Petra Kvitova has been upset with Wimbledon 2023 scheduling as the rain is plaguing the All England Tennis Club’s grassy courts very much this year.
The Czech has clinched Championships on two occasion in 2011 and 2014 and is arriving at SW19 in his usual best. Kvitova bagged the WTA 500 bett1open (Berlin Open) for her 31st career title and 6th on grass. However, the rain has played the part of the third player on courts for the straight first three days at SW19, suspending play on numerous occasions on all courts except Center court and court 1, forcing Kvitova to take her R1 match against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini on Wild Wednesday which will host a total of 87 matches.
The Round 1 of single events was officially close on Thursday afternoon and Kvitova revealed that there have been locker room discussions about the stubborn rain and situation created by it.
“We talked in the locker room. We don’t get it,” said Kvitova. “[Daria] Kasatkina and [Iga] Swiatek are in round three and some haven’t finished round one. I don’t think the organizers quite managed it. They should put round one players on Centre Court. It’s depressing to wait two days to play. It can happen at Wimbledon, but it’s annoying.”
While the Center Court and Court 1 occupants (only roofed courts at SW19) including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek, Daria Kasatkina and others have managed to complete their first round matches and get ahead of their draws, the others have to wait for the rain to stop to start their campaigns.
The Czech will have to give up her recovery time to play against Aliaksandra Sasnovich on the roofless Court #2 but with the forecasting of comparatively better weather conditions the 2-time Wimbledon champion looks to complete her R2 without any external fuss.
Petra Kvitova’s Route to 3rd Championships Crown
As one of the only three former Champions in the Wimbledon Ladies singles draw, the 33-year old is among the top favorites to once again lift the Venus Rosewater Dish in 2023.
Here is her potential route to the title:
R1: Kvitova beat Jasmine Paolini, 6-4, (5)-7, 6-1
R2: Aliaksandra Sasnovich
R3: Natalija Stevanovic or Tamara Korpatsch
R4: Ons Jabeur (6) or Anhelina Kalinina (26)
Quarters: Elena Rybakina (3) or Beatriz Haddad Maia (13)
Semis: Aryna Sabalenka (2) or Ekaterina Alexandrova (21)
Final: Iga Swiatek (1) or Jessica Pegula (4)