By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday, February 25, 2025
After a long hiatus, Petra Kvitova made her comeback to the WTA Tour in Austin, Texas, where she competed in the ATX Open. It was her first official match in 17 months.
In a gripping encounter, Kvitova faced off against Jodie Burrage from Great Britain and was narrowly defeated with a score of 6-3, 4-6, 4-6 after two hours and 29 minutes on the court.
For Kvitova, now 34, the loss was a hard-fought one. She had multiple opportunities to take control, specifically four break points that could have seen her leading 5-3 in the final set. But Burrage, showcasing a powerful serve with 14 aces, secured the last three games to clinch her win.
Post-match, Burrage was gracious in her praise for Kvitova. “Welcome back @Petra_Kvitova 👋💜#ATXOpen,” the official WTA Twitter account posted, reflecting the warmth of the occasion.
“She’s an absolute champion,” Burrage said during her on-court interview. “I knew I had to dig deep today. Despite a shaky start, she stormed the court as if she never left. Everything she hit seemed to land perfectly, so I knew I was in for a battle.”
Burrage added, “Without a doubt, she’s still the player we saw before her break. I’m pleased with how I stayed calm, rallied back, and pushed through to the finish.”
Looking ahead, Kvitova is set to compete at Indian Wells, courtesy of a wild card entry. With her 35th birthday approaching on March 8, she has plans to participate in the Miami Open as well. Afterward, she’ll sit down with her husband to discuss her approach to the clay season.
A two-time Wimbledon champion and now a mother to her son Petr, born on July 7, Kvitova is currently playing without a ranking.
