"I can play well on clay" says confident Kvitova about Roland Garros

Petra Kvitova is confident she can play well on clay head of the upcoming Roland Garros.

Petra Kvitova has never been considered a great clay-court player but recent results and newfound confidence in her ability as a player has her excited for the upcoming Roland Garros. Kvitova has never reached the final at the French Open but she came close last year when she reached the semifinals. That result gave her confidence in her ability on clay which she confirmed:

“I need some time to be able to play on clay, though the French Open was the only clay tournament I played last year and I think I played really well there,” Kvitova said. I just have to flick a switch mentality to recognise that the clay season is here and that I can play well on it.”

Since the start of 2019 Kvitova has a 20-8 record on clay which is much better than her usual record on the surface. Knowing she has a positive record on clay is something that helps her mentally which she confirmed:

“To know these numbers is actually really good for me mentally, knowing that I can play well on the clay."

The results did not come overnight as she confirmed she has been working on her clay game which made the Roland Garros result last year possible. She said:

“Of course I remember my semi-finals from last year at the French Open, but overall it’s really a great achievement, even though I’m not really a clay-court player. In the last couple of years, I think I’ve been really trying to find a rhythm and to find my movement on clay. I’ve been working on it with my team and with my coach.”