A couple of days after Tsvetana Pironkova made a surprise announcement that she was planning a return to the tour following a three-year absence, the coronavirus pandemic struck and tournaments began to be cancelled.
Her comeback, revealed in March 2020, had to be postponed and her first event since Wimbledon 2017 turned out to be the US Open last summer, where she enjoyed a stunning run to the quarter-finals.
The 33-year-old Bulgarian, who had her first child, Alexander, three years ago, could not have dreamt of a better return to competition, but her plan to travel on the Tour with her family were scuppered when she realised how tricky things would get during a pandemic.
She felt that moving from one bio-bubble to another was not the best environment for Alexander and she elected to go on the road on her own. But she has adjusted well to her new reality, has been selective with her schedule, is already up to No.103 in the world rankings and is chasing a first Wimbledon main draw spot since 2017 in Roehampton.
“What’s my motivation? Well, I just want to play and that’s the only chance right now,” Pironkova said on Wednesday after breezing through her Qualifying opener 6-1, 6-0, in just 57 minutes, against Usue Maitane Arconada of the United States.
“I think tennis is actually doing a pretty good job in providing opportunities for their players. They’re doing the best they can, so we do have the opportunity to play and that’s big for us.”
Pironkova has a special connection with Wimbledon, having reached the semi-finals in 2010, and the quarter-finals a year later. It is her most successful Grand Slam and, over the years, grass became the surface on which she shone the brightest.
“I appreciate every match that I played, let alone every good result, such as a semi-final of a Grand Slam,” Pironkova said, reflecting on her run at The Championships 11 years ago. “It was a special time in my life, and when I look back at it I always look at it with a very positive feeling. It always makes me smile, so I will always have that and I’m very grateful and I enjoy it a lot.
“But right now I’m focused on doing new good results and I think, here, it’s a good opportunity for that so I’m going to give my best.”
Pironkova, who is contesting Qualifying at Wimbledon for the first time since 2005, will next take on British wild card Naiktha Bains. If successful, the former world No.31 will be making her third Grand Slam main draw appearance since her return but she says trying to qualify at the majors is a gruelling experience.
“Qualifying is a huge challenge: it’s three matches against very, very good opponents who are trying their best to get into the main draw, so it’s a big fight. I realise that and I’m there for every match and really hoping that I will have my best game out there,” she added.
