At PBPRO, we support athletes whose journey inspires us. This past January, the first tennis player we proudly support reached an important milestone — a meaningful signal of what may be possible ahead.
The First Grand Slam Final Stays With You
It’s where belonging becomes clear, and possibility becomes real.
For Tereza “Teri” Hermanová, the Australian Open was a real marker — of progress, of belief, and of what’s possible next.
Not a destination, and not a promise, but a moment to pause and recognize how far she has come.
At 16, reaching the Australian Open Junior Doubles Final didn’t define her future — it affirmed her present. In Melbourne, she competed freely, trusted her instincts, and experienced what it feels like to perform on a Grand Slam stage. For a young player growing up in an already demanding generation, that understanding matters more than any expectation.
Her first singles match in Melbourne was tough. Nerves played a role, and it took time to feel comfortable on such a big stage. Teri took the loss to heart — not as a setback, but as information. She reset, shifted her focus to doubles, and committed fully to the next opportunity. That response mattered. And in the days that followed, it showed.
2026 Australian Open Juniors - Doubles Finalist
Trophy Ceremony / Tereza Hermanova 16 / Final Interview
Photo Credit: @tennisaustralia
Shared History, Shared Trust
Teri reached the final alongside her doubles partner and close friend Denisa Zoldaková, herself the daughter of a former professional player. Their partnership was built on familiarity and trust — the kind that develops over years, not weeks.
Doubles at this level isn’t about flash. It’s about instincts, timing, and knowing how to steady each other when momentum shifts. That connection showed throughout their run.
The final itself was an all-Czech affair, a quiet reminder of the depth of this generation. Three of the four finalists came through Sparta Prague, a club long known for developing disciplined, technically sound players who understand how to compete internationally.
Congratulations to the Australian Open Junior Doubles champions, the Kovačková sisters — exceptionally talented players and a true reflection of the strength of Czech tennis.
2026 Australian Open Juniors - Doubles Finalists
Left: Denisa Zoldakova & Right: Tereza Hermanova
Photo Credit: @tennisaustralia
Pedigree, Without Shortcuts
Teri grew up around tennis. Both of her parents, Blanka Hermanová and Jiří Herman, played professional tennis. Her older sister, Barbora Hermanová, now competes at the Division I level at Murray State University and was Teri’s longtime hitting partner growing up.
Still, her path wasn’t rushed.
At 14, Teri was attending regular school, training in the afternoons and evenings — a rhythm that is increasingly rare in elite junior tennis. Many top juniors today are homeschooled from an early age, specializing quickly and structuring life almost entirely around the sport.
Teri’s development was more balanced, more patient. Tennis was central — but not isolating.
A Generation That Leaves No Space
This generation of junior girls is exceptionally strong. The margins are small. The depth is relentless.
Teri is well aware of that reality.
She hasn’t tried to separate herself with statements or projections. With results, she has simply worked her way into the group of players who are winning.
At the end of 2023, she finished the year ranked outside the top ITF 800. Two years later, she is ITF 46. The progress has been meaningful — and it has come quickly — but it has also been honest.
Quiet Adjustments, Real Impact
In December, just ahead of the Australian swing, Teri made a subtle but important adjustment, transitioning into new Wilson frames that better matched her physical development. The added stability and power allowed her to stay aggressive longer, especially against opponents who defend well and absorb pace.
The change didn’t alter her identity as a player.
It supported it.
While Teri has been a Wilson athlete since the very beginning of her tennis journey, her admiration for Nike is equally genuine. She understands the level and legacy the brand represents — and that opportunities like that are earned over time. For now, her focus remains where it belongs: on the court, doing the work and letting results speak for themselves.
Photo Credit: @tennisaustralia
The People Behind the Progress
Teri’s development is anchored by a small, trusted team at Sparta Praha. She works closely with her coach David Kunst, conditioning coach Josef Toporcer, and physio Lenka Skochová.
She also works with Mike Cipro on mental performance, understanding that clarity, resilience, and emotional regulation are skills trained alongside technique.
Just as importantly, she is deeply supported by her family — by parents who understand the demands of the sport, and by her sister Barbora, who remains a constant presence and sounding board.
What Melbourne Left Behind
What Melbourne ultimately gave Teri was not certainty, but confidence — the quiet kind that comes from experience.
She returned to Prague without urgency, simply carrying forward what she learned and continuing her work with the same curiosity and discipline that brought her there. At 16, that balance matters. Progress doesn’t need to be rushed, and belief doesn’t need to be loud.
