Marketa Vondrousova’s 2025 campaign reached its conclusion at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
After Vondrosuova lost to her countrywoman Karolina Muchova in her first-round match at the Ningbo Open, the pair met once more in Tokyo.
Suffering a second defeat in two weeks, Vondrousova retired down 2-6, 0-1, as she continues to struggle with injury.
Another Czech tennis icon, Karolina Pliskova, commented on Vondrousova’s defeat to Muchova in Tokyo on the ‘Rakety’ podcast [translated from Czech].
“Sorry, but I think it [the match] could have been finished today,” she said.
“Maybe Marketa [Vondrousova] was hurt, but I think that she saw that she had no chance and gave up for that reason.”
Frustrated by the former world number one’s comments, Vondrousova fired back on social media.
Marketa Vondrousova doesn’t understand Karolina Pliskova’s criticism
Vondrousova responded to Pliskova’s criticism on her Instagram story [translated from Czech].
“Anyone who has ever played with an injury knows that sometimes you just can’t go on,” she said.
“I’m doubly aware of this after shoulder surgery.
“I don’t understand why someone who should understand it the most is questioning this.”
Vondrousova has endured a difficult 2025 campaign due to injuries that have seen her miss several tournaments.
Returning to the tour in Adelaide, six months after her last match, Vondrousova soon found herself back on the injury list, missing the majority of the clay-court season with a shoulder problem.
After losing early at Roland Garros, Vondrousova won the Berlin Open on grass and looked well-positioned to challenge for a second Wimbledon title, but came unstuck in round two against British favorite Emma Raducanu.
Then, at the US Open, Vondrousova reached the quarterfinals but was forced to withdraw ahead of her match with Aryna Sabalenka due to a knee injury.
She didn’t return in time for either WTA 1000 event in China, missing both the China Open and Wuhan Open.
In total, Vondrousova played just 12 tournaments and 28 matches in 2025.
| Tournament | Tier | Surface | Result | Match wins | Matches played |
| Adelaide International | WTA 500 | Hard | Lost in R16 to Diana Shnaider | 1 | 2 |
| Abu Dhabi Open | WTA 500 | Hard | Lost in QF to Belinda Bencic | 2 | 3 |
| Qatar Open | WTA 1000 | Hard | Lost in R64 to Elina Svitolina | 0 | 1 |
| Dubai Tennis Championships | WTA 1000 | Hard | Lost in R32 to Mirra Andreeva | 1 | 2 |
| French Open | Grand Slam | Hard | Lost in R32 to Jessica Pegula | 2 | 3 |
| Berlin Open | WTA 500 | Grass | Champion | 5 | 5 |
| Wimbledon | Grand Slam | Clay | Lost in R64 to Emma Raducanu | 1 | 2 |
| Canadian Open | WTA 1000 | Hard | Lost in R64 to Marta Kostyuk | 1 | 2 |
| Cincinnati Open | WTA 1000 | Hard | Lost in R64 to Aryna Sabalenka | 1 | 2 |
| US Open | Grand Slam | Hard | Withdrew before QF | 4 | 4 |
| Ningbo Open | WTA 500 | Hard | Lost in R32 to Karolina Muchova | 0 | 1 |
| Japan Open | WTA 500 | Hard | Lost in R32 to Karolina Muchova | 0 | 1 |
Having just finished such a difficult season, perhaps Vondrousova was right to expect a bit more compassion from her fellow Czech…
Karolina Pliskova and Marketa Vondrousova’s head-to-head record
The two Czech stars have played four total matches on the WTA Tour, as Pliskova leads their head-to-head, 3-1.
- 2023 Miami Open R32 – Marketa Vondrousova defeated Karolina Pliskova, 6-1, 6-2
- 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships R64 – Karolina Pliskova defeated Marketa Vondrousova, 6-3, 6-4
- 2020 Italian Open SF – Karolina Pliskova defeated Marketa Vondrousova, 6-2, 6-4
- 2019 Miami Open QF – Karolina Pliskova defeated Marketa Vondrousova, 6-3, 6-4
Pliskova won their most important encounter at the 2020 Italian Open, when they met with a place in the final up for grabs.
The two-time Grand Slam finalist secured the win in straight sets, booking her place in the championship match, where she lost to Romania’s Simona Halep.
It seems unlikely that we will see the pair face off again any time soon, as Pliskova has played an even lighter schedule than Vondrousova in 2025.
The 33-year-old made her return to the court in Portugal for a Challenger Tour event last month, winning one match before exiting at the round of 16 stage.
She played another tournament in Turkey shortly after, but lost her opening match in straight sets.
Only time will tell what the future holds for Vondrousova and Pliskova on the court, but it will certainly be worth keeping an eye out to see if they can settle their differences off it.
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