Vondrousova responds to Pliskova's criticism after her withdrawal in Tokyo: "I don't understand how someone who should understand this situation can question it"

Marketa Vondrousova has responded to Karolina Pliskova's comments after withdrawing against Karolina Muchova at the WTA 500 in Tokyo.

Vondrousova retired against her compatriot Muchova in the first round of the Tokyo tournament (6-2, 1-0 ret). It was the second meeting between the two players within a week, after Muchova's straight-sets victory in Ningbo (6-4, 6-3).

The two women know each other very well and have therefore played two matches against each other in recent days. Former world number one Karolina Pliskova, who returned to competition in September after a year out due to an ankle injury, watched both of her compatriots' matches and was critical of Vondrousova's attitude.

"I watched both matches between Karolina Muchova and Marketa Vondrousova that took place in recent days. It's never pleasant to play against the same opponent twice in a row, it's something you just don't feel like doing.

They both train at Stvanice, they are friends. It must have been unpleasant for Marketa, who has now lost to Karolina in Tokyo, Ningbo, and at Indian Wells a few years ago (in 2023).

For me, in Tokyo, Marketa had no chance of winning. You also have to give credit to Karolina, who produced excellent tennis. Maybe she was really injured, but I think Marketa saw that she had no chance of winning and that's why she retired.

I will surely face a new wave of criticism, but that's okay," Pliskova assured in recent days for Tennis Up To Date. Vondrousova's response was not long in coming.

The 26-year-old Czech left-hander, who has climbed back to world number 34, was out for several months at the start of the season due to a shoulder injury and used her protected ranking to participate in the last two tournaments, the WTA 500 events in Ningbo and Tokyo.

"Anyone who has ever played with an injury knows that sometimes, you just can't continue. I was doubly aware of this after my shoulder surgery. I don't understand how someone who should understand this situation can question it," Vondrousova wrote on her Instagram account.