Donna Vekic has received many messages of support following her Queen’s title victory.
Vekic was not supposed to even be in the main draw of Queen’s, having lost in qualifying to Anna Blinkova, when she was struggling with illness.
However, after receiving a lifeline as a lucky loser, Vekic beat Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter and Karolina Pliskova to claim her fifth WTA title and first since 2023.
Following Vekic’s triumph in London, she has received messages from the likes of 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert and world number four Jessica Pegula.
Chris Evert congratulates Donna Vekic on Instagram after Queen’s victory
As many players do after winning a title, Vekic took to Instagram to reflect on her victory, as she wrote “Queen’s!!!! No. 5 (trophy and love heart emojis)”, attached to two pictures of her holding the title.
Vekic was inundated with messages of support on this social media post, including from former world number one Evert.
Evert has been a big supporter of Vekic’s, with the Croatian training at the Chris Evert Academy as a teenager, and it appears that they still have a strong relationship.
“Great effort, Donna! (followed by a series of emojis),” Evert wrote in the comments.
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Vekic was coached by 22-time Grand Slam doubles champion Pam Shriver for over two years until June 2025, helping her reach the Wimbledon semi-finals and win an Olympic silver medal.
The pair still appear to have a good bond, as Shriver wrote, “”DV and grass courts, a match made in heaven! (clapping emojis).”
World number four Pegula made her own Instagram story to congratulate Vekic, “She’s backkk, congrats @donnavekic.”
Many other active and former WTA players congratulated Vekic on her title win in London.
Victoria Azarenka said, “Idemo (Let’s go in Croatian) Donna (love heart emojis).”
Boulter added, “Way too good (clapping emojis).”
Marion Bartoli also sent, “Massive congrats Donna (love heart emojis). Idemo (love heart emojis).”
What is next for Donna Vekic after Queen’s?
It has been a real breakthrough week for Vekic, who has climbed 44 places in the rankings up to world number 32.
This is significant for Vekic, as it means that she will now likely be seeded for Wimbledon this year and avoid other top players until the third round.
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Vekic will have little time away from the match court before she competes again, as she is in the draw for the Berlin Open.
The 29-year-old is a former finalist at the Berlin Open, with Vekic looking to continue her newfound momentum on grass.
Vekic will play Alexandra Eala in her first round match in Berlin, having lost to the Filipina in Auckland earlier this year.
