- Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova is expecting her first child
- She announced the exciting news on social media on New Year's Day
- Kvitova has said she will miss the major tournaments this year
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has revealed she is expecting her first child. She took to social media to announce the news and explain why she will not be attending the Australian Open.
Kvitova is currently ruled out of play at the Australian Open but has not traveled to Melbourne and will not participate in the qualifiers, which start on January 8.
The 33-year-old, who married her coach Jiri Vanek in July 2023, has said she will miss playing the tournament but stressed she is “looking forward to spending some time at home as she prepares for this exciting next chapter' in her life. .
Kvitova shared a photo of herself and Vanek with a scan and a baby growing on social media. She wrote the accompanying caption: 'On the first day of 2024, I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year and share the exciting news that Jiri and I will be welcoming a baby into our family this summer!'.
Kvitova followed up her first post with another, saying, “While I will miss my annual trip to Australia and competing in the sport I love, I'm looking forward to spending some time at home while I prepared for this exciting next chapter in our lives. '
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has revealed she is expecting her first child
The 33-year-old, who married her coach Jiri Vanek in July 2023, has said she will miss playing the tournament but insisted she is 'looking forward to spending some time at home'
The world number 17 won the Wimbledon title in both 2011 (pictured above) and 2014
Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal was seen back on the court for the first time since his long injury layoff, a welcome sight for tennis fans ahead of the Australian Open later this month.
The 37-year-old Nadal has not played professionally since January, when he failed to defend his title Down Under. Back-to-back hip injuries have hampered the Spaniard all year, leading to fears for his playing future.
But he will be hoping for one last hurray in Australia next month and moved freely on the field in Queensland on Thursday, where he will play the Brisbane International.
Nadal has previously admitted that 2024 will likely be his last season, during which he plans to say goodbye to his adoring fans, “enjoy again” but also be competitive.
“I don't know at what level (I can play), I don't know what to expect, I have no idea, but that doesn't matter to me right now,” Nadal said this month, looking ahead to 2024. I'm just happy to be back and put in the effort it takes to have fun with great enthusiasm, and I believe I will be competitive.”
Rafael Nadal (above) was back on court on Thursday for the first time in almost a year