The New Year is not quite two weeks old and Daniela Hantuchova has already racked up a couple of firsts.
In Auckland the former world No.5 had a go at SUP yoga – striking poses on a surfboard out on the water, for the uninitiated – and although she admitted to falling into the lake once, she was instantly hooked.
“It was so much fun,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to do it but I never had the time – I didn’t want to leave!
“At first I wasn’t sure if I would be able to stand up on the thing and there we are, doing yoga poses. It’s actually a good workout, especially for your core.”
And now for another first – a debut appearance at the Hobart International. Hantuchova accepted a wildcard to join a competitive field featuring Casey Dellacqua, Sloane Stephens and Heather Watson in the build-up to the Australian Open, and has enjoyed her first few days in Tasmania.
“It’s nice to come to a place that I’ve never been before, even after 15 years on the tour,” said the 31-year-old during a tour of the Salamanca Markets in downtown Hobart.
Hantuchova is becoming accustomed to new experiences in recent weeks. Last month she announced that Carlos Rodriguez, the former coach of Justine Henin and Li Na, would be in her corner in 2015, a partnership she describes as an honour.
“Out of all the coaches I’ve had in the past 20 years, he’s the most impressive,” Hantuchova admitted. “It’s been very exciting – after 15 years on the tour I’m listening to new things, every day trying to improve and learn. It is pretty impressive.”
Rodriguez has laid out his plan for propelling the world No.62 back inside the top 50. While the Slovakian is a willing student the lessons have been pretty tough, but Hantuchova believes she is already reaping the benefits.
“We did change a few things technically, which is not easy for me at this age,” she joked. “Obviously he wants me to come in more, which we worked very hard at.
“It’s probably the best pre-season I’ve ever done, which is quite nice to have that feeling after so many years, and I had a great win against Errani [at the ASB Classic] last week. I just can’t wait for the first Grand Slam to start and we’ll see where my game is.”
With players looking to find their rhythm as soon as possible in the early stages of the season, Hantuchova know that her experience could prove vital. Learning to play without thinking is the key, says the Slovakian.
“Once I’m in the matches, it’s about trying to think how I can win instead of thinking too much about technique and things that I’ve worked on in the pre-season,” she explained. “That’s the tricky part, trying to stop thinking and focus on the result.”
Matches certainly help, especially with the year’s first Grand Slam a week away. Should she see off qualifier Richel Hogenkamp in the first round, Hantuchova’s Hobart draw could set up a potential second-round tie with No.2 seed Zarina Diyas – just the type of test she’ll be hoping for before heading to Melbourne.
“That would be great, but I just take it one match at a time,” she insisted. “Having done this for so many years I know exactly what to expect, what to do.
“The main thing is to try to give my best in training as well as the matches now, because it’s all about the preparation for the big tournaments.”
Still, another first – a title on Australian soil – must rank as the best preparation she could ask for.