Kvitova calls Fed Cup a "really special" part of her career

The Czech Petra Kvitova says playing in the Fed Cup has been "really special" in her career. While a number of players won’t compete for their teams very often, Kvitova has played a tremendous amount, participating in 21 ties and winning five titles.

That includes wins against Dominika Cibulkova, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Francesca Schiavone, Sam Stosur, Roberta Vinci, Jelena Jankovic, Caroline Garcia and Angelieque Kerber, among others. She has a 28 and 10 record. The left-hander says that the competition is very emotional, and usually gets her to play her best.

“I always loved playing team competitions as a kid. I always played great, supporting the others and being part of the team,” said Kvitova. “I just love it. Fed Cup is part of my career. We won it five times and it was something really special in my heart. I never forget, especially playing at home as well, with the home crowd, when we don’t have that many opportunities to play in front of them.”

The Czech Republic played this week's semifinals against Germany, who held the tie on clay in Stuttgart. And Kvitova again stepped up for her team.

Match point from Kvitova's win over Kerber in the fourth rubber:

“Every match will be very difficult and it’s like 50-50,” she said before play began, but then defeated Julia Goerges in straight sets to open the semifinals.

Karolina Pliskova won the second singles against Angelique Kerber to give the Czech Republic a big advantage going into the second day. Kvitova was able to clinch the tie for the Czechs in the fourth rubber.

The two-time Grand Slam champion Kvitova first appeared in Fed Cup in 2007 and played every year until 2017, with a knife attack keeping her off the court for the first half of the season. The Czech Republic also saw its three-year Fed Cup winning streak snapped, falling in the semifinals.

But with Kvitova now back on the team, the Czech Republic is looking to start winning again.