Donna Vekic candidly admits that the 2025 tennis season hasn’t unfolded as she’d hoped. Despite early exits from several WTA Tour events and Grand Slams, her most notable achievements include reaching the round of 16 at both the Australian Open and the US Open.
Yet, the 29-year-old Croatian star, who dazzled as a Wimbledon semifinalist and Paris Olympics finalist just last year, maintains her unwavering confidence. She’s eagerly anticipating a strong showing at the current WTA 250 Chennai Open, ready to turn her season around.
As the third seed, Vekic, once ranked a career-high 17, faced a challenging start in Chennai. Battling the intense heat and humidity, she needed a medical timeout during her first-round match against India’s Vaishnavi Adkar. However, she resiliently recovered to secure a win in straight sets, showcasing her fighting spirit.
Reflecting on her opening match, Vekic commented at a press conference on Wednesday, “It wasn’t an easy match at all. The conditions were incredibly tough after two days of rain, followed by extreme heat today. Still, I’m pleased to have sealed the win in two sets.”
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
Navigating coaching changes, Vekic parted ways with Nikola Horvat in November 2024, then briefly collaborated with former US Open finalist Pam Shriver, who departed in June. Despite these transitions, Vekic remains unfazed, focusing firmly on her game.
“It’s certainly not easy,” acknowledged Vekic, currently ranked 78th globally. “I’m committed to finding a full-time coach for next season. However, I didn’t want to rush into a decision and just bring on someone new prematurely. For now, I have excellent support here in Chennai with my hitting partner-coach from Croatia, and of course, my parents. That’s more than enough.”
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
Concluding her remarks, Vekic affirmed her enduring fighting spirit and strong desire to clinch her fifth WTA Tour title. She expressed her immense excitement at the prospect of achieving that milestone right here in Chennai.
“I won’t pretend otherwise,” she stated. “Winning is exactly why I’m in Chennai. I’m truly hoping to play several matches, and perhaps even secure a title. This season hasn’t seen many wins for me, so my main focus right now is to build up my confidence.”