Dubai: Petra Kvitova will use this week’s Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships to clear her mind and figure out her next course of action after firing her coach.
The 25-year-old Czech parted company with David Kotyza after she was knocked out in the second round of the Australian Open by Daria Gavrilova last month.
In their seven years together, Kotyza had overseen all but one of Kvitova’s 17 career titles, having missed her 2013 Dubai win because he was on holiday.
But even though that 2013 victory proves she can win on her own in Dubai, the two-time Wimbledon champion (2011 and 2014) says this week’s tournament is more about getting some time alone to think. “It was a pretty long relationship and I just felt my game needed some new input,” said the world No.9, who is a fourth seed wild card for this week’s tournament at Dubai Tennis Stadium.
“Now, I don’t have any coach and I’m by myself but I’m kind of enjoying it and hope it helps my game.
“I just feel more free than I was before. Now that I’m on my own I can think of stuff, and it’s all about me and my game and what I’m going to do, so I’m just learning about myself a little bit.
“I like to do things by myself and just need the space and peace to think. I think this is an important step for me to find out what I need to do next and how I can play well again.”
Kvitova, who got engaged with Czech ice hockey player Radek Meidl in December, said she had no immediate plans to appoint a new coach but would consider getting a sparring partner ahead of next month’s BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
“I didn’t feel I was improving, that’s why I made the change, I think I can play a lot better than I am now,” she added.
But as to whether this newfound freedom will translate into instant success here in Dubai, where she has one win in five appearances since 2009, Kvitova sounded doubtful. “I cannot say I’m confident right now but it’s nice to play some more matches at a place where I have good memories, of course I’ll do my best and go as far as I can.
“That’s why I’m coming here, not only because I won in 2013 but also because I need to clear my mind and really think about what I’m going to do. That’s why I came alone to enjoy my tennis and be without pressure.”
