Pliskova makes Prague pit-stop before Olympics debut 

Despite mounting withdrawals from the upcoming Olympic Games, Karolina Pliskova is among the notable names still planning to play in Tokyo. The former world No. 1 confirmed her participation in the historic event following her runner-up finish at Wimbledon, but hasn't traveled to Japan just yet.

Pliskova first opted to make made a pit-stop at home in the Czech Republic to celebrate with friends, family, and the students at her tennis academy. The world No. 7 opened up about her SW19 run, deeming it a successful outing given she had never before been past the Round of 16 at the All England Club.

“I see it as a success rather than a failure. It’s not as if I played a final every other day,” she told media at the Pliskova Tennis Academy.

Although she got a little choked up during her on-court interview at Wimbledon, she washed those tears away with a shower and finds it important to have a laugh about everything at the end of the day.

“I have found a way of enjoying tennis and have a laugh now and then, and when I laugh I feel I’m doing better on the court so I’ll try to keep doing that,” Pliskova added.

Tokyo will mark her first Olympic appearance after she sat out of the Rio Games in 2016.