In Rome's Foro Italico, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova clinched her first match victory since returning from maternity leave, defeating Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu 7-5, 6-1 in the Italian Open first round on May 6.
At 35, the Czech star had bowed out of her previous four matches since her February comeback. This win marks a significant milestone, ending a 0-4 run following her 15-month hiatus to welcome her son, Petr, in July 2023.
"It's kind of weird that my first win came here," Kvitova told the WTA's website. "I've never played my best tennis in Rome, but it feels much better than losing—that's for sure."
Reflecting on her decision to step away, the former world No. 2 revealed she was "95% sure I wouldn't come back," after feeling she'd had enough of the tour. "But after pregnancy, when I finally got back on court, it felt amazing."
Next up is a clash with Tunisia's Ons Jabeur, giving Kvitova a chance to build momentum. As a mom and elite athlete, her journey resonates beyond the baseline, inspiring fans balancing career ambitions and personal milestones.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
