Struggling title holder sheds tears upon defeat in Wimbledon final, eliciting empathy from Martina Navratilova during commentary
Petra Kvitová, the two-time Wimbledon champion and a beacon of Czech tennis, has announced her retirement from professional tennis, with her final tournament set to be the 2025 US Open in August-September. At the age of 35, Kvitová made this decision following a brief comeback in 2025 after taking a career break due to pregnancy at the end of 2023.
Kvitová's career was marked by numerous accomplishments, including winning Wimbledon twice in 2011 and 2014. She reached a career-high ranking of world No. 2 in 2011 and earned 31 career titles, including nine WTA 1000 trophies and the WTA Finals crown in 2011. Kvitová was an integral part of the Czech Republic’s success in the Billie Jean King Cup, winning the trophy six times. She also secured a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Despite a traumatic knife attack in 2016 that threatened her playing career, Kvitová made a remarkable comeback, showcasing resilience and passion for tennis. However, after her pregnancy announcement in late 2023, Kvitová's ranking dropped significantly due to limited play. She returned to competition in early 2025 but struggled to regain form, winning only one match in seven tournaments and retiring from a second-round match in Rome.
In her retirement announcement, Kvitová expressed gratitude and satisfaction with her career, emphasizing the joy she found in the sport and the smile she hopes to leave with her fans. She plans to conclude her active playing career at the 2025 US Open, marking the end of nearly two decades at the top level of tennis.
Kvitová's final match at Wimbledon in 2025 saw her lose to No. 10 seed Emma Navarro. Despite the defeat, Kvitová expressed gratitude for reaching incredible heights and accomplishing more than she could have ever imagined over the past 19 years. Navarro, Kvitová's opponent, shared heartfelt words for Kvitová following her victory, expressing admiration for her career and achievements.
As Kvitová headed off court one last time, waving to the Wimbledon crowd, she was met with a standing ovation. Tears flowed as she broke down, acknowledging the end of an era. Martina Navratilova, a legendary Czech-American tennis player, was emotional on commentary and paid tribute to Kvitová, praising her as a nice person and a great role model for Czech tennis.
Kvitová has not detailed her future plans beyond tennis, but she departs the sport honoured and fulfilled by her achievements. She announced her retirement in June, citing her desire to travel the world and play in beautiful stadiums as a highlight of her career. Kvitová thanked her family, coaches, and the people in her box before making her way off court to huge cheers, smiling, blowing a kiss, and waving to fans for one last time. Kvitová will be remembered as one of the most successful and respected tennis players of the last decade, celebrated for her powerful game, fighting spirit, and significant contributions to Czech tennis.
After her announcement of retirement, Petra Kvitová plans to travel the world and visit beautiful stadiums, showcasing her lifelong passion for sports, beyond the tennis court. Despite her loss to Emma Navarro in her final match at Wimbledon, Kvitová's impact on tennis, particularly tennis in the Czech Republic, is unparalleled, earning her a place amongst the most respected sports figures of the last decade.
