“It was very touching”: Petra Kvitova receives emotional tribute at Golden Canary gala

Petra Kvitova was honored at the Czech tennis awards ceremony, where major stars such as Jakub Mensik and Linda Noskova were awarded as the best Czech players of the season. Awards also went to teenager Tereza Valentova for her significant rise on the Tour, as well as to doubles World No. 1 Katerina Siniakova.

It was a special night experienced at the "Zlatý kanár" (Golden Canary) ceremony in Přerov, where, traditionally, the local magazine Tenis joined forces with the Czech Tennis Association to present awards to the best of 2025. The 2-time Wimbledon champion was welcomed with a tribute just months after her retirement.

Kvitova was the absolute leader of Czech tennis for more than 15 years, with two Grand Slam titles, in addition to a runner-up finish at the 2019 Australian Open, reaching a career-high ranking of World No. 2. The Czech won a total of 31 titles—9 of them at the WTA 1000 level, plus a WTA Finals title—placing her in the elite history of Czech tennis.

Kvitova was also part of a successful generation of Czech female tennis players who won 6 Fed Cups between 2011 and 2018, alongside teammates such as Lucie Safarova, Lucie Hradecka, and Barbora Strycova—as well as more recently Katerina Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova. During that period, they won 20 of 22 series played in the international team tournament.

The 35-year-old was present for the first time at the ceremony as a former player, following her retirement at this year's US Open after being defeated by Frenchwoman Diane Parry. "It was very nice, especially how well they edited it from childhood. Of course, now hormones are messing with me even more than usual, so it was even more touching," she told the media after the event. "There was also a picture of my parents. How proud they were when I won Wimbledon for the first time. I appreciate it very much."

At the ceremony, Kvitova reunited with her former Fed Cup teammates, who also paid tribute to Petr Pala. Pala retired from the captain's position this year and will be replaced by Barbora Strycova, precisely one of Kvitova's former teammates on the squad. “I thought it was very nice that both the older and the new generation said goodbye to Petr like that. When we went, I didn't even know we would all go, but it was beautiful. Petr and I started the Fed Cup together and now we finish it together, which is great.”

The former World No. 2 referred to the process of change the Czech team is undergoing, lately led by 21-year-old star Linda Noskova, currently World No. 13 in the WTA Rankings. The Czechs were eliminated early this year in the Qualifying rounds by Spain. It was the first time they were not present at least among the top 8 since 2008, but Kvitova believes they still enjoy a good present and team to think big in the coming years.

“We still have talented male and female players, so it is fantastic that Czech tennis continues to move forward. Not all countries are doing as well as we are,” commented Kvitova. “We are truly unique and it is gratifying to see how hopes grow. And hopefully, they keep moving forward.”

The 6-time Fed Cup champion was asked if the new generation can have the success the Czechs boasted a few years ago. “It is a very difficult question. We had a great era and now it will probably be difficult to repeat it, especially with the new playing format,” assured the former No. 2. “I don't know if the veteran will return, but I would like the girls to do it because it brings them completely different experiences, especially playing at home. In any case, the girls are playing very well and, if they have the chance, they can win the cup.”

The award for best tennis player of the year had been taken by a female tennis player for the last 15 years, but this time it was 2025 Miami Open champion Jakub Mensik who took the prize, something Kvitova sees as a sign that the men are also ready for great things in international tournaments like the Davis Cup.

“The boys now have an excellent generation; the three of them (Mensik, Lehecka, Machac) are very well positioned, so I think they will be healthy competition for themselves and will rise,” Kvitova stated. “They all have a good game to reach very high. Each has a slightly different style, so it is good that fans can choose who to cheer for. We haven't had boys for a long time after Tomas (Berdych), so it is great.”