Kvit-over
Petra Kvitova’s Wimbledon career has ended in defeat to US ace Emma Navarro 6-3 6-1.
The Czech legend is a two-time former champion at SW19 and announced in the build-up to the Championships that she is retiring after this year’s US Open.
Mum of a one-year-old boy Kvitova, 35, held back tears as she spoke to fans on Court 1 today.
She said: “Thank you very much for the beautiful atmosphere you made today. It was very special to play on this beautiful court.
“This place holds the best memories I could wish for. I never dreamed of winning a Wimbledon, and you know, I won it twice.
“So this is something very, very special and I will miss Wimbledon for sure. I will miss tennis. I will miss you fans.
“But I’m ready for the next chapter in life as well and I can’t wait to be back as a member, which is still very unreal for me.”
Her career was badly affected in December 2016 when she was attacked by a knife-wielding man, who entered her flat on the pretence he needed to inspect her boiler.
The former world No.2 suffered severe wounds to her left hand in the fight to free herself and in March 2019, the culprit, Radim Zondra, was sentenced to eight years in jail.
When she returned to the sport five months after the ordeal, she said she was “fortunate to be alive” and doctors never expected her to play at the top level again.
