Pliskova Revels in Australian Open Comeback: 'I Hoped to Play Here Again'

Four Surgeries in Under Five Years and Months of Doubt: Pliskova Dominates Nemesis Stephens in Liberating Win

© PAUL CROCK / AFP

Adrien Guyot

le 20/01/2026 à 13h45

2 min to read

Open d'Australie Pliskova Karolina Stephens Sloane

Karolina Pliskova advances to the second round of the Australian Open. The former world No. 1 has come a long way after undergoing four surgeries (right hand, left wrist, and two on her ankle) since 2021.

In her first Grand Slam match since the 2024 US Open, the Czech faced one of her nemeses, Sloane Stephens, against whom she had lost six of their previous seven encounters. But Pliskova prevailed in two sets (7-6, 6-2 in 1:33). The 33-year-old, who will face Janice Tjen for a spot in the third round, reacted to her victory.

“As the match went on, I felt like I was improving”

“I always seem to know how to handle the situation, but I was nervous. I hate playing against Sloane (Stephens). I don’t like playing against her. I’ve lost to her several times. I wasn’t happy with the draw.

Of course, on hard courts, it’s a bit different. Before, I played her on clay. I was glad to have started the match well. As the match progressed, I felt like I was improving.

“I worked very hard to come back”

Australia is one of my favorite places to play. I was really sad to miss it last year because of my injury. The year was very long. Unfortunately, I didn’t play much.

I worked very hard to come back. I hoped to be able to play the Australian Open again. I’m here. I won my first round. I couldn’t be happier,” Pliskova told The Tennis Letter.