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Petra Kvitova Australian Open 2021
Tennis News

Consistency not Kvitova’s style


The former Wimbledon champion Kvitova powered past Dominika Cibulkova 6-1 6-1 to regain the title she won in 2014.

It was a sensational week from the Czech, who dropped just three games as she swept past Simona Halep in the semi-finals. Kvitova, who also beat Johanna Konta in the last eight, dropped just one set all week – against world No.1 Angelique Kerber in a sensational third round tussle.

“I think I played six great matches in six days, which is unreal for me to just think about,” said Kvitova, who has a reputation for playing three-set matches and has struggled for consistency throughout her career. “I’m really proud of myself how I did it, how I handle it physically, how everything went.

“I was able to play and not have that many unforced errors. I need this kind of consistency all year, which to be honest I don’t think I can really do. I’m probably a player who has up and downs. Of course, I’m going to try to be better in the downs. But I don’t think that I can be consistent all season. I’m just how I am probably and I can’t really change it.”

On her day, Kvitova’s combination of power and shot making is virtually unstoppable – taking her to two Wimbledon titles. And in Wuhan, Cibulkova was on the other side of the net for a supreme Kvitova performance.

“She was just really hitting everything full power,” said Cibulkova, who claimed to a world-high ranking of No.8 following her run to the final in Wuhan. “She was just serving really well, going for returns. I couldn’t really play my game that I played during this week. I couldn’t get in the long rallies or in the rhythm because she didn’t let me. She was really powerful from the first strokes. That’s how she overpowered me today.”


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.