Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic bade an emotional farewell to professional tennis after a first round defeat at the US Open on Monday, saying she was most proud of her resilience and major victories during a memorable two-decade career.

"I'm very proud of how I handled the pressure, how many times I have been in the Top 10," said Kvitova, "It was very, very special for me. Even (though) I never been World No. 1, but I think still those two Grand Slam wins is above the World No. 1. So that's how I gonna take it, especially the Wimbledon ones."

The 35-year-old returned to competition earlier this season following 17 months of maternity leave, and announced ahead of Wimbledon that she would call time on her career at the end of 2025's final Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York.

"Yeah, I'm proud of many, many things," Kvitova added. "What I gonna miss, it will be the tennis itself. It's a beautiful sport. Everything you do on the court, it's your fault or your win. I think that's the beauty of the sport, as well."

Kvitova won 31 titles, including Wimbledon crowns in 2011 and 2014, reaching a highest ranking of number two in the world. She will also be remembered for her stirring return to tennis after sustaining a serious hand injury during a home invasion in 2016.