Petra Kvitova officially hung up the racquet on Tuesday in New York, ending a professional career that scooped two Wimbledon crowns and lasted almost two decades.
In an emotional farewell, the Czech great’s time came to an end following her opening-round loss to Frenchwoman Diane Parry at US Open 2025.
“I didn’t expect myself [to be emotional] either, but since I woke up this morning, I felt it would not be good. I couldn’t eat, I was really nervous, but in a different way,” she said.
“It was really difficult to even imagine (her final match). It was something new.”
The 35-year-old said goodbye to tennis with two titles at the All England Club – 2011 and 2014 – as well as the 2011 WTA Finals crown, six Billie Jean King Cup trophies for Czechia and a career-high ranking of world No.2.
From hitting balls on the local courts in her hometown of Fulnek, Czechia, to winning titles in front of crowds quadruple its population, Kvitova will be remembered for her resilience.
Her most resilient feat came after she was the victim of a home invasion just before Christmas in 2016. Kvitova required career-saving surgery on her dominant left hand after it was slashed with a knife during the robbery.
A career defined by grace and grit 👑
Congratulations on an incredible journey, @Petra_Kvitova 👏 pic.twitter.com/eHxysj5sGB— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) August 26, 2025
The southpaw made her return at Roland Garros 2017, a month ahead of schedule. She picked up where she left off – she won the Birmingham Classic in her second tournament back.
In 2019, Kvitova reached the Australian Open final, her first Grand Slam final in five years, before she fell to Naomi Osaka in a thrilling three-set encounter. Despite the loss, it was arguably the pinnacle of Kvitova’s return to tennis as she returned to world No.2 for the first time since June 2015.
“I think I would be proudest of many things. I think especially, the mental side, all the seasons, they were pretty long seasons already before, and I was quite okay to handle it, even with some injuries and sickness and kind of this stuff. I'm very proud of how I handled the pressure,” she said.
“Also, how many times I have been in the top 10. It was very, very special for me. Even though I’ve never been world No.1, I still think those two Grand Slam wins is above the world No.1.”
Kvitova has since helped pave the way for mothers aspiring to continue their tennis careers post-maternity leave.
A mother to son, Petr, whom she gave birth to in July 2024, Kvitova made her comeback in February 2025 in Austin, Texas.
“I probably would never have imagined before when I got pregnant that I would come back,” Kvitova reflected. “Then, I missed the sport so much, I just had so much fun playing. I told myself, it would be nice to finish the season, so I’m doing it, so it’s good.”
As for her retirement plans, Kvitova only has one thing in mind: “Petr, our son, is at home, so I miss him.”