This weekend, the fan-favorite duo returned to the Caja Magicá in preparation for their long-awaited return, accompanied by the Czech’s young son Vincent.
The last time Hsieh Su-wei and Barbora Strycova were on court together at the Caja Mágica, they were hoisting the Mutua Madrid Open trophy. The fan-favorite doubles team is preparing for a much-anticipated return after three years.
Former doubles No. 1 Barbora Strycova last competed at the Australian Open in 2021.
After two lengthy absences from professional tennis, the affable 37-year-olds are starting the clay-court season with a bang at the first WTA 1000 event.
The event will be Strycova’s first of any kind in over two years and her first as a mother; she last competed at the 2021 Australian Open and gave birth to her son Vincent in October of that year. But Hsieh has also been suspended since the conclusion of that season; she last competed at the WTA Finals in Guadalajara, Mexico in 2021, where she and Elise Mertens reached the doubles final.
Little Vincent was present for his mother’s first day back at work when Hsieh and Strycova reunited for a pre-tournament practice session in Madrid on Saturday. In subsequent social media posts, both competitors joked that their support team has grown by one.
“We are back with a new coach,” Hsieh captioned an Instagram photo of the trio with the phrase.
Since their debut victory at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Hsieh and Strycova have been a fan-favorite doubles pairing. From 2019 to 2021, as full-time companions, they won eight titles, including Wimbledon in 2019, and held the No. 1 doubles ranking. They also competed for the title at the 2019 WTA Finals.
Their reunion and the addition of little Vincent have been greeted with equal enthusiasm.
Fan on Instagram: “This is like a Destiny’s Child reunion, but with fuzzy balls.”
“Dream team plus one has returned!” exclaimed another.
Strycova hinted earlier this year that she was preparing for a comeback by uploading training videos with Petra Kvitova on her Instagram account, before confirming she would return in Madrid. Uncertainty surrounds the duration of her and Hsieh’s reunion tour, but the Czech is also entered in Rome and Roland Garros with her protected ranking this spring, and has stated publicly that she wanted to “feel the energy” of tennis’ largest crowds before retiring.
With these two talented artists and close companions on the same side of the net, entertainment is practically guaranteed.