Two-time Wimbledon champion and former world number 2 Petra Kvitová announces plans to retire

Renowned Czech tennis champion Petra Kvitová took to Instagram on June 19, 2025, to break the news of her retirement from the celebrated sport. The former world No. 2 tennis star took her fans by surprise with her retirement announcement.

The 35-year-old Kvitová, who began playing tennis professionally in 2007, has decided to step back after playing at the US Open in New York, which is scheduled to start on August 24, 2025, and will continue till September 7, 2025. Petra Kvitová, who has enjoyed a long and successful tennis career, will retire after nearly 19 years.

Widely popular for her left-hand groundstrokes, Kvitová is the recipient of some of the major tennis titles, including two significant titles at Wimbledon. Not to mention, she has also won 31 career singles titles as well as a bronze medal in singles when she played for her country at the Rio Olympics in 2016. On October 31, 2011, the Czech tennis champion achieved her world No. 2 ranking.

Petra Kvitová announces plans to retire in her Instagram post

Petra Kvitová, who won her first Wimbledon title against the Russian champion Maria Sharapova, poured her heart out in the Instagram post she shared on June 19. The caption of the picture she shared of herself holding the Venus Rosewater Dish from 2014 read,

"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."

The WTA Championships winner, Kvitová, after mentioning some of her major career achievements, added,

"I have accomplished more than I could have ever imagined and I am so grateful to everything that tennis has given me all these years."

While she thanked the sport that has given her so much in return, Petra touched upon the various lessons she learned over the years from playing tennis. She continued,

"I would never be whom I am today without this beautiful sport, and everything it has given me both on and off the court."

As Petra Kvitová shared the news of her unexpected retirement from professional tennis, she added,

"I am excited and very much looking forward to soak in the beauty of playing The Championships, Wimbledon one more time, a place that holds the most cherished memories in my career for me."

The Hopman Cup winner stated that this was not an easy decision for her but clarified that she holds a lot of love for the sport. She wrote,

"While no such decision is ever easy to make, for me this is a happy moment! I will 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."

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Petra Kvitová took the opportunity to thank everyone who supported her throughout her triumphant tennis career, including her family, friends, and coaches. She concluded by adding,

"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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