Now firmly established in the world’s top 10 following a breakout 2016, Karolina Pliskova is excited at what the season ahead holds, and with new coach David Kotyza at the helm, grand slam glory may be just around the corner.
Kotyza is the former coach of Petra Kvitova, and guided her to two Wimbledon titles over a partnership that lasted almost eight years.
He also coached former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki for a brief period last year, with his pedigree something that excites Pliskova immensely.
“I think he’s a really experienced coach on the tour, not only for Petra, but he’s had a few players other than Petra in Czech tennis,” Pliskova said.
“I think he can really push my game to where I want it to be. I’m trying to play more aggressive and improve my serve and second serve, volleys and there’s a lot of other stuff we’ve been working on.
“One month doesn’t really change much but during the year I think everything can improve a lot.”
The Czech star enjoyed a strong finish to the 2016 season, reaching the final of the US Open, winning Cincinnati and assisting the Czech Republic to the nation’s third consecutive Fed Cup title.
She claimed victory in a mammoth opening rubber against France’s Kristina Mladenovic 6-3 4-6 16-14, helping to set up the victory, before clinching the decisive doubles rubber alongside Barbora Strycova.
She said that after finally achieving consistent results, she did not feel the weight of expectation to to perform as much any more.
“I don’t feel pressure right now,” she said. “I actually feel better now than the US Open because there was this pressure that I had to succeed at the grand slams.
“Right now I feel free and excited to continue what I’ve been doing.
“I’m sixth in the world now so there’s five more in front of me. I just want to go as high as I can, but again the biggest goals are going to be at the grand slams.”
Pliskova will face sixth seed Elina Svitolina for a place in the Brisbane International final on Thursday night.