Top
Petra Kvitova Australian Open 2021

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.”


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.