Legendary tennis star Petra Kvitova broke down in tears after she was beaten in her final ever match at Wimbledon.
Kvitova, 35, who is from the Czech Republic, announced last month that she will retire after the 2025 US Open, meaning Tuesday was her final playing experience of the All England Club.
The 35-year-old is synonymous with SW19 having won the tournament in 2011 and 2014 but she was granted no fairytale ending as she was beaten 3-6 1-6 by No 10 seed Emma Navarro.
After her defeat it all became too much for Kvitova as she broke down in tears on Court 1.
The Czech star, who had given a wildcard for this year’s tournament, also received a standing ovation from the crowd and she was clearly emotional as she addressed them for one last time.
‘Hi everyone, thank you very much for the beautiful atmosphere you made today, it was wonderful to play on this beautiful court,’ she began as Wimbledon broke tradition by allowing the defeated player to speak on court post-match.
Petra Kvitova broke down in tears after she was beaten in her final ever match at Wimbledon
Two-time champion Kvitova was beaten 3-6 1-6 by No 10 seed Emma Navarro on Court 1
She then addressed the crowd for one last time and became emotional as she thanked fans
‘Congrats Emma on the win and good luck. I wish we could have played for a bit longer but OK, whatever.
‘To have another chance to play one more time here at Wimbledon it means a lot to me. This place holds the best memories I could wish for and I never dreamed of winning Wimbledon and I won it twice so this is something very special.’
Kvitova then began to break down but she was cheered by fans, before she continued: ‘I will miss Wimbledon for sure. I will miss tennis, I will miss you fans but I am ready for the next chapter of life as well and I can’t wait to be back as a member which is still very unreal for me.
‘Thanks to the people who helped me to improve as a player and a person. I didn’t have many tennis coaches in my career but my first one was my dad and he is here today.
‘My last one is my husband so I want to thank them all and the people in my box. Thank you to all my family back home. Thank you very much Wimbledon.’
The former world No 2 then made her way off court to huge cheers as she smiled and blew a kiss and waved to fans for one last time.
On commentary, Martina Navratilova, the legendary Czech-American star who won 18 Grand Slams during her decorated career, was similarly emotional and she added her own tribute to Kvitova.
‘Petra Kvitova is such a nice person on and off the court,’ she said. ‘A great role model for kids in Czech tennis.’
The 35-year-old then headed off court and waved to the Wimbledon crowd one last time
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova was emotional on commentary and paid tribute to Kvitova
Kvitova won Wimbledon in both 2011 (pictured above) and 2014 in her decorated career
Meanwhile, Navarro also shared some heartfelt words for her opponent following her victory.
‘Petra’s had an amazing career,’ she told the BBC. ‘It was a pleasure to play against her today. It was surreal looking across the court to see her serving bombs at me. It was intimidating at times.
‘I just want to say congratulations on everything you’ve done in this sport and wherever this life takes you.’
Announcing her retirement in June, Kvitova, who only returned to action in February after missing the whole of 2024 after giving birth to her first child Petr, had given further context to her decision.
‘I never imagined becoming a professional tennis player, being able to travel the world and play in the most beautiful stadiums around the world,’ she said.
‘I’ve been privileged to reach incredible heights over the past 19 years and accomplish more than I could have ever imagined.
‘As with all phases in life, there comes a day that it is time for a new chapter, and that time for me has come now.
‘I am excited and very much looking forward to soaking in the beauty of playing The Championships, Wimbledon one more time, a place that holds the most cherished memories in my career for me.
‘And while I am not entirely sure yet what my hardcourt swing in the US will look like, I am intending to finish my active playing career at the US Open in New York.’
During her two triumphs at Wimbledon, Kvitova beat Maria Sharapova in the 2011 final, before she defeated Eugenie Bouchard in 2014.
Kvitova was forced into a five-month break from tennis after being stabbed twice at her home in December 2016.
