Petra Kvitova, the two-time Wimbledon champion and prominent figure in women's tennis, has announced her decision to retire from the sport after the 2025 US Open. The Czech star, who turned professional in 2006, revealed her plans on Thursday, June 19th, bringing an end to a career that has spanned nearly two decades and included numerous achievements.
Kvitova's journey to the top of the tennis world began in her hometown of Fulnek, Czech Republic, where she first started hitting tennis balls with her father. Never imagining she would become a professional player, Kvitova has said she is grateful for the opportunities tennis has given her.
Throughout her illustrious career, Kvitova has captured 31 singles titles, with two of the most significant being her Wimbledon victories in 2011 and 2014. In 2011, Kvitova surprised many by defeating Maria Sharapova to win her maiden Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. Three years later, she again lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish, this time after overcoming Eugenie Bouchard in straight sets. Her powerful left-handed serve and aggressive groundstrokes made her a force to be reckoned with, especially on grass courts.
In addition to her Grand Slam success, Kvitova also secured a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, representing the Czech Republic with pride. She was also instrumental in the Czech Republic's Fed Cup team, contributing to six title wins. Individually, Kvitova reached a career-high ranking of world No. 2 in October 2011 and won the WTA Finals in the same year.
Kvitova's career has not been without its challenges. In late 2016, she was the victim of a home invasion where she suffered a shocking knife attack. The attack resulted in serious tendon and nerve damage to her dominant left hand, threatening her career. However, Kvitova demonstrated incredible resilience and determination, returning to the sport in May 2017, ahead of schedule. She continued to compete at a high level, reaching the Australian Open final in 2019 and winning the Miami Open in 2023, her biggest title in five years.
After taking time off in 2024 to have her first child, a son named Petr, Kvitova returned to the tour in February 2025. Despite facing a difficult comeback, with a 1-7 win-loss record, she has expressed her determination to finish her career on her own terms. She accepted a wild card to play at Wimbledon one last time, a tournament that holds cherished memories for her.
Kvitova has said that deciding to retire was not easy, but she is happy with her decision. She intends to leave the sport with a smile, thanking her family, friends, team, and fans for their unwavering support throughout her career. While she is unsure of her schedule for the US hard-court swing, she plans to make the US Open her final tournament.
