BNP PARIBAS OPEN

October 10, 2021

Petra Kvitova

Press Conference

V. AZARENKA/P. Kvitova

7-5, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Can you talk us through the match, what made the difference tonight.

PETRA KVITOVA: Well, I think we didn't really play the best both of us I would say. With the service, it was very, very tough.

Unfortunately I felt my leg as well. That's why I had the treatment. It was a little bit tough to move on it. Especially when you play Vika, you have to really move.

It was really difficult to play in the first, second shot, make the point. But I stayed there. I fight until the end. Yeah, that's how it happen.

I mean, overall was, like, nice to play Vika again. Was a good match in the end.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Your thoughts on your season? This is the end I guess for you. Can you reflect on the 2021 season.

PETRA KVITOVA: Yeah, that's the end. I'm pretty glad it's end to be honest. It was really exhausting year. Since COVID started, it's pretty exhausting I think for everybody.

My body is just not really handling perfectly. That's why I'm ending right now, to take some extra weeks to recover my body, to heal everything what is there.

Overall the season, well, I definitely had better seasons than this one. I had a title, which is always the highlight of the season. I played some incredible matches, I would say.

I still have the fire inside me, which is very important for me as well, even in this age. I mean, without the fire I think I couldn't play anymore, but it's there so that's nice.

Yeah, I mean, it wasn't really great, even in the Grand Slams. But sometimes that is how it is. I had couple of season like this, as well. It's not the end of the world. I will do my best to be ready for the next year.

Q. Is there a match that stands out to you as your favorite match this year?

PETRA KVITOVA: Well, I think played very well against Jil in Ostrava. I played great match with Angie in Bad Homburg, which I lost. Maybe that was the turning point for better tomorrows. I lost in the end, but overall I think was very good match, even though we played second match of the day.

Yeah, for sure there were some great ones. Even in Doha I think I played some really good tennis, especially in the final against Garbine. Definitely I can find some positives.

Q. The title run in Doha, another season where you have won at least one title. Can you reflect on that tournament, how nice it was to make it and play the level that you did.

PETRA KVITOVA: I think of course it's always nice to win a title. That's what I love to play tennis, for these beautiful titles. Playing the final, it's always the best.

Reflecting on the tournament, I mean, I can't say I was a bit struggling, but I didn't really find couple matches in the same way to play good tennis which I found over there. It was really, really windy. It was disaster. It really wasn't about the tennis few matches.

Somehow I found a way, which I think on the other hand is nice as well in tough conditions. I won my first tournament ever in Hobart, which is windy like hell as well. That's always remembering me and bringing me back for this tournament which I won.

Yeah, I think I played Jessica in the semifinals, a great one as well. Definitely was a nice one to have in my pocket to kind of bring my confidence back. That was very, very nice.

Q. Looking ahead to the next season, do you foresee a situation where whatever is decided for the players in terms of the flights to Australia, quarantine, that you wouldn't go, or is it no matter what it is you'll see Petra Kvitova at the Australian Open?

PETRA KVITOVA: Exactly, Courtney. No matter what happen I will be there (laughter).

Well, I think I'm vaccinated which is making much more easy everything. That should be fine. I didn't hear any specific details on the flights and so which we were dealing last year. Hopefully it will be better.

If I'm not vaccinated, being in the hard quarantine, it would be a very tough decision if I go or not. This is much, much easier. Overall with the COVID, the situation in life, it's difficult for everybody, even for us.

But I think it's better. I mean, we see people in the crowds again. Still few restrictions what we have on the tournaments and with the traveling. But it's getting better. That's very nice.

Yeah, we still do have, like, few countries when it's a little bit difficult, but hopefully Australia will be nice to us as well.