Czech teenage sisters offer glimpse of the future at ASB Classic
Teenage sisters Linda and Brenda Fruhvirtova, likened to the rise of the Williams sisters at a young age, will provide plenty of interest and excitement at the ASB Classic in Auckland.
Seventeen-year-old Linda Fruhvirtova became the youngest player inside the top 100 to win a- WTA singles title, at 17 years and 141 days, when she won the Chennai Open 250 event in India. She is now ranked 78 in the world as she heads to Auckland for the ASB Classic starting on 2 January.
Her 15-year-old sister won five straight titles on the ITF Pro Circuit, and seven in total this year, including 25 straight matches, dropping just two sets and is now targeting her Top 100 entry.
ASB Classic Tournament director Nicolas Lamperin has confirmed the elder Fruhvirtova will enter the tournament as a direct entry with her ranking, while the younger teenager will get a main draw wildcard.
Lamperin believes the sisters from the Czech Republic are exciting new faces in the sport.
“The Czech Republic has a remarkable development programme and have more than 10 women in the WTA top 100 including Linda Fruhvirtova,” said Lamperin.
“The sisters are well coached and both are pushing each other to the top echelon of the sport. The tennis fans in New Zealand have an amazing opportunity of seeing tomorrow’s tennis stars today.
“It is exciting for our tournament and we are all looking forward to seeing them in action.”
Despite her tender years, Linda started playing tennis at the age of three in Prague, but she is very clear about her future.
“I want to be world No 1 and win Grand Slams,” she told itftennis.com.
The pair have also developed through their own sisterly competition. Their father Hynek said: “They had some intense battles growing up. The younger one always wants to beat the older one, who never wants to lose.
“They compete against each other on court only and when they walk off-court, it is a different story. They motivate each other and are both really supportive of each other.”
The final entry list for the women’s draw of the ASB Classic will be announced next week.
ASB Classic returns 2 - 14 January, 2023
ASB Tennis Arena, Auckland
Tickets available at www.ticketek.co.nz