Marie Bouzkova’s Defensive Masterclass

Marie Bouzkova’s Defensive Masterclass Could Spark a US Open Run By Ricky Boone

As the 2023 US Open gets underway, there’s one player flying under the radar who could make a deep run purely on the strength of her defense: Marie Bouzkova.

The Czech player has quietly built a reputation as one of the best defenders on the WTA Tour. Her court coverage is elite — she glides from corner to corner, rarely caught off balance, and has the uncanny ability to extend rallies beyond what seems possible. Opponents often find themselves having to hit three or four winners just to finish a point against her.

What sets Bouzkova apart isn't just her speed, but her anticipation. She reads the game exceptionally well, often arriving at the ball before her opponent has finished their follow-through. Combined with her low error count and consistency from the baseline, she frustrates even the most aggressive players.

Heading into the US Open, her defensive skill set is perfectly suited for the hard courts of Flushing Meadows. The surface rewards players who can absorb pace and redirect it — something Bouzkova does as well as anyone. She doesn’t overpower her opponents; she outlasts them, and in a two-week grind like the US Open, that style can be lethal.

With a favorable draw and the right rhythm, Bouzkova's ability to turn defense into offense could be her ticket to the second week — or beyond. Keep an eye on her. She’s not just surviving rallies; she’s setting the tone.

Ricky Boone is a published author and tennis columnist.