Yanina Wickmayer re-enters top 100: 'It doesn't have to stop here'

Belgian tennis player Yanina Wickmayer's semi-final performance in the Polish capital Warsaw was rewarded with a 16-place climb in the world rankings. She is now ranked 93 in the world's top 100.

Wickmayer, whose highest-ever ranking was 12th in spring 2010, is delighted with her re-entry in the top 100. "I am very proud of it," she told Belga on Monday. "It was one of the goals I set for myself when I returned to the circuit last year. I am enjoying it, but I also dare to look to the future. It doesn't have to stop here. I want to move on and achieve other goals.

"I have worked hard for this. Once I'm on the court, I always want to give it my all"

This week, the 33-year-old travels to the Czech capital, Prague, for a clash with China's Zhu Lin, who she beat 6-4, 6-2 at Wimbledon last year but lost to 6-3, 6-2 at Landisville in the US in 2019.

Wickmayer returned to professional tennis in February last year after giving birth to a daughter in April 2021. In Warsaw, she reached the semi-finals of a WTA tournament for the first time since September 2017.

"I have worked hard for this. Once I'm on the court, I always want to give it my all," said Wickmayer, who was ranked 323rd in the world at the start of the year. "I am still trying to improve my strengths and add new elements and variations to my game. It is working better and better. I also have a more positive attitude on the court than before. We will see where it takes me."

^{Yanina Wickmayer © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE}