Euro 2020 Tennis: Marina Erakovic won her first WTA title in Memphis

Marina Erakovic was just a baby when the last New Zealander won a WTA title – that drought came to an end in Memphis on Saturday night, and the trophy couldn’t have been more appropriate.

On Saturday the US National Indoor Tennis Championships Marina Erakovic won her first WTA title and the trophy couldn’t have been more appropriate, although it may not have been the fairytale ending on the court, but it certainly was a fairytale ending at the trophy ceremony.

Having lost in her two previous WTA finals, Erakovic was hoping for third time lucky this time as she faced Sabine Lisicki – but the final would have an abbreviated ending, as after Erakovic raced through the opening set, 6-1, the No.3-seeded Lisicki had to retire due to gastrointestinal illness.

“It’s very unfortunate I wasn’t able to finish the match,” Lisicki commented. “I put all the energy I had left in my body into the match, but I just couldn’t keep going. I had been sick the last three days already. But Marina had a great tournament and I want to congratulate her for her first WTA title.”

For Erakovic, it wasn’t just her first WTA title – it was coming full circle. “If paying your dues is putting all the hours in on the tennis court, getting injured and going back at it again, then I’ve definitely paid my dues,” she said. “I just like playing tennis. It’s not always fun and it’s not always great, and it doesn’t always work out the way you want it to, but when you win tight matches or win titles, it’s all worthwhile.”

And the guitar trophy couldn’t have been a better match for Erakovic, who plays guitar and travels with one. “I really couldn’t have thought of a better moment in time than that,” she commented.

Read also:

http://en.africatopsports.com/2013/02/24/tennis-brazil-to-be-returned-by-venus/


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