Tennis: Czech champion Kvitova calls time on tennis career - Omni sports
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova announced Thursday that she will be retiring from the professional tennis circuit after this year's US Open
The 35-year-old Czech, who is currently ranked down at 572 in the world, reached a career-high ranking of 2 in 2011 when she won the first of her two Wimbledon titles.
She triumphed again in 2014 and went on to reach the final of the Australian Open in 2019.
This week she was handed a wildcard entry for one last outing on the grass courts of south-west London.
"There comes a day that it is time for a new chapter and that time for me has come now," the left-handed Kvitova wrote on social media.
"I therefore wanted to share with you that 2025 is my last season on tour as a professional.
"I am excited and very much looking forward to soak in the beauty of playing The Championships, Wimbledon one more time, a place that holds the most cherished memories in my career for me.
"While I am not entirely sure yet what my hardcourt swing in the US will look like, I am intending to finish my active playing career at the US Open in New York later this summer."
Kvitova won Olympic bronze in 2016 but just before Christmas she was attacked in her home by a knife-wielding robber, suffering cuts to the nerves and tendons in her left-hand.
She was a member of six Czech teams to have won the Fed Cup and won the most recent of her 31 tour titles on the grass in Berlin in 2023.
Kvitova missed the 2024 season in order to give birth to her first child.
Since returning, Kvitova is 1–6, with her lone win coming in the first round of Rome.
"I could not have asked or wished for anything more," Kvitova posted.
"Tennis has given me everything I have today, and I will continue to be forever grateful to this beautiful sport that I love."
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
Whatsapp
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Inter Milan coach Chivu happy for scorer Carboni after Urawa win
Inter Milan failed to score until the 78th minute, despite holding the vast majority of possession. Lautaro Martinez brilliantly bicycle kicked Nicolo Barella's corner ball into the net. Carboni's game-winner assisted by Francesco Esposito came 14 minutes later. It was the culmination of multiple scoring threats by Inter, which had 21 more shot attempts than the Red Diamonds. Urawa opened the scoring in the 11th minute to the delight of their exuberant fans, who have shown up in droves for these Seattle cup matches. Ryoma Watanabe scored on an assist in transition by Takuro Kaneko, who found Watanabe all alone on the penalty spot with his cutback ball. The fans in red filled the south end of Lumen Field and made up a large swath of the 25,090 attendees. Their coordinated chants and jeers didn't wane until after the final whistle. Key moment Urawa had a chance to equalize in the last minute of stoppage time, but goalkeeper Yann Sommer tipped the long-distance free kick over the crossbar. Takeaways Inter Milan takes over the top spot in Group E after following up their tournament-opening draw with the victory. The Italian club will play River Plate of Argentina on Wednesday. Urawa will be playing for pride against CF Monterrey on Wednesday. What they said 'I cannot find the words, I am so frustrated. ... We had the objective to go on to the next stage, so this loss is very hard for us. But we still have one more game to go. ... There are many fans who have come all the way or (are) still remaining in Japan and cheering for us, so we would like to win for them.' — Urawa Red Diamonds goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa 'I was speaking to (Carboni) the day before yesterday, and he told me that it was eight months exactly since his cruciate ligament injury. Coming through an injury like that, with all of the hard work and graft he's had to put in ... you don't know whether you're going to come back to the peak of your powers. That's not easy at all, so it was lovely to see him so emotional. I was a little bit emotional as well. It brought a tear to my eye because he's a kid that I know very well. I'm delighted that he has the opportunity now to experience something as significant as that (goal).' — Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu. Find more details on group standings, match schedules, and competition statistics. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
7 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
River Plate frustrated by Monterrey in 0-0 stalemate
Poor finishing and a string of saves from Monterrey's Argentine goalkeeper Esteban Andrada -- who used to play for River's arch-rivals Boca Juniors -- denied the team from Buenos Aires three points that would have sealed their passage to the last 16 from Group E. The result leaves the group standings finely balanced heading into the final round of fixtures on Wednesday, with River and Italy's Inter Milan level on four points each. Monterrey, who are third with two points, face Japan's already eliminated Urawa Red Diamonds. A bright opening in front of 57,393 fans at the Pasadena Rose Bowl saw Monterrey enjoy the better of the early exchanges, with former Spain international midfielder Sergio Canales's run and shot forcing River goalkeeper Franco Armani to save smartly after 13 minutes. But for long periods the game failed to develop into a rhythm, with a series of niggling fouls -- 23 in the first half alone -- making for a scrappy opening 45 minutes. River were left to rue missing two gilt-edged scoring opportunities in the closing minutes of the first half. On the stroke of half-time Giuliano Galoppo found himself with time and space in the centre of the Monterrey penalty area, but sent his shot curling high and wide of the top right-hand corner. River's army of noisy fans behind the goal groaned in frustration and were soon howling in disbelief moments later when Lucas Martínez Quarta squandered a glorious chance. A corner on the right was flicked on and fell to the centre-half on the edge of the six-yard box, only for the defender to sidefoot his shot wide of the post. River continued to dominate after half-time, with teenager Franco Mastantuono -- who will join Real Madrid after the tournament -- denied by Andrada with a 67th-minute effort. The Argentinians wasted another golden chance on 76 minutes, with Colombian international Miguel Borja shooting at Andrada after a sublime through ball by Facundo Colidio had put him clean through on goal. A frustrating night for River ended with Kevin Castano sent off in injury time after picking up his second yellow card. Find more details on group standings, match schedules, and competition statistics. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
12 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Zizo vow Ahly will fight on after Palmeiras setback at Club World Cup
A 49th-minute own goal from striker Wessam Abou Ali and a sharp finish 10 minutes later by Argentine striker José Manuel López handed the South American champions all three points at MetLife Stadium on Thursday night. 'Ahly's supporters have every right to be upset,' the 29-year-old Zizo told MBC Masr 2 after the match. 'It was a very difficult game and there is nothing we can say to justify the defeat. But we will fight against Porto to win and make our fans happy.' Zizo, who joined Ahly from cross-town rivals Zamalek this month, insisted the opener came 'against the run of play' and said the team must raise their level in the decisive fixture. Spanish coach José Riveiro, appointed in late May after leaving South Africa's Orlando Pirates, will need his side to beat Porto – and hope Palmeiras avoid defeat against Lionel Messi's Inter Miami – to secure one of the two quarter-final berths. After two rounds Palmeiras and Inter Miami have four points apiece, while Ahly and Porto are level on one point but separated by goal difference. Find more details on group standings, match schedules, and competition statistics. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Short link:
