Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has announced on social media that she’ll make her return later this month on the US hard courts, after a 14-month maternity leave.
Kvitova excited to compete again
The Czech, 34, announced the news in a video posted to her Instagram account on Monday, detailing plans to play the WTA 250 event in Austin, Texas before consecutive WTA 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami.
In the video, she said: “I really miss tennis, and miss competing, so I’m really looking forward to be back.”
The former world no. 2, who won titles at the All England Club in 2011 and 2014, last played at the 2023 China Open in Beijing.
After recovering from a set down to beat hometown wildcard Xiyu Wang in the first-round, she was bested by Luidmila Samsonova in straight-sets the following day.
On New Year’s Day last year, she confirmed that her and husband Jiri Vanek — who also doubles as her longtime coach — were expecting their first child. She gave birth to a son, Petr, last July during the Wimbledon fortnight, which she describes as her favourite on tour.
“I can’t wait to see all my fans, all around the world. Thank you very much for supporting me. It will be a nice journey, and I can’t wait.”
Before her break, Kvitova’s 2023 campaign ended with her just outside the year-end finals as world no. 14 — having won two titles in Miami and Berlin — scooping up silverware which brought her career trophy collection to 31.
The Austin event, named ATX Open, begins on February 24 and she’ll almost certainly have low expectations – as was the case with Elina Svitolina and Olympic champion Belinda Bencic after their respective returns from maternity leave.
Mo and Sports 