The Slovakian, Daniela Hantuchova retired from professional tennis during the Wimbledon 2017 and just before she announced her retirement from tennis she began her job as a TV commentator. The six-feet tall Slovakian is a two-time champion at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in 2002 and 2007. Hantuchova was an established doubles tennis player as well. She bagged nine doubles titles and she was the fifth player in the Open Era of tennis to secure the mixed doubles career Grand Slam. Having a vibrant career on the WTA tour, the Australian Open 2008 semifinalist shared her experience on her new job.
via Imago
Daniela Hantuchova retires from professional tennis during the Wimbledon 2017
The former World Number 5, Hantuchova said, “There in an advantage. In the interviews, players are more honest and available. They know I am one of them and they trust me more. They know I am not asking a silly thing, that I really appreciate the game. TVs use the former players for this job because they are more open with them”. Begin a Slovakian and not being a native English speaker she manages to commentate an entire tennis match in English, by previously undertaking intensive English lessons. Additionally, she alluded to her pleasant experience so far as a TV commentator on the tour. She revealed, “The biggest experience for me was last year’s US Open in New York where over one day I interviewed Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro and they were all very nice. I pleasantly was surprised by their reactions.”
via Imago
Hantuchova in the studio with Greg Rusedski
Also, Hantuchova disclosed about her excitement to interview Mirka Federer, who was also born in Slovakia, she acknowledged, “I did not have luck with Mirka, but I will try on the first occasion, so it would be beautiful to speak about Slovakia”. She also mentioned her management across the ATP and the WTA circuit, “I was the first woman on Amazon TV to commentate live matches with the former British player Greg Rusedski. The first event was the Queen’s Club in London on the grass in a Marin Cilic’s match”, Hantuchova informed.
