NEW YORK — As Petra Kvitova settled into the main interview room for her final post-match media session at the US Open on Monday, the two-time Wimbledon champion glanced to her right and found exactly what she had hoped for.
“Tissues are here. Perfect,” Kvitova remarked with a smile. “I’ll do my best to be brave.”
Despite a disappointing 6-1, 6-0 defeat to Diane Perry in her first-round match at Flushing Meadows, the 35-year-old left-hander maintained a cheerful demeanor, frequently smiling and even chuckling at her own remarks.
The tears she shed immediately after the 52-minute match had dried, replaced with a sense of acceptance.
Kvitova, who recently battled COVID-19 and contemplated withdrawing from the US Open, admitted she hadn’t anticipated the emotional weight of the day.
“This morning was different. I felt uneasy—I couldn’t eat and was really anxious. I felt paralyzed; I couldn’t swing, couldn’t do anything,” she shared. “It was incredibly tough. I don’t think I’ve ever faced… knowing that this could be my last match.”
Upon realizing her match had concluded with her backhand return veering wide, Kvitova was overcome with emotion. She made her way to the stands, where her husband and coach, Jiri Vanek, embraced her with affection. The couple welcomed their son, Petr, into the world in July 2024, marking a significant return to the tour for Kvitova after a 17-month hiatus.
Earlier this year, Kvitova had announced her retirement plans following the US Open. Likewise, fellow veteran Caroline Garcia of France, age 31, also faced retirement that day after being defeated 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 by Kamilla Rakhimova.
“There’s always more to achieve, and I dreamt of reaching greater heights,” Garcia reflected, a 2022 semifinalist in New York. “Nonetheless, I’m at peace with my decision to embrace a new chapter in life and put my tennis career behind me.”
Kvitova captured Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon in 2011, besting Maria Sharapova in the final, and again in 2014 against Eugenie Bouchard. She was also the runner-up to Naomi Osaka at the 2019 Australian Open, achieving a career-high ranking of No. 2.
In December 2016, Kvitova endured a horrifying incident when she was attacked at home by an intruder wielding a knife, leading to hours of surgery to fix the nerves and tendons in her dominant left hand.
Remarkably, she returned to competitive play under six months later at the French Open, where she marked her comeback with an opening match victory.
“I take pride in many accomplishments, particularly in the mental aspect,” Kvitova expressed. “Throughout my career, despite facing injuries and adversities, I managed to cope well. I’m immensely proud of how I handled the pressure and maintained my place in the top 10 for so long. That has been incredibly special to me.”
