Exactly two years ago, Jana Cepelova reached her career best in WTA ranking, 50th place and although she fell out of TOP 100 she is eager to make a come back. She started the new season well, coming through the qualies in January in Brisbane, Australia, her most successful tournament this year. About her current goals, she spoke for our tournament program.

Cepelova beat Shahar Peer form Israel in qualification in Brisbane (6-1, 6-1), Slovakian Kristina Kucova (6-2, 6-3) and Russian Margarita Gasparyan (6-1, 6-4) in the qualies final. "It was my first tournament after the preseason and I played really well. It was the best tournament of the season for me," said Cepelova, winner of five ITF singles and three doubles titles.

Kosice born player did not want to pick up a single match, which she values the most in the current season. She made several outstanding results. "I beat lot of players from TOP 100. I only lost one match against player below my ranking that was in Fed Cup," explained Cepelova. That was Fed Cup match in April against leader of Canadian team Francois Aband. She beat Gasparyan again in Prague, in 1st Round of WTA. Last year’s finalists at EMPIRE Slovak Open were at that time 48th in WTA ranking.

Wins over Latvian Anastasija Sevastova (WTA nr. 90) in Charleston, German Carine Witthoft (WTA No. 70) and American Alison Riske (92) and Bethanie Mattek-Sands (76.) in Dubai are amongst those precious wins so far in the season. "My main priority in the season was to stay healthy. I invested a lot to have physio by my side at tournaments," said Fed Cup player, who had injury woes last year. 2015 season started badly, she had pneumonia before Australian Open. She could not play in Melbourne and train for another month.

Cepelova currently fights to return back into Top 100.  "It is difficult because I have to start in qualification at bigger tournaments. It is not so easy there, you often have to beat players from top 100 to qualify. Lot depends on the draw," said 22-years old Jana.

Currently being No. 123 in the World, she did not hesitate a single minute about participation at ESO 2016. It suits her plans and she feels comfortable in Trnava. When someone says Trnava, she has good memories in playing in this city in youth categories." I have chosen this year Tournament in Trnava because I would not have made even qualification at WTA in Rome. EMPIRE Slovak Open is close, almost feels like home. There are good players coming to play and the organization is on very high level. I would be happy it once it becomes a WTA tournament,“ she added with smile on her face. It will be her fifth start in Trnava. She played twice in doubles final.