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
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| Petra Kvitova showing her big serves at the 2011 WTA Tour Championships in Istanbul |
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| At the 2011 French Open |
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| Petra lets out a shriek after scoring a point vs. Azaarenka at the 2011 WTA Tour Championships |
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| Kvitova gestures after scoring a point vs. Maria Sharapova at the 2011 Wimbledon Finals |
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| Petra with clenched fist as she scores a point at the 2011 Australian Open |
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| Kvitova after winning the 2011 Brisbane International Tournament |
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| Petra with her powerful forehand |
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| Kvitova with her two-handed backhand |
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| Petra had a total of 36 aces during the 2011 Wimbledon Tournament which she won. |
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| Adam Pavlasek is Petra's younger boyfriend (16 yrs.old) |
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| Petra and Adam |
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| Petra and Adam |
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| Czech's Adam Pavlasek at the 2011 US Open |
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| A virtual unknown many months back |
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| Playing doubles at the Australian Open |
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| After losing in the 1st round (singles event) |
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| Playing in an almost empty playing arena |
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| These 2 female tennis players were drawing the spectators some months back |
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| Australian tennis enthusiasts |
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| Australian Open game attendants |
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| Die hard Aussie fans |
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| Patiently lining up for tickets |
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| While taking this shot, I didn't know that the man being interviewed is Australia's most popular athlete - Cricket Team Captain Ricky Ponting |
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| Fan says "Go Aussie" |
