Petra Kvitova Reflects on the Proudest Moments of her Illustrious Career After her Retirement at the US Open

Petra Kvitova could only win two games in her final professional tennis match.

Petra Kvitova Reflects on the Proudest Moments of her Illustrious Career After her Retirement at the US Open

Petra Kvitova (via Punto de Break)

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Petra Kvitova sat in the main interview room at the U.S. Open for her final press conference as a professional tennis player. The two-time Wimbledon champion smiled often as she looked back on her journey, saying she wanted to focus on the proudest moments of her career rather than the sadness of retirement.

The 35-year-old left-hander had just lost 6-1, 6-0 to Diane Perry in the first round at Flushing Meadows. It was her last match before stepping away from the sport. Though emotional on court, where she cried after the defeat and embraced her husband and coach Jiri Vanek, Kvitova carried a lighter mood when speaking to reporters. She admitted that catching COVID-19 recently nearly kept her from competing in New York.

I think I would be proudest of many things. I think especially, as I already mentioned, the mental side. All the seasons, 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, how many times I have been in the top 10. It was very, very special for me. Even if I’ve never been World #1, but I think still those two Grand Slam wins is above the #1. So that’s how I’m gonna take it, especially the Wimbledon ones.

Kvitova’s career is marked by resilience and triumph. She captured Wimbledon titles in 2011, defeating Maria Sharapova, and again in 2014, beating Eugenie Bouchard. She also reached the 2019 Australian Open final, falling to Naomi Osaka, and climbed as high as world No. 2 in the rankings. Earlier this season she returned from a 17-month break after giving birth to her son, Petr, in July 2024.

Yeah I’m proud of many, many things. What I’m gonna miss, it will be the tennis itself. It’s a beautiful sport. Everything you do on the court, it’s your fault or yourwin. I think that’s the beauty of the sport, as well. So that’s it. Some people, as well, of course… opponents, people in the WTA, ATP, all the Grand Slams, who are just taking care of us. They are great. Yeah, I will miss them too. But I will be around at some point.

Her legacy extends beyond trophies. In 2016, she survived a home invasion where she was stabbed in her left hand. After undergoing complex surgery, she fought her way back to the tour in less than six months, winning her first match at the French Open. Reflecting on her journey, Kvitova said she felt immense pride in overcoming challenges and achieving more than she once imagined.

Petra Kvitova ends her career

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova ended her career with a first-round loss to France’s Diane Parry at the U.S. Open. The 35-year-old Czech player leaves the sport with two Wimbledon titles, won in 2011 and 2014, and 31 singles trophies overall. She rose as high as No. 2 in the world rankings and helped her country capture six Billie Jean King Cup crowns.

Petra Kvitova
Petra Kvitova (via Punto de Break)

After match point, Kvitova embraced her husband and coach, Jiri Vanek, as tears streamed down her face. A tribute video honoring her career played inside the stadium, highlighting the major moments that defined her time on tour.

This season marked her return to competition following the birth of her first child in July 2024. She rejoined the WTA Tour in February and confirmed in June that the U.S. Open would be her last event. Earlier in the summer, she also played her final match at Wimbledon, where she admitted her drive was no longer the same.

Beyond her Grand Slam victories, Kvitova added an Olympic bronze medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Over nearly two decades, she collected more than $37 million in prize money and earned a reputation as one of the sport’s most powerful and resilient players.

Petra Kvitova’s best career highlights

Left-handed sensation Petra Kvitova officially retired from professional tennis on Monday, closing the career of one of the sport’s most accomplished players of her era. The 35-year-old Czech had already announced that the U.S. Open would be her final tournament, and her last match came in the opening round against France’s Diane Parry.

Petra Kvitova (via Tennis Gazette)
Petra Kvitova (via Tennis Gazette)

Kvitova’s rise began in 2006 on the ITF Circuit before she made her Grand Slam debut at Roland Garros in 2008, where she reached the fourth round. The following year she captured her first WTA title in Hobart, and by 2011 she had established herself among the elite, winning six trophies that season and maintaining a streak of at least one title every year through 2019.

Her greatest stage was Wimbledon, where she lifted the trophy twice. In 2011, she defeated Maria Sharapova to become the first player born in the 1990s to win a major. Three years later, she added a second title with victory over Eugenie Bouchard. Over her career she compiled a 31–11 record in finals, collecting 20 titles on hard courts, six on grass, and five on clay.

Kvitova’s résumé also featured success at the WTA Finals, where she won the 2011 edition by beating Victoria Azarenka and later reached the 2015 final. She claimed nine WTA 1000 titles, including three in Madrid and her most recent in Miami in 2023. With her combination of power and consistency, she leaves the game as one of the most successful left-handers of the modern era.