School Exams to Rome Debut, Valentova Passes Both Tests Ahead of Gauff Rematch Tereza Valentova, the Czech teenager ranked within the top 50 in the PIF WTA Rankings, made her debut at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia after navigating a challenging academic schedule. Arriving in Rome just two days before her first-round match, she had to balance her tennis commitments with her high school graduation exams. The World No. 48 on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz had to pause her travel plans to complete her final exams in Prague, Czechia, arriving at the tournament grounds at 9 p.m. local time on Tuesday. “It was a little bit chaotic because I arrived at 9 p.m. yesterday, so I was doing exams [for graduation],” Valentova explained to reporters. Despite the tight schedule, Valentova secured her place in the second round with a decisive victory over Yulia Putintseva. The Czech player claimed a 6-3, 6-2 win, avenging her earlier loss to Putintseva in the Mutua Madrid Open. This win not only advanced her in the tournament but also set the stage for a high-stakes encounter with Coco Gauff, the 2025 Rome finalist and defending Roland Garros champion. The two players had last met at Roland Garros in 2025, where Gauff’s victory over Valentova contributed to her second Grand Slam title. Valentova’s path to the top 50 has been marked by her dual focus on academics and tennis. She is currently studying for her Czech secondary school diploma, requiring her to pass three exams: Czech literature, English, and economics. The exams, which she described as a “series of challenges,” have often been balanced with her tennis training. “I’ll hit the practice court before hitting the textbooks as part of my daily routine,” she noted.#coco_gauff #roland_garros #mutua_madrid_open #internazionali_bnl_ditalia #tereza_valentova
