Polona Hercog

Personal

Coached by Zeljko Krajan
Mother is Romana (a florist); father is Vojko (bar owner); flower shop and bar are attached to their house so work from home
Family has many pets and Polona's favorite is Roxi (Jack Russell Terrier)
Started playing tennis at age 4, favorite shot is forehand; favorite surface is clay
Initially trained in Slovenia but moved to Italy at age 14 and trained there before turning pro. Speaks Slovenian, English and Italian
Favorite movies are the Godfather trilogy; enjoys rock and pop music; adores sushi; enjoys snowboarding
Admires Justine Henin for her game, attitude and giving back to the sport
Goal is to reach Top 10

Career Highlights

SINGLES
Winner (3): 2019 - Lugano; 2012 - Bastad; 2011 - Bastad.
Finalist (3): 2018 - Istanbul; 2016 - 125/Bol; 2011 - Palermo; 2010 - Acapulco.

DOUBLES
Winner (2): 2010 - Acapulco (w/Strycova), Seoul (w/Goerges).
Finalist (1): 2008 - Istanbul (w/Erakovic).

ADDITIONAL
Slovenian Fed Cup Team, 2007-08, 2010-12, 2015; Slovenian Olympic Team, 2012.

Career in Review

Finished inside the Top 50 for the second straight year in 2020, at No.49 – the first time doing so in consecutive years since 2010-11 – with best results a QF at Istanbul and 3r showing at Rome

During Rome run, scored second Top 10 win of her career, over No.8 Bertens

In 2019, ended a near-seven-year wait for a WTA title, winning Lugano (d. Swiatek)

Other highlights in 2019 were 3r runs at Roland Garros (l. Stephens), Wimbledon (l. Gauff), Eastbourne (l. Halep) and Beijing (l. Bertens)

Best result of 2018 was R-Up showing at Istanbul (l. Parmentier). Also made SF at Bucharest and QF at Auckland

Began comeback in 2017 at Roland Garros qualifying, winning $60k ITF/Brescia-ITA in her second tournament back

Suffered three injuring following 2016 US Open (l. Kerber in 1r via ret.) including a scapular stress fracture, left knee injury and right wrist injury

Season highlights in 2016 included a R-Up finish at WTA 125 event at Bol (l. Minella in F) and QF run at Bucharest (l. Siegemund)

Singles highlights during 2015 were SF at Bucharest (l. Schmiedlova) and QF at Bad Gastein (l. Knapp)

First career Top 10 win came over No.7 Bartoli at 2012 Charleston

Breakthrough season in 2011, highlighted by first singles final at Bastad, and successfully defended her title in 2012

Broke into Top 100 on July 6, 2009 (at No.89) and Top 50 on June 7, 2010 (at No.48)

Represented Slovenia at the Olympics in 2012 at London, falling in 1r in singles (l. Martinez Sanchez) and 2016 at Rio, losing in 1r in singles (l. eventual gold medalist Puig)

Slovenian Fed Cup Team, 2007-08, 2010-12, 2015

Played first WTA main draw at Portoroz, falling 1r (as WC)

Played first WTA event (in qualifying, as a WC) at 2006 Portoroz