"I miss tennis and competing" – Petra Kvitová's return won't be short term, looks for prolonged comeback

Petra Kvitová has announced her return to professional tennis after giving birth to her first child. The two-time Wimbledon champion plans to make her competitive comeback at the ATX Open in Austin, Texas, in February, with Indian Wells and Miami also in her sights.

Kvitová has had an illustrious career, and fans are eager to see how she performs on her return to the tour.

Hailing from the Czech Republic, Kvitová is known for her powerful left-handed game and dominance on the court. Over her career, she has secured 31 WTA singles titles, including two Wimbledon championships.

She has reached a career-high ranking of world No. 2 and also claimed a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

In June 2024, Kvitová gave birth to her first child and is now preparing to make her return to professional tennis. She shared the news with her fans on social media, expressing her excitement.

"I miss tennis and competing, so I'm looking forward to returning."

"I can't wait to see all my fans worldwide," Kvitová said. "Thank you very much for supporting me. It will be a nice journey, and I can't wait."

In an interview with Česká Televize Sport, Kvitová spoke about why this was the right time for her to make a comeback, suggesting it might be her last opportunity to return to the tour.

Speaking in her native language, her comments were translated into English.

"After giving birth, I needed to go for runs, ride a bike, just to sweat. And I enjoyed playing tennis whenever I did. So, I want to give it another try."

"I've never said I'm retiring, which I'm glad about because now I don't have to reverse any decisions. I've always kept the door open."

Kvitová has the full support of her family as she prepares for her return to the WTA Tour.

"Both grandmothers are great, which is wonderful. In Prague, we'll probably have help, and at tournaments, we'll have to manage somehow. For instance, my brother is coming with us to America to help with babysitting."

She also draws inspiration from fellow tennis-playing mothers, including Naomi Osaka and Elina Svitolina.

"I know my friend Belinda Bencic had her mom with her in Australia for a month. Players like Naomi Osaka or Elina Svitolina also travel with their children. But everyone has to figure it out for themselves."

Kvitová is realistic about her expectations and is focused on taking things one step at a time.

"I don't have any expectations. I know it won't be easy. I'll be happy for every match I win."

Kvitová’s return to the court is an exciting moment for the sport, and fans will be eager to see how she performs in her comeback tournaments.