Petra Kvitova tearful as she ends her career following defeat at the US Open

Petra Kvitova Retires from Tennis at the US Open

Petra Kvitova announced her retirement from professional tennis on Monday after a disappointing first-round match at the US Open. She lost to Diane Parry of France, with a score of 6-1, 6-0, marking a somber end to her career.

Attendance was low, as traffic issues kept many fans from arriving in time for the scheduled 11 a.m. start. The 35-year-old, who has won Wimbledon twice (in 2011 and 2014), faced the moment with tears in her eyes, standing before a sparse crowd.

“Thank you for coming. I was hoping to perform better today, but it was incredibly hard to realize this could be my final match,” Kvitova shared emotionally on the court after her loss. “It’s tough to speak about it right now, especially after everything. Thank you for the incredible Grand Slam; I’m so glad to be here for my last dance. I owe so much to my husband, coach, and my family, especially my parents, who sacrificed a lot for me.”

Kvitova, who turned pro in 2006, entered the US Open using a protected ranking. Unfortunately, she hasn’t reached the quarterfinals of any Grand Slam since the 2020 Australian Open, with her last semifinal appearance at Wimbledon lingering in the past.

Her ranking has dropped sharply; she now sits at 543rd, a significant fall from her peak position of second place in October 2011. Over the years, Kvitova has faced numerous challenges, including a terrifying knife attack at her home and a hiatus from the sport after giving birth to her son, Petr, in July 2024.