WTA

Karolina Pliskova

Czech Republic

#49 WTA Ranking

Quick Answer

Karolina Pliskova is a 34-year-old WTA tennis player from Czech Republic, currently ranked world No. 49 with 1,105 points. Karolina plays right-handed.

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Quick Facts

Age 34 years

Born March 21, 1992

Plays Right-Handed

Country

Czech Republic

Tour WTA

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Career Achievements

Statistic	Value
Current WTA Ranking	#49 (1,105 pts)

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Biography & Playing Style

Karolina Pliskova: The Ace Machine Who Refused to Walk Away

In the summer of 2024, Karolina Pliskova tore the ligaments and tendons in her left ankle at the US Open. Two operations later, she did not know if she would ever play again. In 2026, at 34, she was back in a WTA 1000 quarter-final. If you like comeback stories, hers is one of the quiet great ones of this season.

Pliskova is a former world No. 1, a two-time Grand Slam finalist and one of the best servers the women's game has ever seen. Here is her story, from the courts of northern Bohemia to the top of the rankings and back again.

Early Life: One of Two

Karolina Pliskova was born on 21 March 1992 in Louny, in what was then Czechoslovakia. She has an identical twin, Kristyna, who also became a professional player. The difference fans learned to spot: Karolina is right-handed, Kristyna is left-handed.

Karolina showed her promise early, winning the Australian Open junior title in 2010. Her rise on the senior tour was steady rather than spectacular, but by 2016 she was one of the most dangerous players in the world.

The Serve

At 1.86 m, Pliskova built her game around a serve that few players could read. The numbers are remarkable:

In 2016 she hit 530 aces, the most by any player in a single season in WTA history.
She led the WTA Tour in aces in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019.

Behind the serve was a flat, aggressive baseline game. She took the ball early and hit it hard and low over the net, especially off the backhand. Her calm, almost expressionless on-court manner sometimes made her look detached. In fact it was part of her strength: she rarely let a bad game turn into a bad set.

Grand Slam Finals

Pliskova never won a major, but she came close twice:

2016 US Open: On her way to the final she beat both Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, and then lost a tight three-setter to Angelique Kerber.
2021 Wimbledon: She fought back from a set down to force a decider against Ashleigh Barty on Centre Court and lost 6-3, 6-7, 6-3.

She also reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open (2019) and the French Open (2017).

World No. 1

On 17 July 2017, Pliskova became world No. 1. She was the first Czech woman to reach the top of the rankings and one of a small group of women to become No. 1 without having won a Grand Slam. She qualified for the WTA Finals five years in a row from 2016 to 2021 (the event was not held in 2020), reaching the semi-finals three times.

Her 17 WTA singles titles include big ones: the Cincinnati title in 2016, the Italian Open in 2019 and Brisbane several times. She has earned around $26.8 million in official prize money, which places her among the top 15 earners in WTA history.

She was also a key member of the Czech Fed Cup (now Billie Jean King Cup) teams that dominated the competition in the mid-2010s. In the 2016 final against France in Strasbourg, she teamed up with Katerina Siniakova to win the deciding doubles rubber and bring the trophy home.

Matches to Remember

2016 Cincinnati final: she beat Angelique Kerber in straight sets, stopping the German from taking the No. 1 ranking that week. It was the biggest title of her career at that point, and the start of her best run.
2016 US Open semi-final: she beat Serena Williams, then the world No. 1, in straight sets to reach her first Grand Slam final, having beaten Venus Williams in the fourth round after saving a match point.
2019 Australian Open quarter-final: trailing Serena 1-5 in the final set and facing four match points, Pliskova won six games in a row to reach the semi-finals. It is one of the great escapes of recent Grand Slam history.
2019 Italian Open final: she beat Johanna Konta to win the title in Rome, one of the biggest clay-court events in the women's game.
2021 Wimbledon semi-final: after a string of difficult seasons, she outserved Aryna Sabalenka to reach her second major final.

The Injury and the Year Away

After a difficult couple of seasons, Pliskova had a lovely moment in February 2024, winning the Transylvania Open in Cluj, her first title in four years. Months later came the ankle injury at the US Open.

The recovery took two surgeries and a long rehabilitation. She sat out the rest of 2024 and all of 2025. She has said that during this time she genuinely did not know whether the recovery would work well enough for her to return. She spent the year at home with her family, and she has described that time away as giving her a completely different perspective on life and on tennis.

The 2026 Comeback

Pliskova returned at the start of 2026, and the results came faster than almost anyone expected:

Australian Open: third round, in her first Grand Slam for well over a year.
Madrid Open: a run to the quarter-finals, her first WTA 1000 quarter-final in two years.
Italian Open: fourth round in Rome.

She has talked about playing now without long-term goals or pressure, simply enjoying being back on court. She has been working with coach Zeljko Krajan. By the summer she had climbed back into the top 100.

Why She Is Worth Watching

Pliskova's game was built for a certain kind of tennis: big serve, first strike, short points. The tour has become faster and more physical since her peak, and she is now one of the oldest players in most draws. And yet, when her serve is landing, she can still beat almost anyone on a quick court.

To understand how quickly a player can climb back from zero, it helps to know how the WTA ranking points system works. After a long absence you start again almost from scratch, and the only way back is to win matches. Pliskova has been doing exactly that.

Quick Facts

Full name: Karolina Pliskova
Born: 21 March 1992, Louny, Czech Republic
Height: 1.86 m
Plays: right-handed, two-handed backhand
Twin sister: Kristyna Pliskova (also a professional player)
Highest ranking: No. 1 (July 2017)
WTA singles titles: 17
Grand Slam finals: 2016 US Open, 2021 Wimbledon
Record: 530 aces in 2016, the most ever in a WTA season
Status in 2026: back on tour after missing all of 2025 through injury

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Equipment & Gear

What Racket Does Karolina Pliskova Use? The Pure Drive Behind 530 Aces

When Karolina Pliskova hit a record 530 aces in 2016, she did it with one of the most famous rackets in tennis: the Babolat Pure Drive. She has been loyal to it for her whole career, and in 2026, back on tour after missing more than a year with a serious ankle injury, it is still the frame in her hands.

Here is what is actually known about her setup, what isn't, and what you can buy if you want to try a racket like hers.

The Racket: Babolat Pure Drive

Pliskova is a long-time Babolat player, and she has appeared in Babolat's own promotional material, including its celebration of 30 years of the Pure Drive. Her racket has always carried Pure Drive paint.

The standard retail Pure Drive has these core specs:

Head size: 100 sq in
Unstrung weight: about 300 g (roughly 11.2 oz in the classic version)
String pattern: 16x19
Length: 27 in
Character: powerful, stiff, big sweet spot, easy access to spin

That profile makes sense for her game. The Pure Drive is built for "easy power". It lets a tall player with a long, fast arm swing freely and still get plenty of pace and depth, which is exactly what you need for a first-strike, serve-plus-one style.

Is It Really the Current Model?

Probably not in the way you might think. Like many professionals, Pliskova is widely reported to play with an older Pure Drive mould painted to look like the current retail version. Gear site Tennisnerd, for example, notes that photos from years ago show her with the 2009 Pure Drive GT and suggests she has stayed with an older generation of the frame ever since.

That is very common on tour. Once a player finds a racket that feels right, she often keeps it for years and lets the manufacturer update only the paint job. Babolat has never published Pliskova's personal specifications, so her exact weight, balance and swingweight are not public. Any site that gives you those numbers to the gram is guessing.

Strings

Pliskova is reported to use a hybrid setup combining Babolat RPM Hurricane, a polyester string, and Babolat VS Touch natural gut. A hybrid like this is a popular way to add comfort and feel to a stiff, powerful frame while keeping the control and spin of polyester.

Her tension is not officially published. You will see figures quoted online, including suggestions that she strings very tight, but there is no reliable source for a precise number, and tension changes from event to event depending on conditions, balls and altitude.

How the Setup Fits Her Game

Serve. A 100 sq in head and a stiff frame give her free power on serve, and her height does the rest. The combination is why she led the WTA in aces four times (2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019).
Flat, early ball-striking. Pliskova hits flatter than most, taking the ball early. A powerful frame helps her redirect pace without big, loopy swings.
Comfort. Natural gut in the hybrid softens the feel of a stiff racket, which matters over a long career. That became even more important after two ankle surgeries and a comeback at 34.

If You Want to Play Like Pliskova

The good news: this is one of the most accessible pro setups to copy.

Babolat Pure Drive (current model): the obvious choice. It's powerful and forgiving, and it suits intermediate and advanced club players with full swings.
Babolat Pure Drive Team or Lite: lighter versions if you are newer to the game or want something easier on the arm.
Strings: if you want her feel without her budget, a hybrid of a soft polyester and a synthetic gut is a cheaper alternative to real natural gut.

One word of advice: stiff, powerful frames and full polyester strings can be tough on elbows and shoulders. If you are a recreational player, a softer string or lower tension is usually a smarter choice than copying a pro's exact setup.

Quick Facts

Brand: Babolat
Racket: Babolat Pure Drive, reportedly an older mould painted as the current model
Retail specs: 100 sq in, about 300 g unstrung, 16x19
Strings: reported hybrid of RPM Hurricane and VS Touch natural gut
Tension: not officially published
Signature stat: 530 aces in 2016, a WTA single-season record

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Net Worth & Earnings

Karolina Pliskova Net Worth in 2026

As of 2026, Karolina Pliskova's estimated net worth is approximately $25 million. This figure is derived from her career prize money, which typically ranges from 2 to 5 times the total prize earnings for top players, considering her consistent performance and significant endorsement appeal.

Career Prize Money Breakdown

While the official career prize money for Karolina Pliskova is not available, she is known to have had a successful career, accumulating substantial earnings from her on-court performances. With 17 career titles, including several prestigious tournaments, it is likely that her total prize money is considerable. Compared to her peers on the WTA tour, many top players have reported prize money earnings in the millions, particularly those who have made deep runs in Grand Slams.

For context, players who consistently perform well in major tournaments can earn anywhere from a few hundred thousand to several million dollars in prize money each year. Given her ranking and achievements, Pliskova is expected to be in a similar range to other top competitors, further bolstering the estimate of her net worth.

Endorsement Deals & Business Ventures

Karolina Pliskova, as a prominent player from the Czech Republic, likely attracts a variety of endorsement deals that contribute significantly to her income. Top-10 players typically have major shoe and racket deals, and Pliskova, with her successful career and ranking, is no exception. Endorsements from well-known sports brands, wellness products, and possibly fashion lines could form a substantial part of her earnings.

In addition to traditional sponsorships, she may also engage in business ventures or partnerships that align with her brand as an athlete. Such deals are common for athletes of her caliber and can significantly increase their overall earnings beyond prize money.

How Karolina Pliskova's Earnings Compare

When comparing Karolina Pliskova's earnings to other players on the WTA tour, she stands out as one of the more financially successful athletes. Many of her contemporaries, including Grand Slam champions and consistent top-10 players, have net worth estimates ranging from $20 million to over $100 million. For instance, players like Ashleigh Barty and Naomi Osaka, who have both won Grand Slams and have significant endorsement deals, have net worth figures that far exceed those of players with fewer titles.

While Pliskova may not yet reach the heights of the highest earners in women's tennis, her career trajectory and endorsement potential suggest that she remains a formidable competitor in both tennis and sports marketing.

Key Financial Facts

Estimated Net Worth: Approximately $25 million (2026 estimate).
Career Titles: 17, indicating a successful competitive history.
Endorsement Potential: Likely has multiple endorsement deals, typical for top-10 players.
Comparison: Earnings are competitive with other top WTA players, but may not reach the highest tiers without a Grand Slam title.
Prize Money: Although specific figures are N/A, her successful career suggests a substantial financial background from on-court earnings.

In summary, Karolina Pliskova's financial profile reflects her prominence in women's tennis, with a blend of on-court success and potential off-court earnings through endorsements and business ventures. Her estimated net worth of $25 million positions her as one of the more successful athletes in the sport, with room for further growth as her career progresses.

Last updated: August 2026

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