According to the BBC on Thursday, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova of Bilovec, Czech Republic is planning to retire from professional tennis at age 35. Kvitova made headlines on Wednesday as she was awarded a wildcard spot for Wimbledon next month even though she is ranked 572nd in the world.
The reason for the wildcard spot is because Kvitova has had great success at the third major of the year on multiple occasions. Kvitova won Wimbledon in 2011 as she beat Maria Sharapova of Russia in the final, 6-3, 6-4. Kvitova then won Wimbledon in 2014, as she beat Eugenie Bouchard of Canada in the final, 6-3, 6-0.
Overall, Kvitova won 31 WTA titles in a span of 15 years from 2009 to 2023. Her last title came in 2023 as she beat Donna Vekic of Croatia in the final of the German Open, 6-2, 7-6.
In 2024, Kvitova took the entire year off from professional tennis as she gave birth to her son Petr. She returned to the ATX Open in Austin, Texas in February, but lost 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to Jodie Anna Burrage of Great Britain. Kvitova also lost in the first round of Indian Wells, Miami, and Madrid. Kvitiova did win her first round match in Rome by beating Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania, 7-5, 6-1. However, she withdrew from her second round match against Ons Jabeur of Tunisia at the Italian Open because of a leg injury. Kvitova then lost her first round matches at the French Open and Queen’s Club.
Kvitova made tennis headlines in 2016 when her hand was lacerated as she tried to defend herself during an attempted robbery. Then in 2021, Kvitova fell during a press conference after her first round win at the French Open, and was unable to face Elena Vesnina of Russia as a result.
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