Each Monday, LWOT will profile a champion from one of the previous week’s tournaments. This week’s profile is of Qatar Open champion Petra Kvitová.
Petra Kvitová is a modern day champion. She has won 28 titles throughout her career, including two Wimbledon crowns. Kvitová has also performed well representing the Czech Republic in Fed Cup where she has won 6 titles and a bronze medal in singles at the 2016 Olympic Games.
Petra Kvitová Career Profile
Background
Petra Kvitová was born on the 8th of March, 1990 in Bilovec, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic, or Czechia). She currently resides in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Style of play
Kvitová is known for her swinging lefty serve and powerful, flat groundstrokes. She has a wonderful net game and a potent drop shot when on song. Sometimes Kvitová’s footwork can get her into trouble, leading to erratic play. But she is a beautiful player to watch when at her peak.
Kvitová is also known for her fair play. She has been awarded the WTA Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship award eight times.
Coach
Petra Kvitová’s current coach is Jiri Vanek, a former ATP player who she has trained with since 2016. Previously, she was coached by David Kotyza from 2008 to 2016.
Home invasion and comeback
Petra Kvitová was shockingly attacked in her apartment in apartment in Prostějov, Czech Republic in December, 2016. She suffered multiple lacerations to the tendons and nerves on her left (dominant) hand but was able recover well enough to compete at the 2017 French Open. While it took some time for her to regain her form, Kvitová returned to the Top 10 in 2018, winning five titles that year, including a win on the grass in Birmingham. To cap off her return to the elite circle, she made the final of the 2019 Australian Open and has remained in the Top 10 ever since.
Form so far in 2021
Petra Kvitová had a poor start to the year, losing to Nadia Podoroska in the warm-up event in Melbourne and the second round to Sorana Cirstea at the Australian Open. But she has turned things recently, winning a top-tier event in Doha, where she crushed Garbine Murguruza in the final.
Outlook for 2021
Throughout her career, Kvitová has been able to win top-tier events on all kinds of surfaces, from grass to clay. While with a good draw like last year, she can go deep at the French Open, expect her to be a contender at Wimbledon, where she is a two-time winner. In terms of rankings, expect Kvitová to finish in the top ten again, a place she has been since 2011. If she can improve her first serve percentage and reduce the number of errors in her game, Kvitová should be a contender at the major events.
Main Photo:
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