Tauson’s title triumph at W60 Altenkirchen ‘means everything’
How quickly things can change in tennis. Just over 12 months ago, Clara Tauson was flying high in the WTA rankings at No. 33 in the world, only for a back injury to rule her out of Roland Garros and then curtail her Wimbledon campaign in the first round.
Her fitness troubles continued into the 2023 season when she missed last month’s Australian Open with a foot injury, subsequently dropping as low as No. 141 in the rankings, but the 20-year-old Dane hit back in style on the ITF World Tennis Tour this weekend.
Tauson claimed her most significant title in 18 months on Sunday after defeating Greet Minnen 7-6(5) 4-6 6-2 in the final at W60 Altenkirchen – a particularly impressive result given the Belgian was on a 14-match winning streak at ITF level.
“It means everything,” Tauson said. “I’ve been out with so many injuries in the past year, finished the year with an injury also, so I’m just so happy I could come back and play at this level already. [It’s] my third tournament this year and I feel great.
"It was a tough match, but Greet is playing amazing at the moment so I knew it was going to be tough.”
"I’m just so happy I could come back and play at this level"
— ITF (@ITFTennis) February 20, 2023
After an injury-hit past year, Clara Tauson is a champion once again, claiming the title at W60 Altenkirchen 🏆 🙌#ITFWorldTennisTour
The ITF World Tennis Tour has provided a perfect platform for Tauson as she targets a return to her former heights.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to play the ITFs, playing against these great players,” she reflected. “I beat two or three former top 100 players [this week], I’m a former top 100 player myself, so I’m very happy with my performance here.”
Minnen, meanwhile, has recorded the most victories by any player at the ITF World Tennis Tour’s higher-level (W40-W60-W80-W100) this year, amassing 14 wins – and two titles – through W60 Sunderland, W40 Porto and now a runner-up finish at W60 Altenkirchen.
“I’m really going to keep building on this,” vowed the former world No. 69 who, despite missing out on the singles crown, could celebrate victory in the doubles alongside Yanina Wickmayer.
“I’m playing really great tennis and I’m really going for the next few weeks to go back to the top.”
Discover all the weekend's results from the ITF World Tennis Tour here