'I still love tennis but everything else is just tiring': Petra Kvitova opens up on the eve of her retirement at the U.S. Open

Former World No.2 Petra Kvitova has faced several battles during her tennis career, but the Czech star has no regrets as she prepares to bid goodbye to the sport she loves at the 2025 US Open.

The 35-year old has added several accomplishments to her name during her 19-year career. In addition to reaching the World No.2 ranking, Kvitova is a two-time Grand Slam singles champion, lifting the title at the Wimbledon Championships in 2011 and 2014.

The Bilovec native suffered some adversity in the middle of her career, as she was the victim of a knife attack during a home invasion in 2016. Kvitova needed extensive surgery on her left hand and her doctors gave her only a 10% chance of playing again.

However, Kvitova battled back to return to competitive tennis within six months. Furthermore, she would win 12 more titles, displaying the fighting spirit that endeared her to thousands across the globe.

Overcoming adversity helped strengthen her self-belief

"I knew I was a big fighter on the court but at that time I realized how I am an even bigger fighter in a totally different version of myself,” said Kvitova in an interview prior to the US Open. “That was great, even though it was very tough to play tennis. I cried on the court, I had really bad flashbacks, I was having nightmares. So it really wasn’t easy. It took a while, but it’s all good now. There was a big question mark, can I play tennis or not? And I could. It was my second career. It was amazing."

After marrying her coach and giving birth to her first child, son Petr in July 2024, Kvitova made an attempt at a comeback on the WTA Tour. However, she won only one of her nine matches and soon realized it was time to hang up her racket.

"I’m ready to stop,” said the 35-year old. “Mentally, I think I can’t do it any more, as well as emotionally and physically. You still remember how you played before, how everything was smooth and I was hitting winners and suddenly it’s not there.

“I’m totally ready [to retire]. I’m not regretting anything. I still love tennis but everything else, waiting for the practices, waiting for the car, waiting for a match, it’s just tiring. And having a son, it’s a totally different life. I just want to spend more time with him as well."