Czech drama: Pliskova “steals” Strycova’s coach

Czech Barbora Strycova has launched a scathing attack on Fed Cup team-mate and former doubles partner Karolina Pliskova for poaching her coach.

World No.3 Pliskova will work with Tomas Krupa next season, who has coached Strycova for the past two seasons. Pliskova, who is temporarily working with former world No.1 doubles player Rennae Stubbs at the WTA Finals in Singapore next week, split with her coach David Kotyza after the US Open.

Strycova told Czech media she was blindsided in the situation.

“I was very disappointed with how it was done,” Strycova is translated as saying.

The world No.26, who won her second career singles title in Linz last week, claims Pliskova and her manager went behind her back to make an offer to Krupa.

“It was Wednesday after the US Open, I remember it now. She (Pliskova) called for me to meet with me. She broke up with David Kotyza and wants to tell me something. Then I learned she wants my coach,” Strycova said.

“At that moment, she told me that her manager was already behind my coach to give him an offer. And then I learned on the phone that it was over. ”

Strycova, who teamed with Pliskova to win the deciding rubber in the 2016 Fed Cup final, declared their friendship was now over.

“At point zero. We do not go for coffee. We no longer have to use the word friend,” she said.

Krupa, a former Czech pro, coached Tomas Berdych to a Wimbledon final and also previously worked with Czech players Radek Stepanek and Jiri Vesely.

> Read Strycova’s full interview