Petra Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion, lost to Johanna Konta in her second match at Eastbourne and admits that she’s trying to regain confidence.
“I think that I'm kind of feeling that I am playing well, even though I kind of lost some of the matches in a couple of months,” the 11th-ranked Czech said after a 5-7, 6-4, 6-0 loss to Konta on grass. ”But I think it's pretty good. The main thing is to stay healthy, for sure. Otherwise I feel good. I think that the mental side should be a little bit, stronger.”
The 26-year-old is now being coached by Frantisek Cermak, who came aboard in mid-April. She split with her previous coach David Kotyza after seven years. Kvitova believes that finding what she’s lost will take time.
“I do work with my mental coach,” she said. “I think it's getting better, as well. But you never really know. Kind of these matches, it's difficult, always under the pressure and the players are playing without any expectation or anything. So just going for it. Sometimes it's difficult to stay still, very focused on every kind of point.”
In 2011, Kvitova won Wimbledon by stunning Maria Sharapova in the final. She won again in 2014 by easily dismissing first-time Grand Slam finalist Eugenie Bouchard. Last year she fell in the third round to former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka.
Though Kvitova appeared to be affected by a leg injury, Konta was thrilled to get the win.
"She plays incredibly well on the grass," the 18th-ranked Konta said. "She's a two-time Wimbledon champion, so I think her results speak for themselves. I just need to stay in points when I need to but also look to take my opportunities whenever they arise."