Petra Kvitová

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Petra Kvitová
Petra Kvitová Mutua Madrid Open 2015 7.jpg
Kvitová at the 2015 Mutua Madrid Open
Country (sports)  Czech Republic
Residence Monte Carlo, Monaco
Born (1990-03-08) 8 March 1990 (age 34)
Bílovec, Czechoslovakia
(now Czech Republic)
Height 1.82 metres (6 ft 0 in)
Turned pro 2006
Plays Left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Coach(es) David Kotyza (2008–present)
Prize money US$ 20,394,379[1]
Official website www.petrakvitova.net
Singles
Career record 379–168 (69.29%)
Career titles 17 WTA, 7 ITF[2]
Highest ranking No. 2 (31 October 2011)
Current ranking No. 6 (11 January 2016)[3]
Grand Slam Singles results
Australian Open SF (2012)
French Open SF (2012)
Wimbledon W (2011, 2014)
US Open QF (2015)
Other tournaments
Tour Finals W (2011)
Olympic Games QF (2012)
Doubles
Career record 11–33
Career titles 0
Highest ranking No. 196 (28 February 2011)
Grand Slam Doubles results
Australian Open 2R (2011)
French Open 2R (2010)
Wimbledon 1R (2010)
US Open 1R (2010)
Team competitions
Fed Cup <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Hopman Cup W (2012)
Last updated on: 11 January 2016.

Petra Kvitová (Czech pronunciation: [ˈpɛtra ˈkvɪtovaː]; born 8 March 1990) is a Czech professional tennis player. Having turned professional in 2006, she is known for her powerful left-handed groundstrokes and variety. Kvitová has won seventeen career singles titles including two Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon. She reached her career-high ranking of world No. 2 on 31st October 2011 and is ranked 6th by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) as of 11th January 2016. As such, Kvitová is the current Czech number 1 and the highest-ranked left-handed player in the WTA.

During her breakthrough season in 2011, Kvitová won her first Grand Slam title at the Wimbledon Championships, defeating Maria Sharapova in the final, thus becoming the first and currently the only Grand Slam event winner of either gender born in the 1990s. She also won the 2011 WTA Tour Championships, thus becoming one of the three players to win the WTA Tour Championships on debut, the others being Serena Williams and Sharapova. She also helped lead the Czech Republic to victory in the Fed Cup final that same year. It was the Czech Republic's first Fed Cup title as an independent nation.

Kvitová won her second Grand Slam title at the 2014 Wimbledon Championships, defeating Eugenie Bouchard in the final. She was also a semifinalist at the 2012 Australian Open and the 2012 French Open and a quarterfinalist at the 2015 US Open.

Early life

Petra Kvitová was born to Jiří Kvita, a schoolteacher[4][5] and Pavla Kvitová in Bílovec, Moravian-Silesian Region, Czech Republic (in 1990, still Czechoslovakia). She has two elder siblings, brothers Jiří, an engineer and Libor, a schoolteacher. Her father Jiří introduced her to tennis.[6] During her childhood, she admired Czech American player Martina Navratilova. Kvitová trained in her hometown Fulnek[5] until the age of 16, and was then encouraged by an instructor to pursue a professional career in tennis.[7] She has been coached by David Kotyza, also a Czech, since November 2008.

Career

2006–2010: Career beginnings, breakthrough in WTA and Wimbledon semifinal

As a junior, Kvitová achieved a career high ranking of world no. 27 on 9th July 2007. She also amassed a 35–7 and 20–9 record in the singles and doubles discipline respectively.[8] Kvitová's lone Grand Slam tournament as a junior came at the 2007 Wimbledon Championships. In singles, 8th seeded Kvitová advanced to the round of 16 after beating Jocelyn Rae and Malena Gordo before losing to eventual semifinalist Katarzyna Piter in straight sets. In doubles, she played alongside fellow Czech Kateřina Vaňková but they fell at the first hurdle to Mariana Duque Mariño and Michelle Larcher de Brito.

Kvitová first attempted to qualify for her first WTA tournament at the 2007 ECM Prague Open, but she lost in the second round of qualifying to Ekaterina Ivanova. She then made her debut appearance in the main draw of a WTA tournament came at the 2007 Nordea Nordic Light Open, where she lost in the first round to Marta Domachowska in three sets. Throughout the years of 2006 and 2007, Kvitová captured six ITF singles titles, four of which came in her home nation. She also made her Fed Cup debut in 2007, playing alongside Barbora Strýcová in doubles, where they lost to the Spanish team of Nuria Llagostera Vives and Virginia Ruano Pascual.

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Main article: Petra Kvitová's early career

Kvitová began 2008 by upsetting Anabel Medina Garrigues in Paris and former world no. 1 Venus Williams in Memphis, reaching the second rounds of both tournaments.[9] In April, she played her first ever Fed Cup singles match where she faced Israeli Shahar Peer which she won in three sets. She also her won seventh and most recent ITF singles title in that same month. She then reached the fourth round of her first Grand Slam tournament, the 2008 French Open, in which she lost to Kaia Kanepi in three sets, having defeated Akiko Morigami, Samantha Stosur and then world no. 12 Ágnes Szávay en route. She advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2008 Zurich Open as a qualifier, thus placing her in the top 50 for the first time.[9]

Kvitová won her first career title at the 2009 Moorilla Hobart International, defeating Sally Peers, Alona Bondarenko, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Virginie Razzano en route to the final. She then defeated Iveta Benešová in the final for the title. After suffering consecutive first-round losses in the Australian Open (to Victoria Azarenka), the Open GDF Suez and Dubai, she reached the third round in Indian Wells, losing to eventual champion Vera Zvonareva.[10] She withdrew from the 2009 French Open due to an ankle injury and lost in the first round of Wimbledon. At the 2009 US Open, she defeated then-world no. 1 Dinara Safina in the third round in three sets, before losing to eventual semi-finalist Yanina Wickmayer in the fourth round. Kvitová was ranked 71 places lower than Safina at the time. At the 2009 Generali Ladies Linz, Kvitová reached her second final of the year, losing in straight sets to Wickmayer.[10]

She reached the semifinals of the 2010 Cellular South Cup, and lost to eventual champion Maria Sharapova.[11] She went on to reach the semifinals of the 2010 Wimbledon Championships, defeating Sorana Cîrstea, Zheng Jie, Victoria Azarenka, Caroline Wozniacki, and Kaia Kanepi, before losing to then-world no. 1, defending and eventual champion Serena Williams, in straight sets. She was then guaranteed to reach the top 30 for the first time. Following Wimbledon, she suffered five consecutive first round defeats in her next five tournaments before breaking a six-match losing streak at the 2010 US Open, when she defeated Lucie Hradecká, and Elena Baltacha, before losing to defending and eventual champion Kim Clijsters in the third round; having led 3–0 in the first set, Kvitová lost the next twelve games in a row.[11] Kvitová was named WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2010.

2011: First Grand Slam title, Year-end champion and world no. 2

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Main article: 2011 Petra Kvitová tennis season
Kvitová holds the Venus Rosewater Dish, her maiden Grand Slam crown

Kvitová started 2011 by winning her second career title at the Brisbane International, defeating Andrea Petkovic in the final, and also earning wins over third seed Nadia Petrova and fifth seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. With the win, she achieved the ranking of world no. 28.[12] Kvitová was the 25th seed at the Australian Open, where she lost a quarterfinal match to Vera Zvonareva. She had defeated world no. 5 Samantha Stosur and Flavia Pennetta en route. Her strong run ensured that she would reach a new ranking of world no. 18.[13]

Kvitová then beat Slovaks Dominika Cibulková and Daniela Hantuchová in the Fed Cup opening round to put the Czech team in the last four. In Paris, Kvitová won her second title of the year by defeating newly crowned world no. 1 and newly-crowned Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters in straight sets.[14] Once again, Kvitová's ranking rose to a new high of world no. 14. The following week, she suffered a first round loss to Ayumi Morita in Dubai. She then lost her next two opening matches to Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová in Indian Wells and to Kristina Barrois at an ITF tournament in Nassau. At the Sony Ericsson Open, Kvitová defeated Varvara Lepchenko in the second round after having a first round bye but then lost her next match to Pavlyuchenkova. In the Fed Cup semifinals, she led the Czech team to the final round, with wins over Yanina Wickmayer and Kirsten Flipkens.[15]

Kvitová kicked off her clay court season in Madrid where she won her third title of the year and her first Premier Mandatory level title, defeating Alexandra Dulgheru, Chanelle Scheepers and second seed Vera Zvonareva to reach the last eight. She then overcame Dominika Cibulková, Li Na to reach the final where she defeated Victoria Azarenka to claim the title.[16] She made her top 10 debut after the tournament at world no. 10. The following week, because Jelena Janković failed to defend her points in the Rome, Kvitová moved one place up to no. 9.[13] She played another ITF tournament at her home country in Prague, she lost in the final to Magdaléna Rybáriková. Kvitová was the ninth seed at the French Open. She defeated Gréta Arn, Zheng Jie, and Vania King in straight sets, before losing to eventual champion Li Na in the fourth round, despite leading 3–0 in the deciding set.[17]

Kvitová in the final of the 2011 Fed Cup against Kuznetsova

Kvitová played a warm-up tournament for Wimbledon at Eastbourne, she reached the final where she lost to Marion Bartoli. Kvitová won her first Grand Slam title as the eighth seed at the Wimbledon Championships. She defeated Alexa Glatch, Anne Keothavong, 29th seed Roberta Vinci, 19th seed Yanina Wickmayer, 32nd seed Tsvetana Pironkova, and fourth seed Azarenka on the way to the final, where she beat fifth seed Maria Sharapova in straight sets.[18] She became the first left-handed female player to win the singles title since Martina Navratilova in 1990, the first Czech player to win a Grand Slam singles title since Jana Novotná won Wimbledon in 1998, and the first Grand Slam tournament winner of either gender to be born in the 1990s.[19][20]

Following Wimbledon, she kicked her US Open series campaign at the Rogers Cup in Toronto where she defeated Anabel Medina Garrigues before losing to Petkovic in third round. The following week at the Western & Southern Open, she once again lost to Petkovic in the same round, having defeated Chanelle Scheepers before that. She was then upset by Alexandra Dulgheru at the US Open, becoming the first Grand Slam champion to lose in the first round of the following Grand Slam without winning a set.[21]

Kvitová's form improved at the Toray Pan Pacific Open, where she reached the semifinals, losing to Zvonareva, thus achieving the world no. 5 ranking and qualifying for the WTA Tour Championships for the first time. However, the following week, she suffered another opening round loss to Sofia Arvidsson at the China Open in three sets. At the Generali Ladies Linz, she defeated Rebecca Marino, Patricia Mayr-Achleitner, Daniela Hantuchová, Jelena Janković on the way to the final where she overcame Cibulková to collect her fifth title of the season.[13]

Kvitová in Moscow with the trophy for the Fed Cup winners

Kvitová the third seed, won the WTA Tour Championships in Istanbul, becoming the third player to win the title on debut.[22] During the round-robin stage, she defeated Zvonareva, Caroline Wozniacki, and Agnieszka Radwańska in straight sets, putting her through to the semifinals. Her next opponent was Samantha Stosur, whom she beat to reach the final—a match against Azarenka for the world no. 2 ranking, which Kvitová won in three sets.[13] She ended the year only 115 points second to Wozniacki for the no. 1 spot. She concluded 2011 by helping the Czech Republic team win its maiden Fed Cup title as an independent nation by winning her singles rubbers against Maria Kirilenko and Svetlana Kuznetsova. In the end, the Czechs emerged victorious against Russia 3-2. She was named WTA Player of the Year, WTA Most Improved Player of the Year and ITF Women's World Champion. In addition, she also won the Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award.[23]

2012: US Open Series Champion and Hopman Cup-Fed Cup double

At the beginning of 2012, Kvitová was widely expected to reach the world no. 1 ranking.[24][25] She stated that attaining the position "would be nice", but that her priority was to improve her game.[24] Kvitová opted not to defend her title and ranking points in Brisbane, choosing instead to participate in the Hopman Cup exhibition with Tomáš Berdych. The pair went on to win the title, defeating France in the final. She won all of her singles matches at the event, defeating Tsvetana Pironkova, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Caroline Wozniacki, and Marion Bartoli.[26] Her next tournament was the Apia International Sydney, where she lost in the semifinals to Li Na. If Kvitová had won that semifinal match, she would have been the new no. 1, but pressure blocked her. Because of this, at the Australian Open, Kvitová the second seed, was the favourite for the title. She defeated Vera Dushevina, Carla Suárez Navarro, Maria Kirilenko, Ana Ivanovic, and Sara Errani to advance to the semifinals, where she lost in three sets to Maria Sharapova, having been a break up in the third set.[26]

Kvitová practising at the 2012 BNP Paribas Open

She continued her long run of wins in singles matches indoors (32 straight matches) with her four victories in Fed Cup against Germany and Italy in 2012, scoring hard-fought wins over Julia Görges, Sabine Lisicki, Francesca Schiavone, and Sara Errani.

In Indian Wells, Kvitová lost in the third round to Christina McHale in three sets. In Miami, she exited in the second round after losing in three sets to Venus Williams. At the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, she convincingly defeated Francesca Schiavone and Angelique Kerber. However, she lost in the semifinals to Sharapova in a tight two-setter.[26] At the Mutua Madrid Open she was the defending champion, but lost in the second round to compatriot Lucie Hradecká. At her next clay-court tournament in Rome, she advanced to the quarterfinals where she fell to Angelique Kerber. Kvitová was seeded 4th at the French Open. She advanced to the semifinals for the first time in her career, after defeating Ashleigh Barty, Urszula Radwańska, Nina Bratchikova, Varvara Lepchenko, and Yaroslava Shvedova. There she lost to Sharapova, the eventual champion.[27]

Kvitová at the 2012 French Open

Kvitová was seeded 4th at Wimbledon. She defeated Akgul Amanmuradova, Elena Baltacha and Varvara Lepchenko to reach the round of 16. She then beat Francesca Schiavone to reach the quarterfinals but the first time defending champion's journey came to an end after she was overwhelmed in straight sets by four-time and eventual champion Serena Williams. After Wimbledon, Kvitová dropped out of the Top 5.[28] Kvitová competed at the Summer Olympics for the Czech Republic for the first time. She defeated Kateryna Bondarenko and Peng Shuai in the first two rounds, both in straight sets. She then overcame Flavia Pennetta to reach the quarterfinals. There, she lost to Maria Kirilenko.

Kvitová kickstarted her US Open series campaign by winning the Rogers Cup in Montréal, Canada by defeating Marion Bartoli in the third round, Tamira Paszek in the quarterfinals, Wozniacki in the semifinals and Li Na in the final, ending a 10-month-long title draught. It was her eighth career title and she logged in her first two top 10 wins of the year over Bartoli and Wozniacki in the tournament. She then played the Western & Southern Open where she reached the semifinals losing to Kerber once again. She won her second title of the year in New Haven and the ninth of her career, where she defeated Lucie Šafářová in the quarterfinals, Sara Errani in the semifinals and Kirilenko in the final. She also secured the US Open Series crown after her quarterfinal win over Šafářová.[29] At the US Open, she reached the 4th round for the first time since 2009. Along the way, she defeated Polona Hercog and Frenchwomen Alizé Cornet and Pauline Parmentier. She lost then to Bartoli in three sets.[30]

During the Asian swing, Kvitová did not enjoy much success as she lost in the second round at Tokyo and the Beijing. In Tokyo, she was seeded 4th but lost her opening match to Petra Martić after receiving a first round bye. Then in Beijing, she overcame Daniela Hantuchová in the first round before falling to Carla Suárez Navarro. Kvitová was named the sixth qualifier for the WTA Tour Championships following the China Open. As the defending champion, she dropped her first round robin match to Agnieszka Radwańska in straight sets and was then forced to withdraw with a virus.[31] Kvitová ended 2012 at world no. 8. She then helped the Czech team to defend its Fed Cup title, going 1–1 in singles matches against Serbia in the final before the Czech Republic won 3–1 in the series through Lucie Šafářová.[32]

2013: Inconsistencies and revival

Kvitová began 2013 at the Brisbane International as the 6th seed, she defeated Carla Suárez Navarro in her opening match before losing to eventual finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova next. She then suffered another early loss in the hands of Dominika Cibulková in Sydney in straight sets. Kvitová was seeded eighth at the Australian Open. She drew former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone in the first round and won in three sets, before suffering another early exit, losing to Laura Robson in the second round after leading 3–0 in the final set.[33] The following month, Kvitová was awarded a wildcard into the Open GDF Suez following a poor Australian summer which netted just two wins from three tournaments.[34] As the 2nd seed, she reached the quarterfinals after defeating Stefanie Vögele but then lost to Kristina Mladenovic in straight sets.

Kvitová at the 2013 Southern California Open

At the opening round of the Fed Cup, Kvitová and the rest of the Czech team faced Australia and she started with a win in singles over Jarmila Gajdošová and followed it up with a three-set victory over Samantha Stosur, saving a match point in the process. The team advanced to the semifinals with a 4-0 scoreline. Kvitová won her first title of the year and a milestone 10th of her career in Dubai having not won a match in the tournament before, where she beat Sara Errani in the final. Along the way, she defeated the likes of Agnieszka Radwańska and Caroline Wozniacki.[35] Then, she reached the quarterfinals in Indian Wells losing to Maria Kirilenko in three sets. She then lost to Belgian Kirsten Flipkens in the third round in Miami.

Kvitová started her clay court season by reaching the final in Katowice as the top seed where she was upset by second seed Roberta Vinci in straight sets. During the Czech team's semifinal Fed Cup tie where they faced Italy, Kvitová once again lost her first match to Vinci but then managed to overcome Errani in three sets. Nevertheless, the Czech team exited the tournament at that stage. After that, she played in Stuttgart, beating Annika Beck and Julia Görges before losing to Li Na in the quarterfinals. Kvitová's struggles on clay continued in Madrid, where she lost to wildcard Daniela Hantuchová in the second round. At Rome, after a bye in the first round, she struggled past Sabine Lisicki before losing to Samantha Stosur. At the French Open, Kvitová the 7th seed beat Aravane Rezaï in the first round and Peng Shuai in the second round. She was defeated in the third round by 54th ranked Jamie Hampton in straight sets in a match where she struggled.

Kvitová kicked off the grass court season at the Eastbourne but lost to Yanina Wickmayer in the second round despite having a first round bye. Kvitová, seeded 8th, reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. She overcame Coco Vandeweghe in round 1 in three sets before receiving a walkover from Yaroslava Shvedova. She reached the last eight after defeating Ekaterina Makarova and Suárez Navarro but then lost to eventual semifinalist Flipkens.[36]

Kvitová at the 2013 US Open

Kvitová kicked off her US Open series campaign at the Southern California Open in Carlsbad where she defeated Robson in the second round after receiving a first round bye before succumbing to Virginie Razzano in the quarterfinals. She was the defending champion at the Rogers Cup. She defeated Eugenie Bouchard and Stosur to reach the quarterfinals but failed to defend her title when she fell to eventual finalist Sorana Cîrstea in three sets. At the Western & Southern Open, she lost to Wozniacki in the third round. At the New Haven Open, Kvitová was the defending champion and overcame Pavlyuchenkova and Klara Koukalova to reach the final but failed to defend her title when she lost to Simona Halep. At the US Open, she fell to Alison Riske in the third round, causing her to drop out of the Top 10 for the first time since 2011.

At the Toray Pan Pacific Open, Kvitová the 7th seed reached the quarterfinals after defeating a pair of WTA rising stars Belinda Bencic and Madison Keys in straight sets. Then, she overcame Svetlana Kuznetsova and Venus Williams to reach the final where she defeated German Angelique Kerber for her second title of 2013, her 11th career title overall.[37] She then defeated Li Na in the quarterfinals of the China Open before losing to Jelena Janković in the semifinals. As a result of her strong results in Asia, she successfully qualified for the WTA Tour Championships on 7th October. As the fifth seed, she made the semifinals after recording victories over Radwańska and Kerber in the round robin stage but subsequently lost to Li. She ended the year as world no. 6. Furthermore, Kvitová was awarded the Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award for the second time.

2014: Second Wimbledon title and Fed Cup triplet

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Main article: 2014 Petra Kvitová tennis season

Kvitová started 2014 by playing the Hopman Cup with Radek Štěpánek. She won all of her singles matches but they did not advance to the final. Kvitová then competed in Sydney where she advanced to the last eight after defeating Christina McHale and compatriot Lucie Šafářová in her first two matches. In the semifinals, she was stunned by qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova in straight sets, Pironkova went on to win the title. At the Australian Open, she succumbed to Luksika Kumkhum in the first round in three sets despite breaking her service game at 5–3.[38] It was the first time Kvitová exited a Grand Slam tournament in the opening round since the 2011 US Open. At the Open GDF Suez, she withdrew from her opening match because of a respiratory illness. Because of this, she was unable to compete in Fed Cup opening round tie against Spain. Then, at the Qatar Total Open, third-seeded Kvitová cruised into the quarterfinals with two tough three-set victories over Venus Williams and Šafářová before falling to Jelena Janković. At the Dubai Tennis Championships, she failed to defend her title when she lost her opening match to Carla Suárez Navarro after receiving a first round bye. Next, Kvitová played in Indian Wells where she was the 8th seed, she defeated Coco Vandeweghe and Svetlana Kuznetsova before losing in the fourth round to Dominika Cibulková. In Miami, she was seeded 8th again and defeated Paula Ormaechea, Donna Vekić and 12th seed Ana Ivanovic to reach the last eight. There, she fell to 4th seed Maria Sharapova in straight sets.

Kvitová practising at the 2014 AEGON International.

Kvitová began her clay court campaign at Stuttgart, losing to Alisa Kleybanova in the second round after having a first round bye. At the Mutua Madrid Open, she defeated Sorana Cirstea, Varvara Lepchenko and Šafářová to reach the quarterfinals where she received a walkover from top seed Serena Williams. She then lost to eventual finalist Simona Halep in the last four three sets. Kvitová then suffered a shocking loss in her opening match at Rome to Chinese Zhang Shuai. At Roland Garros, she lost in the third round for the second straight year, this time to Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in a marathon three-setter.

During the grasscourt swing, Kvitová competed in Eastbourne where she advanced to the quarterfinals but was then forced to withdraw due to a hamstring injury. Kvitová was seeded 6th at Wimbledon. She won her first two matches easily against compatriot Andrea Hlaváčková and German Mona Barthel. She faced former champion Venus Williams in the third round and was two points away from losing the match but went on to win in three sets. After dismissing Peng Shuai in the fourth round, she beat two more Czechs on the way to the final, Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová and Šafářová. She defeated Eugenie Bouchard in straight sets to win her second Wimbledon title, she rose to world no. 4 as a result, returning to the Top 5 for the first time since 2012.[39][40]

Kvitová began the US Open Series at the Rogers Cup in Montréal where she was the 2nd seed. She received a first round bye and faced Aussie Casey Dellacqua in her opening match, which she won in straight sets. In the third round, she lost a tight match to Ekaterina Makarova in three sets. In Cincinnati, third seeded Kvitová received a first round bye and faced Elina Svitolina in her opener but lost to the Ukrainian in straight sets. At the Connecticut Open where she was the 2nd seed, she received a bye into round two where she faced Makarova again, whom which she defeated easily in straight sets this time. In quarterfinals, she faced fellow Czech Záhlavová-Strýcová in a rematch of their Wimbledon quarterfinal and won in straight sets. She then went on to defeat Samantha Stosur to reach her 3rd consecutive final at New Haven. She won the title defeating Slovak Magdaléna Rybáriková in the final, her 13th career title.[41] At the US Open, Kvitová was upset by Serbian qualifier Aleksandra Krunić in the third round.

The following month at the inaugural Wuhan Open, Kvitová, as the third seed, cruised into the third round on an upset-filled day, defeating Karin Knapp in straight sets. She then defeated fellow Czech Karolína Plíšková for a place in the last eight where she overcame WTA rising star Caroline Garcia. In the semifinal, Kvitová avenged her loss to Svitolina at Cincinnati by defeating her in straight sets to reach the final where she beat Bouchard in straight sets to claim her 14th career title.[42] With the win, Kvitová became the fourth player to qualify for the WTA Finals in Singapore. It was also the first time since 2011 where she had won more than two titles in a season. Kvitová continued the Asian swing at the China Open where she was seeded third. She received a first round bye by virtue of reaching the semifinals at Wuhan. She defeated Peng Shuai in the second round and advanced to the quarterfinals after Venus Williams conceded a walkover due to a viral illness. Kvitová then beat Roberta Vinci and Samantha Stosur to reach her fourth final of the season, where she lost to Sharapova in three sets.

Kvitová at the 2014 Wimbledon Championships

Kvitová then played the WTA Finals in Singapore as the third seed. In her first match, she was upset by Agnieszka Radwańska in straight sets. Kvitová then recorded a straight-set victory over Sharapova after a five-match losing streak against her. However, she lost her bid to qualify for the semifinals when she succumbed to Caroline Wozniacki in her last round robin match. Kvitová ended the year as world no. 4. At the Fed Cup where Czech Republic faced Germany for the title, she prevailed over Andrea Petkovic in straight sets and Angelique Kerber in thrilling three sets. In the end, Czech Republic clinched its third Fed Cup title in four years.[43] Kvitová received two awards in 2014, the Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award and the Diamond Aces Award.

2015: First US Open quarterfinal and illness

Kvitová kicked off 2015 in Shenzhen as the second seed. She advanced to the semifinals where she faced 8th seed Timea Bacsinszky but was upset by the resurgent Swiss in straight sets. Kvitová was the 2nd seed at Sydney and received a first round bye. She defeated Peng Shuai in the second round and secured a quarterfinal berth where she overcame Jarmila Gajdošová in 3 sets. In a rematch of their semifinal here a year ago, Kvitová avenged her earlier loss to Tsvetana Pironkova in straight sets, and went on to defeat fellow Czech Karolína Plíšková in the final, also in straight sets.[44] It was her 15th career title. At the Australian Open, 4th seeded Kvitová was upset by American Madison Keys in the third round in straight sets. Kvitová then lost in Dubai and Doha to Carla Suárez Navarro in the third round and quarterfinals respectively. Kvitová subsequently withdrew from the Indian Wells and Miami Premier Mandatory tournaments, citing exhaustion as the reason.

Kvitová at the 2015 Mutua Madrid Open.

She launched her comeback after a six-week break at the Fed Cup semifinals, where the Czechs faced France. Kvitová won both her rubbers in straight sets, defeating Kristina Mladenovic and Caroline Garcia. The Czech team subsequently advanced to the final for the fourth time in five years. Kvitová then lost her opening match at the Stuttgart to Madison Brengle. At the Mutua Madrid Open, Kvitová fought through to the quarterfinals with wins over Olga Govortsova, Coco Vandeweghe and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. She advanced to the semifinals for the second straight year after dispatching Irina-Camelia Begu in straight sets where she faced world No. 1 Serena Williams. She had not beaten Williams in five previous attempts but upset her in straight sets to advance to her second Madrid final. The win also ended Williams' 27 match winning streak dating back to the WTA Finals the previous year.[45] In the final, she defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova in a one-sided final to claim her 16th career title. [46] The following week in Rome, Kvitová the 4th seed cruised into the last eight where she lost to Suárez Navarro once again. At the French Open where she was seeded 4th, she advanced to fourth round by defeating 30th seed Begu in straight sets. This marked the first time Kvitová successfully advanced to the fourth round of a Grand Slam outside of Wimbledon since the 2012 US Open. However, 24th seed Bacsinszky ended Kvitová's run, defeating her three sets. Following the tournament's conclusion, Kvitová returned to the world No. 2 ranking for the first time since February 2012.

Kvitová began her grass court season at Wimbledon after withdrawing from Eastbourne the week before with an illness. As the defending champion and the second seed behind Serena Williams, she handily defeated Kiki Bertens in the first round in 35 minutes, losing just one point on serve via a double fault. She then defeated Kurumi Nara in the second round in straight sets to advance to the third round where she faced 28th seed Janković for the third time this season. Kvitová led by a set and a break, but was upset by the former world no. 1 in the end in a tight three-setter, ending her journey as the defending champion.

In August, it was revealed that Kvitová was diagnosed with mononucleosis and that she contracted the virus during spring earlier in the year but she was cleared to compete.[47] During the US Open series, Kvitová dropped her openers in Toronto and Cincinnati to Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Garcia respectively. As the defending champion at the Connecticut Open, second seeded Kvitová received a bye in the opening round and safely advanced to the semifinals after defeating Keys and Agnieszka Radwańska. She then rolled past Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets for a place in her fourth straight final at the tournament where she beat compatriot Lucie Šafářová in three sets for her 17th career title.[48] With this win, she successfully defended a title for the first time. At the US Open, Kvitová was the 5th seed and advanced to her maiden US Open quarterfinal after defeating qualifier Johanna Konta in the round of 16. However, she succumbed to 26th seed and eventual champion Flavia Pennetta in the last eight in three sets.[49]

The Asian swing was not a successful one for Kvitová as she lost early in Wuhan and Beijing to Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani respectively. Kvitová successfully qualified for the WTA Finals on 14th October and was the fourth seed at the event. She lost her round robin matches to Angelique Kerber and Garbiñe Muguruza but scored a win over Šafařová. She however managed to secure a semifinal spot where she defeated Maria Sharapova in straight sets to advance to her second final at the Championships. She lost to Radwańska in the final in three sets. Kvitová finished the year as world no. 6. She participated in the Fed Cup final, going 1–1 in her singles matches, the Czechs defended their title in the end by winning the decisive doubles rubber.[50] In addition, Kvitová won the Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award for the third year running.

2016

Kvitová began 2016 in Shenzhen where she faced Zheng Saisai in her opening match but was forced to retire down a set due to gastrointestinal illness and subsequently withdrew from the Apia International Sydney. Kvitová will be the 6th seed at the upcoming Australian Open.

Playing style

Kvitová is known for her fast left-handed serves.

Kvitová is known for her fast left-handed serves. At the 2011 Wimbledon Championships, she hit 36 aces, the third most of any woman.[51] She is also noted for her heavy forehand and backhand, and is capable of creating sharp angles. Her game suits the fast courts and she cites grass as her favourite surface. Kvitová possesses notable variety and timing, and is known to make up for her lack of speed by playing close to the baseline. Due to her high-risk, aggressive style of play she is known to produce a high number of unforced errors in matches.[52][53]

However, when she plays at her best she can outhit any woman on tour as seen in the final of the 2015 Mutua Madrid Open against Svetlana Kuznetsova where Kvitová hit 33 winners in the 66-minute match, an average of one winner every two minutes.[54] Movement is her main weakness and she is also known for her inconsistencies.

Personal life

Kvitová is currently dating fellow Czech and hockey player Radek Meidl. Their relationship was revealed in October 2014 and they have been dating since June that same year.[55] In December 2015, it was officially announced by the Czech media that the couple is engaged. The news was subsequently confirmed by both Meidl and Kvitová.[56]

Endorsements

Kvitová endorses Nike apparel and footwear. She currently uses the Wilson Pro Staff 97 racquet, a similar version to Roger Federer's.[57] She is represented by IMG, following a signed agreement in August 2014.[58] The company also manages other notable players like Maria Sharapova and Li Na. Her other roster of sponsors include UniCredit Bank and Ceska Posta, a Czech postal service operator.[59]

Right To Play, a global organisation which focuses on using sports and games to educate and empower children facing adversity, has named Kvitová as its global Athlete Ambassador in January 2015.[60] Three months later, it was announced that Kvitová has signed a multi-year contract with Beverly Hills-based watchmaker, Ritmo Mundo.[61]

Career statistics

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Main article: Petra Kvitová career statistics

Grand Slam finals

Singles: 2 (2 titles)

Outcome Year Championship Surface Opponent Score
Winner 2011 Wimbledon Grass Russia Maria Sharapova 6–3, 6–4
Winner 2014 Wimbledon (2) Grass Canada Eugenie Bouchard 6–3, 6–0

Year-End Championships

Singles: 2 (1 title)

Outcome Year Championship Surface Opponent Score
Winner 2011 Istanbul Hard (i) Belarus Victoria Azarenka 7–5, 4–6, 6–3
Runner-up 2015 Singapore Hard (i) Poland Agnieszka Radwańska 2−6, 6−4, 3−6

Singles performance timeline

Tournament 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 SR W–L Win %
Grand Slam Tournaments
Australian Open A A LQ 1R 2R QF SF 2R 1R 3R 0 / 7 13–7 65.00%
French Open A A 4R A 1R 4R SF 3R 3R 4R 0 / 7 18–7 72.00%
Wimbledon A A 1R 1R SF W QF QF W 3R 2 / 8 28–6 82.35%
US Open A LQ 1R 4R 3R 1R 4R 3R 3R QF 0 / 8 16–8 66.67%
Win–Loss 0–0 0–0 3–3 3–3 8–4 14–3 17–4 8–4 11–3 11–4 2 / 29 75–28 72.82%

Doubles performance timeline

Tournament 2008 2009 2010 2011 SR W–L
Grand Slam Tournaments
Australian Open A 1R 1R 2R 0 / 3 1–3
French Open A A 2R A 0 / 1 1–1
Wimbledon 1R A 1R 1R 0 / 3 0–3
US Open 1R 1R 1R A 0 / 3 0–3
Win–Loss 0–2 0–2 1–4 1–2 0 / 10 2–10

Records

  • These records were attained in the Open Era.
  • Records in bold indicate peer-less achievements.
  • Records in italics are currently active streaks.

Awards

2010
2011
2013
2014
2015

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Australian Open 2013: Laura Robson's stunning win over Petra Kvitova leaves me at a total loss – Telegraph
  34. ↑ WTA Paris – Petra Kvitova takes a wildcard into Paris Indoors
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  58. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  59. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  60. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  61. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  62. ↑ Petra Kvitova wins WTA Finals over Victoia Azarenka, Fox Sports on MSN, 30 October 2011

External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by US Open Series Champion
2012		 Succeeded by
United States Serena Williams
Awards
Preceded by WTA Newcomer of the Year
2010		 Succeeded by
Romania Irina-Camelia Begu
Preceded by WTA Player of the Year
2011		 Succeeded by
United States Serena Williams
Preceded by WTA Most Improved Player of the Year
2011		 Succeeded by
Italy Sara Errani
Preceded by
Russia Elena Dementieva
Belgium Kim Clijsters
 Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award
2011
2013, 2014, 2015		 Succeeded by
Belgium Kim Clijsters
Incumbent
Preceded by ITF World Champion
2011		 Succeeded by
United States Serena Williams
Preceded by Czech Athlete of the Year
2011
2014		 Succeeded by
Barbora Špotáková
Zuzana Hejnová
Preceded by Diamond Aces Award
2014		 Succeeded by
Denmark Caroline Wozniacki
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