The United Cup has supplied the chance for brand new partnerships and friendships to type, with stars from the ATP Tour and Hologic WTA Tour becoming a member of forces to information their nations to success.
For Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka, it has been a side of the mixed-teams occasion that he has liked. Over the previous week, the 21-year-old has hung out with 29-time tour-level titlist Petra Kvitova, a legendary determine within the sport who he has lengthy since admired.
“I keep in mind watching Petra within the Wimbledon remaining in 2011 when she beat Maria Sharapova. It was superb,” Lehecka advised ATPTour.com. “I used to be 10 years outdated at the moment, so it’s fairly humorous and funky I’m now right here together with her. We laughed about that earlier this week. Her profession has been large and he or she is such a superb participant.”
After having fun with a breakthrough 2022, the Next Gen ATP Finals runner-up is seeking to develop his sport additional in simply his second 12 months on Tour. In distinction, the 32-year-old Kvitova is competing in her seventeenth season at this stage.
Eager to be taught, Lehecka revealed that the previous World No. 2’s expertise and steerage have been invaluable across the crew camp in Sydney.
“She is a Grand Slam champion which speaks for itself. She is ideal and making an attempt to assist us,” Lehecka mentioned. “She is talking about her personal experiences which she gained by means of her personal profession. She is absolutely relaxed and all the time brings a superb temper to the locker room, which is one thing we’d like right here.
“Just to take heed to her talking concerning the match when she is watching is absolutely attention-grabbing. She has a unique standpoint than different coaches. She has been by means of all the pieces, now she is sitting with you on the bench and telling you ways she sees it which may be very attention-grabbing. She provides you good ideas.”
Photo Credit: TENNIS AUSTRALIA/ATP Tour, Peter Staples.
With Kvitova’s phrases of assist ringing in his ears, Lehecka equalled the most important win of his profession by Pepperstone ATP Ranking when he upset World No. 12 Alexander Zverev on Saturday to assist Team Czech Republic defeat Team Germany 3-2.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova, who earned victories towards Jessica Pegula and Laura Seigemund in Sydney, has been thrilled to offer assist for the youthful stars of the crew.
“It’s great vibes. The boys are really trying to go up and it’s great. It’s desire, they have the fire inside, they really want it,” World No. 16 Kvitova said. “I’m at the point of my career where I still want it, but of course when I was younger and I was going up it’s a different story than now. It’s nice. It reminds me of when I was young and I had a lower ranking and trying to go up.”
Photo Credit: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images
Having gained priceless expertise final 12 months and this week in Sydney, Lehecka is able to push on initially of 2023.
“Last season was about gaining expertise,” mentioned Lehecka, who reached the semi-finals in Rotterdam final February. “Gaining details about the gamers, concerning the occasions, learn how to do the schedule. To have this stuff in my backpack and to go together with them into the brand new season makes an enormous distinction. I’m wanting ahead to utilizing these experiences this 12 months and I feel it will likely be helpful.
“I’m making an attempt to play aggressively and this sport is working proper now. I’m feeling nice on courtroom in the mean time, which is an important factor for me.”