While tennis in Holland might not be the number one sport, the European nation has produced its fair share of talents. One such talent is that of Lesley Kerkhove, the Goes-born professional with an impressive record. In her career, she has enjoyed success at both Singles and Doubles level, reaching an impressive 2 WTA Finals at Doubles level, and a further 37 Finals at ITF level across her Singles and Doubles career.
She’s reached as high as 149th on the WTA Singles ladder, while going as high as 58th in the Doubles ladder. Arguably her biggest career win so far came in October 2017, when she won the Luxembourg Open. She played alongside Lidziya Marozava, her regular partner, who she also lost the Swedish Open with in July 2016. They defeated Eugenie Bouchard and Kirsten Flipkens in the Final in Luxembourg.
Her impressive record at Doubles level, winning 12 of her 24 ITF Finals, is yet to be replicated at Singles level. She has won 5 of her ITF Finals at Singles level, with her first win coming in Albufeira, Portugal, against Amra Sadikovic in February 2011. She endured a challenging 7-Final losing streak, before winning in Aschaffenburg, Germany, against Carina Witthoft in July 2014.
She won back-to-back titles for the first time at this level in 2018, defeating Pemra Ozgen and Clara Burel in Portugal and France. A solid professional with excellent professionalism and still much scope for improvement, the future looks bright for one of Hollands’ stars.
