Kvitova named star of the season at WTA awards
Originally published on: 15/11/11 10:42
Petra Kvitova has been confirmed as the undisputed star of season at the WTA Player Awards after taking home the award for Player of the Year.
The 21-year-old Czech was awarded for her efforts in picking up six titles in 2011, including her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon and the year-end WTA Championships. She finished at No.2 in the world and also led the Czech Republic to the Fed Cup title, and all that came in spite of the fact that she began the year at No.34 in the world.
“This season has been simply a dream,” Kvitova said. “It is an incredible honour to win the Player of the Year award and join the ranks of some of the best players that have ever played the sport, especially Martina Navratilova. I will always cherish the 2011 season and look forward to building on it.”
Also named the WTA’S Most Improved Player, Kvitova completed her sweep of the awards with the Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award, which acknowledges a player’s professionalism, attitude and sense of fair play.
Sabine Lisicki took the Comeback Player of The Year honours for winning WTA Titles in Birmingham and Dallas, reaching her first Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon and going as high as No.15 in the world, while Irina-Camelia Begu was voted the Newcomer Of The Year after reaching WTA finals in Marbella and Budapest and leaping from No.214 to No.38.
Honoured for claiming six WTA titles, including their first Grand Slam title together at Wimbledon, and reaching No.1 in the world, Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik won the award for Doubles Team of The Year.
PLAYER AWARDS (media vote)
Player Of The Year: Petra Kvitovaâ¨
Doubles Team Of The Year: Kveta Peschke & Katarina Srebotnikâ¨
Comeback Player Of The Year: Sabine Lisickiâ¨
Most Improved Player Of The Year: Petra Kvitovaâ¨
Newcomer Of The Year: Irina-Camelia Begu
PLAYER AWARDS: (Player vote)
Player Service: Francesca Schiavoneâ¨Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship: Petra Kvitovaâ¨Favorite Premier Tournament: Porsche Tennis Grand Prix (Stuttgart)â¨Favorite International Tournament: Abierto Mexicano TELCEL (Acapulco)
FAN FAVORITES (public vote)
Fan Favorite Singles Player: Agnieszka Radwanskaâ¨
Fan Favorite Doubles Team: Victoria Azarenka & Maria Kirilenkoâ¨
Fan Favorite Breakthrough Player: Petra Kvitova
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