Halep praised the courts, Bouchard wanted to visit a secret room
8th August 2020
The courts of TK Sparta Praha were crowded with players on Saturday. In addition to
numerous practices, the first qualifying matches for the Prague Open 2020 started. At
12:30, the main spider of the competition was drawn.
Shortly after 9 am, Simona Halep arrived at the TK Sparta Prague complex together with her
coach and a physiotherapist. But don't expect any stellar manners. She slowed at every
open door she passed, and though she didn't know any of those present, she waved to
everyone and said, "Hi." She was happy to see other players as well, and they were happy to
see her. They refreshed, drank coffee, and had a little catch up.
Double partners Katerina Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova also met and took pictures on
the terrace during lunch. It is obvious that although the tournament takes place in strict
conditions, a good mood is visible here even under the face masks.
The Prague Open 2020 tournament takes place based on a WTA decision without
spectators. Thanks to online channels and live streams, the organizers will show fans the
tournament in much more detail and offer a distance view even where the average
spectator would not have access. Even the players themselves are excited to be in much
more intense contact with the fans. They will take them behind the scenes of the complex
and the entire tournament and are ready to answer their questions. Genie Bouchard was the first in the online confession.
In the live stream, she laughed, waved, and answered inquisitive questions. Did you know
that before the match she likes to listen to hip hop or rap music? The sympathetic tennis
player even managed the greeting "Hello, Prague" in Czech and admitted without torture
that she tried it out before the live stream began.
foto: TK SPARTA PRAHA / Pavel Lebeda (sport-pics.cz)
And what is her favourite match so far? "The one I’ve won," she laughed. She also paid
tribute to the tournament organizers. "The organizers are doing a great job, everything is
under maximum control and runs smoothly. I want to thank everyone for putting a lot of
effort into the preparation of the tournament. ” She also responsibly admitted that she will
have to skip sightseeing in Prague due to the situation. However, she said she will definitely
come back to Prague sometime in the future. Her greatest attention in the complex is a
room called SECRET ROOM. You can find out what is hidden there from the tournament's
social networks.
And while the Canadian star was still talking about the inquiries of the fans, the world
number two Halep sweated during training on the other side of the complex. According to
the tournament director David Trunda, she praised the quality of the courts and did not
hide the joy of being in the whirl of tennis again after so many months.
photo: TK SPARTA PRAHA / Pavel Lebeda (sport-pics.cz)
The tournament started with a pleasant surprise for the director himself when Barbora
Krejcikova came to thank him personally for giving her a wild card at the Prague Open 2020.
“I am glad that everyone respects the necessary measures. None of them are annoyed, on
the contrary, they feel happy that they are back on the courts. For many of them, this is the
first tournament in more than five months, "praised David Trunda.
