via Getty
DOHA, QATAR – FEBRUARY 23: Kristina Mladenovic of France looks on against Veronika Kudermetova of Russia during day one of the WTA Qatar Total Open 2020 at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on February 23, 2020 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
via Getty
DOHA, QATAR – FEBRUARY 23: Kristina Mladenovic of France looks on against Veronika Kudermetova of Russia during day one of the WTA Qatar Total Open 2020 at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on February 23, 2020 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Former World No. 10 Kristina Mladenovic withdrew from her 2nd round match at the ITF Dubai W100 because of an injury. She was the top seed at the event and was playing against 177th ranked Elena-Gabriela Ruse. The injury is a setback to her 2021 preparations.
Mladenovic started the match on a good note, but she stopped midway because of what seemed like a niggle. The match was in its opening set with the score even at 2-2. But in just 25 minutes, Mladenovic decided not to risk her preparations for 2021 and thus retired from the ITF event.
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Kristina Mladenovic rigorously preparing for 2021
Mladenovic is currently in Dubai preparing for the 2021 season. Dubai is her official residence as well, and she is also spending time with her family. The French player earlier posted a video of her workout regime during this offseason. She is having an intense training routine which features two hours of tennis, 4o mins of running, and then various reps of exercises with weights and ropes. But now she will have to rest a bit and regain full fitness before jumping again on the court.
+2h 🎾 enchainé d’un petit circuit de 40’ 😅🥵☀️🔥
30sec d’effort / 20sec repos x 6 tours #prépafoncière pic.twitter.com/D81KmejWTj— Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) November 30, 2020
Although Mladenovic will be unhappy with her singles performances this year, she will surely cherish her doubles results. She partnered with Timea Babos and won two Grand Slams at the Australian Open and the French Open. She and Babos retained their French Open doubles crown as they were champions last year as well. By far they were the best WTA doubles team in 2020.
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Kristina Mladenovic and Timea Babos the best WTA team for the second time in a row
— Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) December 8, 2020
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They capped off this impressive year with a WTA Award as well. During yesterday’s WTA Players Award ceremony, Kristina Mladenovic and Timea Babos were named the WTA doubles team of the year for the second time in a row. She and Babos have been a formidable team, winning four Grand Slams since 2018 and these awards are a testimony to their great efforts.
Read More: “I Gave it Everything”–Kristina Mladenovic on Defending French Open 2020 Title
