Konted's Make My Day: She Did It Again !!!

She Did It Again !!!

She is really here to stay. A force to be reckoned with in women's tennis. A virtual unknown and excluded from the top 30 list in 2010, Czechoslovakia's Petra Kvitova beat Victoria Azarenka in 3 sets to annex the WTA Championships title and pocket some $ 1.7 million in prize money. Holder of the 2011 Wimbledon crown which she won in convincing fashion some months back, Kvitova is now ranked number 2. A big jump indeed.

I remember watching Kvitova in 2009 at the Australian Open in Melbourne. I really wanted to watch the Williams sisters playing at Center Court at the Rod Laver arena. But I couldn't even get close. Not even able to catch a glimpse of the 2 superstars of women's tennis. Thus, I had to contend watching a tall and left handed pro playing a doubles match at a much smaller arena. There were only a few spectators. No one knew her, no one bothered her.

Kvitova was then a little bit slow, tentative and seemingly lacking self confidence. There was nothing brilliant about her and nothing to crow about. That was many months ago. But after two years of intensive practice and exposure to international competition, Kvitova shook up the world when she methodically wiped out her more illustrious opponents such as Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka to win the prestigious Wimbledon title with plenty to spare.

Her transformation was surprising. Her rise to stardom was fast and amazing. From a weak serve to a strong and big one. From a tentative stance to an intense and resolute move. From a loose grip to a tight, firm hold of the racquet. From a few spectators to a jampacked crowd of 13,000. From a measly sum to millions in prize money. And from #31 to world's number 2. And at age 21, it will not be a surprise if Kvitova surpasses the feat of compatriot Martina Navratilova in the years to come as she continues to unleash that big serve and let out a shriek with that clenched fist in the air.

- Konted