‘Pocket rocket’ Cibulková defies doubters to show sky’s the limit

As the ball glanced fortuitously off the top of the net, Dominika Cibulková was already falling to the ground in tears of elation.

Three Championship points had passed her by, but after continuing to hustle and harry, the Slovak reaped the rewards – stunning world No. 1 Angelique Kerber to take the biggest title of her career.

They had said she was too small to play tennis, but the 5-foot 3-inch “Pocket Rocket” would soon be standing tall with the Billie Jean King trophy in her hands. King, a pioneering giant of the women’s game, is just over an inch taller.

“It’s hard to describe it with words,” Cibulkova told CNN. “It just feels great and I’ve never been so happy in my life. Amazing!”

Dominika Cibulkova won the WTA Finals in Singapore, an achievement she called the best of her career.

She overcame world No. 1 Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-4 to claim the eighth WTA title of her career.

Having missed out on three match points, the Slovakian took the title in two sets, collapsing to the ground in disbelief.

She picks up a handsome $2 million in prize money.

Angelique Kerber has enjoyed a successful year, winning the Australian and US Open titles on her way to becoming world No. 1. However, she was outplayed by Cibulkova in the final.

Victory in Singapore is timely for the Slovakian, who has struggled in recent Grand Slams. In this year's French Open, she lost in the third round against Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro.

Having won her first grass-court title at the WTA's Eastbourne International, Cibulkova reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in July.

Her best Grand Slam performance came during the 2014 Australian Open, where she was defeated in the final by China's Li Na.

Dominika Cibulkova wins WTA Finals in Singapore

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Motivation

Cibulková has always been a fighter.

In an age where height and power dominates, she has defied the odds from the start – admitting after the match that some had sought to turn her away from the game growing up.

“They underestimated me. I really wanted to play tennis – nobody could tell me different.”

Ranked 66th at the start of the year, it’s been a long road to the top. Martina Navratilova, an eight-time winner of the WTA showpiece event, has remarked that the only time Cibulková stops working hard is when she’s asleep – something the 27-year-old attests to.

READ: Cibulkova stuns Angelique Kerber in Singapore

“I think she’s right; I have to put something extra into my game and into my tennis to beat the taller girls,” said Cibulkova, who is five inches shorter than Sunday’s opponent Kerber, and 10 below 6’ 1” Karolina Pliskova, the tallest player in the top 10.

“My height – this is something I deal with, and I’m happy to be the motivation for other people like me.”

The sky’s the limit

The plucky Cibulková hit 28 winners and just 14 unforced errors on her way to becoming the first WTA finals debutant to take the title since Petra Kvitova in 2011.

After neutralizing the renowned Kerber return with an 83% first-serve percentage, Monday’s rankings see her move into the top five for the first time ever.

Andy Murray triumphs in the Vienna Open event as he beats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final.

Related article Seventh ATP title of 2016 lifts Andy Murray within touching distance of No.1

“Right now I’m in the state of mind where I really believe in myself,” Cibulková says. “I just really believe that I can be – that I am – one of the best tennis players in the world.

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“And I want to continue; I just want to see where I can get with this attitude. Hopefully I can get even further.”