US Open: Petra Kvitova bids farewell to tennis after first round defeat

Petra Kvitova’s remarkable tennis journey came to a close on Monday as the two-time Wimbledon champion exited the 2025 U.S. Open with a 6-1, 6-0 first-round defeat to France’s Diane Parry. The 35-year-old Czech, who had announced ahead of Wimbledon that this tournament would be her final professional appearance, played her last match at Flushing Meadows in front of a modest crowd on Grandstand.

Kvitova had already confirmed that this US Open would mark the end of her career, leaving fans to bid farewell to one of tennis’ most formidable left-handed players. Despite the heavy defeat, her legacy on the court remains unparalleled, with victories and achievements spanning nearly two decades.

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“Thank you guys for coming. I hoped I would put a better show today. It was really tough to know that it was maybe my last one. It was emotionally really tough,” Kvitova said after the match.

“I’m happy to be here as my last dance. Thank you to my husband and coach. Thank you to my agent. My family back home, my parents. They sacrificed a lot for me at the beginning. My ex coaches as well. Thank you. It’s been a long and amazing journey. Thank you very much,” she added.

Petra Kvitova started her professional career on the ITF Circuit in 2006 and quickly made her presence felt on the tour. She first caught the spotlight at Roland Garros in 2008, and a year later, she won her maiden WTA title in Hobart. By 2011, Kvitova had firmly established herself amongst the elite, winning six WTA tournaments that year and later lifting the Wimbledon trophy twice, in 2011 and 2014, defeating top players such as Maria Sharapova and Eugenie Bouchard along the way.

Kvitova won 31 WTA titles, six WTA 1000 trophies, and helped the Czech Republic lift six Billie Jean King Cups. She holds the Open Era record for Czech women with 62 Grand Slam appearances, a 514-258 singles record, and career earnings exceeding USD 37.5 million.

Kvitova retires as one of modern tennis’ greatest, remembered for her power, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the sport.

Krejcikova crusies through

On the other hand, two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova overpowered Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko 6-3, 6-2 in the first round of the US Open at Louis Armstrong Stadium on Monday.

Mboko, 18, was playing her first match at Flushing Meadows after winning her maiden WTA title at the Montreal Masters earlier this month. Seeded 22nd, the young Canadian struggled with a taped right wrist sustained in Montreal, which affected her serve. She struggled on serve, hitting 10 double faults and losing four service games, taking just 13 points on Krejcikova’s serve. The former world No. 2 dominated with 18 winners, 14 unforced errors, and won 81% of first-serve points.

She broke early in both sets and controlled the match throughout, briefly pausing in the second set to locate her missing racket vibration dampener.

Despite the defeat, Mboko’s talent was evident, though her inexperience showed at the Grand Slam level.

“It’s huge what she has achieved already and how well she played...When I was watching, I was really happy that she made it because it was a huge victory for her, so good luck to her,” Krejcikova praised Mboko after the match.

Next up, Krejcikova is set to face Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima in the second round.