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Donna Vekic Wimbledon tired
Tennis News, WTA Tennis Players

“She killed me” Donna Vekic remembers her first practise with legendary opponent


Whatever else she goes on to achieve in her career, Donna Vekic knows that she will always have one claim to fame that can never be taken away from her.

 

Vekic was the last woman to play – and beat – Maria Sharapova before the Russian announced her retirement last month because of continuing problems with her shoulder.

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Vekic played Sharapova in the first round of the Australian Open in January, winning 6-3 6-4 in what would prove to be the final match of the former world No 1’s career. It avenged Vekic’s defeat to Sharapova in their only previous meeting in the second round of the French Open two years ago.

Sharapova and Vekic trained together in Monaco before the start of this season, but the Croatian had little idea that the 32-year-old Russian was struggling.

“I practised with her,” Vekic said. “It was my first practice set, actually. She had been practising for a while. She killed me, like, 6-1.” Even when they played in Melbourne, Vekic was unaware of Sharapova’s physical issues. “She was still hitting it as hard as I can remember,” Vekic said.

Vekic described Sharapova as “a great player, a champion”. She added: “She had some amazing results in her career. Her work ethic is pretty amazing. I saw her training in the off-season and she was really working hard.”


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.