PETRA KVITOVA will appear at Wimbledon for the final time after announcing plans to retire at the end of the tennis year.
The Czech ace won the singles Championship in south-west London on two occasions, in 2011 and 2014, and is a member of the All England Club.
The 35-year-old was handed a wildcard for the 2025 Championships as she has dropped down to 572nd in the world rankings.
Her inactivity can be explained by the fact she gave birth to son Petr in July 2024 and she has only won one of her seven matches this calendar year.
Kvitova will say goodbye to the sport following the conclusion of the US Open – where she has twice made the quarter-finals – and it is fair to assume New York chiefs will hand her a wildcard, too.
Her career was badly affected in December 2016 when she was attacked by a knife-wielding man, who entered her flat on the pretence he needed to inspect her boiler.
The former world No.2 suffered severe wounds to her left hand in the fight to free herself and in March 2019, the culprit, Radim Zondra, was sentenced to eight years in jail.
When she returned to the sport five months after the ordeal, she said she was “fortunate to be alive” and doctors never expected her to play at the top level again.
She also won an Olympic bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Games, reached the 2019 Australian Open final – where she lost in three sets to Naomi Osaka – and was part of six Billie Jean King Cup-winning squads for her country.
In an Instagram post, the left-hander said: “Growing up in my hometown of Fulnek and hitting the first tennis balls with my father on the local courts, I never imagined becoming a professional tennis player.
“Being able to travel the world, and playing in the most beautiful stadiums around the world.
“And sure enough… somehow all of that became a reality, and so much more.
“I’ve been privileged to reach incredible heights over the past 19 years since becoming a professional tennis player.
“From winning my two Wimbledon Championships, bringing home six Billie Jean King Cup trophies for the Czech Republic, reaching the world No.2 ranking and so much more.
“I’ve accomplished more than I could have ever imagined and I’m so grateful to everything that tennis has given me all these years.
“It has taught me countless lessons, not only on the court or in the gym, but also in life.
“I’d never be whom I am today without this beautiful sport and everything it has given me both on and off the court.
“As will all phases in life, there comes a day that it is time for a new chapter, and that time for me has come now.
“I therefore wanted to share with you that 2025 is my last season on tour as a professional.
“I’m excited and very much looking forward to soaking in the beauty of playing The Championships, Wimbledon one more time, a place that holds the most cherished memories in my career for me.
“And while I’m not entirely sure yet what my hardcourt swing in the US will look like, I’m intending to finish my active playing career at the US Open in New York later this summer.
“While no such decision is ever easy to make, for me this is a happy moment!
“I’ll leave the sport with the biggest smile on my face – the same smile you’ve seen from me on and off court throughout my whole career.
“Through all these years, I’m so incredibly thankful for the unwavering support of my family, my closest friends, my team, and all the incredible fans that have always supported me around the world over all these years.
“I could not have asked or wished for anything more – tennis has given me everything I have today, and I will continue to be forever grateful to this beautiful sport that I love.”
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