Wimbledon 2025: Iga Swiatek reveals 'embarrassing' moment on Petra Kvitova's SW19 farewell - 'I had to say sorry!'

Petra Kvitova bid farewell to Wimbledon as she was beaten in the first round by Emma Navarro. Former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek spoke to the two-time champion afterwards, and it did not go exactly according to plan. Kvitova said after her defeat: "I never dreamed of winning a Wimbledon, and I won it twice, so this is something very, very special."

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Iga Swiatek revealed the "embarrassing" moment when she congratulated Petra Kvitova on winning her first-round Wimbledon match - only to realise the two-time champion had been beaten on her final appearance at the Grand Slam.

Former world No. 2 Kvitova is retiring from tennis after the US Open, following a brief return to the tour after becoming a mother.

Kvitova’s last match at the tournament saw her beaten in straight sets by Emma Navarro on Court One.

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Swiatek was asked about Kvitova after her first-round win over Polina Kudermetova and revealed she had just spoken to her - and it did not turn out as planned.

"Honestly, in the locker room now I saw her doing an interview," started Swiatek.

"She came to the locker and I congratulated her. It was embarrassing because I saw her doing an interview, so I thought she won. Then I had to say sorry."

Kvitova, 35, won Wimbledon twice in 2011 and 2014.

"I have huge respect towards Petra," added Swiatek.

"She's from Czech, so it feels like she's from kind of a similar country to Poland. We're close, many Polish players go to Czech to practice and everything.

"I always felt like she’s one of the examples for us, even though she's not from Poland.

"I always had huge respect towards Petra, and she achieved so much, especially here on grass. She has a big fan base, she's well-known for her victories on the grass.

"I hope she's going to enjoy today, that she's going to be appreciated by everyone, by the fans, because for sure she deserves it. She's a good person overall."

Kvitova had been handed a wildcard for her 16th appearance at Wimbledon.

The 35-year-old led 3-1 in the first set but lost 11 of the last 12 games to fall to defeat.

Her win-loss record at the Grand Slam ends at 38-14.

"To have another chance to player here one more time, it means a lot to me," said Kvitova in her on-court interview.

"This place holds the best memories I could wish for. I never dreamed of winning a Wimbledon, and I won it twice, so this is something very, very special.

"I will miss Wimbledon for sure. I will miss tennis, I will miss the fans, but I'm ready for the next chapter in life as well.

"Thanks to the people who helped me to improve as a player and a person. I didn't have many tennis coaches in my career but my first one was my dad and he is here today.

"My last one is my husband so I want to thank them all and the people in my box. Thank you to all my family back home. Thank you very much, Wimbledon."

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