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Petra Kvitova News and Articles

376K views 4K replies 148 participants last post by  czerwony ptak 
#1 ·
Since she's all famous and stuff, we should post all interesting articles in here. :lol:

http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-opinion/6732836/wimbledon-petra-kvitova-new-star-born

In Petra Kvitova, a new star is born
Jul 2 | By Sandra Harwitt

Petra Kvitova is not the type of individual who seeks attention. She's kind of shy about her achievements.

But after defeating Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday for the Wimbledon title, she can't escape being famous.

"I'm so tired," Kvitova told about 10 journalists receiving some extra time with the champion after she did her main news conference and TV interviews. "I know it will change. I don't know what it will be [like] in [her native] Czech Republic."

When asked if she ever had a desire to be famous, the 21-year-old struggled to answer the question.
"I mean, it's part of being a tennis player, being famous," she eventually said. "So when I won Wimbledon, I had to agree [with it]."

One sign of that fame is being added to the Wimbledon Wall of Champions, which is located within the inner sanctum of the All England Club. The new champion's name -- clear and bold in gold lettering -- is put in its rightful spot even before the trophy ceremony on Centre Court is concluded.

Kvitova was able to watch the procedure when it was shown on the Centre Court scoreboard. Whether she's ready or not, Kvitova knew it was just another sign of her burgeoning stardom.

"When I was sitting on the court after the match I saw it [happening] on the TV," Kvitova said. "It was strange."
 
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#2,126 ·
A Czech article hyping Petra.

http://sport.lidovky.cz/svet-chvali...tni.asp?c=A130227_141807_ln-sport-ostatni_mih

It's basically a compilation of quotes from foreign articles praising Petra. Like that one from espn:

'Petra Kvitova made the Dubai hard court look like a sand box. Kvitova's deep blasts displaced opponents who looked like they were spinning their wheels on sand in a futile effort to gain ground on the 2011 Wimbledon champion.'

BTW, Berdy has just won 2nd set vs. Fed after being robbed by the linesmen :yeah:
 
#2,127 · (Edited)
Yup - Dubai definitely want Federer to win.

Berdy up a break - can he hold it mentally :scared:

Well he shanked a MP :rolleyes: , can he serve it out or will he choke?

Just give the bloody trophy to cheater/fakervic already :rolleyes:

EDIT: Well done Tomas :bounce:

Now watch him collapse to the cheater/faker :mad:
 
#2,136 ·


Kéž by mé metody učinily Petru výjimečnou
01. 03. 2013,
Kdo je ten Kristián Bajza, kondiční trenér tenistky Petry Kvitové? Bojovník kung-fu, majitel posilovny a stoupenec čínské medicíny. Muž, jenž nerad cestuje a raději se drží ve stínu, promluvil pro MF DNES.
Poté, co Petra Kvitová minulý rok angažovala svérázného chlapa s neobvyklými metodami, její život se otřásl. Přestala chodit do posilovny, cvičila jen s vahou vlastní postavy a dost při tom trpěla. Cítila se, jako by jí někdo vyměnil tělo, na kurtu tápala. Zdá se však, že sázka na změnu vyšla. Kvitová minulý týden po půl roce vyhrála turnaj.
Je to zásluha i Kristiána Bajzy, bývalého bojovníka kung-fu, který výrazně pomohl k vzestupu do Top 20 jiné tenistce, Lucii Šafářové, na Slovensku vlastní fitness-centrum a věnuje se čínské medicíně.
„Zabývám se různými způsoby cvičení a starostí o tělo, něčím, co by se dalo nazvat chiropraxí. V prostějovském tenisovém klubu jsem začal jako fyzioterapeut a přibral jsem si kondiční přípravu,“ řekl v rozhovoru pro MF DNES, při němž byla také Kvitová.
* V čem je kouzlo vašeho přístupu?
Nejlepší sportovci dělají něco navíc, něco zvláštního. Tím jsou výjimeční. Používám metody, které nejsou v Evropě běžné. Rád bych, aby Petře pomohly, aby měla zbraň navíc, eso v rukávu.
* V tréninku jsou to hlavně cvičení s vahou vlastního těla, že?
Ano. Sportovec by po nich měl být méně náchylný ke zraněním. Navíc by řada lidí nevěřila, že se dají vymyslet tak, že jsou extrémně náročná. Posilují se při nich i pomocné a stabilizační svaly.
* Co vám dává zabrat, Petro?
Když jsme začali, při každém cviku jsem trpěla. Ale docela rychle se zlepšuju. Pro mě jsou pořád nejhorší série sprintů, při kterých se jako astmatik zadýchávám.
* V čem se, Kristiáne, liší práce s Petrou a Lucií Šafářovou?
To se nedá srovnat. Tréninková jednotka má být sportovci šitá na míru. Takže je to velmi individuální. Vždycky člověka nejprve pozoruju, poznávám jeho povahu a tomu pak přizpůsobím přípravu.
* Co vás nejdřív zaujalo na Petře?
Znal jsem ji a věděl jsem, že je bojovnice. Ale mile mě překvapilo, jak se v tréninku umí překonat, i když to pro ni zprvu bylo těžké.
* V čem jsou vaše cviky obtížné?
Ono se to těžko popisuje. Nepodobají se běžným dřepům nebo klikům. Petra si pro ně sama vymýšlí názvy, aby si je připomněla.
* A pomáhají, Petro?
Zaměřujeme se na partie, které byly slabší. Abych vybalancovala svaly, aby tělo bylo v rovnováze.
* Zatím s Petrou nevyrážíte na turnaje. Kdy se chystáte na první?
Měl jsem letět teď do USA, ale onemocněl jsem, tak zůstanu doma.
* Vy cestování moc nemusíte, což?
To jste trefil přesně.
* Vadí vám létání, hotely?
Na letadlo si člověk zvykne, ale prostě se nerad někam trmácím. Neumím to lépe vysvětlit.
* Naštěstí je Petra poctivka a úkoly od vás nešidí. Je to tak?
Právě tohle je obrovská výhoda naší spolupráce. Jsem klidný, vím, že všechno dodrží. Takže ji do světa pouštím úplně v pohodě.
* Co pro vás znamenala její nabídka? Krok v kariéře?
Mně nejde o kariéru, o nějaký postup. S Petrou si lidsky rozumíme, stejně jako s jejím tenisovým trenérem Davidem Kotyzou. Tvoříme tým, baví mě to. Ale ano, musím uznat, že je to výzva, pracovat se sportovcem na nejvyšší úrovni.
* Máte nějaký společný zájem?
Máme stejný názor na odpočinek.
* Můžete to upřesnit, prosím?
Jsou lidé, kteří dávají přednost aktivnímu odpočinku. My odpočíváme naprosto pasivně.
* Vyznáváte gaučing?
Ano! Dokážeme brutálně dřít, ale potom umíme být totálně líní. Regenerace je druhá část tréninku.
* Bylo vám Petry líto, když se trápila, nebo jste věděl, že se chytí?
Změna žádá daň, trpělivost. Spíš mi byla nepříjemná ta tvrdá kritika. Je nepříjemné, když vám lidi neopodstatněně útočí na kamaráda.
* Jak byste ji hájil, kdybyste mohl?
Kdo neprošel aspoň kus cesty v jejích botách, ať ji nesoudí. Veřejnost vidí jen malinkou část celého příběhu. Nedovede si představit tu námahu a psychický tlak.
* Vidíte už na její fyzičce pokroky?
Určitě ano. Petřino tělo si na nové metody zvykalo, ale já viděl, že se projevují od samého začátku. Doufám, že to teď bude čím dál zjevnější a že to uvidí i všichni ostatní.
* Co se tedy zlepšilo?
Její pohybová kultura. Víc je na špičkách. Je výbušnější, rychlejší.
* Vy jste, Petro, zprvu měla pocit, že jste v cizím těle. Už je pryč?
V zápasech s běhavýma holkama jsem v Dubaji zvládla i delší výměny. Nemusím hrát na dva údery. Ale jinak to na kurtu neřeším. Soustředím se na hru, ne na běhání. (trenér se přidává) A to je ono! Kondiční příprava je od toho, aby se hráčka na kurtu mohla koncentrovat výhradně na údery a taktiku.
* Máte tedy nejhorší období za sebou? Teď už vše půjde snáz?
PK: Nemyslím si, že teď vyhraju, kam přijedu. Nežijeme v pohádce. Tak to ve sportu nefunguje. Vrací se mi sebedůvěra, ale pořád jsem v procesu, ještě to nebude snadné. KB: Výsledek nezávisí jen na kondici. Můžete být nejrychlejší, dávat největší rány, fyzický trénink vás dostane daleko. Ale každý narazí na bod, odkud ho dál donese už jen hlava.
***
„Fyzický trénink vás dostane daleko. Ale každý narazí na bod, odkud ho dál donese už jen hlava.“ Kristián Bajza kondiční trenér Petry Kvitové
„Nemyslím si, že teď vyhraju, kam přijedu. Vrací se mi sice sebedůvěra, ale jsem v procesu, ještě to nebude snadné.“ Petra Kvitová sedmá tenistka světa



Kvitové pomohla z krize trpělivost a taky fedcupová pohoda, tvrdí její manažer
01. 03. 2013,
PROSTĚJOV Ty tři hodinové pohovory manažerovi Miroslavu Černoškovi napověděly. Po krachu tenistky Petry Kvitové na Australian Open si pozval ji, jejího kouče Kotyzu a kondičního trenéra Bajzu. „Všichni unisono žádali podporu a klid na práci,“ říká Černošek.
* Co vy na to?
Došel jsem k závěru, že jim věřím a že je třeba čekat, kdy Petra naskočí. Zdá se, že naskočila.
* Byl jste z jejích porážek nervózní?
Petra ztrácela sebevědomí, na kurtu byla nesoustředěná. Souhlasil jsem s kritikou jejího pohybu. Ale pořád zůstávala v Top 10 a tenisový život mě naučil trpělivosti.
* Co prohry znamenaly finančně?
Smlouvy s výrobci raket nebo oblečení jsou dlouhodobé, základní částka se nemění, ale ztrácíte bonusy.
* Mělo to vliv na vaše společnosti TK Prostějov a Česká sportovní?
Přísun od Petry klesl, ale zvedl se přísun od Tomáše Berdycha. Jsem rád, že se to vyrovnalo. A když nám nejde tenis, máme další projekty, atletiku nebo olympiádu.
* Petře zjevně pomohl fedcupový týden v Ostravě. Čím to?
Při zápasech je pod větším tlakem, ale předchozí dny bývají pohodové. Mívá nadstandardní podmínky, lepší než na turnajích: sparingy, rehabilitace, lékařskou péči. Trénuje, kdy potřebuje. Za svůj přístup k Fed Cupu si to zaslouží.
* Zvedly ji i vydřené výhry, že?
Ano. Proti Austrálii ještě nebyla excelentní. Ale soustředění a trpělivost se vrátily. V Dauhá pak začala trefovat míče po čarách, ty nejtěžší údery. Málem porazila Serenu.
* Taky se lépe hýbe a uvolnila se.
Souhlasím. Rozhodující údery zahrála i proto, že u nich byla včas a dobře se k nim postavila.
 
#2,138 ·
:confused:
 
#2,140 ·
Does anyone want me to do an English summary of that interview? :)
 
#2,142 ·
Thanks Paul:yeah:

"The man who does not like to travel and prefer to be in the shade":hysteric:

After reading interview, i like this guy and his protectiveness of Petra in front of public opinion:worship:

Quick summary:

- He uses unconventional methods. Tailors them to specific athlete and task at hand and very proud of it
- Currently works with Petra on her week sides to balance the body and mind. Feels good about her progression but still work has to be done. Believes that fitness can get you thus far and state of mind is just as important.
- Doesn't like to travel alot. Had to go to US with her but now is sick, so will stay at home.
- They have one thing in common both like to be lazy and do nothing as they rest. Petra and he get along very well, trust in each other.
- Petra thinks she's not at the level where she needs to be to start wining, confident she's on her way back but expect journey not to be easy, feels good since stated to regain her confidence and Kristian is a big part of it.


btw, as bonus. Mr. CR trust Petra's team and willing to wait for results but fells little unhappy since 'money flow' from Petra went down but at the same time feels good because Berdych started to earn him more:lol:
 
#2,149 ·
Petra's body needed to get used to new methods, but I saw that it had worked from the very beginning. I hope that now it will become more visible, and that everyone can see it as well.
* So what is better? Her movement culture. She is more on tiptoes. She is more explosive:timebomb:,faster.


Am I dreaming? This should be a top class fitness coach? Can you imagine Vika or Serena hiring him?
Cannot wait till Kristian's training methods will become a new standard in world sport...:p
 
#2,157 ·
Cernosek is a good businessman and maybe that's why you don't like the way he speaks about his players, Ex, because he's using such businesslike terms? Until someone can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he's a mafioso or sth I'll give him the benefit of the doubt :hysteric: no matter how much credit, undue or not, he takes for Hingis & Petra.
 
#2,159 ·
I've got no problems with Cernosek. He's a businessman and he talks like a businessman. I don't hear Petra or any other Czech players complaining about him.
 
#2,160 ·
You wouldn't hear any complaints so that's totally irrelevant,really.He doesn't have any significant impact at all on Czech players who don't use him as their manager,so they wouldn't have anything to complain about:shrug:.You wouldn't hear his clients complain,either,unless he cheated them out of money or failed to provide some specific service,so the existence/non-existence of complaints isn't the barometer here.

The question is,in North American terms that you can appreciate is,Can a Jerry Jones-type successfully function by playing a coach/GM role??Most NFL experts--virtually ALL,really--agree that the Cowboys won their SBs back when Jones delegated the operation more to sub-ordinates.When he took more of a hands-on role,the Cowboys dropped off and became an average team.The interesting thing THERE is that Jones actually has decent first-hand knowledge of the sport,having played on a championship team in college....Haven't heard any similar testimonies about Petra's manager.

Unless he bullied Petra's family or threatened them somehow via Czech mafia,SHE wouldn't have any grounds to complain because SHE signs off on all final decisions;therefore,the responsibility ultimately lies on HER.....and if you believe that Petra's manager provides her with the ideal assistance and leadership/guidance to help her reach her potential,then you are entitled to that opinion:hatoff:
 
#2,168 ·
Well, I think most of you guys know how I already feel about the the subject/Cernosek (just check 'Petra's team bashing thread that Petronius set up)!! :eek: :lol: :eek:

So thank you, QPF, vendulkabendulka, Palkov, and Shifty, for all your candid opinions and observations.

All of what each of you said, is so true!! :yeah: :clap2: :yeah:

With better management, coaches, advisors, direction and practice facilities/location, who's to say that Petra couldn't have already snagged 1-3 more majors (2011 Aussie, 2011 French, 2012 French), along with her current/lone Wimbledon)? Who knows? It's not like Petra wasn't capable of winning, and/or didn't have a chance, with one better match, mental/composure or match strategy, here or there!? Right? :shrug:

Some would even argue, if Petra didn't face Serena in 2010 and 2012, she could have 2 more Wimbledon's. Such is how close, while simultaneously how far Petra Kvitova is (some of the stuff that QPF was alluding to), and why/how better surrounding personnel, goal setting and even practice locations/facilities may have improved her.

Petra currently has one major. Some would argue she could/should have more (as Steve Flink of Tennis.com recently alluded to, when he discussed Petra 'blowing golden opportunities' and 'wasting her talent', in prior events). Sure, we can all talk about 'Petra maturing later'. But nothing is guaranteed in sports. You gotta take things while you can get it, and be the best you can be with the best personnel, if you have the opportunity, and can afford it (which Petra does). Time waits on no one. You have to continually or eventually improve. :eek:

And of course, Cernosek, speaks too dismissive of Petra, is self centered and takes too much credit for what she does, where she plays, and what he allegedly does for her. Agreed! Most managers are not not that controlling (because they're eminently replaceable by star players), and usually stay in the background publicly. On the other hand, Cernosek likes to give the appearance, that he's the one in control, making decisions and steering the ship, not Petra. Whether he actually is, or Petra let's him. That's weird and unprofessional!

And Shifty, you may be on to something there. I've thought and wondered some similar things myself. :oh:
 
#2,169 · (Edited)
:hatoff:The Story so far …Coach David Kotyza (aka: Huggy Bear):sobbing: is joined by Physio & Kung Fu Fighter/Eastern Philosopher Christian Bajza (aka: Kung Fu Panda):sobbing: in the Kvitty:angel: camp….

:pFurther to Christian Bajza (Kung Fu Panda) giving an interview to the Czech Press:oh: : http://www.tennisforum.com/showpost.php?p=25061641&postcount=2136

:bounce:Lots of fights:boxing: have broken out in here over Uncle Cernosek:tape: …. So thought it was an apt moment to :aparty:chill-out by listening to the hit song ‘Kung Fu Fighting’ with our very own Kung Fu Panda (Christian Bajza) in it…. (remember Panda's don't like traveling either & love to sleep):hysteric:
 
#2,175 ·
PS QPF:

I don't necessarily think Petra's weakness was outdoor hard courts per se. Remember she struggled on grass/at Wimlbedon until 2010 (she had never won on grass until that year). And she had made the 2008 French Open 4th rd and 2009 US Open 4th rd. The first tournament she won, was Hobart in 2008. And her second, was Brisbane in 2011. Both were outdoor hard courts arenas.

I think a lot of Petra's earlier Outdoor hard court performances (or lack of them), had to do with a combination of things, actually. It was Petra's poor scheduling, injuries, conditioning, mental frame work and asthma (playing in North America, outside of Europe, except Australia), along with her maturation as a both a young--competitively inexperienced, then as a top 10-type player.

I think think she's a good to very good outdoor hard court player now, and hopefully getting better. Hopefully, she does us proud the next few weeks.

Nonetheless (to your point), I think practicing at Prostojev, gave the young, relatively little traveled (as a junior) Kvitova, a sense of comfort playing indoors and in Europe--which may have affected her play else where. Plus as we discussed, it's rare, when most top tennis players, don't reside or have another home in a warm weather climate to play outdoors year round.

Speaking about Cernosek, and Petra succeeding despite him?? I think their current/prolonged mental management of Petra is wrong and indicative of amateurs vs professionals. Here's why, below.

It's clear to see, from listening to Petra's team, that her goal setting and mental management is guided by her sports psychologist. Why? Cause the ultimate goal of Kvitova's team, since 2011, was/is to keep her "relaxed", and not set or discuss specific goals (except briefly, when she was feeling very confident during 2011). This is another reason why Kotyza continues to be there (despite his apparent lack of tactical coaching ability and any confidence he should imbue in Petra vs top players). It's because he reputedly relaxes her.

The problem with a psychologist is: They'll say "this is the type of personality she has, and this is how you deal with it her".

On the other hand, a top level coach or advisor, says "okay, we see her current mindset. Now we have to transition, or get her to BUY INTO THIS (in this case setting higher goals, work ethic and expectations, currently for herself)"!

If the coaches and advisors are good, they're not going to force any immediate changes of thought onto a player. Not at all. They have to convince, or get the Player, Petra or pupil to buy in first. And that's what good coaches and advisors do. Anyone can get you to do, what you were used to/comfortable doing, and/or what you already believed. That's easy. However, Good/Great coaches actually get you to believe in doing things you never saw yourself doing, and in changing your mindset, confidence, and ultimate goals.

Petra may be able to BS her shrink and have her way. Of course she can...He or she is not a tennis player. However, Petra's not going to be able to BS Martina Nav's, Pavel Slozil or Ivan Lendl quite so easily. When Petra says "I was nervous or frightened! They'll look at her and say "I didn't see a player that was nervous or frightened. I saw a player that wasn't giving it their all. Can you tell me why, please Petra"!? :tape: ..."We can work on that!" That's the difference. :lol:

If Petra set her goals (either internally or externally) higher than that of the press or her fans: She could never worry about what people think or meeting them. Why?..Cause the Press and her fans expectations would never be as high as her own. And good players who do that, rarely get nervous before or after bad losses (think of all great champions). If anything, they're mad, and wanna go back out on the court and make up for it. They don't wallow in it (the bad, unexpected losses, criticism or expectations). It's all a mindset/approach.

Petra's current approach, allows her to wallow, which is why she's such a confidence player, and can go through so many inexplicable stretches of good, bad, up and down play and slumps. The irony of course is: The relaxed approach was supposed to prevent that. :lol:

I don't see how any great manager/business man (who shouldn't be making tennis decisions for his player in the first place :banghead: ), could allow this team of misfits to guide Petra's career the past 3 years. :shrug:

As it's been said: Petra currently wins despite her team, not because of them. And at this stage, it almost seems better, when Petra coaches herself. :help:

Now, What does that say about Cernosek's, team and guidance? :help: :shrug: :help:
 
#2,185 ·
:lol: I love how up front she is that it's just her original racquet with a paint job, she didn't even plug the new Steam 99S.

(although I do love that racquet :oh: it's designed to provide both power and spin and has a great feel :oh:)
 
#2,179 ·
#2,183 ·
:bounce:This article is like a book /mini essay! - It looks & appears (has paw prints;)) to have been written by our very own book writer Excelscior:p

Petra Kvitova and the search for perfection

http://www.sportskeeda.com/2013/02/24/petra-kvitova-and-the-search-for-perfection/


Of all the unattainable things that the human mind likes to fantasize about, perfection is both the most celebrated and the most bedeviled. Perfection – in any form or shape – is what the heart covets most of all, yet it is also the one thing that, we’ve been assured countless times, will always remain out of our reach. Beethoven’s 9th symphony and Michelangelo’s work on the Sistine Chapel have inspired legions of admirers and reams of gushing praise; despite their apparent flawlessness, however, critics have found flaws in them to maintain the tantalizing yet definitive gap between human effort and that mythical idea of perfection. No matter how immaculate a performance may look on the surface, there’s always going to be a way to undermine it – that’s become ingrained in our minds by now. And yet, I regularly lose sight of that dictum when I watch Petra Kvitova in full flow on a tennis court.

When Kvitova won the 2011 Wimbledon championship by putting up a scarcely-believable display of pure offensive tennis in the final against Maria Sharapova, I had predicted, perhaps foolishly, that Kvitova was destined to rule women’s tennis for the foreseeable future. That certainly hasn’t come to pass; in the two-year period that has elapsed since then, the Czech has failed to add another Slam title to her tally, and hasn’t even reached the No. 1 ranking. But every now and then, she puts up performances like the ones she did in the first and third sets against Sara Errani in the Dubai final yesterday, and you end up grasping at straws to find reasons for her career struggles. Yesterday, I once again found myself asking the question that has plagued me ever since that defining Wimbledon victory: why exactly is this woman not lording over the rest of the women’s field (excluding Serena Williams)?

Yes, for those two sets, and for almost the entire tournament before the final, Kvitova’s tennis was actually that good. It was even, in some games and several rallies, perfect. As she takes the ball impossibly early and makes those almighty swings with her racquet, you know, and her opponent probably knows with even more painful obviousness, that there’s nothing that can be done. You can learn all the tricks in the world, and practise tirelessly to find ways to redirect your opponent’s power, but nothing can prepare you for Kvitova’s raw, unbridled shot-making. Errani, who is one of the quickest and most dogged counterpunchers on the tour today, was left flat-footed by a screaming, meters-away winner so often yesterday that after a while it started looking like a battle between a 20-time Slam winner and a junior player. There were some points that lasted longer than 5 shots, and in some of those you briefly got the feeling that the Italian had managed to get a foothold in a rally; but then – wham! – out of nowhere, Kvitova would nonchalantly change the direction of the ball and end the point with a spectacular, line-cleaning winner. Yesterday, and for most of her career, she made hitting winners look like the easiest thing in the world.

As brilliant as Kvitova was in the first and third sets, though, Errani made all the running in the middle second set. Wisely realizing the futility of exchanging blows with her opponent from the baseline, Errani started attacking the net like a woman possessed. She approached the net behind her serve, behind every remotely well-struck groundstroke, and even behind some of her returns. The sudden change in proceedings seemed to surprise Kvitova, and rusty as they were, her first few passing shots couldn’t make nearly enough of an impression on the deft touch and soft hands of Errani. That small shift in momentum, however, did more than just win a few points for Errani. It also acted as the catalyst for Kvitova’s whole game to come unstuck – for the awesome winners to be replaced by awful errors, and for her barks of celebration to be replaced by screams of frustration. Her serve followed her groundstrokes down south, and suddenly, for no apparent reason, it was Kvitova who was looking like the junior player and Errani the accomplished champion. The set whizzed by with a 6-1 scoreline in favor of Errani, and when the Czech went three break points down at 1-1 in the third set, her self-destruction seemed on the verge of being set in dispiriting stone.

Fortunately for Kvitova, her game switched on just as suddenly as it had switched off. Faced with the first real threat of actually losing the match, she rediscovered her big serve and laser groundstrokes, and once she did that, there was no real doubt how the match would end. Errani’s net rushes were now met with assured passing winners, and before you knew it, Kvitova had wrapped up the set 6-1, and with it the match. She finished the contest exactly the way she had started it – with a barrage of monstrous, inch-perfect winners – and she had the Dubai title to show for it. Looking at the closing stages of the tournament, you wouldn’t have guessed how close Kvitova had come to throwing it all away, and considering that she actually did win the trophy, it is perhaps pointless to pontificate on those lapses of concentration. In the big picture, though, those lapses of concentration matter. They matter so much, in fact, that they can separate the legendary champions from the random, inconsistent-yet-spectacular shot-makers.

Is that what it is, then? Is Kvitova being held back solely by her inability to keep her focus during her matches? I wish it were that simple. And I’m guessing Kvitova wishes that too. The woman has been frequently plagued by injuries over the past year; her asthma makes playing in hot and humid conditions incredibly difficult, and is one of the reasons for her sub-par performances in North American tournaments. Then there’s the pressure of handling the fact that she should win most of her matches because of her physical superiority over nearly every woman on tour (a problem that also regularly cripples Samantha Stosur). There’s also, sometimes, the pressure of dealing with the possibility of greater glory being within her grasp, which she has not dealt with particularly well so far. Last year at the Australian Open, she seemed to let the possibility of reaching the No. 1 ranking mess with her head, which resulted in a strange semifinal loss to Sharapova. More recently, in the Doha quarterfinal, after controlling the proceedings for most of the match, she froze when within striking distance of claiming her first victory over Serena Williams.

During the time I’ve followed Kvitova’s career, I’ve been frequently reminded of the saying “there’s a fine line between genius and stupidity”. Her winners are absolutely thrilling to the naked eye; when they land flush on the line, you can’t help but give a gasp of disbelief and then thunderously applaud her for her daredevilry. And when she hits an almost identical shot to an earlier winner, but which this time lands a couple of inches outside the line, you are tempted to dismiss her as a mindless ball-basher who has no patience. Her mid-match facial expressions are similarly dazzling-or-dismal. When things are working well for her, her eyes widen in fierce determination, and every step that she makes on the court, including the seemingly-inadvisable-but-ultimately-fruitful forays to the net, look like the product of a fabulously intelligent tennis mind. And when things go pear-shaped, her eyes widen again, but this time it’s more of a deer-in-the-headlights look than a woman-on-a-mission one. For Kvitova, there is a fine line between genius and stupidity indeed. Or at least that’s what it looks like.

Almost every player faces the kinds of problems that Kvitova does, but not every player is blessed with the kind of raw talent that the Czech is born with. In fact, no player has the kind of effortless power that Kvitova does; not even Serena. So we’ll keep waiting, then, for the day when Kvitova finally irons out her physical and mental flaws and becomes the tennis player that she seems destined to be. And you don’t have to think too hard to know why we await that day. The promise, after all, is seeing a tennis player regularly take the game of tennis to new heights with her unadulterated, show-stopping play. The promise is seeing perfection, day-in and day-out.
 
#2,187 ·
http://www.tennischannel.com/news/NewsDetails.aspx?newsid=12115

Steve Flink on our Lioness

Petra Kvitova can be both exhilarating and exasperating. She is an enigma in many ways, an immensely gifted player with a propensity to take control of almost any match she plays, a prodigious shotmaker who can effortlessly release winners off both sides richly and abundantly from any part of the court. She is a dazzling left-hander who leaves opponents befuddled by making improbable shots routinely, and yet this woman can also commit abysmal unforced errors with alarming regularity. She can be her own worst enemy, or an unstoppable force who doesn’t care who happens to be standing on the other side of the net. Kvitova is unexplainable, and that makes her a singularly fascinating performer in the world of women’s tennis.

A few days ago, Kvitova secured her first singles title of the young 2013 campaign, taking the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships with impressive wins over Daniela Hantuchova, Ana Ivanovic, Agnieszka Radwanska, Caroline Wozniacki and Sara Errani. Kvitova played the kind of tennis her most fervent boosters wish she could replicate almost all of the time. She controlled her destiny every time she stepped on the court, left her adversaries bewildered and fundamentally helpless, kept her composure nearly every step of the way. The previous week in Doha, Qatar, Kvitova had pushed Serena Williams to the hilt in a stirring quarterfinal contest, building a 4-1 third set lead before the American battled back gamely and tenaciously to win. Clearly and irrefutably, Kvitova is moving in the right direction, and the women’s game is better for it.

In the Dubai final against Errani, Kvitova was primed for her appointment against the versatile Italian. In the early stages of this showdown, Kvitova was striking the ball majestically. Her timing was exemplary, her confidence was soaring, and the ball was flying off her racket with extraordinary pace and precision. It was a pleasure to watch her play with such verve and uninhibited brilliance. Kvitova broke Errani at love in the first game of the match, opening that chapter with an inside-out overhead winner, closing it with a barrage of big shots that led to an inside-out forehand winner. She held at 30 for 2-0, winning all four of her points with clean winners off the forehand side.

The pattern continued. On her way to 15-40 in the third game, Kvitova produced two more winners. An understandably shaken Errani double faulted, and Kvitova had the insurance break for 3-0. She had won 12 of 15 points to establish her comfortable lead. Although Kvitova was taken to deuce in the fourth game, she moved to 4-0 with a backhand winner driven impeccably down the line. Errani managed to take the next two games. But Kvitova played another spectacular game to break for at 15 for 5-2, cracking four outright winners, two off the forehand and a pair off the backhand. Although Kvitova struggled on serve in the eighth game, she held on her fourth set point to seal the set 6-2.

When Kvitova broke Errani in the opening game of the second set, a rout seemed entirely possible. But the sprightly Italian began altering her game sweepingly, and her new strategic framework was highly effective,catching Kvitova considerably off guard. Errani looked for her every opportunity to attack, and did so remarkably well. Errani’s flexibility was admirable, and a reflection of her status as one of the world’s best doubles players. Her technique on the volley is terrific. After breaking back for 1-1 in that second set, Errani held at love for 2-1. With Kvitova serving at 30-15 in the fourth game, Errani adroitly took the net away from her opponent with a well-played lob, and then came forward to make a sparkling backhand drop volley winner.

Kvitova battled on, saved a break point at 30-40, but then Errani approached behind a return of serve to provoke Kvitova into an errant backhand passing shot long. Kvitova was briefly rattled, serving her sixth double fault of the match to fall behind 3-1. Errani held quickly at 15 for 4-1.With Kvitova serving at 15-40 in the following game, Errani followed her return in, and then put away an overhead to make it 5-1 in her favor. At 30-30 in the seventh game, Errani served-and-volleyed, setting up a backhand volley winner. She sealed the set 6-1. Errani had lost all three of her previous contests with Kvitova in straight sets, but now at last she had snapped that streak, giving herself a fighting chance.

The pivotal game of the match occurred at 1-1 in the third and final set. Kvitova had already danced out of some danger in the opening game, saving a break point. But now, in the third game, with Errani building momentum steadily, the emotional lefty fell behind 0-40. She could hardly have displayed more poise and professionalism than she did at this critical juncture. Kvitova released a service winner wide to the backhand for 15-40,then sent another excellent first serve up the T to set up a forehand winner for 30-40, and made it back to deuce with a trademark inside-out forehand winner off an awkward high ball. Kvitova held on for 2-1 by sweeping five points in a row, missing only one first serve in that span.

Errani moved to 40-15 in the next game, but Kvitova swept three consecutive points. It was break point for the 22-year-old from the Czech Republic. Errani had come this far by changing her tactics and approaching the net persistently, so she stuck with that plan. But Kvitova was ready. Errani served-and-volleyed but Kvitova rolled a forehand return crosscourt for a winner past the charging Italian. It was not the cleanest shot Kvitova played all day, but it was the most important. She had the break for 3-1 in the third set, and never looked back. Holding at love for 4-1, she produced four more winners, two off the forehand and two on her two-handed side.

There was no stopping Kvitova. Errani fought through two deuces in the sixth game, but Kvitova was relentlessly aggressive, attaining the break for 5-1 with a winning forehand down the line on the edge of the sideline. She held at love to win convincingly 6-2, 1-6, 6-1. The final statistics are very revealing. Kvitova had 46 winners and 36 unforced errors,while Errani made only ten unforced mistakes and hit eleven winners. This was Kvitova’s tenth triumph in twelve career tournament finals, which proves that she is awfully tough to beat under those circumstances. Only a first rate, big match player wins so many final round contests. Her problem, of course, is avoiding early round losses, defeats she could probably avoid, setbacks of her own making. Perhaps over the next few years, this sporadically brilliant player will find a level of consistency she has lacked thus far.

And yet, the fact remains that Kvitova has been in the upper reaches of her sport for quite a while now. In 2011, she concluded the season as the No. 2 ranked player in the world, surpassed only by Wozniacki. That year, she appeared in her first and only Grand Slam tournament final, facing the estimable Maria Sharapova on the Centre Court of Wimbledon. Calmly, methodically, often spectacularly, Kvitova took apart Sharapova in straight sets to win the game’s preeminent prize at 21. In 2012, Kvitova had a surprisingly stable run at the majors, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open and Roland Garros, the quarterfinals of Wimbledon and the round of 16 at the U.S. Open. But her results elsewhere were not terribly impressive, and she finished the year at No. 8 in the world.

That is too low for a player of her talent. Kvitova has moved to No. 7 after her tournament victory in Dubai, her first since New Haven last summer. The hope here is that she will do herself justice over the course of 2013 and beyond, and return where she belongs to the top five. To be sure, the three players who reside at the top of the rankings will be hard for Kvitova to overcome on a regular basis. Serena Williams, Azarenka and Sharapova are a trio of champions who are all playing the best tennis of their lives. But the players who are stationed just above Kvitova are competitors she ought to be able to surpass.

Kvitova handled world No. 4 Radwanska with ease in Dubai, and at her best she is a better player than the elegant Polish defensive stylist. Li Na is currently No. 5, and the beguiling Chinese player is a resurgent competitor as she moves toward her 31st birthday on Tuesday. But the view here is that Kvitova can move past Li later this year. Meanwhile, Angelique Kerber stands at No. 6. The German left-hander is clearly not the same player now that she was a year ago.

Kvitova did not start this season auspiciously. In her first five tournaments leading up to Dubai, she did not make it beyond the quarterfinals. She fell in the second round of the Australian Open in a hard fought encounter against Laura Robson. But her mindset has changed lately, and her game is coming around magnificently. The one area of concern for Kvitova must be her serve. She double faults far too often, and needs to become more reliable on her delivery if she wants to overcome the leading players in her profession.

But her ground game is so devastatingly potent that Kvitova seems destined to move back among the top five. She can make a serious run again at a major this year, perhaps at Wimbledon, if not at the U.S. Open. For too long now, she has been wildly unpredictable and infuriating, wasting her great gift for this game, squandering opportunities across the board. The next couple of years are crucial for Petra Kvitova, but the feeling grows that she is closing in on the finest tennis of her career.
 
#2,188 ·
Kvitova is making her presence felt
When Petra Kvitova hits the ball, she hits it big.

That means, on more than a few occasions, those low liners sail out of the tennis court. Among the truly elite players in the game -- along with Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova, for instance -- Kvitova might play with the slimmest margin for safety.

Would she maybe, possibly consider taking just a little bit off some of those screamers -- like those three named above -- to keep some rallies going, in search of a higher-percentage winner?

"My big shots, if they're working good, well, that's always better in my mind," Kvitova said last week from her home in the Czech Republic. "Unforced errors are part of my game."

She laughed as she said it.

We saw the dazzling components of her game all in sync at Wimbledon in 2011, and at the WTA year-end championships. And then, well, what?

In 2012, Kvitova won titles in Montreal and New Haven, but never resembled the revelation from the year before. Already in 2013, though, there have been flashes of her former form.

A few weeks ago in Doha, she was up on Serena Williams 4-1 in the third set of their quarterfinal match and, despite losing, came away encouraged.

"It was a really good match from my side, a good fight," Kvitova said afterward. "I mean, it was just one game when I lost my serve, and that was the key of the second set. The third I had some chances to finish the match."

Williams, clearly, was impressed.

"I think Petra played unbelievable, and I think she was just hitting shots I had no chance to get," she said. "I don't think anyone on this tour could have gotten."

Kvitova is 6-feet tall -- in the same wheelhouse as the top three -- but she has one thing they don't: left-handedness. Kvitova and Angelique Kerber are the only lefties in the top 10 and it gives them an advantage, particularly when it comes to serving. Kvitova has all the physical tools to succeed, she just needs more confidence.

In Dubai she knocked off three top-10 players -- Caroline Wozniacki, Agnieszka Radwanska and Sara Errani -- on the way to the title. She'll have opportunities to beat the marquee names on the upcoming Indian Wells-Miami swing.

Last week ESPN.com chatted with Kvitova, who turns 23 on Friday.


ESPN.com: In Dubai, you beat three of the top 10 players ... how did that feel?

Petra Kvitova:
I served out three big wins, but I don't think it was only three top 10s. I consider Ana Ivanovic -- a former No. 1 -- a top 10 player, so it was a really good tournament for me. It's been awhile since I felt that good, after losing at the Australian Open (to British teenager Laura Robson in the second round). But I came back in Fed Cup, played two great matches, one of them against Samantha [Stosur]. I fought a lot against [Nadia] Petrova in Doha, so it's been coming together.

ESPN.com: Even though you lost to Serena in Doha, how important was that match in gaining confidence?

Petra Kvitova: Well, when I play against Serena I know I have to play my best. I played very well and very close, and I took a lot away from it. Even though it's so early in the season, this match gives me a lot of confidence. I know I can play against great players. I just have to work harder off the court and it will happen.

ESPN.com:
You hit your shots so big. Do you ever think of taking a little bit off?

Petra Kvitova: Well, no, I don't think so. I mean, yes, I am trying to play more rallies and not play for two shots. I know I can play in the rallies. The things I have to improve are my serve, for sure, and my fitness. I need to be quicker to the ball. I'm also working on playing more volleys and slices. My game is changing. But in the big moments, I know I need to go for my shots.

ESPN.com: You won Wimbledon in 2011, but haven't reached a Grand Slam final since. What do you have to do to get back there?

Petra Kvitova: For me, I think it's a lot about confidence. You know when you are high in tennis [rankings], everyone has the forehand, the backhand, the serve. But not everyone has a lot of confidence all of the time. If you are feeling very well, feeling the ball, everything is much easier. So, if I can run more, catch more balls, hit all the shots, well ... [laughing] that's a lot of things, isn't it?

ESPN.com: With Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams playing so well, do you feel like you can win another major this year?

Petra Kvitova: Well, it depends, of course. When I won Wimbledon, all those things worked together. Everything I did those two weeks worked really well. I hope one time I can replay that tournament, but I never know when it's going to be. I am working hard to win, that's for sure. Of course, they are great players. Maybe I can play them again and it will all be good.
 
#2,192 ·
Sorry wrong post originally. :lol:

I meant to say, was saying (regarding the ESPN interview):

Petra speaks in Cliches too often when asked specific questions regarding winning Grand Slams. I know you don't mind. However, it can get a bit annoying or tiresome in certain respects. She sounds like a child or teenager sometimes. Petra can learn to be both more concise in her answers with out placing added or unnecessary pressure on herself. Let's hope she gets there?

Nonetheless, at least she was honest that she's a CONFIDENCE PLAYER, and how her lack of confidence can affect her entire game (You know, waiting for the magic tournament/run syndrome", that was mentioned a few wks ago). :lol: And she even acknowledged she needs to work hard (albeit, it was a pretty standard response).

Anyway, let's hope she can knock them dead at Indian Wells. :bounce:
 
#2,190 ·
Angie Kerber just said on the radio that the court at IW is very fast :banana: :bounce:
 
#2,193 ·
http://blogs.bettor.com/Petra-Kvito...he-fourth-round-BNP-Paribas-Open-2013-a214033


"I started pretty well today - I knew what I had to do, and I didn't make a lot of mistakes," Kvitova said. "It was a nice first set for me, but then she came back and started playing more aggressively, and she started making me make some more mistakes. She came back very strong in that second set. I just had to stick with my game, focus on holding my serve and try my best on every point. It's a nice job to get my best result here. The surface doesn't suit me very well - it's quite slow - but I'm trying, and I hope I can just keep improving my tennis and my standard will go higher. I'm still working hard on everything."

Petra tells that everytime she loses or struggles in the 2nd set;), like she is always surprised that her opponent started to read her play...fortunately in most recent cases she has found her way to surpass the crisis:yippee:
 
#2,194 ·
Yeah, Petra normally doesn't react, adjust fast enough. Usually, it takes her to lose a set and/or go into a tiebreak for her to realize what's happening on court and make her adjustments (almost as if she expect her opponents to give up, when she thrashes them in the first set, as some inevitably do). :lol:

You're right though!! :tape:
 
#2,200 ·
Getting To Know Petra Kvitova
After a difficult start to the tournament, you look to have hit your stride. Do you feel you’re improving with every match?
I think for me the first round is always difficult. It’s a little bit different when she’s already played a match before and it was my first match. It was very important to fight in that match and now I feel better and better when I’m playing. Maybe I need some time to get used to playing on this surface.

How did you celebrate your birthday on Friday?

I got a nice cake from the WTA and I remember when I was warming up on the court for my match, they were singing Happy Birthday to me – that was quite funny! I had a nice dinner with my coach and my friend.

It was a disappointing start to the season by your high standards. But you’ve turned it around, winning in Dubai and now into the quarterfinals here. How did you manage to do that?
It’s always tough. I was quite down, especially after the Australian Open. It’s never easy when you’re losing, and not winning very comfortably on the court and short on confidence. I knew I had to keep working hard and it started to show on the court. I needed some time and had to be patient.

How do you think you have developed as a player since winning Wimbledon in 2011? Do you think you are a better player now?
I think that I’m a more consistent player. My standard is a little bit higher. I played unbelievable all through that Wimbledon and it was a very special moment for me, of course. It’s quite tough for me to compare how I’m playing now and before. But I’m trying to improve still.

How did life change for you after winning Wimbledon?
It changed a lot. Before Wimbledon, no-one knew who I was. Not I get recognized and I have more things to do during the tournaments and when I’m at home. There’s more media stuff and sponsor visits and that sort of thing. As a player, there’s more pressure on me to be in the Top 10 after winning a Grand Slam title. For the other players I think it’s a little bit easier – they know they can lose against me and it’s not a bad thing!

You train at the same club in Prostejov as ATP World No. 6 Tomas Berdych. Do you ever train or practise together?

No, we are too different and we don’t see each other a lot in Prostejov. He has a different schedule. Sometimes we practise next to each other on the courts. We have never spoken to each other about the pressure and expectation we face at home. We played Hopman Cup together and that was a very nice week there, in Perth. It was great to share winning with him, but we didn’t speak much about tennis.
 
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