How Aussie giant-killer Priscilla Hon beat top-20 star Petra Kvitova

Priscilla Hon’s upset win over Petra Kvitova at the Adelaide International was the culmination of years of hard work.

Australia’s Priscilla Hon celebrates her boilover win against top-20 star and former world No.2 Petra Kvitova. Picture: AFP

Australia’s latest giant-slaying tennis player, Priscilla Hon, has revealed the mental reset she underwent to convince herself she could compete with the world’s best.

Hon’s extraordinary upset of dual Wimbledon champion and world No.17 Petra Kvitova in Adelaide on Monday night puts her in a strong position for the last Australian Open wildcard.

Tennis Australia officials challenged Hon and fellow contenders Ellen Perez, Lizette Cabrera and Seone Mendez to perform this week to show they deserved a wildcard.

Hon responded with a 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 6-2 victory – after trailing 2-4 in the second set – that doubled as the Queenslander’s maiden top-20 scalp.

“I think what I did really well, and what I was aiming for today, was just keeping a cool head and not being overwhelmed playing Petra, who I’ve obviously grown up watching for many years,” Hon said.

“So, I think just taking that out of my head and playing the game was key for me today.

Priscilla Hon’s upset victory over Petra Kvitova followed an extended period working on her mental side. Picture: AFP

“It’s still sinking in, but like I said on court, it’s something I’ve really been working on – not being scared playing these top-30 girls and actually believing I can beat them.

“I’ve been working really hard on it for the last year, so seeing that hard work pay off makes me feel unreal.”

Previously a top-15 junior before being on the cusp of the women’s top 100 in late 2019, the 23-year-old Hon has endured a torrid time since.

The Covid-19 pandemic was bad timing for Hon but a serious hip injury – the first major setback in her young career – dramatically altered her trajectory.

With the tour suspended in 2020, she instead competed in Universal Tennis Rating events but suffered a torn labrum and strained joint capsule on her left side while reaching for a return.

About nine months passed before Hon rejoined the WTA Tour, but she still almost qualified for Wimbledon last year despite having only five matches under her belt pre-tournament.

Hon is in the Australian Open singles wildcard mix. Picture: Annette Dew

Hon’s hip soreness returned after Wimbledon and forced her onto the sidelines for another five weeks.

“It’s been a weird year,” she said. “I felt like I had momentum from Wimby and then I couldn’t play again.”

But with Hon’s body now fighting fit, to go with a mental transformation that matches the shot-making ability she always had, things are suddenly looking bright.

“It’s been really frustrating and I’m still trying to get to the top 100,” she said.

“My ranking’s dropped again because of Covid and I didn’t play too much. So, I start again this year.

“But like I said, mentally, I feel a lot more ready for it. I’ve been getting pretty frustrated with not breaking into that top 100 the last couple of years. so hopefully I can do it this year.”

Hon’s second-round opponent at the Adelaide International will be top-10 star Paula Badosa or two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka.