Jakub Bitman and Alzbeta Basova will terminate their partnership within the next 1,5 months.
The mixed doubles stars of Czech Republic won their first match at the World Championships against a Canadian pair, and in the mixed zone after the match they revealed that they soon will be playing their last tournament together.
- This is one of our last tournaments together. We are not going for points at the moment, but we are just trying to enjoy it. Maybe it is also the last World Championships for me. Every day is tougher and tougher. I just try to enjoy, Jakub Bitman stated.
- It is quite strange knowing this going into the Worlds. I was a bit sad when we walked on court today, but maybe that is the reason why we played okay. We know that it is soon over and we will enjoy another match together, Basova said.
Ten times national champions
Basova and Bitman kicked off their partnership in 2010 when they were 21 and 16 years old, and after winning ten national titles Alzbeta Basova is now ready to consider playing with a younger mixed doubles partner, although she will also focus on women’s doubles.
- In Czech Republic there is not that many players, and it is quite hard to play with partners from different countries. I spoke to Poland, because it is close to Czech Republic, but they have a lot of players who practice together, Basova said.
- I am not that young anymore – I am 25 – but I have no problem playing with a young guy, she added.
In the second round the Czechs will play Praveen Jordan/Melati Daeva Oktavianti from Indonesia.