Inspired by her countrywomen, Tereza Valentova aims to be the next Czech superstar in Doha

DOHA, Qatar—Literally and figuratively, Tereza Valentova is ready meet the standard set by a generation of Czech tennis stars.

“We also have so many good legends and recent players,” the teenager exclaimed after a first-round win at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open, fresh off the court from a three-set doubles match. “We saw them on TV and I wanted to be the same as them. It’s motivating, seeing what they can do or what they are doing, trying to put that in our game.”

Born in 2007, Valentova grew up through a veritable dynasty helmed by major-winning compatriots and first proved her potential to match them at 2024 Roland Garros when she won the Roland Garros junior title. A month later, a Czech woman won Wimbledon for a second year in a row.

“I remember Marketa Vondrousova winning Wimbledon [in 2023], and also Barbora Krejcikova. I watched both of those matches, and I was like, I really wanted to be like them! Hopefully one day!”

Valentova gushed about Krejcikova in the shadow of a massive poster of the former world No. 2, who was forced to withdraw from singles due to injury. But even without Krejcikova, there are still numerous Czech talents to be found in the Doha draw. Two will face off in the second round with Valentova booking a match against Karolina Muchova after a 7-6 (6), 6-1 win over Alexandra Eala.

“I knew it was going to be huge,” Valentova said of the large Filipino cheering Eala on. “I also played in front of a really big crowd at French Open with a French player, so it cannot be worse!

“I can say that I’m getting used to it, or maybe I am already. It’s really good experience for me, another one. I’m just super happy that I was prepared and I did a good job.”

Both Eala and Valentova have enjoyed meteoric rises up the WTA rankings in the last 12 months. Armed with a stinging first serve and western-grip forehand, the latter secured her Top 50 debut after reaching the third round of the Australian Open in January.

“I’m still surprised because one year ago today, I was playing 75Ks,” Valentova said. “It’s huge change. I’m super excited and really grateful that I can play the biggest tournaments, playing against the top players in the world.

“I was just trying to play, improve my game every single day. I’m working hard and trying to be better and better. I’m just playing tennis, nothing special. I didn’t expect this for sure.”

Set to play her first full year on tour, Valentova is looking forward to completing a set of WTA 1000 main-draw appearances, having won her Doha debut on Monday.

“I’ve never been here or in many, many places, so everything for me is new,” she said. “It can be good, can be a little bit bad, but I’m trying to take it all like it’s a good thing. I’m seeing many new places. For other people, they’ve been coming here for years, and hopefully it’ll be the same for me some day. I’m enjoying it.”

Against Muchova in the next round, Valentova will have a chance to see just how she measures up to the Czech stars of today—and if she can be one as well.