Petra Kvitova returns to Wimbledon; awarded wild card; only non-British player selected
Petra Kvitova in action against Beatriz Haddad Maia at The Queen's Club tournament in London (Image via AP)
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova is set to return to the All England Club this year after being awarded a wild card for the main draw of the 2025 tournament. The Czech star, who won Wimbledon titles in 2011 and 2014, last played at the grass-court Grand Slam in 2023 and has been making a comeback following a 17-month maternity leave.
Her son was born during last year's Wimbledon, and she resumed competitive tennis in February this year at a tournament in Austin, Texas. Currently ranked 572nd in the WTA standings, Kvitova is the only non-British player to receive a singles wild card for this year's event.
Kvitova's return to Wimbledon is highly anticipated given her remarkable history at the tournament. She first lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish in 2011 after defeating Maria Sharapova in the final.
She claimed her second Wimbledon crown in 2014 by beating Eugenie Bouchard. Despite a lengthy break from the sport, including recovery from a serious hand injury sustained during a home invasion in 2016, Kvitova has remained a formidable competitor on grass courts.
Alongside Kvitova, seven British players have been awarded wild cards for the women's singles draw. Notable names include Heather Watson, Harriet Dart, and Jodie Burrage.
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On the men's side, British number one Dan Evans is among seven players granted wild cards, with one more men's wild card yet to be announced. The wild card selections also feature promising young British talents such as Mika Stojsavljevic, the 2024 US Open girls' singles champion, and Hannah Klugman, who recently reached the junior final at Roland Garros.
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Do you think Kvitova can regain her top form after her maternity leave?
Yes, she has the experience
No, it will be difficult
Qualifying for Wimbledon will begin on June 23, with the main draw scheduled to start on June 30. The wild card entries reflect a blend of established stars and emerging players, aiming to make an impact at the prestigious grass-court Grand Slam.
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