Daniela Hantuchova

Daniela Hantuchova is the highest ranked Slovakian player on the WTA tour, and currently ranked 9^th in the world overall. Following in the footsteps of Ana Kourinkova and Maria Sharapova, Daniela Hantuchova has a big fan base and attracts interest from the media for her good looks, being voted the most attractive female tennis player by ACE magazine two years in a row.

Player Biography

Daniela Hantuchova was born in Poprad, Slovakia in 1983. She was introduced to tennis at the age of three by her grandmother, a former Czechoslovakian tennis champion. Daniela Hantuchova's grandmother saw her granddaughter's potential and signed her into the Slavia STU tennis club. By the age of 13, Hantuchova was spending her summers at the Bollettieri Academy in Florida receiving expert tuition.

Career

Daniela Hantuchova began playing professionally at the age of 16, competing in ITF Challenger tournaments and winning several titles. In 2000 Daniela Hantuchova put in her first good display in the WTA, beating top 10 ranked Nathalie Tauziat in the Luxembourg Open.

Grand Slam Record

The young Slovakian player played her first full round of grand slam tournaments in 2001, making an unremarkable debut with a series of 1^st and 2^nd round exits. 2002 found Hantuchova much improved as she took home her first WTA title in March, winning the Indian Wells Masters and announcing her arrival at the top level.

Following her first title win, Hantuchova put in a markedly improved performance at the grand slams, claiming quarterfinal berths at Wimbledon and the US open, with her poorest showing at the Australian Open which she exited in the 3^rd round.

The next four years saw Daniela Hantuchova's career drift as she failed to reach the final rounds of any of the grand slams, and was similarly frustrated on the WTA circuit where she reached several finals only to lose to higher-ranked opponents.

Finally in 2007 Daniela Hantuchova claimed her second Indian Wells Masters title, following this triumph with the Generali Ladies Linz title in October. Despite these success her form in the grand slams, whilst adequate, failed to provide a breakthrough.

Playing Style

Daniela Hantuchova has an attractive and flowing playing style that relies on timing and technique rather than raw power. Both her backhand and forehand are solid, whilst her second serve is often a points winner. Her biggest weakness is a lack of mobility around the court.