LONDON – Wimbledon two-time champion Petra Kvitova said goodbye to his favorite Grand Slam tournament on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old Czech player, who won the All-England Club in 2011 and 2014, is scheduled to leave the tour after the US Open, which will end in September.
Her Wimbledon farewell lost US 10th seed Emma Navarro 6-3, 6-1 in the first court.
“This place holds the best memories I can hope for,” the emotional Kvitova said in an on-court interview that is usually given to match winners. “I never dreamed of winning Wimbledon, I won twice, which is very special.
“I definitely miss Wimbledon,” she continued. “I miss tennis, I miss your fans. But I’m ready for the next chapter of my life, and I can’t wait to return as a member.”
Kvitova, who accepted the wild card invitation, missed last year’s tournament while on maternity leave.
Navarro, 24, said Kvitova is “an incredible player and obviously won this tournament twice before returning with a child.
In 2011, Kvitova defeated Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-4 in the final. Three years later, Kvitova won his second trophy, beating Eugenie Bouchard 6-3, 6-0 in the title match.
“I think it’s the best tournament in the world,” she said.
She is sure the US will be one of the last.
“That’s true,” Kvitova said. “Motivation, that’s different from before.”