DANIELAHANTUCHOVA
Daniela Hantuchova bid farewell to the professional circuit in 2017, but those missing her presence will be able to enjoy her game once more as she competes at Tie Break Tens in New York City. The Slovakian started out as a precocious talent, managing to maintain her career through almost three decades; from her early days in the 90s to establishing herself in the 00s and hanging up her racquet in the 10s. From a very young age she stood out as a player to watch on the WTA tour and it did not take long for her to capitalise on her potential, lifting her first trophy in 2002 at only 18 years old when she beat Martina Hingis at Indian Wells. In the same year she reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, before repeating the feat at the 2003 Australian Open and peaking at number 5 in the world. Her best finish in a Grand Slam was the semi-finals she reached in 2008 in Melbourne. Her total haul includes seven titles, as well as nine further finals in singles. In doubles she has won nine finals out of 21.
TIE BREAK STRENGTHS
SERVE
Her game was polished at recognised tennis academies and is certainly aesthetically pleasing. But if one shot in her repertoire stands out it is her serve. She is very capable of earning herself free points.
AT THE NET
Besides her outstanding serve, her volleying ability at the net makes her versatile and a successful doubles player; she reached three Grand Slam finals (2002 and 2009 Australian Open and the 2006 French Open) in the discipline.
FAST COURT
Her brand of tennis suits fast surfaces. All the finals she has played in singles matches have been on cement, grass, or indoor hard court.
