Two years ago, Donna Vekic, a young professional tennis player, was dragged into an obscene scandal involving Thanasi Kokkinakis, an Australian professional doubles player. This story sparked when Nick Kyrgios taunted Stan Wawrinka, a Swiss three-time major champion (now boyfriend of Vekic), telling him:“Kokkinakis banged your girlfriend. Sorry to tell you that, mate.”
Vekic, tangled in this salacious story, won a Wimbledon tuneup match this weekend, reminding the world why she is considered one of the best prospects in professional tennis. At 20 years old, Vekic won a major Sunday match at the Nottingham grass-court event over the world’s No.8 ranked female player, Johanna Konta. In fact, Vekic won her first major tour tourney three years ago as a teen, but has since endured several obstacles like the infamous scandal.
Although the gossip from two years ago tarnished her youthful and promising career, she defied all odds by winning in the finals against a highly-ranked opponent.
“It’s pretty amazing. The last time I played a final, I wasn’t allowed to have champagne,” she told the crowd, laughing, after her win Sunday. “I’m going to drink a bottle of champagne with my team to celebrate.”
The young star played a thrilling two-and-a-half-hour match, resulting in a 2-6, 7-6 (3), and 7-5 victory.
