2024-01-01T15:36:10+00:00
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/ Czech Petra Kvitova, former runner-up to the Australian Open tennis champion, announced on Monday that she is expecting her first child with her husband and coach Jiri Vanek, and will miss the first Grand Slam of the year, which begins in two weeks.
Kvitova posted on the “X” platform a picture of her and her husband holding an x-ray and small clothes for the upcoming child “on the first day of 2024,” commenting by saying: “I wanted to wish you a happy new year and to share with you the exciting news that I and Yeri will welcome a child into our family this summer.” .
She added on Instagram that she would miss her annual trip to Australia, adding, “I look forward to spending some time at home preparing for this new and exciting chapter of our lives.”
Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion, who is 33 years old, did not participate in the preparatory tournaments currently taking place in Australia, but her name appeared on the list of participants in the tournament that will be held in Melbourne from January 14 to 28.
Kvitova lost the 2019 Australian Open final to Naomi Osaka, who returned to competition earlier today after an absence of 15 months during which she gave birth to her first child.
In addition, Osaka appeared strong after returning to competition after a 15-month absence, defeating German Tamara Korbach 6-3, 7-6 in the first round of the Brisbane International Tennis Championship.
The 26-year-old Japanese player last competed on the WTA Tour at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September 2022 and gave birth to her first child, Shay, in July before intensifying her preparations for the Australian Open from January 14 to 28.
Osaka did not show any signs of retreat in the first game after her return to competition, breaking Korbach’s serve without giving her the opportunity to seize any point, and the former world number one increased her pressure again towards the end of the first set, deciding it in 38 minutes with a powerful forehand strike.