ITF

12 Winter 2022/23 ITF World LUCIE HAVLICKOVA INTERVIEW By that stage of the season, Havlickova's intentions had been signalled after she lifted silverware at successive Grade A tournaments – the highest classification of ITF junior event. She won the singles at Criciuma in February and doubles at Offenbach in April. She was close to adding a second Junior Grand Slam singles crown to her title haul after reaching the US Open girls' final in September, only to succumb to Alexandra Eala of the Philippines. Nevertheless, a second Junior Grand Slam doubles title – taking her season's trophy tally to five – was forthcoming at Flushing Meadows as she and Diana Shnaider conquered all before them in stunning and clinical style. Incidentally, had she won the girls' singles in New York, Havlickova would have become the first girl to secure two Junior Grand Slam titles – and indeed back-to-back crowns – in the same year since Belinda Bencic in 2013. Havlickova did emulate the Swiss, however, by finishing 2022 as the year-end junior world No. 1 in the girls' rankings, which secured her ITF World Champion status. Bencic had done likewise nine years earlier. "Last season was definitely my best season yet," said Havlickova, who reveals that her baking speciality is birthday cakes for her friends. "At the beginning of the year, I was struggling and I couldn't find my game for quite a long time. But then I won the Grade A tournament in Criciuma, which started everything. "It felt really amazing to be the year-end junior world No. 1 and an ITF World Champion – I'm very happy about it. Now my aspirations for 2023 are to focus on women's tennis and climb as high as possible in the rankings. "I hope that I'm going to play Grand Slam qualifying and get into main draws. I would like this year to be a good one and to make a good start." The conveyor belt of Czech talent to have progressed to the very highest level of the game is well-documented, yet Havlickova is only the nation's second ITF World Champion in the junior girls' category this century. Barbora Strycova was the last Czech girl to be crowned an ITF World Champion in 2002, although the list of the nation's winners across all categories is distinguished. It includes Ivan Lendl, Hana Mandlikova, Petra Kvitova plus Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova, who received the doubles award for the third time in 2022. "This is, of course, a big motivation and some sign that my team and I are doing a great job," added Havlickova. "The inspiration for Czech tennis players is huge as we have so many awesome tennis players. I hope to join them someday." As she alludes, Havlickova is set to focus exclusively on the ITF World Tennis Tour – the main artery to the ATP and WTA tours – this season as she continues her development and prepares for a long-term career in professional tennis. She will be no stranger to the rigours of the tour having made her debut in December 2019 aged just 14 although, consistent with her output across the board, it was last season where she made the biggest strides. Havlickova ended her 2022 ITF World Tennis Tour campaign by reaching her maiden final at W25 Trnava, where she lost to Vera Lapko, a matter of weeks after contesting a semi-final at W60 Trnava. "The transition from junior to pro tennis is not easy," said Havlickova. "You have to start over again and go through qualifying and the lower-grade tournaments, but if you are good you are going to make it. Somehow you just have to get through." There is a strong suggestion that this aspiring teenager will do exactly that and more – much more in fact. It may be worth keeping a close eye on Lucie Havlickova. n Top to bo om: En route to the US Open girls' final; winning the Roland Garros girls' trophy; Havlickova won the US Open junior doubles with Diana Shnaider; she also won the Roland Garros doubles with Sara Bejlek

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