Dubai: Lucie Safarova is planning to conserve herself, Roger Federer-style, as she plots a comeback into the top-10 once again.
For some reason, 18 is her lucky number and a former top-10 player, Safarova wants to ensure that she has her best season yet by the end of this year. Peaking at world No. 5 in mid-September 2015, Safarova slid down the rankings to her current No. 30 either due to illness or injuries. But now re-united with her coach Rob Steckley after a nearly two-year break, Safarova is hopeful she can carry on with her duties on the WTA Tour.
At 31, Safarova is considered as one of the ‘veterans’, but the former girlfriend of Tomas Berdych wants to simply stay positive and work towards her goal with the hope that things will fall into place. Steckley was part of her team for nearly four seasons till the two parted ways in September 2016. Safarova opted for Frantisek Cermak as coach, but once again announced that Steckley would be with her starting 2018.
“It’s been a great period for me all along, and I am really happy how it’s been going as I am enjoying my tennis and I still have my dreams and my goals going forward,” Safarova told media at the official draw ceremony on Saturday.
“I wouldn’t mind if he [Federer] gives me some tips. He is such a hero when it comes to planning and conserving his body. In general, I think all the developments in the physiotherapy and fitness industry has helped us take better care of our bodies, and that is how we get a chance to prolong our careers,” she added.
Safarova barely has any complaints about the way her career has panned out so far. “I’ve been playing really well against top-10 players. Unfortunately, I’ve been losing but these have been really tight matches. So I am just waiting for the right moment to turn that around. Once you catch it and roll, you roll on and I hope this happens soon,” she said.
The New Year has been promising so far with a third-round loss to Karolina Pliskova at the Australian Open last month. On Saturday, the 31-year-old Czech player was drawn to play fifth seed Caroline Garcia of France in their first round match. “I don’t really think there will be any easy matches. I am ready and excited for the challenges ahead,” she said.
“I hope 2018 is going to be amazing. 18 is my favourite number, so I’ve told myself that this is my year. Obviously, I would love to be in the top-10 once again. There are always goals left to be achieved, and when you hold the trophy above the head that’s the moment you are waiting for. That’s what you work towards,” Safarova added.
“I keep growing and I keep learning. The idea is to just staying positive and moving on.”
