Petra Kvitova, the indomitable Czech left-hander and two-time Wimbledon champion, bid an emotional farewell to professional tennis on Monday, August 25, 2025, after a first-round defeat at the U.S. Open. In a match that lasted just 52 minutes, Kvitova fell 6-1, 6-0 to France’s Diane Parry on the Grandstand court at Flushing Meadows, closing the curtain on a remarkable two-decade career marked by triumph, resilience, and a return from adversity that inspired fans across the globe.
The 35-year-old Kvitova, who had announced earlier in the year that the U.S. Open would be her final tournament, returned to the WTA Tour in February 2025 following a 17-month maternity break. Her son, Petr, was born in July 2024, and her husband, Jiri Vanek, who also serves as her coach, was by her side for her last match. After the final point—a backhand return sent just wide—Kvitova’s emotions spilled over. She walked to the stands, where she embraced Vanek, tears streaming down her face as the crowd rose in a standing ovation. On court, a video tribute played, celebrating her storied career and the many memorable moments she brought to tennis fans worldwide.
“I hoped I would put on a better show today, but it was really amazing,” Kvitova said in her post-match on-court interview, her voice thick with emotion. “It was tough to know that maybe it’s my last one and emotional, it was really tough. Thank you New York for this amazing Grand Slam. I’m very happy to be here for my last dance.”
Later, in the main interview room, she tried to keep her composure, noting with a smile, “Tissues are here. Very good. I’ll try to be brave.” The tears that had overwhelmed her on court had dried, replaced by a gentle humor and reflective pride as she fielded questions about her legacy and her decision to retire. Kvitova revealed that she had contracted COVID-19 just weeks before the tournament and had considered pulling out, but ultimately decided to finish her career on her own terms. “I wanted to be playing here, to finish the season in a Grand Slam and not because the COVID caught me,” she said. “I’m very glad I did.”
Kvitova’s journey to this moment has been anything but ordinary. She first burst onto the scene with her stunning run to the Wimbledon title in 2011, defeating Maria Sharapova in the final with a fearless brand of left-handed power tennis. She repeated the feat in 2014, this time dispatching Eugenie Bouchard in a performance many still recall for its clinical precision. Over the years, she amassed 31 career singles titles, reached a career-high ranking of No. 2 in the world, and was a six-time Billie Jean King Cup champion for the Czech Republic. Her Grand Slam record also includes a runner-up finish at the 2019 Australian Open, where she fell to Naomi Osaka in a memorable final.
But Kvitova’s career is perhaps best defined by her resilience in the face of adversity. In December 2016, she was attacked in her own home by a knife-wielding intruder, suffering severe injuries to the nerves and tendons in her racket-holding left hand. The injury required hours of surgery and cast serious doubt on whether she would ever play again. Yet, less than six months later, Kvitova returned to competition at the French Open, winning her first match back and proving that her fighting spirit was as strong as ever.
Reflecting on her journey, Kvitova told reporters, “I think I would be proudest of many things, especially the mental side. All the seasons, pretty long seasons. I was okay to handle it even with some injuries and sickness. I’m very proud of how I handled the pressure, how many times I have been in the top 10. It was special. I was never world number one but those two Grand Slam wins are above the world number one ranking. That’s how I’m going to take it, especially the Wimbledon ones. I’m proud of many things.”
Her resilience was tested again in the lead-up to this year’s U.S. Open, as she battled illness and nerves. “But since I woke up this morning, I felt it. I felt it would be not good. I couldn’t eat. I was really nervous. But in a different way, I would say. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t swing, I couldn’t do anything,” she admitted. “It was really difficult. I never had experienced knowing I’m playing my last match, most probably.”
Kvitova’s career has also been one of remarkable consistency and longevity. She spent more than a decade as a fixture in the world’s top 10 and collected over $37 million in prize money. Her achievements extend beyond the Grand Slams and tour titles—she won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, further cementing her place among the game’s elite.
Monday’s match was not the fairy-tale ending many had hoped for, but the outpouring of respect and admiration from fans, fellow players, and the tennis world at large spoke volumes about Kvitova’s impact on the sport. As she hugged her husband and coach, received a tribute on court, and addressed the media with honesty and humor, it was clear that her legacy will endure far beyond the final scoreline.
In a poignant twist, Kvitova was not the only veteran to say goodbye at Flushing Meadows this year. Caroline Garcia, a 2022 U.S. Open semifinalist, also played her final match on Monday, falling in three sets to Kamilla Rakhimova. Like Kvitova, Garcia spoke of satisfaction and peace with her decision to move on, underscoring a changing of the guard in women’s tennis.
For Kvitova, the journey from a promising teenager in the Czech Republic to a global tennis icon has been filled with highs, lows, and unforgettable moments. Her powerful serve, aggressive baseline game, and unwavering determination have inspired countless young players. But it is perhaps her resilience—her ability to return from devastating injury, to battle back after setbacks, and to compete at the highest level after motherhood—that will be remembered most fondly.
As the U.S. Open continues and the next generation of stars takes center stage, Petra Kvitova’s legacy as a champion, a fighter, and a role model is secure. Her “last dance” in New York may not have ended with a trophy, but it was a celebration of a career defined by courage, class, and an unbreakable spirit.
