The 2024 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux is only two weeks away (Saturday January 20th and Sunday January 21st 2024). At the 53rd edition the defending champions Darko JORGIC of Slovenia and the HAN Ying of Germany are both on duty.
In Women’s Event for a second time Swede Linda BERGSTRÖM will play after very busy end of 2023.
“It was a busy December with the Mixed World Cup the WTT Finals in Japan in doubles and the Champions League. I am very happy with my achievements in the last few months sustaining a high level and contributing wins for the SAINT QUENTIN TT in the Champions League and the national team. Ending the year by winning the last match and finishing 1st in the group in the Champions League was a great accomplishment ” reveiled BERGSTRÖM who is currently at the position no. 32 in the World Rankings..
What is your current shape?
“I am not sure of my shape because I just had rest over Christmas and New Year but the body and mind feel refreshed. I’m ready to take on a busy 2024.”
What will you play before Switzerland?
“ I have two matches in the French league before I go to Qatar to play the Star Contender.”
In the 2024 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup the no. one seed is HAN Ying. Seeded at position no. 2 Bernadette SZOCS of Romania clinched the title in 2018 followed by Nina MITTELHAM of Germany the winner from 2021. Austria’s Sofia POLCANOVA France’s Jia Nan YUAN Romania’s Elizabeta SAMARA Prithika PAVADE of France Natalia BAJOR of Poland NI Xia Lian Portugal’s SHAO Jieni and YU Fu Slovakia’s Tatiana KUKULKOVA and Barbora BALAZOVA Spain’s Maria XIAO and Rachel MORET are all listed for this year’s edition.
“It’s 15 strong players but if I have to choose one I would say HAN Ying. She won last year and had a really good 2023.”
What is your goal for Top 16?
“My goal is to do better than last year and win the first round ” said Linda who was 9th last year.
How do you look back at 2023?
“The 2023 was a good year for me especially after the summer. I feel I improved on many levels and reached my highest world ranking yet. The highlight was of course the European Championships in Malmö.”
In Malmö team Sweden reached the quarterfinals.
What is the goal for 2024?
“For 2024 the big goal is the Olympics. First to qualify and then have a good tournament. Other than that it’s the European Championships where we hope to make a great result in doubles.”
What is your 2024 resolution?
“I don’t really make New Year resolutions but I’m at a great place in my life so it would be to stay there ” said Linda BERGSTRÖM at the end.
