Petra Kvitova - An In Depth Look at Her Game

Petra Kvitova has made a real impression on the WTA tour in 2011. Kvitova is very much a throwback to bygone eras in pro tennis. Her game and attitude is very much modelled on what can be described as the big game, and what makes Kvitova so interesting is that she plays the big game in the purest sense. We hear that players hit the ball harder than ever and yet most of the top players on the tour are grinders. Kvitova is the opposite, matches are determined on how she’s playing and feeling, it’s on her racquet.

The way Kvitova won Wimbledon is reflective of this, she only dropped two sets whilst hitting over 200 winners in 7 matches, on average 30 winners per match, that’s a lot of winners! Kvitova has won 5 tournaments so far this year including Brisbane, Paris Indoor, Madrid and Linz, she’s won tournaments on all surfaces. Kvitova has a very bright future, so its a good opportunity to take an in depth look at her game and potential.


Petra’s Serve


Kvitova has one of the best serves on the WTA tour. Her serve is up there with Serena Williams and Sam Stosur as the most technically proficient. It’s not the fastest (usually top speed of 115mph) but it’s very big with a lot of spin and variation. Kvitova has an added factor, time on her side to improve her serve and make it more of a weapon than it already is, which is a scary thought for her opponents.

With Kvitova being left handed, she has an immediate advantage on the ad court (the decision court) which she uses to great effect with the swing serve to the backhand. Kvitova uses an incredible variety of serves and takes more chances on her serve than any female player. On both courts, Kvitova uses the sliding serve into the body to jam her opponents and get a short reply. By using the serve into the body as a tactic, it sets up a wide serve either side of her opponent.

Kvitova is also a great proponent of the slice serve on the deuce court, she bends it beautifully away from her opponents backhand. Kvitova can hit all four targets of the service box and therefore has the ability to hit many aces. The Wimbledon final against Maria Sharapova is a perfect example of Kvitova’s tactical brain, throughout the match Kvitova served into Sharapova’s body or wide to her backhand, then on matchpoint, straight down the middle, ace with Sharapova guessing the wrong way, great thinking in a pressure moment.

What really makes Kvitova’s serve stand out is the 2nd serve, Kvitova really takes chances on it, often going for lines, or into the body and very deep in the box. The sort of courage we haven’t seen from servers since the likes of Sampras was at the top of tennis. That sort of courage and tactical play will ensure Kvitova wins a lot more matches than loses over the next few years.

Petra’s Return of Serve


This is another aspect of the game that really reminds me of past greats. Kvitova is reviving an art that has been lost for some time, which is hitting clean winners off return of serve. Again, players go after their opponents’ 2nd serve, but Kvitova can turn good serves into return winners,

Kvitova has great hand eye co-ordination and a long wing span. This allows her to really have a go at the return of serve. And so often with players who have big serves or expect to hold serve, they can really put pressure on their opponents serve, not giving them much time to breathe. On deuce and ad courts, Kvitova has the ability to really step in and punish any short serves for winners.

Kvitova can also get the ball deep with tremendous pace, putting the server under constant pressure. Kvitova also has an interesting mentality, which is she’s not afraid to miss, if she misses the return or makes a mistake, she’s still coming after you when the next opportunity arises. That’s a gift to have that sort of self belief and confidence in your own ability.


Petra’s Forehand


Kvitova’s forehand is very much a classic shot, a shot designed to deliver as much damage as possible in the rallies. Kvitova said in an interview during Wimbledon that she watched Agassi Sampras matches on television, her forehand is very much in the tradition of those two players. Her forehand doesn’t have a lot of topspin, but is driven with force to all targets of the court.

Kvitova can make a lot of errors with her forehand but when she’s in a groove it can be a fantastic shot, especially when she’s off balance or out of position and goes for the spectacular.

Commentator and ex champion, Tracy Austin said during Wimbledon that Kvitova’s forehand can be a little too flat at times, I would agree with that assessment. Agassi and Sampras added topspin to their forehand drives to make it a formidable shot and increase their margin for error, Kvitova has the ability to do the same and come up with similar results, which would make her forehand one of the best in the womens game alongside Sam Stosur.

Petra’s Backhand


Kvitova has a great two hand backhand, especially off return of serve. Again, like her forehand, she can really use it to drive through the ball and hit winners at will, from all angles of the court. Kvitova also has an added advantage, the ability to take one hand off and play great slice shots, especially on grass where the ball stays low.

With the slice backhand, Kvitova can use it to change the pace of the rallies, or take a short ball and use the slice to attack the net. It was a shot that certainly gave her an added dimension during Wimbledon.

In terms of the two hander, Kvitova has the advantage of being 6 ft tall (1 metre 83), this often allows her to really lean on the ball and take a lot of her shots on top of the bounce, taking time away from her opponent with fairly flat drives. Like her forehand, Kvitova is especially dangerous when out of position and goes for winners down the line or crosscourt.


Petra’s Movement


This is a part of her game where the critics love to have a field day. I can see the comparisons with Lindsay Davenport in terms of Kvitova’s height and playing first strike tennis. Kvitova’s movement is not the best on the tour, but it’s not bad, and it’s an area she is looking to improve all the time.

Her movement into the forecourt is very good, she’s not afraid to hit approach shots and attack the net and take the initiative, always the sign of a very good player. Kvitova’s movement from side to side across the baseline can be improved but I also think her movement is deceptive and she has a long wing span.

And that’s an area I feel she has an advantage over a past player like Lindsay Davenport. When Kvitova is drawn out of position, she can come up with amazing shots, so her movement has to be good enough to get her into positions to hit those shots.


Petra’s Volleys and Overheads


This is another facet of the game Kvitova can excel in, she showed this right through her Wimbledon run this year. Kvitova has excellent volley skills and court positioning at net and is able to hit all sorts of conventional and drive volleys. Kvitova is also capable of hitting great stop volleys and improvised volleys.

Kvitova is not as athletic as Amelie Mauresmo or Justine Henin but she does have a long wing span, and cuts off passing shots well. Kvitova hasn’t had to play too many overheads, as players don’t go for lobs as much but she’s a capable smasher. And with improved movement and fitness, her volleys and overheads will improve further in the coming years.

Looking at Petra Kvitova’s game in detail, her strengths far outweigh her weaknesses. As long as Kvitova keeps improving, and improves her fitness and mental game, she has the game to become a multiple slam winner and great player in years to come.