Petra Kvitova has said that she is ‘feeling empty’ after crashing out in the second round of the Wimbledon Championships to Madison Brengle.
The two-time champion struggled at SW19 during the closing stages of the match against a determined Brengle, who went on to win 6-3, 1-6, 6-2. Kvitova was unable to maintain her second set resurgence as she sought a medical time out a game before her defeat. A doctor came onto the court to monitor her blood pressure and pulse.
“From the beginning I felt, okay, in the warmup or the beginning of the match I felt not really anything badly.” Said Kvitova. “But then when the match get longer and longer, I felt a little bit sick and tired. So I couldn’t really move. I was so slow. I felt like, I don’t know, like an animal. But a very slow animal.”
Despite her lack of match play, Kvitova was tipped as a contender for the Wimbledon title following her recent win at the Birmingham International. The Czech has so far only played in three tournaments this year after recovering from a serious knife attack that injured her left hand.
Brushing aside the high expectation some had for her at Wimbledon, Kvitova is eager to improve her performance on the tour. Against Brengle she produced a total of 50 unforced errors, a sign of rustiness in her game following such a lengthy absence.
“In Birmingham maybe it was a fairy tale but I still have to work hard..” She explained.
“I need to play more matches. That’s what I really need to do. I need to practice a lot, as well. I mean, still there is a few things what I have to improve to play on the good level as before, and that’s what I gonna try to do better.”
Regardless of her loss, Kvitova’s return to the major is nothing short of a miracle. In December Dr Radek Kebrle told the Czech that there was ‘”a high risk that she will not pass and come back.” Kebrle operated on her hand for over four hours last year. Nevertheless, she defied the odds to return to action. Even though she still can’t make a full fist in her left hand, the same hand she holds a racket with.
The comeback has been both a physical as well as mental challenge. Both fans and players have paid tribute to Kvitova and her rise on the tour. It has been a fairy tale scarenaio, but one that it starting to take its toll on the 27-year-old.
“I’m glad it’s over, actually. I mean, it was really tough, and I feel just really empty right now. I know my body, it’s not great, but mentally I’m really glad that it’s over.” The Czech said about the end of the grass season.
“I mean, it was kind of fairy tale, but on the other hand it was very tough.”
Kvitova exits the grass swing with a win-loss record of 6-1.
