TENNIS | Vekic bullish on future despite a rough season so far

Donna Vekic, by her own admission, hasn’t had a great 2025. She lost early in the WTA Tour tournaments and the Grand Slams. Her best performance this year was reaching the round-of-16 in the Australian Open and the US Open.

The 29-year-old, a Wimbledon semifinalist and Paris Olympics finalist last year, however, remains confident as ever and is looking forward to performing well in the ongoing WTA 250 Chennai Open here.

The third seeded Croat, ranked a career-high 17, suffered a minor setback due to hot and humid conditions, took a medical timeout in the first round here against India’s Vaishnavi Adkar, before recovering to win in straight sets.

“It was not an easy match, very difficult conditions after two days of rain, extreme heat today. But happy to have won in two sets,” she said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Croatia’s Donna Vekic in action against India’s Vaishnavi Adkar at the WTA Chennai Open 2025 tennis at the SDAT stadium, Chennai, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

After splitting with coach Nikola Horvat in November 2024, Vekic hired former US Open finalist Pam Shriver before the 63-year-old exited in June this year. But Vekic is not unduly worried.

“It’s not easy. I will definitely have a full-time coach for next season. But, you know, I didn’t want to rush into making a decision and just bring on someone new. I have a hitting partner coach from Croatia with me this week and my parents. It‘s more than enough support,” said Vekic, ranked 78 in the world.

Vekic signed off saying she still has the stomach for a fight and is keen to bag her fifth WTA Tour title and if it happens here, she would be thrilled.

“I’m not going to lie. It’s why I’m here in Chennai. Hopefully, I’ll get a couple of matches in. Maybe even a title. I haven’t won a lot of matches this year. I’m just trying to build my confidence,” she said.