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Vinay Nayudu
Doha
Someone who beat Maria Sharapova for her first Grand Slam title at the Wimbledon final in 2011, Petra Kvitova paid a glowing tribute to the Russian tennis ‘queen’ on her retirement on Tuesday saying that she was a big champion.
Kvitova was apprised of Sharapova’s retirement as she spoke to the media after making the quarter-finals of Qatar Total Open a fifth time in her sixth appearance in Doha.
“She won five Grand Slams, she is a big champion,” said Kvitova.
“She has really been a business lady off the court as well. So she achieved a lot in her life and she still has so many things to do, even after tennis.
“For me it was pleasure to be with her on the tour, sharing the court with her. It was always great battles when we play each other. She’s a big hitter as well, so it’s been always nice to share the court with her and I have always had respect for her,” added the Czech.
Kvitova beat Sharapova in straight sets in the Wimbledon final in 2011 to become a Grand Slam champion, but the Russian had her revenge when she later beat the Czech player in the semi-final of the Australian Open the following year.
But while Kvitova made the final of the Australian Open in 2019, and also the quarter-finals this year, a struggling Sharapova was knocked out in the very first round a month ago. Perhaps prompting the goodbye call.
“I know how tough it is to come back and play. She has also been injured a lot, and of course, she probably wanted bigger success than what she was really playing or the body allowed her to have,” said Kvitova of Sharapova’s show since her return to tennis after a drugs ban.
Of Sharapova’s competitiveness on court, Kvitova said, “She’s been an amazing competitor, she never gave up. Even if she didn’t play well, she was still believing in her game and still being aggressive and believing in her shots, which I have really admired.”
And about the Wimbledon clash which saw Kvitova arrive on the big stage, she said, “Yeah, in that final she will always be there for me. Not good (memories) for her, but, that’s tennis. I really don’t care who was in the final.
“But I do care my loss at the Australian Open, but if I can choose which one I’m going to win it it’s still going to be final. So, yeah. I don’t know. That’s it?”
Carefree yet courteous, Kvitova also waved off worries about the new WTA coaching rule, which allows coaches to give players advice from the box.
“Definitely will not affect me. Sometimes the coaches scream to me something, but nothing really special which I shouldn’t know, so. I don’t know if it’s good or not for women’s tennis. It depends, but I think it should be enough to have a one on-one on-court coaching during one set. But I still think that tennis is a very individual sport and we should just play by ourselves.”
Doha
Someone who beat Maria Sharapova for her first Grand Slam title at the Wimbledon final in 2011, Petra Kvitova paid a glowing tribute to the Russian tennis ‘queen’ on her retirement on Tuesday saying that she was a big champion.
Kvitova was apprised of Sharapova’s retirement as she spoke to the media after making the quarter-finals of Qatar Total Open a fifth time in her sixth appearance in Doha.
“She won five Grand Slams, she is a big champion,” said Kvitova.
“She has really been a business lady off the court as well. So she achieved a lot in her life and she still has so many things to do, even after tennis.
“For me it was pleasure to be with her on the tour, sharing the court with her. It was always great battles when we play each other. She’s a big hitter as well, so it’s been always nice to share the court with her and I have always had respect for her,” added the Czech.
Kvitova beat Sharapova in straight sets in the Wimbledon final in 2011 to become a Grand Slam champion, but the Russian had her revenge when she later beat the Czech player in the semi-final of the Australian Open the following year.
But while Kvitova made the final of the Australian Open in 2019, and also the quarter-finals this year, a struggling Sharapova was knocked out in the very first round a month ago. Perhaps prompting the goodbye call.
“I know how tough it is to come back and play. She has also been injured a lot, and of course, she probably wanted bigger success than what she was really playing or the body allowed her to have,” said Kvitova of Sharapova’s show since her return to tennis after a drugs ban.
Of Sharapova’s competitiveness on court, Kvitova said, “She’s been an amazing competitor, she never gave up. Even if she didn’t play well, she was still believing in her game and still being aggressive and believing in her shots, which I have really admired.”
And about the Wimbledon clash which saw Kvitova arrive on the big stage, she said, “Yeah, in that final she will always be there for me. Not good (memories) for her, but, that’s tennis. I really don’t care who was in the final.
“But I do care my loss at the Australian Open, but if I can choose which one I’m going to win it it’s still going to be final. So, yeah. I don’t know. That’s it?”
Carefree yet courteous, Kvitova also waved off worries about the new WTA coaching rule, which allows coaches to give players advice from the box.
“Definitely will not affect me. Sometimes the coaches scream to me something, but nothing really special which I shouldn’t know, so. I don’t know if it’s good or not for women’s tennis. It depends, but I think it should be enough to have a one on-one on-court coaching during one set. But I still think that tennis is a very individual sport and we should just play by ourselves.”
