Petra Kvitova relishes chance for farewell at ‘special’ Wimbledon

The Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova during a practice session at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on June 28, 2025. PHOTO: REUTERS

UPDATED Jun 30, 2025, 07:52 PM

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LONDON – Former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova is relishing the chance to say farewell to the All England Club before retiring later in 2025.

Kvitova returned from maternity leave in February following the birth of her son Petr in 2024, but quickly found it difficult to handle the demands of being a mother on the gruelling tennis circuit.

The 35-year-old Czech announced last week that she will bring the curtain down on her career after the US Open in August.

Kvitova’s decision gives the former world No. 2, who has won 31 titles in her career, one last opportunity to return to the scene of her most memorable triumphs.

A raw 21-year-old when she stunned Maria Sharapova to win the 2011 Wimbledon final, three years later Kvitova returned to the All England Club title match to rout Eugenie Bouchard 6-3, 6-0.

Those golden memories will be on her mind when she steps on court at Wimbledon against American 10th seed Emma Navarro in the first round on July 1.

“I knew that I will not carry on for a long time because I was already tired before and tennis is a very difficult sport. Of course, with a baby it’s not that easy, and I’m not that young any more,” Kvitova told reporters at Wimbledon on June 29.

“My body, it’s struggling a little bit, it’s just too much , probably. I had the time when I said, ‘OK, I’m done, I don’t want to put myself in this situation’ .

“I wanted to enjoy Wimbledon. I wanted to know, even for myself, that it will be my last one because it’s so many memories I have, even the bad ones.

“Most important are the two great ones. It’s always been my special tournament and that’s why I wanted to say it out loud before it starts.”

Asked for her favourite All England Club moment, the left-hander cited the final minutes before she clinched the trophy for the first time.

“I think it was the first one, when I had 5-4 and I was going to serve for the match,” she said.

“I do remember I was sitting on the bench and I was telling myself it’s maybe just one chance in my life, so I should try to do it.”

Now ranked 572nd, Kvitova has lost seven of her eight matches since becoming a parent.

She will not miss the pre-match nerves, saying she often looked “as white as a wall” before taking to the court.

But the thrill of proving herself against elite opponents will be hard to replace for a player who, in her heyday, reached three Grand Slam finals and won the WTA Finals in 2011.

“It’s a beautiful sport,” she said. “I’m not sure how I’m going to feel but every time stepping here in Wimbledon it’s very special.

“This time will be a different special for sure but definitely I will enjoy it.”

Meanwhile, defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova will step into the All England Club this week carrying both the weight of expectation and a lingering injury concern, yet the Czech appears utterly unfazed by either.

Days after withdrawing from the Eastbourne Open with a thigh injury, Krejcikova seemed calmly assured for someone who defied the odds at Wimbledon in 2024, when she stunned Grand Slam champions en route to the title as the 31st seed.

Krejcikova has had limited preparation after a back injury sidelined her for six months, playing six matches since her return in May.

“It’s definitely not difficult (returning as defending champion). It’s actually very, very nice to be here and very nice to play, even after all the time I was out,” Krejcikova told reporters on June 29.

“So I’m enjoying it, I’m happy to be here. I find it tough, complicated, but I don’t find it difficult. I’m very much looking forward to play on Tuesday.”

Krejcikova’s first-round opponent is Alexandra Eala, the 20-year-old Filipino who announced herself by stunning Iga Swiatek to reach the semi-finals at the Miami Open in March before reaching the Eastbourne final. AFP, REUTERS

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