Kvitová makes comeback in Berlin
Czech tennis star Petra Kvitová will be bringing home yet another trophy after Sunday’s German Open final in Berlin. The current top-ranked Czech tennis player in the world cemented her position by beating the Croatian Donna Vekic without losing a single set.
Despite a tiring Saturday that saw Kvitová play the quarter-final and semi-final of the German Open in one day due to bad weather on Friday, the 33-year-old still managed to triumph over Croatia's Donna Vekic, seven years her younger, in Sunday’s final, beating her 6:2, 7:6.
The match lasted one hour and 43 minutes and Kvitová managed to bag the title, her 31st on the WTA circuit, without losing a single set. She is only the second player aged over 30 ever to win the tournament.
Following her victory, Kvitová thanked her coaches, fans and family for their support.
"I have to say thank you to my team, my coaches here. My fitness coach is at home, thank you to him as well. Thank you to the people who came to watch from Czechia, thank you very much for the support. And also thank you to my family who are watching every single day, no matter the time zone. I am really happy that I have them and that they always support me, no matter what is happening.”
The 33-year-old Czech easily won the first set, with Vekic only earning one break point. However, Kvitová got into difficulties in the second set, but impressively managed to come back from being 3:5 down to claim victory.
Kvitová has encountered Vekic five times previously on the WTA circuit, and has won all but one of those matches.
This was Kvitova’s 42nd tournament final and her sixth triumph – more than any other active WTA player – on her favourite surface to play on, grass. It was also her second win of the season, having won the Miami Open back in April, making this the first time since 2019 that she has won multiple titles in a single season.
So this means somewhat of a comeback for the Czech tennis star, currently ranked world no. 9. Just eight days before the start of Wimbledon (which she has won twice in the past), the title shows that she is still a force to be reckoned with, despite being the oldest player ever to win the final of the German Open.
Although the win in Berlin will not change her overall ranking, Wimbledon will offer her the opportunity to climb up the tables, so her eyes must now be firmly set on London.
