Petra Kvitova spoke out against the return of Russians and Belarusians to Wimbledon 2023, and the Miami champion drew criticism from the two-time Grand Slam winner from Russia.

Petra KvitovaPhoto: SMG / Zuma Press / Profimedia

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Petra Kvitova, who was criticized by Svitlana Kuznetsova: “Czechs against the Russian people”

US Open 2004 and Roland Garros 2009 champion Svitlana Kuznetsova said that she knows Kvitova well and does not understand why she got involved in this discussion.

“I have known Petra since childhood, we lived the same life, shared the same locker room in women’s tennis for 10 years. And I was surprised by her statement, expressed without any reason!

It is obvious that the Czechs are against the Russian people. Now there is propaganda and Russophobia all over the world. But I believe that athletes should not interfere. He just has to play tennis!

I understand if politicians play tennis, but the ATP and WTA try to keep the sport out of politics. And while we’re on the subject, let’s talk about all the military actions that have taken place throughout the modern era in various countries and their effects on sports.

Tennis players don’t even understand politics – I don’t, my teammates don’t. Why associate them with her?” – Svetlana Kuznetsovaquoted by Sport.pl.

Kvitova and Kuznetsova met six times at WTA tournaments, four times she defeated a player from the Czech Republic.

Although not officially retired from tennis, Svitlana Kuznetsova (who has been dealing with multiple injuries) has not played since being eliminated from the 2021 Wimbledon qualifiers.

In the 2022 edition, players from Russia and Belarus were not allowed to play at Wimbledon due to Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine.

On March 31, 2023, Wimbledon organizers announced that they would meet Russians and Belarusians at the London Major, but under a neutral flag.

Petra Kvitova added that the players were not consulted about the decision of the Wimbledon organizers, and this issue was not discussed in the locker room.

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