Petra Kvitova expressed a mix of relief and surprise after achieving her first victory since returning to tennis at the Internazionali BNL d`Italia in Rome.
`It feels somewhat strange that my first win back happened here,` she commented after defeating Irina-Camelia Begu 7-5, 6-1.
She noted her past struggles in Rome, where her last consecutive wins were in 2015, adding, `I`ve never performed my best tennis here. However, winning is certainly preferable to losing.`
The former World No. 2 had faced defeats in her initial four tournaments since returning, including losses to Jodie Burrage in Austin, Varvara Gracheva in Indian Wells, Sofia Kenin in Miami, and Katie Volynets in Madrid – a series of results that she finds difficult. Yet, despite these early setbacks, Kvitova`s return has been fueled by an unexpected sense of enjoyment.
`I was about 95% sure I wouldn`t return,` she stated, recalling her thoughts before taking maternity leave after the Beijing tournament in 2023. `I had enough of tennis at that time. I was like, `I can`t continue this.` This led to their decision to start a family. I didn`t say anything because it wasn`t 100%.`
After her son Petr was born last July, the small possibility of returning grew. Kvitova, having felt restricted during her pregnancy, was keen to resume physical activity, including playing tennis.
She recounted, `Once I was able to do something after the pregnancy, I played some tennis, and it felt incredibly good.` She found herself `laughing,` saying, `Every time I hit a shot smoothly, I thought, `Wow, it`s still there.` Maybe not the movement, but sometimes the touch with the hands is still very good.`
This feeling was evident in her match against Begu, where Kvitova lost her serve only once. After failing to serve out the first set at 5-4, she dominated, winning eight of the subsequent nine games. A notable moment was a superb backhand winner hit down the line after retrieving a difficult lob.
Acknowledging her current physical condition, she said, `I`m definitely not as fit as I`d like to be.` However, she added positively, `But even in practice, my game has been improving.`
While hitting the ball continues to bring her happiness, Kvitova sighed when discussing the less appealing aspects of professional tennis.
With a hint of weariness, she listed the demands: `You have to train daily, you have to compete, you have to travel. That`s all the things I don`t particularly enjoy… Practice, the gym, recovery sessions. I`d think, `Oh my goodness, this all over again?“
Hotel accommodations now feel cramped, especially with Petr starting to crawl `everywhere` and sleeping less. Kvitova and her husband/coach, Jiri Vanek, now favour renting apartments to provide their son with space to play and feel more settled. However, for the moment, the pleasure she gets from playing tennis surpasses the challenges. Kvitova is not setting specific goals or a timeframe for this phase of her career.
She stated resolutely, `I`ll continue for as long as I find enjoyment in it.`
In the second round, Kvitova is scheduled to play against No. 27 seed Ons Jabeur. Kvitova currently holds a 4-2 advantage in their head-to-head record, although this will be their first encounter on a clay court.
