Kateřina Siniaková finding joy in doubles Paris 2024; Aims for LA28, third Olympic gold

Tennis: Kateřina Siniaková on finding joy in doubles, Olympic mascots and love for skiing

The two-time Olympic tennis gold medallist spoke to Olympics.com about her partnership with Taylor Townsend and motivation for LA28.

Kateřina Siniaková always carries a part of the Olympic Games with her – just take a look at her tennis bag.

The Czech has won two Olympic gold medals in two Games appearances, following up her Tokyo 2020 women’s doubles triumph in 2021 with mixed doubles gold at Paris 2024 .

While the medals cannot travel across the globe, the Parisian Phryge instead accompanies the top-ranked female doubles player in the world.

“I actually have the mascot from Paris all the time on my bag,” Siniaková told Olympics.com upon the second anniversary of her second Olympic gold medal. When she stepped up to the podium alongside Tomáš Macháč , she also received a unique golden Phryge and limited-edition poster.

“I love those small toys, so it always reminds me that I was part of it. I actually have the red one, the classic one [on my bag]. The golden one is in my room watching me all the time. I actually don’t have the one from Tokyo. I also kept the pictures - I printed them, I have them in my room.”

Siniaková jokes that she is still on the hunt for Miraitowa, the Tokyo Olympic mascot, to mark her maiden gold medal. But the serious pursuit is centred on a hat-trick of gold medals, as she hopes to head to a third Games at LA 2028 .

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How a pursuit of fun brought Siniaková back to the top of the rankings

Siniaková is no stranger to doubles glory. She first became world number one back in 2018 with Barbora Krejčíková , her Tokyo gold medal partner and a two-time Grand Slam singles champion.

It was with her Czech compatriot that Siniaková claimed seven major titles and the career Grand Slam (victory at all four major tournaments). They parted ways at the end of 2023, and after winning Roland-Garros in 2024 with another two-time major singles winner in Coco Gauff , the 30-year-old teamed up with the USA’s Taylor Townsend .

They have formed a formidable duo as the top-ranked doubles team in the world with three Grand Slam titles – only the US Open remains for them to clinch Siniaková’s second career Grand Slam and Townsend’s first.

“The teamwork is working really well,” said the Czech. “I love to be on one side with Taylor and it really clicked together on and off the court because we are having fun. We are enjoying it, that’s why we can be a really strong team.”

The pair’s joy on court is reflected in their appearances: while Townsend designs her own kits, she wears matching hair bows and accessories with Siniaková. Townsend has spoken about how their playing styles also complement each other, to the extent where communication is telepathic and teamwork is second nature.

Katerina Siniaková (left) wears matching hairbows and on-court accessories with doubles partner, Taylor Townsend.

“It should always be fun because [doubles] is the only chance you are not alone on the court and you can have someone else there,” Siniaková elaborated. “I prefer to have fun, and if we do that, I think we are even playing better. Before the tight or important matches we are like, ‘Okay, we’re gonna enjoy it’.”

Being the No. 1 doubles duo in the world has thus not fazed Siniaková and Townsend as they choose to focus on their own enjoyment rather than the number next to their names.

“I’m trying to put it aside,” Siniaková said. “I think it’s tougher when you are playing really bad, when you’re missing shots you’re used to making. I would say it’s tougher than if we are seeded because it’s normal, the pressure is there. It’s difficult but we try to be relaxed.”

Siniaková, eyes on LA28 and third Olympic Games

Czech women’s tennis has been in safe hands for decades, a fact that seems to be consistently reinforced at Wimbledon. Three of the last four women’s singles champions have come from Czechia, while Siniaková has four doubles crowns at SW19: three in the women’s field and one in mixed.

She will aim to make a competitive Czech Olympic team that could feature the likes of former teammate Krejčíková, Wimbledon champion Linda Nosková and two-time major finalist Karolina Muchová . That is without mentioning rising stars such as Nikola Bartůňková , Tereza Valentová and Sára Bejlek , all currently under the age of 21.

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“We are a small country,” Siniaková explained of the 11-million-strong nation’s success. “We have so many players, but maybe it’s also about the history. Kids have the dream to try to do it and be the same - there are a lot of parents putting their kids through tennis.”

The Hradec Králové native, raised by a boxer father alongside her tennis-playing brother, is part of a talented generation of Czech athletes. Her sporting streak also extends to the mountains as a keen skier.

“I do love skiing but unfortunately, I haven’t skied in a long time because I don’t have a chance,” she admitted. “Usually when I have time for holidays, I choose the hot weather, the beach and the sea.”

The 30-year-old’s love for the sun will be fulfilled should she make her third Olympic appearance at LA28, where the tennis venue in Carson is just 10 miles (16km) from the Californian coastline.

“The first time when I was able to be an Olympian, even without the medal, it was something special,” said Siniaková of her maiden experience five years ago.

“The first time being in the Olympic Village, to see so many athletes in one place and going to the dining room was really memorable. You’re not used to it in tennis. I really enjoyed when we could support each other in the Czech room – it doesn’t matter which sport it is. It represents a lot of emotions and memories.

Looking ahead to LA28, she concluded: “I would love to be there. It’s going to be an amazing Olympics and it’s gonna be big definitely in the U.S. Of course, if I have a chance to play [women’s] doubles and mixed [doubles] I would love to, so hopefully I can do that.”

14 - 30 July 2028

LA 2028 | Olympic Games | USA