Petra Kvitova is set to return to the tennis court less than seven months after becoming a mother to twins, with the two-time Wimbledon champion joining a group of former WTA stars at the Luxembourg Ladies Tennis Masters. The lineup includes Angelique Kerber, Agnieszka Radwanska, and Dominika Cibulkova, among other prominent figures from the past.
Kvitova will headline the fifth edition of the exhibition event, which will bring eight former WTA players together in Luxembourg from October 13 to 18. It will mark her first appearance on a tennis court since she brought her professional career to an end at the 2025 US Open.
The Czech stepped away from professional tennis after her first-round defeat to Diane Parry in US Open 2025, closing a career that included 31 WTA titles, two Wimbledon championships and a career-high ranking of No. 2. She had returned to the tour in 2025 following the birth of her first child, but ultimately decided that the US Open would be her final tournament.
Now, Kvitova is preparing to pick up a racket again, although this time without the demands of the WTA Tour. Her return comes just months after she and husband Jiri Vanek welcomed twin daughters Emma and Ella, joining their son Petr.
Kvitova returns to a familiar place
The Luxembourg event will offer Kvitova a particularly fitting setting for her return. The Czech previously competed at the Luxembourg WTA tournament, reaching the final in 2016 before losing to Monica Niculescu.
That tournament was part of a WTA 250 event that Luxembourg hosted for 25 years, before the professional tournament disappeared from the calendar after 2021. The legends event took its place in 2022 and has since developed into a weeklong celebration of former WTA stars.
Kvitova will now share the court with another former world No. 1 in Angelique Kerber, who will return to defend the title she won last year. The German defeated Alize Cornet in the 2025 final, just four months after giving birth to her second child.
The 2026 lineup also includes former world No. 4 Dominika Cibulkova, Agnieszka Radwanska, Magdalena Rybarikova and Monica Puig, while former No. 12 Tatiana Golovin and Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer will make their debuts alongside Kvitova.
For the organizers, Kvitova's participation adds another major name to an event that has steadily grown since its first edition. Kim Clijsters defeated Martina Hingis in the inaugural final in 2022, while the tournament has continued to attract former Grand Slam champions and established WTA names.
Former world No. 5 Daniela Hantuchova, who has competed at the event and now serves as an ambassador, highlighted the appeal of seeing former players return to competition.
“Luxembourg has become a hot ticket for fans and also for the former players, who hear so many great things about it,” Hantuchova said.
“Petra (Kvitova) is taking part less than seven months after giving birth to her twins, and Monica just ran the Berlin Marathon. The fantastic level of competition on show again this year will be a testament to the excellence of WTA athletes, even after they have retired from the tour.”
A different chapter for Kvitova
The Luxembourg Masters will not attempt to recreate the pressures of the WTA Tour. The eight-player field will compete in a knockout format, with matches using a 10-point super tiebreak instead of a deciding third set. For Kvitova, however, the significance is less about the result than about being back on a tennis court after walking away from professional competition.
Her retirement came after a career that established her among the most successful Czech players of her generation. Her Wimbledon titles in 2011 and 2014 were the defining achievements of a résumé that also included victories at the WTA Finals and multiple WTA 1000 events.
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The Luxembourg event will also have a charitable element, with activities throughout the week centered on the empowerment of women and girls. The organizers will make a donation to the WTA Foundation in support of its partnership with UNICEF's Child Nutrition Program.
The total prize purse will be €110,000, with €50,000 going to the champion. But with Kvitova returning to the court for the first time since her retirement, the attention around the event will extend well beyond the trophy.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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