WIMBLEDON/WASHINGTON, July 2, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)
At age 35, Petra Kvitova is far removed from being a two-time singles champion at the Wimbledon Championships. She lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish trophy on Centre Court twice, after winning titles in 2011 and 2014. However, despite the time that has passed, Kvitova has always been a popular champion at the All England Club. She is beloved by fans and respected by her fellow players.
The native of Bilovec, Czechia, known for her braided ponytail and powerful left-handed serve, was given a wild card into this year’s main draw – the only non-British man or woman accorded the honor – in her 16th and final Wimbledon Championships.
Tuesday afternoon, on Day 2 of the Championships, the former World No. 2 – now ranked 572nd – bowed to No. 10 seed Emma Navarro of the United States, 6-3, 6-1, in an hour on No. 1 Court. Although Kvitova started well with an early service break, the 24-year-old American soon would dominate for much of the remainder of the first-round match, winning 11 of the final 12 games.
Navarro keeps it rolling
Emma Navarro kicks off her campaign with a win over Kvitova 6-3, 6-1. #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/2g9OvpRJg8
— wta (@WTA) July 1, 2025
While Navarro finished with 10 winners to just three unforced errors, Kvitova struck 19 winners but made 31 unforced errors. She was outpointed by Navarro 59-35.
Afterward, Kvitova was upbeat in defeat as she received the plaudits of the crowd for the final time at the All England Club. As a nice gesture, she was invited to address her fans before leaving the court. Not surprisingly, there were plenty of smiles mixed with a few tears.
Kvitova thanked both her father, Jiri, who was her first coach, and her husband, also named Jiri, who is her current coach. Kvitova returned earlier this season from maternity leave after giving birth to her son Petr last summer. Her family sat together in her box during her final Wimbledon match.
Leading by example @Petra_Kvitova | #WTARallyTheWorld pic.twitter.com/y0DGrErRcE
— wta (@WTA) June 30, 2025
Although Kvitova has struggled since her return – winning just once in nine matches, on clay in Rome – she has been at peace with herself on the court.
“Thank you everyone for the beautiful atmosphere today,” Kvitova said, with a hint of laughter in her voice. “I wish we could have played a little bit longer.”
She continued: “To have another chance to play one more time at Wimby, it means a lot to me. This place holds the best memories I could wish for. I never dreamed of winning a Wimbledon, and I won it twice, so this is something very, very special.
“I will miss Wimbledon for sure. I will miss tennis, I will miss the fans, but I’m ready for the next chapter in life as well, and I can’t wait to be back as a member and see you guys again.”
“This place holds the best memories I could wish for.” ✨
Petra Kvitova says farewell to the #Wimbledon crowd pic.twitter.com/am0r3H16Iu
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2025
Kvitova, who ended her Wimbledon career with a 38-14 record in main-draw matches, recently announced that she will retire from pro tennis following the US Open. Despite walking off No. 1 Court for the final time in her momentous and happy career, Kvitova’s impact and legacy will remain forever. It includes 29 additional WTA Tour titles, an Olympic bronze medal representing Czechia in singles at the 2016 Rio Olympics, a season-ending WTA Championships title in 2011 and a career-high No. 2 world ranking achieved on Oct. 31, 2011.
“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,” said Kvitova, who counts Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova, also a lefty, as her tennis hero growing up.
Who knows, perhaps Kvitova will return one day to the All England Club so she and Navratilova can team up and play a Wimbledon Legends doubles match together, or share a good laugh while sitting together in the Royal Box, a privilege afforded past champions who become lifetime members of the All England Club.
Soon, Kvitova walked off No. 1 Court at the All England Club one last time as an active player, but not before stopping to pick up her colorful Wimbledon towel from one of the towel boxes along the baseline. She also took a moment to look around and waved to the crowd, who stood and applauded their champion.
To a two-time #Wimbledon champion, thank you for the memories, @Petra_Kvitova pic.twitter.com/EwIMs1PVMD
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2025
