

Nicole Vaidišová had some impressive wins against top-ranked players during her career.

# Player Rank Event Surface Rd Score NVR
2005
1. Russia Anastasia Myskina No. 6 Charleston Open, US Clay 2R 6–3, 5–7, 6–4 No. 49
2. Russia Nadia Petrova No. 9 Bangkok Open, Thailand Hard F 6–1, 6–7(5–7), 7–5 No. 18
2006
3. France Amélie Mauresmo No. 1 French Open Clay 4R 6–7(5–7), 6–1, 6–2 No. 16
4. France Amélie Mauresmo No. 1 Kremlin Cup, Russia Carpet QF 1–6, 7–5, 7–6(7–3) No. 11
2007
5. Russia Elena Dementieva No. 8 Australian Open Hard 4R 6–3, 6–3 No. 12
6. France Amélie Mauresmo No. 4 Wimbledon Championships, UK Grass 4R 7–6(8–6), 4–6, 6–1 No. 10
7. Serbia Jelena Janković No. 3 Zurich Open, Switzerland Hard 2R 6–4, 6–4 No. 15
2008
8. Slovakia Daniela Hantuchová No. 9 Sydney International, Australia Hard 2R 6–4, 6–2 No. 12
9. Serbia Jelena Janković No. 3 Sydney International, Australia Hard QF 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 No. 12
10. Russia Anna Chakvetadze No. 8 Wimbledon Championships, UK Grass 4R 4–6, 7–6(7–0), 6–3 No. 22

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Nicole Vaidišová para niños

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