Amina Anshba (23) is training in EMPIRE Tennis Academy since October 2022. She chose to be here especially because of Vladimír Pláteník. "I was practicing in Moscow before. But it was tough because of the scheduling and flights. It is really far away and I wanted to find my base and great coach in Europe. And I think that Trnava is a really great option. Everything was more comfortable in here but the main reason was that I wanted to train with Vlado," said former No. 279 in the WTA rankings who achieved some interesting results after she has come to Trnava.
When was your first time in Trnava and why did you come here again in 2022?
"Well, I think, that for very first time, it was in 2020. I was playing 25K EMPIRE Women’s Indoor tournament here. And I made finals in doubles. It was pretty great week and since I haven’t been here for 2 years. Then I came here at the end of October 2022. I have practice in Trnava for 2 and a half weeks before going to the tournaments in South America."
What was the reason you came here again?
"I came here especially because of Vladimír Pláteník. To train with Vlado. I knew that he came here again and I wanted to work with him. I had great 2,5 weeks preparation."
Did you have any tennis base before you came to Trnava?
"I was practicing in Moscow before. But it was tough because of the scheduling and flights. It is really far away and I wanted to find base and great coach in Europe. And I think that Trnava is a really great option. Everything was more comfortable in here but the main reason was that I wanted to train with Vlado."
How difficult for you is to travel, in this situation when the war is going on in Ukraine and there are no flights from Europe to your country?
"It is really difficult right know because we don’t have direct flights. Everytime I want to go home it is a really long trip. Recently, I was flying from South America, from Colombia to Moscow, Russia. It took me probably 35 hours to get here. I think next time I will come directly to Slovakia, it will be faster (smiling)."
You have mentioned your Southamerican tournaments tour. Was it tough but successful, I suppose? In November you played in the singles semifinal of 60K tournament in Rio De Janeiro, and then in January you have advanced to the singles quarterfinals at the 25K in Buenos Aires. You also won 2 doubles titles.
"I like to play in South America. The conditions were tough, I was surprised with a lot of wind there and the altitude was tough, too. But it wasn’t so bad because I won 2 titles in Buenos Aires in doubles. It was fine for me."
What do you think about the facilities here in EMPIRE Tennis Academy?
"The facilities here are amazing. One of the best in Europe because you have absolutely everything here – starting from indoors hard courts, outdoor clay courts, big area for running, two gyms, swimming pool. I‘m really impressed. It is a really great place to have practice and to get better. I like it here."
What are your goals for this season?
"My main goal would be to play qualies of the grandslam tournaments. It would be great. That’s my small goal and I hope I can achieve it."
You were training in the EMPIRE Tennis Academy before the 60K tournaments. Do you want to play both of them?
"I want to play both of them because they are on the same place, I don’t need to go anywhere else. And Vlado Pláteník will watch me during the tournaments. It is important for me. I can train and play without going anywhere."
You have five clay singles title in your career. Is it your favourite surface?
„I would say I really like to play on the clay. I’m more of a clay player. But in the same time I don’t mind playing on the hardcourts. I don’t play so many tournaments on indoor hardcourts but I want try it more. That would also nice to have opportunity here in Trnava.“
When you were growing up in Moscow which surface did you play on?
"To be honest, we did play a lot on the indoor hardcourts. Because most of the time it is cold there. We had to play seven or eight months indoor. I know how to play on the hardcourts, especially on the fast ones. I honestly don’t know how come that I like clay more now (smiling.)"
How often do you plan to be in Trnava?
"I want to have EMPIRE Tennis Academy as my main base. I will come always come here in between tournaments. As soon as I will finish the tournament I will come here. It is really good for me to be here."
By the way, do you have any hobbies?
"I would say that is really tough to have hobbies outside tennis. Once I have rest or couple of days free I want it spend with my family and with my friends. I love to do just simple things, to going to the cinema, or just going out, when I’m off the court.“
