Nicole Vaidisova has described the first match of her comeback as an initial step, saying it will take a while for her to return to a tour level.
The 25-year-old Czech defeated another former prodigy, Sesil Karatantcheva, at Albuquerque’s $75,000 ITF pro circuit event. Vaidisova held in nine of her 10 service games, earning a 6-3, 6-4 win.
It was Vaidisova's first match in more than four-and-a-half years. "I can’t be arrogant to think that after four years out of the game and have the health issues I’ve had that I can just come back and win everything,” said Vaidisova to local press, indicating that this is the start of a full comeback. “I still have a long journey ahead of me. No matter if I’m winning or losing right now, this is part of that journey, part of the plan to get back to this."
But the former world No. 7, who retired at 20, produced enough to defeat a Top 200 player in two sets. "It was a little nerve-racking, but I’m so glad I got through," she said.
A former Australian Open and Roland Garros semifinalist, Vadisova was married to fellow pro Radek Stepanek until a year ago, and announced her intention to return this season.
She wants to do one thing differently this time, however.
"I would tell somebody like myself when I was younger, it would be to enjoy it more than I did. It was just so much about winning, winning, winning, that I actually didn’t enjoy it as much," said Vaidisova.
She has not yet publicly said where she will play her next event.