Petra Kvitova and Ashleigh Barty have been two of the most competitive on-court rivals on the tour. In the past decade, the two have given the tennis world some of its most memorable tennis clashes. However, apart from being arch-rivals, the two also share extremely healthy relations off the court.

Recently, following Barty’s retirement announcement, Petra Kvitova shared her views on Barty, as she shed light on Barty’s personality in particular. The Czech player, who’s in Miami right now, featured in ABC News Breakfast show. In the show, Kvitova calling Barty her ‘friend’ on the tour, recalled her relationship with her and expressed her views on the Australian’s decision to retire as well.

Petra Kvitova goes all in to support Ashleigh Barty

In her retirement statement, Ashleigh Barty made multiple mentions of the fact that she couldn’t put her mind and body through what it takes to be a top player anymore. Speaking to the show host Tony Armstrong, Kvitova communicated her views on the pressure the players go through on the tour. Supporting Barty’s statement, Petra asserted that it is a tough and all-year-long process.

“It’s always tough, competing every day and every week, and every year. It’s just tough to go from tournament to tournament. to put everything in. I can imagine it’s really tough. Pretty sure when you are World No. 1 player and you just won your dream, as she said in the video, and then AO. So, it makes sense.”

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She further went on to appreciate Barty’s strategy of life and her excellence in handling the ever-growing pressure on her. “She always had her own strategy of her life. I think she showed again right now. I think the pressure and everything on her was just amazing and she handled it so well,” Kvitova said.

Kvitova on her relationship with Barty

Petra Kvitova and Ashleigh Barty have faced each other 10 times in their career. In the interview, Kvitova recalled what it was like to share the court with Barty. She spoke about their first meeting at the 2012 Roland Garros, along with recalling Barty’s roaring phase after her 2016 comeback.

“It’s been always a pleasure to share the court with Ash. I remember when she started, we played at the French Open. It was like pretty easy. But since then, she retired, she came back again and suddenly she’s like a great player as well as a person. I always loved to share the court with her.”

The former World No. 2 ended by going all heart for Barty’s on-court performance, as well as her off-court personality. “It was like, something always special to play her. Not like other players. She mixes it up, she plays a bit differently than other girls. As well as a person. She is always being fair play, always saying hello high, in the locker room. Just being the role model, a real one,” Kvitova said.

Even though Barty has retired from professional tennis, she undoubtedly has given the tennis community some of the most memorable moments to cherish. With players like Kvitova having Barty’s back, the whole tennis world wishes Barty the best of luck for her future endeavors.

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