'That's life': No regrets for former champion Kvitova after Wimbledon farewell

New Straits Times

4 days ago

LONDON: Petra Kvitova insisted she had no regrets after her Wimbledon farewell ended in an emotional defeat by Emma Navarro in the first round on Tuesday.
The two-time champion returned from maternity leave in February following the birth of her son Petr in 2024, but found it difficult to handle the demands of being a mother on the gruelling tennis circuit.
The 35-year-old Czech announced last month that she would bring the curtain down on her career after the US Open, which starts in August.
Kvitova's decision gave the former world number two, who has won 31 titles in her career, one last opportunity to return to the scene of her Wimbledon triumphs.
But US 10th seed Navarro ruined her hopes of a long Wimbledon goodbye with a clinical 6-3, 6-1 victory in 60 minutes on Court One.
Now ranked 572, Kvitova has lost eight of her nine matches since becoming a parent.
Asked if she would reconsider her retirement decision, she laughed and said: "I am sure. Did you see it today? My body, it's not in good shape anymore, as well.
"Yeah, the motivation, it's different than it was before, so... that's how it is. That's life, I would say.
"I was lucky to have a beautiful court in my last match, where I do have lot of memories. It was a very special, emotional and happy place for me."
She even hijacked the media intercom system to announce to reporters that she was about to conduct her "last, final" press conference.
Kvitova was not quite so composed earlier when she struggled to hold back the tears after being given a standing ovation by the crowd.
"This place holds the best memories I could wish for. I never dreamt of winning Wimbledon," she said as tears flowed.
"I will miss Wimbledon for sure, I will miss tennis but I'm ready for the next chapter as well.
"I can't wait to be back here as a member. Thank you very much Wimbledon."
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.
She said her first title had changed her life and her career.
"I do remember the happiness I had when I was holding the trophy," she said. "My English wasn't in a good place either, so I was more nervous for the press conferences than for the matches."
Kvitova said Wimbledon means "everything to me", an emotional connection forged not just in her tennis triumphs but also because her engagement to her coach Jiri Vanek took place on Centre Court in 2022.
"Wimbledon was the main thing that shaped me through my career, as a person. I would get along very nicely with the English people, with the sense of humour. I do love it," she said.
"To have two titles, especially Wimbledon, was something very special. It's the best tournament in the world. What else I can say?"