Kvitova Marks Emotional Return With Comeback Win at Italian Open

Wimbledon Champion Back in Form After 15-Month Break and Motherhood

In a sunlit afternoon on the red clay of Rome, Petra Kvitova reminded everyone of the kind of grit and elegance that once made her a fixture at the top of women’s tennis. The two-time Wimbledon champion secured a convincing 7-5, 6-1 victory over Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu in the first round of the Italian Open, marking her first win since returning from maternity leave.

It wasn’t just another victory. For Kvitova, this one meant something deeper. It was a statement — not to the tennis world, but to herself.

“I Was 95% Sure I Was Done”

In a candid post-match conversation with the WTA, Kvitova opened up about the emotional rollercoaster she faced during her 15-month break from tennis. During that time, the Czech star gave birth to her son, Petr, and seriously considered leaving the sport behind.

“I was 95% that I would never come back,” Kvitova admitted. “I had enough of tennis at that time. I was like, ‘I can’t do it anymore’ — so we decided to try for a baby.”

There was no dramatic farewell or press conference. Just a quiet step back, the kind athletes rarely take without fanfare. But it was the right call. Kvitova needed space, and in that space, she found something new — and surprisingly familiar.

“When I could finally do something after pregnancy, I played some tennis and it felt so good,” she said. “I was laughing. Every shot I hit smoothly, I was like, ‘Wow — it’s still there.’”

Italian Open Comeback: A Sign of Things to Come?

New mother Petra Kvitova reveals how her husband & baby’s presence at Italian Open helped her get 1st win after maternity leave

At 35, Kvitova knows her window isn’t as wide as it used to be. But against Begu, she looked sharp — focused, controlled, and quietly hungry. After a tight opening set where she edged out her opponent 7-5, Kvitova took complete command in the second, breaking Begu’s serve multiple times and sealing the win with the kind of clinical forehands that once made her feared on any surface.

With the victory, she broke a streak of four straight losses since returning to competition earlier this year. She’ll next face world number 36 Ons Jabeur in what promises to be a real test of both rhythm and endurance on the clay.

Kartal Keeps Rising in Rome

While Kvitova’s comeback drew headlines, another compelling story was unfolding just a few courts away. Great Britain’s Sonay Kartal fought her way into the second round after a gritty three-set battle against Australia’s Kimberly Birrell. The final score: 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 — a two-hour and ten-minute match that tested her resolve and conditioning.

Kartal, 23, has been quietly climbing the ranks. Just over a year ago, she was outside the top 250. Today, she sits at number 56, a remarkable rise for a player who has only one WTA title to her name — the Jasmin Open in Tunisia, where she broke through in 2023.

Next up for Kartal is Czech 30th seed Linda Noskova, a player known for her aggressive baseline game and fast hands. It’s a challenge, sure — but so was being ranked 265 not too long ago. Kartal’s not one to back down.

Norrie Knocked Out Early

It wasn’t all smiles for British tennis fans in Rome, though. Cameron Norrie, Britain’s number three, crashed out in the first round after a disappointing loss to Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic.

Norrie looked out of sorts early on, dropping the first set 6-1 in just over 30 minutes. He did manage to claw back in the second, showing flashes of the form that once carried him into the top 10. But consistency remained elusive, and he ultimately fell 6-3 in the decider.

It’s been a frustrating stretch for Norrie, whose form has dipped in recent months. Once considered one of the most reliable baseliners on tour, the left-hander has struggled to string together deep runs at major tournaments since the start of the season.

A Tournament of Second Chances

The early rounds of the Italian Open have already offered a glimpse into something more than just competition. For Kvitova, it’s about rediscovering the love of the game. For Kartal, it’s the continued journey from obscurity to the main stage. And for Norrie, it’s a harsh reminder that form is fickle and pressure doesn’t go away.

There’s something human about all of it — no perfect narratives, just real people competing, adapting, struggling, and sometimes surprising even themselves.

And as the clay dust continues to rise in Rome, there’s plenty more story to be written.