The China Mail - Kvitova relishes chance for farewell at 'special' Wimbledon

Kvitova returned from maternity leave in February following the birth of her son Petr in 2024, but quickly found it difficult to handle the demands of being a mother on the gruelling tennis circuit.

The 35-year-old Czech announced last week that she will bring the curtain down on her career after the US Open in August.

Kvitova's decision gives the former world number two, who has won 31 titles in her career, one last opportunity to return to the scene of her most memorable triumphs.

A raw 21-year-old when she stunned Maria Sharapova to win the 2011 Wimbledon final, three years later Kvitova returned to the All England Club title match to rout Eugenie Bouchard 6-3, 6-0.

Those golden memories will be on her mind when when she steps on court at Wimbledon against Spanish 10th seed Emma Navarro in the first round on Tuesday.

"I knew that I will not carry on for a long time because I was already tired before and tennis is a very difficult sport. Of course with a baby it's not that easy, and I'm not that young any more," Kvitova told reporters at Wimbledon on Sunday.

"My body, it's struggling a little bit, it's just too much probably. I had the time when I said, 'OK, I'm done, I don't want to put myself in this situation'.

"I wanted to enjoy Wimbledon. I wanted to know, even for myself, that it will be my last one because it's so many memories I have, even the bad ones.

"Most important are the two great ones. It's always been my special tournament and that's why I wanted to say it out loud before it starts."

Asked for her favourite All England Club moment, the left-hander cited the final minutes before she clinched the trophy for the first time.

"I think it was the first one, when I had 5-4 and I was going to serve for the match," she said.

"I do remember I was sitting on the bench and I was telling myself it's maybe just one chance in my life so I should try to do it."

Now ranked 572, Kvitova has lost seven of her eight matches since becoming a parent.

She will not miss the pre-match nerves, saying she often looked "as white as a wall" before taking to the court.

But the thrill of proving herself against elite opponents will be hard to replace for a player who, in her heyday, reached three Grand Slam finals and won the WTA Finals in 2011.

"It's a beautiful sport," she said. "I'm not sure how I'm going to feel but every time stepping here in Wimbledon it's very special.

"This time will be a different special for sure but definitely I will enjoy it."

D.Pan--ThChM