Tennis: No identity crisis as Kristyna Pliskova bids farewell
LONDON, Officials and fans can stop doing a double-take at this year's Wimbledon after Kristyna Pliskova was knocked out before admitting she has no desire to stay and support identical twin sister Karolina.
World number 44 Kristyna lost her second round singles match to Greece's Maria Sakkari 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday.
Just hours later, the 25-year-old teamed up with Victorija Golubic in the women's doubles only to lose in the first round 6-4, 6-3.
She won't be tempted to stick around the All England Club to back her world number three sister Karolina in her bid to lift a first Grand Slam title.
"We have completely different schedules. We never stick around to watch each other," Kristyna told AFP.
"I will pack my bags and go straight back home to Prague in the morning. That way I don't have to think about what happened here."
Pliskova had plenty of chances to get past world 101 Sakkari and make the third round for the second time at Wimbledon.
After pocketing the first set, she led 4-1 in the second and had points for a 5-1 advantage before her game fell apart.
"I had lots of chances and many break points. It's very disappointing and very sad," she added.
Kristyna has often been in the shadow of her twin sister, who was the US Open runner-up last year.
But there are ways to tell them apart.
Kristyna is left-handed and is an inch (2.5 centimetres) shorter than right-handed Karolina.
Karolina has two Polynesian-style tattoos, one on her left thigh and on her left arm. Kristyna, meanwhile, has just one piece of ink on the inside of her left arm.
Kristyna was the junior champion at Wimbledon in 2010 and as a senior player holds the record for most aces served in a women's match -- 31 at the 2016 Australian Open. Kristyna also made her Wimbledon debut a year earlier than her sister.
However, both sisters have one thing in common -- a desire to keep as lower a profile as possible.
"I'm an introvert and phlegmatic so I don't show my joy," said Karolina as she found herself in the spotlight after making the US Open final last year.
"I often think of those who have nothing, who have to suffer every day, so a winner, a game, set, match will never give me immense joy, only satisfaction. The world won't change."
Maybe not, but one thing that will change immediately for the sisters is their immediate plans.
While Karolina stays in London to pursue a first Grand Slam title, Kristyna heads for the mundane surroundings of a $100,000 clay-court tournament in the Czech Republic.
-APP
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