Two-time Grand Slam champion Petra Kvitova has shared a heartfelt reason for stepping back onto the tennis court. The 34-year-old is gearing up for her comeback to professional tennis after being sidelined for almost 18 months.
Her most recent match was at the 2023 China Open, where she fell to Liudmila Samsonova in the round of 32, losing in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5.
In a recent chat with the WTA, the Bilovec native opened up about her highly anticipated return. Kvitova explained that her love for the game is the sole driving force behind her comeback. She admitted she’s keeping her expectations in check, fully aware that, past 30, time isn’t exactly on her side.
“I don’t expect anything, basically,” she said. “I’m here — that’s already a big deal for me. Sometimes I’m really surprised by myself. Like, why I did it [the comeback]? But I think I would have regretted it if I didn’t come back I’m not putting any goals on myself, I will never play as good as I was playing when I was winning tournaments. Yeah, we’ll see. I want to enjoy myself playing tennis, and I think it will take time. I tried to explain to everybody that I came back because I love it. I miss tennis, I love tennis itself since I was four. So I think the love for the sport took me back to tennis. I missed the hard work, the sweat, that’s why I’m here. I don’t know for how long, or how long I’m going to enjoy it or how my body’s going to feel. I think it will be very tough in the beginning. But we’ll see how I manage everything. We’ll see how it goes.”
Toni Nadal makes feelings clear on Rafael Nadal Roland Garros retirement tribute plans
Toni Nadal has shared his thoughts on the announcement that his nephew, Rafael Nadal, will be honored with a retirement tribute at the French Open.
Gilles Moretton, the head of the French Tennis Federation, recently disclosed that Nadal’s remarkable career will be celebrated at this year’s Roland Garros.
“There will, necessarily, be something for Rafael Nadal, a very big tribute,” Moretton told Europe 1 radio.
“A real tribute, very important. We are attached to it. The [Davis Cup] tribute was not really the one that we had to pay him. We were ready last year and he wasn’t ready, he was still a player.
“We went to see him at home, at the beginning of December, with Amelie Mauresmo to talk to him about this tribute that we will organize for him, and talked to him about the future.”
Rafael Nadal, who clinched an incredible 14 French Open titles, holds the record for the most victories at a single Grand Slam tournament in tennis history.
The ‘King of Clay’ first triumphed at Roland Garros in 2005, kicking off his major-winning journey, and claimed his 22nd Grand Slam—and 92nd overall career title—at the 2022 French Open, which turned out to be his final tournament win.
The 38-year-old Spaniard brought his iconic career to a close in November during the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
After Spain’s quarter-final defeat to the Netherlands, Nadal played his last-ever match, followed by a farewell ceremony on the court.
In an emotional moment, he addressed the crowd, while Spanish Davis Cup captain David Ferrer also spoke, honoring his fellow Spaniard and former teammate.
Tennis legends Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and Serena Williams came together in a video tribute shown during the ceremony.
However, some fans found the send-off lackluster, and a few key figures from Nadal’s career voiced their disappointment.
Toni Nadal, who coached him from childhood through 2017, remarked that it “fell short of expectations,” while Ferrer called it “a bit sad” and “underwhelming.”
During a presentation for the 2025 Mallorca Championships, where he serves as tournament director, Toni Nadal offered his perspective on the upcoming Roland Garros tribute plans.
“The tribute at Roland Garros makes us very happy as a family,” the 64-year-old said. “Rafael is very happy that he is being given this attention.
“I know that they have been preparing it for some time and I think that it will be a great tribute.
“For Rafael to receive a tribute in France and in the place where he has had the most sporting success, it fills him with satisfaction.
“I don’t know if there will be other tributes, but this one is very important for him.”
