Petra Kvitova, the Czech Republic’s tennis icon, was visibly overwhelmed with emotion at a recent awards night. Known for elevating Czech tennis on the world stage, Kvitova’s string of achievements has earned her affection not just at home but globally. This year marked the end of her competitive career, and she attended the Zlatý kanár ceremony—an event organized by the Czech Tennis Association in partnership with the local magazine Tenis—to honor the sport’s stars of 2025.
Though she appeared as a former player, the ceremony moved her deeply. A highlight was a video montage tracing her life from childhood to present day, which she found especially touching. “It was wonderful, and the editing really captured the journey from the beginning,” she remarked, noting that the moment felt even more powerful because her emotions were running high. She also spoke about the moment she saw a photo of her parents, expressing gratitude for their pride when she first won Wimbledon.
Petr Palá, a two-time Wimbledon champion, has been a central figure in the Czech Fed Cup team. At the ceremony, former teammates paid tribute to Palá, who stepped down as captain earlier this year. Kvitová recalled with fondness the memories she shares with Palá and her teammates, celebrating the shared successes they achieved for the Czech Republic.
Kvitová also reflected on the country’s depth of talent, noting that both men and women in the Czech Republic possess considerable quality. She believes the sport will continue to flourish, producing many new stars in the years ahead.
“I was touched by how gracefully both the veterans and the newcomers said goodbye to Petr,” she said. “When we were preparing to attend, I didn’t even know we’d all go, but it turned out beautifully. Petr and I began the Fed Cup journey together, and it feels meaningful to see it through to the end with him.”
