?Too Much for Me?- History-Maker Marketa Vondrousova Revisits Past Grand Slam Final Heartbreak to Signal Hope for Her 2023 Wimbledon Final Outcome

It has been an incredible fortnight for Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova. The world No.42 has won over fans and experts alike with some astonishing performances on the hallowed courts at SW19. Having beaten the likes of Jessica Pegula and Elina Svitolina this week, Vondrousova has matched her best performance at a slam. As she looks to go one step further and lift the Venus Rosewater Dish, the 24-year-old commented on how her previous experience as a teenager in a slam final could help on Saturday.

Marketa Vondrousova, the first unseeded player since Billie Jean King to reach the Wimbledon final, stands on the cusp of rewriting history. She will look to go one step ahead of the legendary American, who lost the 1963 final to Margaret Smith. For now, though, the Czech is just glad to be among the final two.

Marketa Vondrousova hopes to exorcise the ghosts of the 2019 French Open final

Marketa Vondrousova ended Elina Svitolina’s fairytale run to advance to her second Grand Slam final. Immediately after that, she was asked what she feels is different this time as compared to her French Open final loss, which came just days before her 20th birthday. The Czech player revealed how the magnanimity of the occasion got the better of her.

Marketa Vondrousova said,?“Yeah, I mean, I think it can definitely help you know, in the tough moments. And also like, I’ve been through it you know. Once, I was very young, so it was, I think it was just too much for me, you know, back then. But yeah, I think this can help you also on the way and you know what to do, and you know you have to have good people around you… I’m a bit older now also, so yeah I think I’m a bit different person, and I’m just happy to be through this again..”

Australia’s Ashleigh Barty surrendered just four games as she completely outplayed the teenager, but a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since that afternoon at Roland Garros. Marketa Vondrousova turned in a near-perfect performance against a player who had beaten four grand slam champions to reach the last four. This would have done a world of good to her confidence. Furthermore, her experiences on Court Philippe Chatrier on June 8, 2019, could hold her in good stead on Centre Court.?

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However, this is not the first time that Marketa Vondrousova has set up a summit clash of a prestigious tournament by getting the better of Elina Svitolina.

Beating Svitolina in a semifinal does not bring back great memories for Vondrousova

Marketa Vondrousova knows what it feels like to beat Elina Svitolina in the semifinal of a grand event. Before this year’s Wimbledon, the duo faced each other in the women’s singles semifinal of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Czech player beat the then world number 6 Elina Svitolina to play in the gold medal match. However, she suffered a defeat to Belinda Bencic and had to leave the ‘Land of The Rising Sun’ with an Olympic Silver medal.

Having suffered defeats at the biggest stages, Marketa Vondrousova will hope that the third time’s the charm. She will aim to banish the demons of the past and win her first Slam when she faces Ons Jabeur in the Wimbledon final on Saturday. The Tunisian will have similar ambitions as it will be her third Major final; she lost in the summit clash in the 2022 Wimbledon (vs Elena Rybakina) and US Open (vs Iga Swiatek).

Marketa Vondrousova will hope that the weight of the grand occasion does not get in her way this time. While she is “happy” to be through this again, her time on the WTA Tour and the setbacks at the biggest stages could help her. Which player will lift the Venus Rosewater Dish at Centre Court?

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