Romana Tabak and her new faith in future

Romana Caroline Tabak is a name that does not sound new to tennis experts and many fans.

The Slovak, born in 1991, is a former junior Wimbledon semi-finalist, her career best ranking as a professional player came a couple of years ago, when she reached the number 240, but ever since she has almost disappeared.

Having conquered the hearts of many fans –and not only, as many remember a rumoured story with Grigor Dimitrov- thanks to her beauty and aggressive tennis, Tabak played her last ITF match in September 2012, but her problems had begun way before.

The 23 year old had struggled with injuries in her first few years as a pro and when things started to pick up, she contracted a severe form of Lyme disease during a successful series of tournaments in America.

The fall in the ranking and the struggle to heal properly left her with no sponsors and so playing tennis became more and more hard for her.

“As I was forced to deal with a high stage of Lyme disease and no sponsors, my parents have been more for studying on college after all those injuries,” she told me.

All Pictures credits to: Martin Halik

“I am currently studying in New York, where I play college matches against other schools and we travel a lot, so I had time to explore New York and other states.”

She was not too sure when she left for the States, but she told me how things suddenly changed in her life.

“Now I feel great,” she said: “I see life from different perspective. After I stopped playing tennis, God blessed me and I started to believe in Jesus Christ for this blessing.

“I’m so thankful my life is so much easier and full of joy. After studying maybe I will return to professional tennis, depends on how I will feel and how the situation will be.”

She added: “With God everything is possible, sky is the limit. I was really surprised how many successful people such as Michael Chang, Bono from U2, American football team Seattle Seahawks, who won Super Bowl this year, Johnny Cash and many others are true believers...it’s amazing!

“To all my friends who are coming to visit New York, I recommend to come to Times Square Church and see the amazing sermons.”

She used her free time for charity too. She said: “I had the chance, last year in India, to be part of a mission trip, where we served and helped sick and poor people.”

Does that mean that we will never see her fighting for her childhood dream of becoming a top tennis player? Maybe not.

“I am missing competitive life and co-operation with my coach Martin Zathurecky,” she said: “Tennis is pure joy for me since I was a young girl.

“Tennis taught me what love is, tennis gave me the ability to travel around the world and explore other cultures. Tennis keeps me living my dream and kept me from living the life that any other teenager did.” 

She know that a comeback would be hard, after many injuries she knows what it is like: “The hardest thing is the lack of confidence and on top of that you are scared that you may get injured again.”

It is not a comeback, but the past weekend she came back to Europe and played in the German Regional-liga for the LTTC Rot-Weiß Berlin, where she won her debut match over Carolin Schmidt, world number 1263,  6-1 6-1.

“I enjoyed every moment in my tennis career, even when I was up or down,” she said: “So now I would like to graduate and after my studies, maybe, I will return to tennis, but for sure at some point I would like to be in charge of charities, serving and helping people and for sure one day to have a big family.”

A chat with rising Slovak Anna Karolina Schmiedlova

Still to turn 20, Anna Karolina Schmiedlova has reached this week her career highest ranking at number 73 in the world, but there is a lot more to expect from the young Slovak.

Collecting the interview in Bratislava

Having been a very successful junior –she reached the final at Roland Garros in 2012- she quickly translated her game to the professional tour with success.

Despite being part of the Slovak team for the Fed Cup tie against Germany, she did not have the chance to hit the court there, but nonetheless found the time for a short talk between her team-mates’ matches.

She told me she was very happy about how things are going, but as well recognizes it has been a difficult start of the season, because thanks to her new top 100 status she has played more WTA tournaments, where the level is higher from the very first rounds.

“It is different to play WTA: they are very tough and I had to play some very good players, while before I was playing in the ITF’s.” She said.

“It is much different because I can play in the first round against a top 20 or top10, like this year in Pattaya, I got to play Sorana Cirstea, she is top 30, in my first match…so it is difficult.”

She sounded very positive nonetheless and said to be ready for the challenge, but with a touch of irony added:

“I hope to get some better draws though, so I don’t always have to play against such good players immediately. In round two or three is much better!”

 

Credits to: robbiesaurus

Having won good matches on every surface, she has proven to be a all-round players, but she still feels her best feelings are with clay:

“I change surface a lot, but I think clay is my favourite. Roland Garros is my favourite because I played final in the juniors and the clay there is very fast so it is good for my game and I hope this year it is going to be the same as the years before.”

Her next stops are in the Americas as her schedule includes Florianopolis in Brazil and then the big events of Indian Wells and Miami, but before focusing on her future I asked her about her past and which were the matches she was particularly proud of.

“Probably last year at the Roland Garros, I beat Yanina Wickmayer and before that match the qualification was really tough too.” She said surprisingly as I expected her to mention her win over Alizé Cornet in Katowice, her first ever WTA main draw match and best win in terms of ranking.

“Oh, yes…that was a really good match as well, maybe I played even better than against Wickmayer. I served really well and I feel this was one of my best matches ever.”

Credits to: si.robi

As she is ready for many weeks away from Europe shortly after the Australian swing, I ask her how does she feel about all the travelling it is required to be a top tennis player.

Well, I like travelling, but some times it is just too much for me, like I live in Kosice so it is 5 hours from here, so it can be tough as I have my brother and father there, which makes it even more difficult to stay here in Bratislava and then all the travelling for tournaments as well can be just so tough.”

She still finds a familiar environment when training in the Slovakian capital as with her lives her younger sister, who is also a promising name for the future.

“It is really good because she lives here with me in Bratislava and we practice together and of course support each other, so it is important for me to have her. Lately she has been injured so it is not a great moment for her, but now she is coming back so…”

There is no doubt that we will hear from her again in the future, because she has everything it takes to keep improving in the years to come.

Getting to know Norbert Gombos

Wednesday wasn't a good day for the ATP Challenger in Cordenons as the heavy rain that forced to suspend matches yesterday kept falling until the today's middle afternoon and despite the hard work from the organization, only one set was played, but the conditions of the courts forced once more to delay the whole thing to tomorrow. 

On outer courts a lot of players kept practicing despite the slow and slippery clay and in one of them I found one of the most interesting rising names of the circuit, Norbert Gombos, from Slovakia, who accepted to say a few words once his training was over. Gombos was born in 1990 and reached his career highest ranking just a few weeks ago being number 262 in the world:

You played really well in your first round match against the 7th seed Pashanski, how was it?

N.G. I really felt good on court, I played really well because I know he is a very good and tough opponent, so I tried my best and I felt really good because I was playing on the centre court and there was a good atmosphere, with a lot of people on the stands…I was glad that I played good tennis.

Is it the first time you come here?

N.G. yes, it’s my first time here in Cordenons. I’ve played many tournaments in Italy this year, but it’s my first time here.

How is the atmosphere here? How do you feel it?

N.G. You know, it’s always good in Italy, really good atmosphere because so many people come to watch matches and, you know, so it’s like, those are just challengers, but with so many people it feels like the ATP tour and there are always nice clubs and good organization…that’s why I am playing only in Italy now!

I see, that’s flattering for us. You played a lot on clay this year, is it because you like it best?

N.G. Yeah, that’s true. I have more points coming from clay, but I don’t care if I am playing on clay or hard courts, also my coaches say that I have a good game for hard courts, but I don’t care, I think I feel more comfortable on clay, because I was grown up on clay. This is better for me, I guess.

You’ve got one more day to rest now because of the rain and the courts, what do you think about your chances in the next round and then for the tournament?

N.G. Yeah, I mean, I am playing against a wildcard [Stefano Napolitano], so some home player, but it will be a tough match because every Italian guys always play really good at home. I have played against local wildcards before in other tournaments and those were tough matches, but I will try my best, that’s for sure.

What would you tell us about your game? What’s your favourite shot?

N.G. Well…I play very good from the baseline, I feel good there, but I improve my game all the time, thinking about new things and I believe that I improved my game, not only my ranking, so that’s why I am training very hard at home, so I try to improve always new things on my game.

Of course, there’s always something to improve, but you are doing a great job. So where are you going to play next? And what are your goals for the season?

N.G. my goals for the season? Well it was to reach top 300 and I already did it *laughs*. So now it’s to get into some grand slam qualifying, you know, it’s my dream to play a grand slam.

Well, you are not too far from that, are you?

N.G. Yeah, just like few points, but I have to defend a few from the last year, so we will see, I will fight for the Australian Open.

So maybe we will see you in Australia next year?

N.G. I hope so. *smiles*

Anyway, I think that yesterday was your birthday…

N.G. yes…

So happy birthday!

N.G. *laughs* thanks!

Did you have time to enjoy it?

N.G. No, you know, it’s always tough to celebrate birthdays on a tournament, because you are always practicing the whole day or waiting for matches…yesterday I played doubles, so it was good because we won, so it’s been the likes of a present…*laughs again* but it was like a normal day for me…

Next week are you playing another tournament or just a bit of rest?

N.G. Yes, I signed in for a 50k + H challenger in Este, so I will go there from here.

Oh ok…well, you know, playing ITFs you are always around and there are very few combined events, so it’s hard to…well first of all, do you have a girlfriend?

N.G. No, not yet. *giggles*

Ok, so, do you think it’s hard to get to know players? I mean, women players…

N.G. Mmm…I don’t think so, I have a lot friends and sometimes we meet at tournaments, it’s easier with other guys though. Sometimes I travel with my coach, so it’s good for me, but I have many many friends on tour, which is really good.

Of course…can I ask you who are your best friends on tour?

N.G. I mean, I have a really good relationship with the Czech guys and also from Slovakia, but that’s why I am playing in Italy so that I can meet some Italian guys and have new friends, you know.

Has it ever happened to you that a girl or a play approached you, like for a date or to ask you out?

N.G. No, no. *giggles* I mean, I try to keep in touch with the girls at home, but I am abroad for a long time, but when I am at hope I try to meet every friend and also girls and I also try to also…how to say it…turn off from tennis a bit, so I try to relax a bit at home and feel good.

I see, well, thank you and good luck for tomorrow.

N.G. Thank you.

Ligety schools everyone in Soelden's snowstorm

American Ted Ligety was one of the -if not the one- most critic about the new rules on GS skis, as he said they wouldn't make any difference in the speed, but would actually increase the risk of injuries. One would then believe that this change might actually set him back on earth, whereas he's been the best interpreter of the discipline over the past few years. Well this one was surely surprised at the end of today's race, as not only he won, once again, but he completely destroyed the chances of everybody else, as the first mortal, Italian Manfred Moelgg, finished almost 3 seconds behind Teddy!
What makes it even more scary, is that the scenario after the first run was rather different.
The huge snowfall that kept blowing a lot of snow throughout the night gave a lot of troubles to the organizers, but after a great effort the race could start, but the whole course was slowed down by the fresh snow, mostly for the first racers and very soon a lot of bumps ruined the course.

Austrian Philipp Schoerghofer, unluckily for him, had the duty to open the race and couldn't even qualify for the second run as slow it was the last flat part of the slope.
Passage by passage the course got a little faster though, but of the top group only Ligety could score a time good enough to stay into the very top places after the first run. On the contrary French Thomas Fanara could take advantage of the little faster surface and by attacking the course from the very first gates with no fear for the bumps he could set the best time, by placing few hundreths ahead of the American.
Swedish Myrher and Austrian Baumed too, made solid runs and placed themself just behind Ligety and then with bib 21 Italian Moelgg showed a great attitude and even if he looked on the point of falling many times, he could stay up and score a terrific run, which placed him 3rd.
In the huge snowfall and the bad visibility a few guys from behind could find the right intuition to score a good run and so, quite many of them could qualify for the second run.
Cyprien Richard opened that second partial, but he wasn't really lucky and went out before time, then it was Roy's turn, and the Canadia made a really solid run even if at first it didn't look like one, as the very next racer, Slovakian newcomer Adam Zampa, destroyed his leadership with a terrific and brave run that would eventually give him a long-lasting leadership and a final placement into the top 10, 9th at his very first 2nd run in World Cup! Such a great achievement for the young guy from Vysoké Tatry, who had showed terrific improvements in the past few seasons, thanks to a very commendable hard work!

Zampa's run was so good that in the end his time was the 2nd best and could take him ahead of champions like Kostelic, Bauman and Mathis!
Only when the top tenners of the first run were to come down, the advantage over the Slovakian was big enough to let them overcome him at the finish line.
When it was last year's champion's turn, everyone expecred a great reaction from Hirscher, who didn't look very good in the first run and so it was. The Austrian seemed to shake out all the doubts and attacked like only he can do and leaded the race for a few intense moment.
The conditions of the weather were very tough and so the course, with all the bumps impossible to be seen in the snowstorm and so many runners fell or went out earlyon and after the exit of Simoncelli, Italian fans were holding their breaths while Manfred Moelgg was skiing down the hill.
Once again, like in the first run, the Italian looked always risking a little too much as if he was about to crash, but again he didn't and when he crossed the finish line he ended Hirscher's leadership.

His own was to last very few though, as Ted Ligety seemed not to be bothered by the fog or the snow and skied as if it was smooth and sunny, scoring a crazy good time, 2.75 seconds faster than the Italian and nothing could the first run's leader Fanara apart from trying to go beyond his limits. Too bad for the French it didn't work and he lost the podium too, finishing 4th.