Petra Kvitova

Petra Kvitova was born March 8, 1990 to father Jiri who introduced her to the sport at a very young age. She has two brothers who also play tennis. This 21-year old Czech player can speak Czech, English and Russian and admires Swiss Roger Federer and Russian Maria Sharapova. She, however, considers Martina Navratilova her biggest idol being left-handed like she is.

She turned professional in 2006 and played her first match of her career in Szeged, Hungary defeating Dorottya Magas. She finished the year with another ITF singles title win at the Czech Republic beating Radana Holusuva at the finals. She started 2007 with another ITF match in January 21, 2007 clinching the ITF title in Stuttgart, Germany beating Anne Schaffer.

In February, she overwhelmed Magdeline Ryanrik in the final round, 7-5, 7-6 in Prague claiming another ITF singles title. By the end of the year, she repeated the feat in hard court against the same opponent in Prerov, 7-5, 6-3. She entered and won another ITF main draw match in the Czech Republic in December 16, 2007 beating Ivana Lisjack, 6-4, 6-0.

Her first main draw WTA Tour event in Stockholm only got her to the first round losing to Domachoska. She also entered a major ITF event in Prague but fell in the qualifying round. Her attempt at her first Grand Slam event, the US Open also ended the same way. Kvitova was chosen as member of the Czech Fed Cup Team in 2007 as well as 2008.

She opened the 2008 season with a bid at the Australian Open but failed to qualify. Her second round win at Memphis gave her an impressive win over World No. 8 Venus Williams. She won her first $75,000 ITF match in May at Monzon, Spain and broke through the Top 100 rising from No. 123 to No. 98. Her best finish this year is the quarterfinals at Budapest.

Known for her fast left serves, Kvitova is currently ranked at No. 5, which she achieved in October 3, 2011 in singles. Currently, she is ranked at No. 364 as of September 12, 2011. 2011 has been a productive year for Kvitova, who has won her first ever Grand Slam title at the 2011 Wimbledon.