Laura Samson puts generation 2008 on the WTA map

Generation 2008 is leaving its mark on the WTA Tour, with Laura Samson becoming the first female tennis player born that year to achieve a main-draw match win. The talented Czech player dominated in her first-round victory over qualifier Tara Wurth at the Livesport Prague Open on Monday.

Looking back on her previous season, Samson shared her thoughts on Instagram in December: “It was an incredible year in which I grew a lot in many ways. Thanks to everyone who helped me improve and get to where I am now. I’m truly grateful for everything.”

The 16-year-old Samson is having an exceptional 2024 season. Starting the year unranked, she has climbed to position No. 634. With ten consecutive match victories, she secured two titles on the ITF circuit. The winner of the Czech Talent of the Year award in 2023 triumphed in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, and Bol, Croatia, in addition to her earlier victory at her first ITF title in Monastir, Tunisia.

At the 2024 junior French Open, she finished as the runner-up and also reached the girls’ doubles semifinals in Paris. Reflecting on her Grand Slam success, Samson stated: “My best result in the juniors so far. Although I wasn’t always happy with my tennis and finished the tournament exhausted, I’m really happy with the result. I showed my fighting spirit throughout the week.”

A hometown win on her Hologic WTA Tour debut 🤗

Czech 16-year-old Laura Samson defeats qualifier Wurth to advance in Prague!#LPO2024 pic.twitter.com/TaK6Qub004

Continuing her successful streak, Samson has now become the first player born in 2008 to win a main-draw match at a WTA tournament. As a wildcard, she beat Croatian world No. 461 Tara Wurth 6-0 6-2 in the first round of her home tournament, the Livesport Prague Open.

Interestingly, earlier this year Samson changed her surname to a gender-neutral form to differentiate herself from another WTA player, Russian Liudmila Samsonova, with whom she was often confused due to their shared name initials. The practical reason for the change was explained by Laura: “I talked to her and she sometimes thought she was playing on the schedule, but it was actually me. I wished it ended differently, but unfortunately it turned out this way.”

Samson’s list of sponsors includes Nike and Babolat, highlighting her growing influence in the tennis world and her marketability.