Nicole Vaidisova

Nicole Vaidišová is a Czech former professional tennis player who reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 7 in 2007. Her career was marked by early success, powerful shot-making, and a swift ascent, but also by a sudden decline and two early retirements due to injuries and loss of motivation.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Nicole Vaidišová Štěpánková was born on April 23, 1989, in Nuremberg, West Germany, and later resided in Prague, Czech Republic. Standing 183 cm tall, Nicole Vaidišová Štěpánková played right-handed with a two-handed backhand, and her serve was widely considered her biggest weapon.

Introduced to tennis by her mother, Riana, she began playing at age six and trained at Nick Bollettieri's Tennis Academy in Florida. Vaidišová speaks Czech, English, and German, and has three younger brothers: Filip, Oliver, and Toby.

Her personal life has drawn attention, particularly her relationship with fellow Czech player Radek Štěpánek, whom she married in 2010, divorced in 2013, and remarried in 2018. The couple has two daughters, Stella and Meda.

Career

Nicole Vaidišová turned professional in 2003 and quickly made an impact on the WTA Tour. She won her first WTA singles title at Vancouver in 2004 and, by 2005, had broken into the top 20. Her breakthrough came in 2006, when she reached the semifinals at Roland Garros, defeating top players en route.

In 2007, she advanced to the semifinals of the Australian Open and reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in both 2007 and 2008.

Vaidišová’s powerful serve and groundstrokes made her a formidable opponent, and she became the 12th-youngest player in WTA history to enter the top 10, achieving a career-high ranking of world No. 7 in May 2007.

Despite her early success, Nicole Vaidišová’s form declined after 2008. She retired in March 2010 at age 20, citing a lack of interest in tennis. Vaidišová made a brief comeback in 2014 but was hampered by injuries and retired again in 2016.

Career Record

Singles

• Career Titles: 6 WTA, 2 ITF
• Highest Singles Ranking: No. 7 (May 14, 2007)
• Career Record: 225–116

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• Australian Open – Semifinals (2007)
• French Open – Semifinals (2006)
• Wimbledon – Quarterfinals (2007, 2008)
• US Open – Fourth Round (2005)

Other Tournaments

• Olympic Games – First Round (2008)

Doubles

• Career Titles: 0
• Highest Doubles Ranking: No. 128 (October 2, 2006)
• Career Record: 13–31

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• Australian Open – Third Round (2008)
• French Open – First Round (2006, 2009)
• Wimbledon – Second Round (2006, 2007)
• US Open – First Round (2005)

Mixed Doubles

• Career Record: 4–3

Best Grand Slam Mixed Doubles Performances:

• French Open – Second Round (2005)
• Wimbledon – Third Round (2008)
• US Open – Second Round (2005)