July 25, 2025: Just 18 years old, Czech tennis talent Tereza Valentova is quickly making a name for herself, reaching her first WTA-level semifinal at the WTA Prague 2025 tournament. This impressive run comes just 14 months after she clinched the junior Roland Garros title, signaling her readiness for the professional circuit.
Valentova’s impactful season includes a second-round appearance at Roland Garros, where she tested top player Coco Gauff. As a direct result of her strong performances, the young Czech will make her Top 100 debut next week, projected to be world No. 91.
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The rising star, who has been consistently making waves on the ITF circuit, is embracing the bigger stage. “I learned that I can play against myself, against my opponent, and against a huge audience at the same time,” Valentova shared with the official WTA page, recalling the boisterous crowd in Prague. “I expected many people to cheer, but I didn’t expect it. There were boys from a football team chanting all the time.”
Her journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Around this time last year, a severe stress injury in her hip nearly derailed her career. “It was quite bad, and I didn’t know if I would play tennis again,” she confessed. Additionally, Valentova revealed past struggles with her former coach’s high demands, which negatively impacted her mental health.
Despite these obstacles, Valentova’s resilience and recent team changes have propelled her forward. Her strong showings in Grand Slam events this year have bolstered her confidence. “It showed me that I can play with the best players because I don’t think I played my best tennis and still kept up with them,” she affirmed, looking ahead to a promising future in professional tennis.