Daniela News

August 17th,2008: Daniela to play in New Haven this week
Daniela is the second seed at this year's Pilot Pen Tennis in New Haven. She has a first round bye and will face the winner of Govortsova and Kleybanova in the second round. Daniela has met both players this year and lost both times. In doubles, Daniela is once again teaming with Davenport They'll meet Craybas and Govortsova in the first round.

June 18th,2008: Daniela's featured in Tennis Italian with Dolce & Gabbana
Daniela did a photo shoot for the magazine during the weeks she was injured and couldn't play tennis. View the pictures here









July 16th,2008: Daniela to play good friend Sugiyama today
Daniela will face Japanese Ai Sugiyama for the 9th time. In their previous 8 meetings, Sugiyama has won 5, and Daniela has yet to win on outdoor hard court. Their most recent encounter was earlier this year in Miami, when Sugiyama led 5-0 in the opening set before Daniela found some game and fought back, only to lose the match 4-6 7-6*8 5-7. Good luck to night Daniela. Daniela and Ai will play the 3rd match on center court and this will take place around midnight CET.

July 16th,2008: Daniela to play good friend Sugiyama today
Daniela will face Japanese Ai Sugiyama for the 9th time. In their previous 8 meetings, Sugiyama has won 5, and Daniela has yet to win on outdoor hard court. Their most recent encounter was earlier this year in Miami, when Sugiyama led 5-0 in the opening set before Daniela found some game and fought back, only to lose the match 4-6 7-6*8 5-7. Good luck to night Daniela. Daniela and Ai will play the 3rd match on center court and this will take place around midnight CET.

July 9th,2008: Daniela : « Tennis is my biggest love »
Interview of Daniela in video on Sony Ericsson WTA official website. You will learn that Daniela can't live without tennis, that she is proud to come from Slovakia, that the talent she wishs to have is to be invisible (and to play like Roger Federer :-) ), that she loves crepes with Nutella and that she dreams to meet Georges Clooney.




June 26th,2008: Daniela lost her second round match at Wimbledon to Kleybanova. In my opinion, Daniela didn't move well in the beginning of the match, and Kleybanova was in control of the majority of rallies. Down 4-2 in the second set, Daniela's mood changed and she broke back, and yelled a Vamos. Daniela played well for the rest of the second set and won it 6-4. However, Daniela wasn't able to keep up the momentum and lost the third set 6-1. However, all credit goes to Kleybanova who played well and made many winners. Kleybanova served well and hit very hard.
Daniela's winner-UEs: 10-19
Kleybanova's winners-UEs: 47-32

June 24th,2008: Daniela won her first round match at Wimbledon against Errani. Daniela didn't start well and was down 3-0 (double break), but she fought back and won the first set in a tie-break 7-5. During the first set Daniela made a lot of unforced errors, but some well-played games in the end of the 1st set helped her to make more winners than unforced errors: 22-19. Daniela played well in the second set, and quickly led 5-1. However, when it was time to serve out the match at 5-2, Errani breaks. Daniela holds serve on the second try and wins the second set 6-4. Winners-UEs: 13-8.
Daniela is now ready for the second round where she will face the in-form Kleybanova.

June 12th,2008: Daniela withdraws from the Ordina Open
« It is very disappointing but after almost two months of being out of competition due to a stress fracture in my foot, I am still not completely recovered and I am sad to announce that I won’t be able to compete at the Ordina Open this year. I really enjoyed playing in s-Hertogenbosch last year and was looking forward to coming back and preparing for Wimbledon. Unfortunately it takes a while to fully recover from such injury and I have to be patient throughout this recovery process. I hope to be ready for competition soon and I wish everyone a great week of tennis and much love to all the fans! »




June 10th,2008: Daniela has withdrawn from the Tier III tournament in Rosmalen due to the heal fracture in her right heal. This is the same injury that Daniela has been dealing with since the European Indoor Season last year and that forced her to withdraw from Fed Cup, Berlin, Rome, Istanbul, French Open and Birmingham. So 7 tournaments missed this year due to heal injury and 2 missed (Doha and Dubai) and 1 retirement (in Antwerp) due to illness















June 4th,2008: Daniela : « I can’t wait to be back ! »
Exclusive interview of Daniela Hantuchova for her official website
Daniela, how do you feel physically and mentally after one month without playing tournaments ?
On the fitness front, I have been doing a lot of pool and low impact work but it’s hard not be able to run. Treadmill training is best for endurance and speed and it’s like a mental outlet for me. Of course I’m trying to stay positive but I greatly miss the game. I haven’t really picked up a racquet since early April so it’s been frustrating to say the least. At this point, yoga is a big factor in keeping me sane :-) !
What did you do during Roland-Garros tournament ?
One very nice thing was that I was able to celebrate my big brother’s 30th birthday at home with him, our family and closest friends. Other than being in and out of medical facilities for tests, check-ups, treatments, etc… I am reading and spending lots of time at home while I have a break now. I also spent some time in Barcelona with my coach.
When and where will you do your come back ?
I have my hopes set on playing Rosmalen, always a nice warm up for Wimbledon. Helps to get a few matches in before a Grand Slam. I can’t wait to be back doing what I love most, tennis !

May 22nd,2008: Daniela withdraws from the French Open
« A near heartbreaking day for me... After final consult with my team, I am sad to announce that I will be missing my first Roland Garros as a professional athlete. Every player’s dream is to compete in the Grand Slams and I so much wanted to make Paris happen.
But I know I have to be patient as recovery from this type of injury takes time. Hopefully I will be strong and healthy to practice and play in full speed soon. I wish everyone all the best, lots of good tennis, and much love to all the fans! »
















May 21st,2008: Daniela: I hope to play at Roland-Garros
« Coming off of Miami and then a match in Amelia Island, all my doctors were shocked that I was able to play through at both events. As you all know, with much disappointment I had to pull from Fed Cup and three Tour events. It has been a very frustrating time to tell you the truth. So here we are… the foot is continuing to be problematic. It was a very bad injury. I had an MRI early last week which confirmed the foot needed more time to heal. Right now I am trying to stay hopeful for Paris. I miss the game so much and Roland Garros is wonderful. And what's not to love about Paris!

If I am able to play, I realize that I will not be prepared as I would like typically moving into a Grand Slam. All I can do is play my best, considering the circumstances, and expect to have a positive experience regardless of the outcome. »









May 15th,2008: Daniela withdraws from Istanbul
Daniela will not play at Istanbul next week (19-25 may 2008).
« I am very disappointed about not being able to play in Istanbul. This is a tournament that is so loved by the players. I had looked forward to coming to Istanbul and preparing for Roland-Garros.
In fact, throughout my recovery I had focused on Istanbul as the place to get to. Unfortunately, I found out yesterday that I still have some healing to do.
This is the life of an athlete. You have to work through these things. I will do my best to get back on the court as soon as possible so that I can return to Istanbul in 2009 ! Good luck to the tournament organizers and lots of love to all the fans in Turkey ! » said Daniela to her official website.

May 6th,2008: Daniela withdraws from Internazionali BNL d'Italia
Daniela will not play at Rome next week (12-18 may 2008).
« Sadly my stress fracture is preventing me from competing in one of my favorite cities world over. I’m doing everything I can to get back on court as soon as possible. I’m actually doing lots of rehabilitation work in Rome now ! The Italian fans are truly one of the best to play for, as they come with such excitement and passion for the game. I will whole-heartedly miss everyone this year ! » said Daniela to her official website.









April 30th,2008: Daniela withdraws from Qatar Telecom German Open
Daniela heals her stress fracture in her right foot and will not play the Qatar Telecom German Open at Berlin (5-11 may 2008).
« I’m very disappointed that I have to withdraw from the Qatar Telecom German Open. But unfortunately the stress fracture in my right foot hasn’t completely healed yet. I’m hoping for a quick recovery and I wish the tournament, its organisers, sponsors and fans a great week of tennis. » said Daniela on the official website of the tournament (www.german-open.org).










April 21st,2008: Daniela withdraws from Fed Cup
Bratislava, Slovak Republic – Daniela Hantuchova has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming World Group II Fed Cup Play-Offs due to a stress fracture in her right foot. She was examined by her doctor last week. Hantuchova was scheduled to represent the Slovak Republic in its tie against Uzbekistan, scheduled for April 26-27 in Bratislava.
“I am very disappointed to have to withdraw from this Fed Cup tie,” Hantuchova said. “Playing for my country is very important to me, and I was really looking forward to joining my teammates against Uzbekistan, especially in front of a home crowd. Unfortunately, my doctor advised that I stay off the court and do minimal physical activity for the next three weeks, at least, to allow my foot to heal. So I'm afraid the stress fracture will probably even prevent me from playing in my next scheduled Sony Ericsson WTA Tour event."