Thanks for visiting the Australian Open Website. We can see you’re using Internet Explorer, and wanted to let you know that we will no longer be supporting this browser in future. We’d recommend you download a new browser if you'd like to continue keeping up with all of the latest tennis news!

Believe to achieve: Fruhvirtova's recipe for Grand Slam success

  • Gill Tan

Linda Fruhvirtova spends the little down time she has sleeping in or hanging out at her parents' apartment, tuning in to the Australian Open on television.

Unlike any other 17-year-old relaxing on a couch in Melbourne, the talented Czech is using these welcome moments to reset amid an improbable run to the final 16 of the women's singles competition.

MORE: AO 2023 women's singles draw

"When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of playing in big stadiums with a lot of people," said Fruhvirtova. "I was watching the TV, and I was like, 'yeah, this is where I want to be one day'."

On Monday, when she steps onto Margaret Court Arena for a first-time duel with Donna Vekic, the right-hander will literally be living her dream.

MORE: Day 8 schedule of play

By defeating compatriot and former Roland Garros finalist Marketa Vondrousova on Saturday, Prague-born Fruhvirtova is just the third player aged 17 or younger to reach the fourth round of the year's first major since 2010.

"It feels pretty surreal – it's an incredible feeling. I'm just so happy and excited to be able to say 'Hi second week'," she grinned, acknowledging the toughness of Vondrousova, who upset second seed Ons Jabeur.

Big results, including a maiden title in Chennai last year, have come relatively quickly for the world No.82. But in her mind, the timing has been right on target.

"I knew I had the level to compete against these kind of players on this high level, but it's always harder to show it than in the matches, to win these kind of matches 'cause I think the women's level, all the players are very tight," she said. 

"I think top 100, anybody can beat anybody. It's very close."

Fruhvirtova is just the third player aged 17 or younger to reach the fourth round of the AO in 13 years (Getty Images)

Fruhvirtova made a winning Grand Slam debut by reaching the second round of last year's US Open as a qualifier, and began her AO 2023 campaign with straight-sets wins over Australian wildcards Jaimee Fourlis and Kimberly Birrell.

In both those matches, the youngster dropped just nine games as she navigated the pressure of being the favourite while playing with a crowd firmly behind her opponents.

"I believed in myself," said the level-headed Czech. "I'm most proud of my attitude on the court and just [my] fighting spirit."

Belief runs in the family, apparently. Fruhvirtova's 15-year-old younger sister, Brenda, made her Grand Slam debut this fortnight after coming through qualifying.

The duo stormed onto the scene without attempting to replicate the strokes of other tennis siblings. "We never really did, me or my sister … tried to copy some other player," said the elder Fruhvirtova, admitting that she looked up to 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams and 20-time major winner Roger Federer before the two greats retired.

The teenage sensation said she received a confidence boost after a string of wins at last year's Miami Open, where she upset Danka Kovinic and Elise Mertens, and led Victoria Azarenka 6-2 3-0 before the two-time AO champion withdrew.

As a professional tennis player who has trained at the famous Mouratoglou Academy, her goals aren't a surprise. 

"I want to reach No. 1, I want to win Grand Slam titles," she said in Miami.

"A lot of players say they want to become world No.1, but only some players believe it deep inside and Linda is one of them," said Patrick Mouratoglou, in 'The Eye of the Coach', a video series. 

"She wins because she's just stepping in, stepping in, hitting, hitting, hitting until you crack," added the Frenchman, who has worked with Williams, Simona Halep and Stefanos Tsitsipas, and is currently coaching Danish teen Holger Rune.

"She's feisty. She wants it so bad. She's giving 100 per cent every time she's stepping on the tennis court … I think mentally she has the full package." 

In Melbourne, a maiden Grand Slam title remains in reach, and the teen has expressed her hunger for continued success. "I love competing ... I want to do everything I can to get the win," Fruhvirtova said. 

"I never give up. You don't get that many opportunities in these matches against top players. When you have the opportunity, you just got to take it or you lose.

"I'm just trying to take every chance I get and use it and just try my best, fight for it, go for it."

Still, as a new face on tour, she knows there's room to improve. "I still have got to get some experience against these older, stronger players … definitely work on my fitness."

"I think my game is pretty good. Of course, you just want to keep making it better and better, I trust in the process, and we'll see."