Former World No. 2 Petra Kvitova has announced the birth of her first child, a baby son named Petr.
Kvitova, who shared the news of her pregnancy on New Year’s Day, has since taken an indefinite break from the Tour and welcomed her firstborn on July 7th.
The WTA star is married to her coach and fellow Czech Jiri Vanek. They have been romantically involved since 2021, and they were married last July in their native Czech Republic.
Kvitova becomes the third WTA player to become a mom this season, following in the footsteps of Swiss gold medalist Belinda Bencic, who gave birth to daughter Bella in April, and American Alison Riske-Amritraj, who welcomed daughter Calen to the world on Friday, July 5th.
The 34-year-old lefty is a decorated veteran on the WTA Tour, and it was fitting that her child’s arrival was in the anniversary month of her two Grand Slam triumphs, both at Wimbledon.
“Petr 🩵 7.7.2024”
Kvitova won her first major at the 2011 Wimbledon champion with a victory over Maria Sharapova. She added a second title in 2014 with a clinical performance against Eugenie Bouchard in the final.
Now that she has entered her mid-thirties, Kvitova has not slowed down. Last year, she won two titles, including the WTA 1000 in Miami (she defeated Elena Rybakina), her first success in five years at that tournament level. She finished the season with a year-end ranking of World No. 14.
Kvitova is still an active member of the women’s circuit and has just paused her career. When and where she intends to resume her comeback is unknown for now, but she can take inspiration from some of the mothers who are still juggling their second phase of life playing the sport.
Victoria Azarenka, Tatjana Maria, Taylor Townsend, Angelique Kerber, and Naomi Osaka are some mothers who have all returned to compete at the top tier of women’s tennis after their maternity break ended.
