Kvitova Returns to Form Following Maternity Comeback
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has achieved her first victory since returning to professional tennis after the birth of her son, defeating Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu in straight sets at the Italian Open. The 35-year-old Czech,...
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Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has achieved her first victory since returning to professional tennis after the birth of her son, defeating Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu in straight sets at the Italian Open.
The 35-year-old Czech, who had been winless in her four matches since her comeback in February, secured a 7-5, 6-1 victory in Tuesday's first-round match in Rome. This win represents a significant step in her return following a 15-month break during which she welcomed her son, Petr, in July 2023.
"It's kind of weird that my first win came here," Kvitova told the WTA's website. "I've never played my best tennis in Rome, but it feels much better than losing—that's for sure."
Kvitova, a former world No. 2 and Wimbledon winner in 2011 and 2014, expressed that she had her doubts about returning to competitive tennis.
"I was 95% sure I wouldn't come back," she revealed. "I felt like I'd had enough of tennis at the time—I thought, 'I can't do this anymore.' So, we decided to try for a baby."
She kept her plans under wraps until she was certain, saying, "I didn't say anything because it wasn't 100%. But after pregnancy, when I finally got back on court, it felt amazing. I was laughing, hitting smooth shots, and thinking, 'Wow—it's still there!'"
Next, Kvitova will face Tunisia's Ons Jabeur and remains relaxed about her return, prioritizing enjoyment over immediate results.
On the same day, China's Wang Xiyu was defeated by the Netherlands' Arantxa Rus with a score of 6-2, 6-2 in the second round of qualifying, missing the chance to enter the main draw.
Wang took nearly a three-month break due to injuries after being eliminated in her first match at the Singapore Tennis Open in February. The 24-year-old made her return at the Catalonia Open last week, where she also lost to Dalma Galfi in the first round. As a result of this extended slump, her world ranking has fallen to 135th.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
The 35-year-old Czech, who had been winless in her four matches since her comeback in February, secured a 7-5, 6-1 victory in Tuesday's first-round match in Rome. This win represents a significant step in her return following a 15-month break during which she welcomed her son, Petr, in July 2023.
"It's kind of weird that my first win came here," Kvitova told the WTA's website. "I've never played my best tennis in Rome, but it feels much better than losing—that's for sure."
Kvitova, a former world No. 2 and Wimbledon winner in 2011 and 2014, expressed that she had her doubts about returning to competitive tennis.
"I was 95% sure I wouldn't come back," she revealed. "I felt like I'd had enough of tennis at the time—I thought, 'I can't do this anymore.' So, we decided to try for a baby."
She kept her plans under wraps until she was certain, saying, "I didn't say anything because it wasn't 100%. But after pregnancy, when I finally got back on court, it felt amazing. I was laughing, hitting smooth shots, and thinking, 'Wow—it's still there!'"
Next, Kvitova will face Tunisia's Ons Jabeur and remains relaxed about her return, prioritizing enjoyment over immediate results.
On the same day, China's Wang Xiyu was defeated by the Netherlands' Arantxa Rus with a score of 6-2, 6-2 in the second round of qualifying, missing the chance to enter the main draw.
Wang took nearly a three-month break due to injuries after being eliminated in her first match at the Singapore Tennis Open in February. The 24-year-old made her return at the Catalonia Open last week, where she also lost to Dalma Galfi in the first round. As a result of this extended slump, her world ranking has fallen to 135th.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
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