Petra Kvitova Announces Retirement
Petra Kvitova, a two-time winner of Wimbledon, has announced her retirement from professional tennis following her first-round exit at the US Open on Monday. The 35-year-old athlete from the Czech Republic concluded a storied career that featured 31 titles on various courts globally.
Final Match and Emotional Farewell
In her final match, Kvitova faced France’s Diane Parry, suffering a lopsided defeat of 6-1, 6-0. After the match, she was visibly emotional, embracing her coach and husband, Jiri Vanek, as the reality of her retirement set in.
“I wish I could have performed better today,” Kvitova stated during her post-match interview, which included a video tribute to her achievements in the sport. “It was hard to think this could be my last competition, and it weighed heavily on me.”
Expressing gratitude for her experiences, she said,
“Thank you, New York, for this amazing Grand Slam. I’m grateful to have been here for my last dance.”
Career Highlights
In addition to her Wimbledon victories in 2011 and 2014, Kvitova reached the Australian Open final in 2019. Her return to professional play in 2017 came after a significant injury, requiring surgery on her left hand following a home invasion.
Earlier this year, Kvitova celebrated the birth of her first child in July 2024, marking a new chapter in her life after making her comeback on the tour in March.
