Latest news with #CzechRepublic
Independent Singapore
25 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
'I have accomplished more than I could have ever imagined' — Petra Kvitova announces retirement from professional tennis
Petra Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion and former World No. 2 in rankings, recently announced her retirement this season, specifically after the US Open. This will end her remarkable career spanning for over a decade. On social media, the athlete expressed: 'I've been privileged to reach incredible heights over the past 19 years since becoming a professional tennis player. From winning my two Wimbledon Championships, bringing home six Billie Jean King Cup trophies for the Czech Republic, reaching the world #2 ranking and so much more. I have accomplished more than I could have ever imagined and I am so grateful to everything that tennis has given me all these years.' She added: 'While no such decision is ever easy to make, for me this is a happy moment! I will leave the sport with the biggest smile on my face – the same smile you've seen from me on and off court throughout my whole career.' Netizens expressed their support by commenting on the post. One netizen admitted: 'Gonna miss you Petra. I hope you enjoy your next chapter as much as we've enjoyed being part of these recent chapter in your life. You've been an incredible champion and a true inspiration to so many. Thank you'. Another netizen declared: ' Congratulations on a wonderful career. It has been a pleasure to watch. May you succeed in everything you go onto in the next phase of your life.' More netizens stated: 'We will miss you Petra! Time to enjoy that family. You'll shine in anything you do!', 'God bless your future Petra. It's been a joy watching you', and 'Inspiring! Fearless fighter, the best attitude in every match, brilliant player. You will be missed' Kvitova's impressive tennis career At the age of 21, Petra Kvitova won her first Grand Slam at Wimbledon by beating Maria Sharapova with a final scoreline of 6–3, 6–4. She became the first player born in the 1990s to win a major. That same year, Kvitova dominated the WTA Finals in her debut. She won all five matches and defeated Victoria Azarenka in the final. In 2014, Kvitova returned to Wimbledon's final and defeated Eugenie Bouchard with a final scoreline of 6–3, 6–0. Between 2011 and 2018, Kvitova was a key player for the Czech Republic's Fed Cup team, helping the squad win six titles with a record of 30 wins and 10 losses. The athlete also made a name on the clay court in Madrid, winning the tournament three times (2011, 2015, 2018). This record was later matched by Aryna Sabalenka. In her sporting career, she won nine WTA 1000 titles. Kvitova then won her 30th title at the Miami Open later in her career by winning against Elena Rybakina. She added a 31st title in Berlin that same summer, defeating Donna Vekic on grass court.
BBC News
an hour ago
- Sport
- BBC News
What is Livramento's best position?
Despite progressing through the youth ranks at Chelsea as a right-back, Tino Livramento featured heavily on the left side of defence for Newcastle last season after the long-term injury suffered by Lewis Hall. He impressed in this role and started there for England's first two group games in this summer's Euro Under-21 Championship under Lee Carsley."Lee would say he likes me on the left because I can come inside and use my right foot," Livramento said on the role. "The same goes for the Newcastle manager, but when you're in that position it's all instinct. "I wouldn't say playing as a left-back is my favourite position, but as long as I'm out there and playing I'm really enjoying my football right now."In the Three Lions' opener against the Czech Republic, Livramento was awarded player of the match after an impressive performance in which his purposeful run and cross forced the deadlock to be broken with an own asked what the 22-year-old's best position is, former Magpies defender John Anderson said: "It's a really tough one. I think he's been exceptional in both. "Since young Hall got injured and he reverted to left-back for Newcastle, he's been exceptional. I think it's a great option for the manager as well that he can play in both those positions and not look out of place."Since going to left-back, he's looked like someone who has played there all his life. He's been brilliant at left-back."However, when asked if Livramento should return to right-back when Hall returns from injury, Anderson added: "I think so. It's a no-brainer really. "You've got a young boy in Hall who took a while to settle but since getting in the side has been excellent and has become an England international. They're still young boys and learning the game but hopefully they will be there for years to come."Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Former Wimbledon champion to retire after US Open
Czech Petra Kvitova, in 2014, kissing the Wimbledon trophy after winning the grand slam tournament her second time. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Two-time Wimbledon tennis champion Petra Kvitova has announced she will retire from tennis at the conclusion of the US Open, later this year. The Czech returned to competition this year after a 15-month maternity break. The 35-year-old, who won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014 and reached the Australian Open final in 2019, will compete at this year's Wimbledon and US Open for the last time. Kvitova, who has won 31 titles over nearly two decades and reached a highest ranking of number two in the world, said the 2025 season would be her last. Kvitova's career was marked by resilience, most notably her recovery from a serious injury sustained during a home robbery in 2016. "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," she wrote in a statement. "And 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. "I could not have asked or wished for anything more - tennis has given me everything I have today, and I will continue to be forever grateful to this beautiful sport that I love." Since her return at the ATX Open in Austin, Kvitova has lost six of her seven matches, with her only win coming in the first round in Rome. She also competed in Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, the French Open and the Queen's Club Championships in London. - Reuters
National Post
13 hours ago
- Sport
- National Post
Flames ‘continuing to plug away' on contract negotiations with Dan Vladar, says Conroy
Article content Second-string goalie Dan Vladar was emphatic in his end-of-season interview about his desire to stick around the Saddledome, while the Flames seemed similarly keen on continuing with their current twine-minding tandem. Article content But two months later, and less than two weeks before Vladar would become an unrestricted free agent, there's been no news of a contract extension for the 27-year-old from the Czech Republic, raising the possibility that rising star Dustin Wolf might have a different sidekick when the puck drops on the 2025-26 campaign. Article content 'We're talking to his representation and seeing where his mindset is at,' Flames general manager Craig Conroy told Postmedia on Thursday when asked for an update on negotiations with Vladar. 'We're open, just like he was open to a contract. But both sides have to come to terms with that. We're just continuing to plug away at that one.' Article content Vladar is at the tail-end of a two-year contract that carries an annual cap hit of US$2.2 million. Coming off the heaviest workload of his NHL career, and after finishing the season on a 6-1-1 run, it's safe to assume that he's looking for at least a slight raise. Article content The Flames have plenty of salary-cap wiggle room, but teams are often hesitant to be allocating too much loot to their backup puck-stopper. Article content Vladar and Wolf split starts last fall, but the youngster emerged through the winter as the obvious workhorse in Calgary. Wolf, en route to his runner-up finish in the Calder Trophy race, was tapped for 76 per cent of the crease time in the second half of the season. Article content In 30 appearances, Vladar posted a 12-11-6 record with a 2.80 goals-against average and .898 save percentage. It did not go unnoticed by teammates and staff that he was handed a lot of tough assignments, including the second half of any back-to-back sets. Article content Article content 'We talk about Wolfie a lot and the season he did have, but I think a big reason why he had such a good year was the way Dan was, too,' said Flames head coach Ryan Huska on locker clean-out day. 'We had a great tandem. You look at our team and that was probably the strength of our team this year — those two guys in net gave us a chance to win every night, and it was rare when one of them had an off-night. Article content 'When you're planning ahead, you know you have one area covered. For me as a coach, I know we're going to be good in net.' Article content The big question is, have those plans changed since mid-April, when their backup stressed he would 'love to be back' for a fifth season with the Flames? Article content
Forbes
14 hours ago
- Health
- Forbes
Hacking The Brain: Czech Neurotech Startup Stimvia Brings AI To Non-Invasive BCI
Lukáš Doskočil, founder and CEO of Stimvia Stimvia, a Czech startup founded by medical device executive Lukáš Doskočil, has developed a non-invasive neuromodulation system that uses electrical pulses to stimulate deep brain structures through the leg. Called URIS, the technology was first deployed to treat overactive bladder, but now shows early promise for a range of neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and Restless Leg Syndrome, which is treated with Parkinson's medication. A patient secures URIS sensors behind the knee, where a nerve provides access to the central nervous ... More system. At the core of Stimvia's approach is what Doskočil calls a "hack" into the brain via the peroneal nerve behind the knee. The URIS system uses proprietary non-invasive electrodes to send electrical signals along afferent nerve pathways to the prefrontal cortex, eliminating the need for invasive implants or surgery. "We did a mechanistic study using functional MRI and showed stimulation effects in deep brain structures," Doskočil told me. "That's never been done non-invasively before." Patients can easily control the intensity and duration of the treatment. Pilot studies testing the Stimvia URIS device for treating Parkinson's disease have turned heads in the neurology and urology communities. A study conducted at Ostrava University Hospital found that Parkinson's patients using URIS experienced measurable reductions in resting tremor and improvements in quality of life. 'Patients showed marked improvement in motor symptoms and overall well-being, with quality-of-life scores surpassing clinically meaningful thresholds. All without serious side effects,' said Professor David Skoloudik, Vice-Dean for Research at Ostrava University's Medical Faculty. A separate clinical paper notes URIS® may outperform traditional sacral and tibial nerve stimulation in treating bladder dysfunction without the needles or surgery. Stimvia's URIS device is connected to a companion app that collects data from each session, monitors patient symptoms, and adapts the stimulation protocol accordingly. Its latest version uses an AI-driven virtual assistant to optimize electrode placement and fine-tune pulse parameters in real time. "You could call it a virtual doctor," Doskočil said. It personalizes treatment using real-time body feedback, which represents a breakthrough for non-invasive therapy.' Stimvia's non-invasion URIS treatments are also painless. Patients are able to read, watch tv, or ... More even nap while undergoing treatment. The field is dominated by billion-dollar U.S. companies like Medtronic and Abbott. Boston Scientific last year bought Stimiva's competitor, Axonics, which also treats overactive bladder disorders, for almost $4B. Stimvia is small but agile. With 15 employees and manufacturing based in Pardubice, CZ, the company has already raised $8 million and is preparing a Series A round. It has shipped more than 200 units and is actively expanding across Europe. Denmark was the first foreign market, but the device is now being adopted in clinics across France, Italy, Spain, Greece, the Netherlands, and the UK. Stimvia recently earned MDR certification from German standards body TÜV SÜD, opening the door to reimbursement in EU healthcare systems and clearing a path toward FDA approval. Patients can control the intensity and duration of the URIS treatment for Parkinson's symptoms. The implications go beyond overactive bladder, which affects 500 million people globally and is quietly responsible for a massive adult diaper industry and associated greenhouse gas emissions. 'The actual number is likely much higher and may approach the 1 billion mark, given a prevalence of around 16% among adults—surpassing even diabetes,' Doskočil told me. 'However, it remains a highly stigmatized condition that will become increasingly significant as the population ages.' According to Wired Czechia, investors have taken notice. Stimvia is backed by local venture funds like Xenocles, Venture Capital Partners and Purple Ventures, with another five to ten million in new funding expected soon. But Doskočil, who is not a doctor but trained in economics and medical technology, says Europe's fragmented reimbursement landscape makes it harder to scale. That's why the company is now setting its sights on the United States, where one FDA approval covers 50 states. 'It's not easy to innovate in Europe,' Doskočil told me. 'Every country is different. The U.S. is one market. That changes everything.' Stimvia is hiring a commercial team in Miami, including a new chief commercial officer with prior experience at LivaNova. The U.S. rollout will also include investigator-led trials, with hopes of replicating European success in a much larger market. Stimvia's technology offers new hope for patients with a range of brain-related conditions, from Parkinson's tremors to overactive bladder. As Doskočil says, 'OAB is a brain disease masquerading as a bladder problem,' highlighting how many disorders traditionally treated by symptoms are actually rooted deeply in the brain. With non-invasive neuromodulation, Stimvia is pioneering a new way to treat these conditions, changing lives without surgery or implants.
