Rising star Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic has warned her rivals not to take her lightly when she makes her debut at next month's Watsons Water Champions Challenge at Victoria Park. Touted as the next Maria Sharapova given the two players' striking similarities, the 15-year-old will team up with Russia's Elena Dementieva in the doubles competition.
Already comparisons are being drawn between Vaidisova and Sharapova, who burst on to the scene here two years ago, but the Czech player doesn't want to be compared to the Wimbledon champion even though Vaidisova's height - she's 1.81 metres tall - and her powerful serve are reminiscent of Sharapova in 2002.
Local fans will have a chance to catch a glimpse of the big-serving Czech ace in action - touted as the next big star to emerge on the world stage - in the Hong Kong tournament from January 5-8.
'I took some time off, but I will be ready to play again. I never played with any of those players, but I will be ready for them,' said Vaidisova, who challenges the Williams sisters - Venus and Serena - in the first round of doubles.
Sharapova came to Hong Kong in 2002 ranked just 186th in the world, but Vaidisova is already ranked 77th and steadily climbing. The Florida-based Czech said reaching the world's top 10 was one of her major goals. Her other goal is to win a Grand Slam one day. She believes she will fulfil her goals three years down the line.
Last year, she wanted to be ranked among the world's top 100 and she accomplished that after WTA title wins in Vancouver and Tashkent and quarter-final appearances in Acapulco and the Japan Open gave her a career-high ranking of 72 last month. The former junior player had blossomed and was well on her way to stardom.
Voicing her ambitions is also not Vaidisova's style. Rather she keeps her ambitions to herself to avoid any disappointments if she doesn't achieve them.
