Casey Dellacqua

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Casey Dellacqua

Dellacqua at the 2013 Wimbledon Qualifications Tournament
Country  Australia
Residence Sydney, Australia
Born (1985-02-11) 11 February 1985
Perth, Australia
Height 167 cm (5 ft 6 in)[1]
Turned pro 2002
Plays Left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Prize money $2,002,084
Singles
Career record 283–171
Career titles 0 WTA, 22 ITF
Highest ranking No. 39 (28 July 2008)
Current ranking No. 80 (27 January 2014)
Grand Slam Singles results
Australian Open 4R (2008, 2014)
French Open 3R (2008)
Wimbledon 3R (2008)
US Open 2R (2007, 2012)
Doubles
Career record 226–127
Career titles 2 WTA, 23 ITF
Highest ranking No. 9 (11 May 2009)
Grand Slam Doubles results
Australian Open F (2013)
French Open F (2008)
Wimbledon F (2013)
US Open F (2013)
Mixed Doubles
Career titles 1
Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results
Australian Open 2R (2007, 2012)
French Open W (2011)
Wimbledon 3R (2008, 2013)
US Open 2R (2008)
Last updated on: 30 September 2013.

Casey Dellacqua (born 11 February 1985) is an Australian professional tennis player who currently resides in Sydney, New South Wales. She has been ranked as high as No. 39 in the world for singles and No. 9 in the world for doubles. She won her first major title at the 2011 French Open – Mixed Doubles, partnering with American Scott Lipsky. She has reached the final in women's doubles at each major. She has also won two WTA doubles titles, 22 ITF singles titles and 23 ITF doubles titles. She is also a dual Olympian and an active member of the Australia Fed Cup team.

Dellacqua is of Italian descent through her father and Irish through her mother.[2]

Early life

Dellacqua lived in Woodvale, Western Australia. She attended Woodvale Primary School from kindergarten to Year 7 and then Woodvale Senior High School, before moving to Canberra to train with the Australian Institute of Sport at the age of sixteen. Throughout her early life she was an active member of local tennis clubs and teams.

Personal life

In August 2013, Dellacqua celebrated the arrival of Blake Benjamin, the first child for her and her partner, Amanda, the birth mother. The announcement of the birth, made at the US Open, was also Dellacqua's first public acknowledgement that she is a lesbian.[3][4][5]

Career

Early career: 2003-2007

From 2003 to 2007 Dellacqua won 11 ITF singles titles and 13 ITF doubles titles. Most of these titles were $25k tournaments spread out across Australia. She also won a $50k title in The Bronx in August 2007. At the 2007 US Open she won her first grand slam main draw match against Yaroslava Shvedova before losing to defending champion Maria Sharapova in the second round. She finished the 2007 season ranked 78 in singles and 123 in doubles.

2008: Breakthrough

Dellacqua began the year by reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open and upset 15th-seeded Patty Schnyder and former champion and World No. 1 Amélie Mauresmo but eventually lost to third seed Jelena Janković. The performance meant she surpassed Alicia Molik to become the highest ranked Australian female tennis player.

The French Open again showed Dellacqua's improved ability as she defeated the 9th-seeded Marion Bartoli and Nathalie Dechy in the first two rounds but she was knocked out in straights sets by Carla Suárez Navarro in the third round. The doubles proved to be a highlight for Dellacqua as she teamed with Italian Francesca Schiavone to reach the final despite being unseeded. The pair lost to Spaniards Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual 2–6, 7–5, 6–4 in a match that lasted two-and-a-half hours.

For the first round of the Wimbledon Championships, Dellacqua faced the 12th-seeded Swiss Patty Schnyder, who Dellacqua had already beaten earlier this year in the second round of the Australian Open. Although she lost the first set to her again, Dellacqua had a convincing win against Schnyder 4–6, 6–3, 6–1. In Dellacqua's second round match against French player Pauline Parmentier, Dellacqua won a tight match 1–6, 6–2, 6–3. Dellacqua faced Nicole Vaidišová in the third round but lost the match 6–2, 6–4. In the women's doubles event, Dellacqua partnered with Nathalie Dechy of France who she already partnered with at the 2008 International Women's Open at Eastbourne. They started by defeating British wildcards Anna Fitzpatrick and Anna Elizabeth Hawkins 6–1, 6–0 in the first round. They had an easy second round match easily beating Tatiana Perebiynis and Alicja Rosolska 6–3, 6–2. They won their third round match over American qualifiers Raquel Kops-Jones and Abigail Spears 6–4, 7–6. They won a tight quarterfinal match against Spaniards Nuria Llagostera Vives and María José Martínez Sánchez 6–2, 7–6, 6–4. Their Wimbledon run ended when they lost to Venus Williams and Serena Williams 6–3, 6–3. In the mixed doubles event, Dellacqua partnered with American Scott Lipsky. Dellacqua and Lipsky won their first round match against Marta Domachowska and Fernando Verdasco 4–6, 6–3, 7–5. In the second round, they upset seventh-seeds Mark Knowles and Yan Zi 6–3, 3–6, 6–4. They eventually lost to 9th-seeded Andy Ram and Nathalie Dechy.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Dellacqua represented Australia in the singles event along with Alicia Molik and Samantha Stosur. Dellacqua had an easy first round match against Gisela Dulko 6–3, 6–4. In the second round, she lost to 12th-seeded Belarusian Victoria Azarenka 6–2, 6–2. In the women's doubles event, Dellacqua partnered with fellow Australian Molik. In their first round match, they lost to the Italian team of Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone 6–4, 6–4.

At the 2008 US Open

Dellacqua had a bad start at the US Open after losing both of her first round matches in singles and women's doubles. In the singles, she was beaten by a French qualifier Julie Coin 7–6, 7–6. In the doubles event, Dellacqua entered the competition seeded 9th with Nathalie Dechy, one of the defending champions of the event. They lost to Klaudia Jans and Alicja Rosolska of Poland 1–6, 6–2, 6–3. In the mixed doubles event, she played alongside fellow Australian Jordan Kerr. They lost in the second round against Jonas Björkman and Nadia Petrova.

2009: Injury troubles

Casey Dellacqua started her year in a disappointing performance at the 2009 Hopman Cup. Representing Australia alongside Lleyton Hewitt, she only won one of her matches, defeating American Meghann Shaughnessy

She then participated at the Medibank International in Sydney where she lost her first round singles match against Italian's Sara Errani. She found better success in the doubles event where she partnered with Nathalie Dechy who she had played with in previous doubles matches last year. They had not lost a set coming into the semi-finals, where they beat the third seeds Květa Peschke and Lisa Raymond. They then reached the finals winning against the world number 1's and top seeds Cara Black and Liezel Huber. However, Dellacqua and Dechy lost to Peng Shuai and Hsieh Su-wei 6–0, 6–1.

In the first round of the Australian Open, Dellacqua lost to 19th seeded Slovakian Daniela Hantuchová 7–6, 6–4. She was singled out for criticism by Australian coach Roger Rasheed for carrying excess weight and not being in match condition.[6] She found better success in the doubles event, partnering with Francesca Schiavone with whom she reached the finals at last year's French Open. Coming to the event seeded they won their first round match against Petra Cetkovská and Carla Suárez Navarro. They then beat Alla Kudryavtseva and Ekaterina Makarova. They had a walkover in their third round match against Maria Kirilenko and Flavia Pennetta. In the Quarter-final, Dellacqua and Schiavone managed to win after having a bad first set against Patty Schnyder and Anna-Lena Grönefeld 0–6, 7–5, 6–1. They lost their semi-final against Venus Williams and Serena Williams in just 58 minutes, 0–6 2–6. Reaching the semi-final was the furthest Dellacqua has gone at the Australian Open. After the first Grand Slam of the year, Dellacqua and coach Nicole Pratt decided to go separate ways.

Dellaqua underwent shoulder surgery in February 2009 and was off the court until mid-2009.[7] On her website, Casey stated that the surgery and rehab went really well. She had stated in an interview that she would return to the WTA tour at the start of the 2010 Season. In December 2009, Dellacqua competed in the Australian Open Wildcard Playoff and won a wildcard entry into the main draw. She went undefeated in the round robin stage of the tournament, and in the elimination rounds. In the quarterfinals she played 2nd seeded Queenslander Shannon Golds, scraping through in three sets, 3–6, 6–3, 7–5. In the semifinals she faced sixth seed, Sally Peers, winning in straight sets. She overcame Victorian Olivia Rogowska in the final, saving three match points and eventually coming back to win 1–6, 7–6, 6–3.

2010: Second surgery

Dellacqua received a wildcard to the Brisbane International, but lost in the first round to Sesil Karatantcheva (2–6, 6–0, 6–7).

She received a wildcard to the Medibank International tournament in Sydney, but lost in the first round to Vera Dushevina (2–6, 2–6).

In the first round of the Australian Open, she defeated Anastasiya Yakimova (6–2, 3–6, 6–4). She faced a tougher opponent in her second round match against Karolina Šprem, but eventually won through in straight sets (7–6, 7–6). She was eliminated in the third round by sixth seed Venus Williams (6–1, 7–6).

After representing Australia at the Federation Cup with Samantha Stosur, Alicia Molik and Rennae Stubbs, Dellacqua entered a $25,000 ITF tournament in Mildura, which she won in both singles and doubles (with Jessica Moore).

Her next tournament was a $25,000 ITF tournament in Sydney. She was defeated in the second round in singles, but won the doubles title with compatriot Jessica Moore.

Dellacqua's next tournament was Wimbledon, where she used her protected ranking to gain direct entry into the main draw. She was beaten in the opening round (6–1, 6–0) by Bojana Jovanovski.

Dellacqua took the rest of the tour year off and missed the 2011 Australian Open due to another surgery.

2011: Grand Slam championships

Dellacqua came into 2011 having not played since the 2010 Wimbledon Championships because of injury. Her first tournament back from injury was the doubles at the $25,000 Burnie, Tasmania tournament partnering Isabella Holland. The pair reached the second round. Dellacqua then played another four $25,000 tournaments in Australia. Playing singles in the last three. In her first singles match back from injury in Mildura she was beaten by compatriat and doubles partner Olivia Rogowska 6–3, 6–0. Dellacqua again losing first round the next week to Sacha Jones in Ipswich. In her final of the five straight $25,000 Australian tournaments, although having a bad start, Dellacqua defeated country woman Viktorija Rajicic 1–6, 6–1, 6–2. This was her first singles win in over a year. Dellacqua grew a lot confidence from this win and went on to win the tournament defeating doubles partner Olivia Rogowska in the final 6–2, 6–3. Dellacqua had major success in the doubes in these tournaments. Her and partner Olivia Rogowska went on a 16 match winning streak and won four straight tournaments.

Her next tournament was her first WTA maindraw since the 2010 Wimbledon, in Estoril as a player under protected ranking. Her first round opponent was Zhang Shuai, whom she defeated 6–2, 6–1. This was her first WTA main draw match win since the 2010 Australian Open. Dellacqua lost to fellow Australian Jarmila Gajdošová in the second round 6–2, 6–4. Dellacqua lost in the first round of qualifying for the Madrid Open to fellow Australian Anastasia Rodionova 6–4, 6–2. Retired Australian Doubles great Rennae Stubbs came out of retirement to help former top 10 doubles player Dellacqua on her comeback from injury and played with her in numerous tournament up until the 2011 US Open . There first tournament together was in the Madrid Open. They reached the semi-finals defeating fourth seeds Lisa Raymond and Liezel Huber in straight sets along the way. This result put Dellacqua back in the top 120 doubles players.

After failing to qualify in the Rome Masters, and Dellacqua and Stubbs unable to pack up their good doubles form from Madrid, her next tournament was the 2011 Brussels Open. In this tournament, Dellacqua used her protected ranking to avoid qualifying for a spot in the main draw. This move paid off as Dellacqua caused a big upset to world no. 20 and fifth seed Shahar Pe'er 6–1, 5–7, 6–3 in the first round. This is Dellacqua's sixth victory against a top 20 player in her career. Dellacqua lost in the second round in three sets to Ayumi Morita.

Dellacqua received a wildcard into Roland Garros. She lost in the first round to 32nd seed Tsvetana Pironkova 7–5, 6–3. In women's doubles, Dellacqua partnered with Australian Rennae Stubbs and reached the third round, where they lost to fourth seeds, Liezel Huber and Stubbs's last year doubles partner Lisa Raymond. This result put Dellacqua back in the worlds top 100 doubles player. Dellacqua partnered with American Scott Lipsky for the 2011 French Open Mixed Doubles Championship. They ad a great tournament and caused a major upset, winning the championship by defeating defending champions Katarina Srebotnik and Nenad Zimonjić 7–6, 4–6, 10–7, despite being unseeded.[8] The winners split a check of $145,000.[8] This was Dellacqua's second time in a grand slam final, but her first win in a grand slam (singles or doubles).

Dellacqua reached the second round of a Wimbledon warm up tournament at the Aegon Classic. She disappointingly lost in the first round of qualifying in singles and the main draw first round doubles at the 2011 Wimbledon Championships. To warm up for the US Open, Dellacqua played a $100,000 tournament in Bronx. She qualified and made the second round losing in three sets. In her final two tournaments before the US Open, she both times lost in the second round of qualifying. Dellacqua received a wildcard into the 2011 US Open and even though receiving a good draw avoiding a seed, she lost in the first round to Alizé Cornet 7–5, 6–0.

Dellacqua returned to Australia to play six straight $25,000 tournaments to end her year. Dellacqua went on a giant run winning all six tournaments, losing just three sets in 30 matches. These wins gained her entry back into the worlds top 150. She played doubles in three of these tournaments with Olivia Rogowska. Although they suffered a shock semi-final loss in their first tournament, they went on to win the next two tournaments. That meant that Dellacqua and Rogowska won six $25,000 tournaments together in 2011. Dellacqua's final tournament of the year was the "Australian Open Wildcard Playoff" where Casey was the hot favourite to win after her 30 match winning streak. Dellacqua was stunned in her first round-robin match by then 15 year old Ashleigh Barty 6–3, 6–3. Barty went on a giant killing run to win the tournament. Dellacqua did recover from the first loss and won her next two round-robin matches comfortably but was unable to reach the semi-finals because of the first loss. Dellacqua was rewarded from her good year though and was given a direct entry wildcard into the tournament. Dellacqua finished 2011 ranked 156 in singles and 56 in doubles.

2012: Return to Top 100

Dellacqua had a better year in 2012, she played in the main draw of every slam, consistently represented Australia in Fed Cup, went to the Olympics and reached her first WTA Tour semi-final.

Dellacqua started her year at the 2012 Brisbane International losing in the first round. She partnered with Ashleigh Barty in the doubles event. They knocked out the first seeds in the first round and eventually made the semi-finals. She then played at the 2012 Moorilla Hobart International and reached the second round. At the 2012 Australian Open she played singles, doubles and the mixed with Chanelle Scheepers and Matthew Ebden respectively. In the singles, she defeated Bojana Jovanovski in the first round 6–3 6–2 after losing to her two weeks prior in Brisbane. She then faced eventual champion Victoria Azarenka in her second round match and fell 1–6 0–6. She lost in the first round of the women's doubles and second round of the mixed doubles. Dellacqua and Jelena Dokić won their doubles tie in the Fed Cup against Switzerland.

In her next tournament, Dellacqua was only a matter of points away from defeating top 30 player Maria Kirilenko in a WTA even in Thailand. She eventually lost in three sets. Dellacqua then played two WTA premier tournaments in the Middle-East.. A qualifying loss in Dubai and making the second round in Doha. Dellacqua lost in the doubles first rounds in both these tournaments with Samantha Stosur. Dellacqua then headed to Kuala Lumper and crushed Bojana Jovanovski 6–0 6–2. Dellacqua had a disspointing second round loss to Su-Wei Hsieh 1–6 5–7.Dellacqua made the semi-final of the doubles with Jarmila Gajdošová. Dellacqua then qualified for 2012 BNP Paribas Open but lost in the first round. Dellacqua and doubles partner Samantha Stosur made the Quarterfinals going down in a close three set match.

After heading to Germany to play Fed Cup. Which Australia was successful getting back into the world group, Dellacqua headed to Japan to play two $50,000 events. The first she was a shock exit in the second round on a hard court. The second, which was on a grass court, was a lot better for Dellacqua who went on to win the tournament. The Western Australian tweeted that it was tennis great Roger Federer who inspired her throughout her time in Fukuoka, the reason she altered her racquet string configuration during the week. The win in Fukuoka meant Dellacqua would rise into the WTA top 100 singles rankings for the first time since 2009.[9] She then played her final French open warm up tournament at a $100,000 tournament in Prague. This was her first tournament on clay this year. Although the Fed Cup ties were on clay. Dellacqua had a good first round match but lost in the second round. She did make the doubles final with Akgul Amanmuradova though. They went down 2–6 3–6 to Alizé Cornet and Virginie Razzano. A week before the French Open she played doubles with Anastasia Rodionova in Belgium and made the semi-finals. At the 2012 French Open she only entered in the singles and the doubles in which she partnered Russia's Alexandra Panova. Despite being the defending champion in the mixed, she did not gain entry, though her partner Scott Lipsky did participate partnering Vladimíra Uhlířová. In the singles, she drew 21st seed and eventual finalist Sara Errani in the first round. After taking the first set, she succumbed in 3 tight sets, 6–4 2–6 2–6. She reached the second round in the doubles, before losing to compatriots and 14th seeds Jarmila Gajdošová and Anastasia Rodionova in three sets.

Dellacqua had a disappointing result at a $75,000 in Nottingham, although winning the doubles event with Eleni Daniilidou. Dellacqua then made the third round of a WTA event in Birmingham but had to withdraw from the third round after falling ill. At the 2012 Wimbledon Championships she participated in the singles and the doubles. In the first round she drew another seed in the 9th seed Marion Bartoli she fell 2–6 4–6. In the women's doubles she partnered Samantha Stosur in what would be a slight rehearsal for the Olympic Games. They reached the second round before falling to the number one seeds Huber and Raymond in three tight sets.

A month later Dellacqua returned to London and SW19 for the 2012 Summer Olympics. She was only entered in the Women's Doubles alongside Samantha Stosur, they lost to the 8th seeds Nuria Llagostera Vives and María José Martínez Sánchez in the first round 1–6 1–6. Dellacqua stated that the Olympics was the highlight of her year, despite playing just the one match.

Dellacqua started her US Hard Court season at a $50,000 tournament in Bronx and lost in three sets in the second round. She then headed to Cincinnati to play the 2012 Western & Southern Open. Dellacqua beat two tall left handers in straight sets to qualify for the main draw but had a loss to fellow qualifier Johanna Larsson. Dellacqua's hard court season got a lot better the next week in Dallas where she qualified and made the semi-finals. Along the way defeating fourth seed and top 30 player Yanina Wickmayer 6–4 6–3. She almost caused another major upset in the semi-final against second seed Jelena Janković but went down 5–7 4–6. This was Dellacqua's first WTA main draw semi-final. The result also got Dellacqua back in the worlds top 65. Taking loads of confidence into the 2012 US Open she cruised past qualifier Lesia Tsurenko 6–2 6–3. Dellacqua's draw got a lot tougher though in the second round, drawing the number nine seed Li Na, who had won the big warm up tournament in Cincinnati and also the 2011 French Open. Dellacqua played some of her best tennis, but went down 4–6 4–6. In the doubles event Dellacua and partner Eleni Daniilidou almost took down first seeds Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond but eventually going down 4–6 7–6(10) 4–6.

Dellacqua struggled through her Asian swing making qualifying exits in China, Japan and again in China. It got slightly better making the second round of a tournament in Osaka after the high ranking meaning she didn't have to qualify. She finished her year at a $75,000 tournament in Japan where she lost in the quarterfinal in three sets. She went on to win the doubles event with country woman Ashleigh Barty. They didn't drop a set all tournament and won the final 6–1 6–2. She finished 2012 ranked 88 in singles and 67 in doubles. With her singles ranking being well inside the top 100, it meant for the first time since 2008 Dellacqua would not have to play the Australian Open Wildcard Playoff.

2013: Doubles success

Dellacqua was scheduled to play at the 2013 Hopman Cup but had to withdraw due to an injury. Ashleigh Barty took her place. She was awarded a wildcard into the 2013 Apia International Sydney but had a first round loss to Kimiko Date-Krumm 4–6 1–6. Dellacqua was given a tricky draw at the 2013 Australian Open where she had to play young American Madison Keys who was bringing form and confidence into the match. Dellacqua fought hard but went down 4–6, 6–7(0). The doubles however, was a different story. Dellacqua partnered fellow Australian Ashleigh Barty who was only 16 years old. They opened the tournament by cruising past Francesca Schiavone and Polona Hercog 6–2, 6–4. They then stunned the 3rd seeded team of Maria Kirilenko and Lisa Raymond 6–4, 6–4 and then 14th seeded team of Natalie Grandin and Vladimíra Uhlířová 7–6(3), 6–3 to reach the Quarterfinals. The duo then reached the semi-final by defeating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Lucie Šafářová 6–2, 6–3. Their semi-final was played on Rod Laver Arena and Dellacqua and Barty reached the final by defeating Saisai Zheng and Varvara Lepchenko 6–2, 6–4 becoming the first Australian duo to reach the women's doubles final of the Australian open since 1977. Despite their best efforts they were defeated by top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci in the final. They dropped the opening set 6–2 in just 29 minutes. But gained composure in the second to take it 6–3. In the final set, the Italians won the match and took home the title after being defeated the previous year, 6–2, 3–6, 6–2.

Dellacqua then headed to Thailand to play the 2013 PTT Pattaya Open where she was a direct entry into the main draw. She played Luksika Kumkhum in the first round where she was defeated 2–6, 2–6. She also played doubles with Kimiko Date-Krumm, finally winning her first WTA level doubles title. Dellacqua then travelled to the Czech Republic to play in the Fed Cup World Group, where Australia was defeated 4–0 by the Czech Republic. Casey participated in the doubles alongside Ashleigh Barty, they were defeated by Czech pair Hlaváčková and Hradecká 0–6, 6–7. After taking a two-week break, she then played in Malaysia at the 2013 Malaysian Open. She lost in the opening round to eventual champion Karolína Plíšková. She did not participate in the doubles.

Dellacqua then participated in the 2013 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. She breezed through qualifying defeating Sirotkina and Burnett. Although in the first round she was defeated convincingly by Anabel Medina Garrigues 1–6, 3–6. In the doubles she partnered alongside Japan's Date-Krumm once again, having just previously won in Thailand. They reached the semi-finals but were defeated by the 4th seeds Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina in a tight match 6–4, 6–7(4), 8–10. After Indian Wells, she travelled to Miami to compete in the 2013 Sony Open Tennis. She drew 3rd seed Lauren Davis in the opening round of qualifying. Despite leading 6–1, 3–1, she was defeated 6–1, 4–6, 1–6. In the doubles, she again partnered Kimiko Date-Krumm, they were given a tough draw against the top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci in the opening round. They put up a good fight, but succumbed in a match tiebreak, 7–6(5), 2–6, 9–11.

Dellacqua took some time off in April. She travelled to Switzerland for Fed Cup, but didn't participate because it was a dead rubber. She played two ITF's also, losing the second and first rounds respectively. She then travelled to Paris for the 2013 French Open. In the Women's Singles draw she need to gain entry through the qualifying draw. She won her first match against Ana Vrljic but lost to 21st seed Irina Falconi in a tough 3-set match 6–2, 5–7, 5–7. In the Women's Doubles she again played alongside Ashleigh Barty, they were seeded 14th. But they lost in the opening round in 3-sets. In the mixed doubles, she partnered defending champion Mahesh Bhupathi. They also lost in the first round.

Dellacqua then headed to Birmingham for the 2013 Aegon Classic and the start of her grass court season. She gained entry to the main draw via the qualifying draw. She was seeded 11th and defeated Vera Dushevina and Caroline Garcia in straight sets. She drew Daniela Hantuchova in the opening round and lost in straight sets. In the doubles she partnered Barty once again and they were seeded 3rd and were the eventual champions. This was Dellacqua's second WTA doubles title and Barty's first. Casey then travelled to Wimbledon for the Championships. In the Ladies' singles qualifying rounds, despite defeating the top seed Paula Ormaechea in the second round, she lost in the final round to Carina Witthöft. She was seeded 12th in the doubles alongside Ashleigh Barty, and made it to the final, losing in 2 sets. In the mixed doubles, she partnered American Scott Lipsky with whom she won the 2011 French Open Mixed title. They were seeded 13th and lost in the third round.

Casey Dellacqua at Wimbledon 2013

After Wimbledon, Dellacqua headed home to Australia to train and spend time with her family in preparation for the US Open. At the 2013 US Open she entered in the Women's Singles, Women's Doubles and Mixed Doubles. In the Women's Singles, Casey had to first go through the qualifying draw to reach the final. Seeded 27th in the Qualifying draw she defeated Hsu, Feuerstein and Pervak all in straight sets to reach the main draw. In the main draw she was defeated by fellow qualifier Ajla Tomljanovic in three tight sets of the opening round. After this, she had the Women's Doubles and Mixed Doubles. She partnered Ashleigh Barty and Scott Lipsky respectively. Dellacqua and Lipsky lost in the opening round of the Mixed Doubles. However, seeded eighth Barty and Dellacqua had a bit more luck in the Women's Doubles. Breezing through to the Quarterfinals, along the way defeating Cirstea & Wickmayer, Cetkovska & Flipkens and ninth seeds Huber & Llagostera Vives. In the Quarterfinals they took on the second seeded Russian pairing of Ekaterina Makarova & Elena Vesnina. They defeated them in straight sets. The continued on in the semi-finals and defeated tenth seeds Sania Mirza & Jie Zheng in straight sets. Taking Ashleigh Barty & Casey Dellacqua to their second consecutive and third of the season Grand Slam final. They would meet Grand Slam Champions Andrea Hlavackova & Lucie Hradecka. They lost in three tight sets, despite a strong opening set. 7–6, 1–6, 4–6. This meant Casey had now reached at least the final of each grand slam. It was at the 2013 US Open Dellacqua announced the birth of her son Blake with her partner Amanda.

Dellacqua took two weeks off, before heading to Tokyo to participate in a WTA Premier 5 level event. In the Singles, she gained entry through the qualifying draw and in the main draw she lost to sixteenth seed Dominika Cibulkova. She also participated in the Doubles alongside Barty once again, hoping to gain enough points to reach the WTA Tour Championships. They were seeded second and lost in the opening round. She then travelled to Beijing to in the Premier Mandatory event. She only participated in the doubles with Barty. They were seeded third and lost in the second round. This meant that Barty & Dellacqua were no longer within reach of qualifying for the 2013 WTA Tour Championships.

In late October, Casey competed in the $50K back-to-back tournaments in Bendigo, Victoria. She had a successful two weeks, winning both singles tournaments back to back, defeating Noppawan Lertcheewakarn & Tammi Patterson respectively. Casey Dellacqua finished the year ranked 131 in singles and 10 in doubles. Casey alongside Ashleigh Barty was nominated for the Newcombe Medal, a prestigious Australian Tennis Award, awarded to the most successful Australian tennis player of the year. But they unfortunately lost out to Lleyton Hewitt. Casey finished the year at the 2013 December Showdown (2014 Australian Open WC Playoff). As the top seed, Casey went on to win the tournament, defeating Maddison Inglis, Monique Adamczak, Tammi Patterson & Arina Rodionova along the way. Earning herself a ticket to the main draw of the 2014 Australian Open.

2014

Casey began her 2014 season at the Brisbane International. She was given a wildcard in the singles, she defeated Kazakh Galina Voskoboeva in the opening round in three sets. She then met world no. 2 Victoria Azarenka for their second meeting. Casey was defeated 6–3 6–1. Dellacqua alongside Barty, were seeded third in the women's doubles. They had to withdraw in the Quarterfinals after their first round win due to Ashleigh's left adductor injury. Casey then headed down to Tasmania, for the WTA international event 2014 Hobart International. Casey only participated in the singles, there after defeating qualifier Alison Van Uytvanck in the opening round, she lost to Alison Riske.

At the 2014 Australian Open, Casey Dellacqua entered in the Women's Singles, Women's Doubles & Mixed Doubles. In the singles, Casey drew former world no. 2 Vera Zvonareva who gained entry through a Protected Ranking. She defeated the Russian 6–2, 6–2. In the second round, Casey defeated the 18th seeded Belgian Kirsten Flipkens 6–3, 6–0. For the first time since 2010, she reached the third round of a slam. In the third round, she faced former Australian Open semifinalist Jie Zheng. She defeated her 6–2, 6–4. For the first time since 2008 and only the second time of her career, Casey reached the fourth round of a grand slam. She was beaten by 30th seed Eugenie Bouchard in three sets. In the doubles, she was seeded 5th alongside Ashleigh Barty. They lost in the second round to Timea Babos & Petra Martic. In the mixed, she partnered Ross Hutchins of Great Britain. They were defeated by the fourth seeded team of Andrea Hlavackova & Max Mirnyi in the opening round. After this years tournament, Dellacqua rose to world no. 80 in singles, but dropped to world no. 15 in doubles.

She will now remain on Australian soil, to participate in Australia's 2014 Fed Cup World Group tie against Russia in Hobart.

Career statistics

Main article: Casey Dellacqua career statistics

Grand Slam finals

Doubles: 4 (0–4)

Outcome Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Runner-up 2008 French Open Clay Italy Francesca Schiavone Spain Anabel Medina Garrigues
Spain Virginia Ruano Pascual		 6–2, 5–7, 4–6
Runner-up 2013 Australian Open Hard Australia Ashleigh Barty Italy Sara Errani
Italy Roberta Vinci 		2–6, 6–3, 2–6
Runner-up 2013 Wimbledon Grass Australia Ashleigh Barty Chinese Taipei Hsieh Su-wei
China Peng Shuai		 6–7(1–7), 1–6
Runner-up 2013 US Open Hard Australia Ashleigh Barty Czech Republic Andrea Hlaváčková
Czech Republic Lucie Hradecká		 7–6(7–4), 1–6, 4–6

Mixed doubles: 1 (1–0)

Outcome Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Winner 2011 French Open Clay United States Scott Lipsky Slovenia Katarina Srebotnik
Serbia Nenad Zimonjić		 7–6(8–6), 4–6, [10–7]

Performance timelines

Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR LQ (Q#) A P Z# PO SF-B F S G NMS NH

Won tournament; or reached Final; Semifinal; Quarter-final; Round 4, 3, 2, 1; competed at a Round Robin stage; lost in Qualification Round; absent from tournament event; played in a Davis Cup Zonal Group (with its number indication) or Play-off; won a bronze, silver (F or S) or gold medal at the Olympics; a downgraded Masters Series/1000 tournament (Not a Masters Series); or a tournament that was Not Held in a given year.

To avoid confusion and double counting, these charts are updated either at the conclusion of a tournament, or when the player's participation in the tournament has ended.

Women's singles

Tournament200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014W–L
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open 1R 1R 1R 1R 1R 4R 1R 3R A 2R 1R 4R 9–11
French Open A A A Q1 1R 3R A A 1R 1R Q2 2–4
Wimbledon Q1 A A Q1 1R 3R A 1R Q1 1R Q3 2–4
US Open A A A Q1 2R 1R A A 1R 2R 1R 2–5
Win–Loss 0–1 0–1 0–1 0–1 1–4 7–4 0–1 2–2 0–2 2–4 0–2 3–1 15–24
Olympic Games
Summer Olympics NH A Not Held 2R Not Held A NH 1–1
Year-End Ranking 2752342231577855100422615688131

Women's doubles

Tournament200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014W–L
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open 2R 2R 1R 2R 1R 1R SF 1R A 1R F 2R 13–11
French Open A A A A A F A A 3R 2R 1R 8–4
Wimbledon A A A A A SF A 1R 1R 2R F 10–5
US Open A 1R A A 2R 1R A A 1R 1R F 6–6
Win–Loss 1–1 1–2 0–1 1–1 1–2 9–4 4–1 0–2 2–3 2–4 15–4 1–1 37–26
Olympic Games
Summer Olympics NH A Not Held 1R Not Held 1R NH 0–2
Year-End Ranking 22411714112112321-251566710

Mixed doubles

Tournament200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014W–L
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open A 1R A 1R 2R A A 1R A 2R 1R 2–6
French Open A A A A A A A A W A 1R 5–1
Wimbledon A A A A A 3R A A 2R A 3R 4–3
US Open A A A A A 2R A A A A 1R 1–2
Win–Loss 0–0 0–1 0–0 0–1 1–1 3–2 0–0 0–1 6–1 1–1 1–4 12–12
Olympic Games
Summer Olympics Not an Event A NH 0–0
  • Text in italics shows an event still in progress

References

  1. ↑ "Casey Dellacqua". london2012.olympics.com.au. Australian Olympic Committee. Retrieved 21 January 2014. 
  2. ↑ Irish Times, 25 June 2008
  3. ↑ Baynes, Valkerie (28 August 2013). "Motherhood a motivation for Australian tennis ace Casey Dellacqua". Herald Sun. Retrieved 17 January 2014. 
  4. ↑ Pearce, Linda (28 August 2013). "Casey Dellacqua out of US Open, but doubles - and motherhood - remain". The Age. Retrieved 17 January 2014. 
  5. ↑ Baynes, Valkerie (28 August 2013). "Motherhood a motivation for Australian tennis ace Casey Dellacqua". Fox Sports. Retrieved 17 January 2014. 
  6. ↑ Women Players Carrying "Excess Baggage", Says Top Coach Yahoo! Sports, 21 January 2009
  7. ↑ Dellacqua to Undergo Surgery WTATour.com, 26 February 2009
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "2011 French Open: Scott Lipsky, Casey Dellacqua win mixed doubles; Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan lose in doubles semifinals". ESPN. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2011. 
  9. ↑ http://www.tennis.com.au/news/2012/05/14/dellacqua-channels-federer-to-win-in-fukuoka

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Casey Dellacqua.

Video

Women's Tennis Association: Top ten Oceania female singles tennis players, as of 2 December 2013.
Women's Tennis Association: Australia Top Australian female singles tennis players as of 3 February 2014
Women's Tennis Association: Australia Top Australian female doubles tennis players as of 3 February 2014
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